Category Archives: Best Buys

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

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

CONDE VALDEMAR RESERVA 2009, DOCa Rioja, Spain

21 Sunday May 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: 90% Tempranillo, 5% Mazuelo, 5% Graciano
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bodegas Valdemar
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

My new favourite Tempranillo Reserva; full flavoured, spicy & smokey

Description: Light to medium garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features sandalwood, cedar, plum, dried cherries, raspberry, tobacco, dried herbs, black olives, Champagne mushrooms, peppercorns, black tea and cigar box on the nose. Medium+ body with medium+ tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 5-7 of years on its own or pair it with Vietnamese Smoked Pulled Pork Buns.

Tasted: 17 May 2017

Best Buy

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9+/10, Total: 18.5/20

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

LCBO: 947309

INVIVO PINOT NOIR 2014, Central Otago, New Zealand

01 Monday May 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Cost: $24.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: New Zealand
Region: Central Otago
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Nicolas Pearce Wines
Alcohol: 14 % Alcohol/Vol.

Lots of flavours & substance for a good price

Description: Medium ruby in colour with an intense nose. This wine features cedar, black cherry, cranberry, cloves, vanilla and peat moss on the nose. Medium body with mild tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Use the Pinot, balloon glass, and chill to 15C

Drink now or in the next 10 years on its own or pair it with Pot Roasted Guinea Fowl with Sage and Orange.

Tasted: 1 April 2017

Best buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 466029

CHÂTEAU DES DEMOISELLES 2014, Ac Castillon Côtes De Bordeaux, France

01 Monday May 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Cost: $17.95
Grape: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Castillon Côtes De Bordeaux
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Ducourt
Alcohol: 13 % Alcohol/Vol.

Great Bordeaux taste at an equally great price

Description: Medium ruby in colour with an intense nose. This wine features cedar, cherry, plum, red & black currants, raspberry, anise, cloves, pencil shavings, spinach, vanilla and violets on the nose. Medium body and tannin with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Slightly chill between 16-18C

Drink now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Classic Steak-Frites.

Tasted: 10 April 2017

Best buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 348755

AIMERY GRAND CUVÉE 1531 CRÉMANT DE LIMOUX BRUT MÉTHODE TRADITIONNELLE NV, Ac Limoux, Languedoc, France

27 Thursday Apr 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $17.45
Grape: Chardonnay, Mausac Blanc, Chenin Blanc
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: France
Region: Limoux, Languedoc
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Sieur D’Arques
Alcohol: 12.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

An interesting, complex Blanc de Blanc that delivers & at a good price

Description: Light bright gold in colour with a medium intense nose and fine mousse. This wine features light toasted oak, brioche, Granny apples, pear, white peach, pink grapefruit and honeysuckle on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: “The history of the Languedocien vineyards goes back to the 5th century BC, when the Greeks introduced the vineyard and its cultivation practices. But it was in 1531 that the Benedictine monks of the Abbey of St Hilaire, a neighbouring commune of Limoux, produced the first sparkling wine in the World … The First Bubble of the World had just been born.” (Sieur D’Argues)

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Lemon Butter Poached Crab Meat and Octopus Salad.

Tasted: 26 March 2017

Best buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 428086

KING’S COURT PRINCESS ROSÉ 2016, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

17 Monday Apr 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Rosés

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Cost: $15.95
Grape: Cabernet Franc
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: King’s Court Estate Winery
Alcohol: 11.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

A delightful surprise, a rosé with delicious substance

Description: Light bright pomegranate in colour with an intense nose. This wine features Bing cherry, cranberry, pink grapefruit, Spy apple and blood orange. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Unusual for modern rosés to have cork vs screw top.

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Herb Crusted Rack of Pork.

Tasted: 25 March 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: 491050

CARPINETO DOGAJOLO ROSSO 2014, IGT Tuscany, Italy

05 Wednesday Apr 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Cost: $15.95
Grape: 80% Sangiovese, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Italy
Region: Tuscany
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Carpineto Casa Vinicola
Alcohol: 14 % Alcohol/Vol.

Smooth, versatile & delicious

Description: Medium ruby to purple in colour with an intense nose. This wine features cedar, sour cheery, strawberry, red currants, leather, Unagi and purple lilacs on the nose. Medium body with dusty tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Penne Arrabbiata with Pancetta.

Tasted: 17 March 2017

Best buy

Score: 9/10, Value: 9.5/10, Total: 18.5/20

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

LCBO: 361501

CHÂTEAU BONNIN PICHON GRANDE-RESERVE 2014, Ac Lussac Saint-Emilion, France

05 Wednesday Apr 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Cost: $20.95
Grape: 70% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Franc, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Lussac Saint-Emilion
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Château Bonnin Pichon
Alcohol: 13 % Alcohol/Vol.

Classic nuances of the right bank Bordeaux, but it’s affordable

Description: Medium+ ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, cherry, plum, blackberry, cassis, anise, black & red peppers, nutmeg and purple lilacs on the nose. Medium+ body and tannin with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Like the classic label.

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Beef Wellington with Spinach and Artichoke. 

Tasted: 23 March 2017

Best buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 280008