Category Archives: Best Buys

Recommended wines considering the price, usually under $25, where it’s from, the winery and the varietal.

STONEHEDGE GRAND RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2014, Napa Valley, California, United States

16 Friday Jun 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

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Cost: $21.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Napa Valley, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Stonehedge Winery
Alcohol: 14.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

A nice balanced Napa Chard between oak, fruit & acidity at a good price

Description: Light gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features light to medium toasted oak, butter, lemon, orange, pineapple, mango, ginger, dill, peaches & cream corn, oak spice and apple blossoms on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Touch to much heat from the 14.5% alcohol

Drink now or in the next 5 of years on its own or pair it with Seared Foie Gras.

Tasted: 6 June 2017

Best Buy

Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 311548

WAKEFIELD SHIRAZ 2015, Clare Valley, Australia

13 Tuesday Jun 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Cost: $18.95 (Sale price until 18 June 2017: $15.95)
Grape: Shiraz
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Australia
Region: Clare Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Wakefield Wines
Alcohol: 14 % Alcohol/Vol.

One of the best commercially produced Shiraz from Australia

Description: Medium ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features light cedar, blueberry, blackberry, plum, black pepper, cassis, vanilla and lavender on the nose. Medium body with light tannin, good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: Some heat from the 14% alcohol.

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years on its own or pair it with Spicy-Sweet Beef Kabobs.

Tasted: 8 June 2017

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5+/10 (Sale price: 9/10) Total: 17.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+

LCBO: 943787

YALUMBA THE Y SERIES VIOGNIER 2016, South Australia, Australia

12 Monday Jun 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

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Cost: $13.95 (Sale price until 18 June 2017: $12.95)
Grape: Viognier
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO general list
Country: Australia
Region: South Australia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Yalumba
Alcohol: 13.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

One of the best value Viogniers

Description: Deep straw in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features lemon, peach, apricot, pineapple, ginger, peach pit, honey and jasmine on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years on its own or pair it with Spicy Ginger Chicken Pad Thai.

Tasted: 29 May 2017

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9+/10 Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 470062

DeMORGENZEN GARDEN VINEYARDS ROSÉ 2016, Stellenbosch, South Africa

01 Thursday Jun 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, Rosés

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Cost: $11.95
Grape: 54% Grenache, 36% Syrah, 10% Mourvédre
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Stellenbosch
Format: 750 mL
Producer: DeMorgenzon
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Great value summer drink so you may wish  to get several bottles

Description: Light salmon in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cherry, strawberry, apple, honeydew melon, passion fruit and white rose on the nose. Medium body with good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: DeMorgenzon originally founded in 1699, means “morning sun”.

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with a Spinach & Goat Cheese Salad made with Warm Sun Dried Cranberries and Crispy Italian Pancetta with Basil Olive Oil 

Tasted: 25 May 2017

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 10/10, Total: 18.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 485813

VÉRTICE CUVÉE, BRUTO ESPUMANTE, CLASSIC METHOD NV, DOC Douro, Portugal

30 Tuesday May 2017

Posted by in Amazing Buys, Best Buys, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $16.95 (Clearance Price: $13.60)
Grape: 37% Gouveio, 27% Touriga Franca, 15% Malvasia Fina, 9% Viosinho
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Portugal
Region: Douro
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Caves Transmontanas
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

Champagne style at a great price

Description: Rose gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose and fine mousse. This complex wine features, light toasted oak, brioche, lemon/lime, orange, Anjou pear, pineapple, green apple, peach, limestone and Easter Lily & peat moss on the nose. Light to medium body with good acidity and an average length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Disgorgement in November 2015 with 60% from 2011 and 20% from 2009/2010 and aged 36 months in the bottle.

Drink now or in the next 10 of years on its own or pair it with Lemon Grass Snapper Ceviche.

Tasted: 7 May 2017

Best Buy & Amazing Buy for Sparkling Wines

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9.5/10 (Clearance Price: 10/10), Total: 19/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4+

LCBO: 482679

MONT ZOVO SA’ SOLIN VALPOLICELLA RIPASSO 2014, DOC Valpolicella, Veneto, Italy

27 Saturday May 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Cost: $18.95
Grape: Corvina blend
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Valpolicella, Veneto
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Monte Zovo
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

A mini Amarone that gives some good power at half the price

Description: Medium to dark garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, plum, dried cherries, blackberry, raspberry, wild blueberries, tobacco, dried herbs, black olives, prosciutto and sandalwood on the nose. Medium+ body with medium tannin, good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Thanks to my brother, Andrew & his wife Liz, who brought this wine to dinner at my house.

Drink now or in the next 3-7 of years on its own or pair it with Braised Oxtail with Basil Dumplings.

Tasted: 9 May 2017

Best Buy

Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10, Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 650713

DÜRNBER L AND T FALKENSTEIN GRÜNER VELTLINER 2015, QbA Niederösterreich, Austria

27 Saturday May 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

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Cost: $14.95
Grape: Grüner Veltliner
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Austria
Region: Niederösterreich
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Dürnberg Fine Wine GMBH
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Simple, yet elegant GV that’s light & refreshing

Description: Deep straw with a green ting in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features green apples, lime, peach, white pepper and limestone. Light to medium body with good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Thanks to my brother, Andrew and his wife Liz, for bringing this wine for his visit to my place.

Drink now or in the next 2-3 of years on its own or pair it with Scallop Ceviche in an Orange Juice, Shallot & Scotch Bonnet Vinaigrette.

Tasted: 8 May 2017

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9/10, Total: 17.5+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+

LCBO: 464537

PATRIACHE PRESTIGE PINOT NOIR 2014, Pays D’Oc, France

26 Friday May 2017

Posted by in Amazing Buys, Best Buys, Red Wines

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Cost: $12.00
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: France
Region: Languedoc-Roussillon
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Patriarche Père & Fils
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A rare Pinot that has substance & not sweetness for this price

Description: Garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features strawberry, ripe cherry, raspberry, cranberry, anise, vanilla, nutmeg and wood ambers on the nose. Light to medium body with light tannin, good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: The Patriarche wine house was founded in 1780. Slightly chill between 13-15C and use the balloon style glassware.

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Cranberry Glazed Roast Chicken.

Tasted: 2 May 2017

Best Buy, but an Amazing Buy for a Pinot

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 10/10, Total: 18.5+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 522649

FANTINI GRAN CUVÉE ROSÉ NV, Acerenza, Potenza, Italy

22 Monday May 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, Rosés, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Anglianico del Vulture
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Acerenza, Potenza
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Farnese
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

Simple but a great for the beach or pool

Description: Pomegranate in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features strawberry, ripe cherry, raspberry and cotton candy. Light to medium body with good acidity and an average length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: The label has a Swarovski crystal

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with BBQ Chicken and Summer Squash.

Tasted: 23 April 2017

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 8.5+/10, Total: 17.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+

LCBO: 479352

JARDIN BARREL FERMENTED CHARDONNAY 2015, Stellenbosch, South Africa

22 Monday May 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

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Cost: $21.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Stellenbosch
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Jordan
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A solid, well balanced Chard

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features medium toasted oak, lemon, peach, butter popcorn, almonds, ginger, dill, oak spice and white rose on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years on its own or pair it with Salmon Poke and Crispy Plantains.

Tasted: 13 May 2017

Best Buy

Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10, Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 663336