Category Archives: Best Buys

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

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

KANONKOP KADETTE CAPE BLEND 2014, Stellenbosch, South Africa

18 Saturday Mar 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines

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k

Cost: $18.99 CI (Sale price Feb 2017: $13.99 CI)
Grape: 44% Pinotage, 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location: Jacques Scott, Grand Cayman
Country: South Africa
Region: Stellenbosch
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kanonkop
Alcohol: 14 % Alcohol/Vol.

Smooth, smoky & easy drinking

Description: Bright dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features oak, cherry, plum, mocha, Champagne mushrooms, vanilla, caramel, coke, spinach and peat moss on the nose. Medium+ body, light tannin with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Kanonkop means “Cannon Hill” and is derived from the days when cannons were fired to signal the arrival of Danish trade ships into Cape Town harbour.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Cherry-Smoked Duck.

Tasted: 12 February 2017

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9/10 (Sale price: 9.5/10), Total: 17.5+/20

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

DRY CREEK VINEYARD DRY CHENIN BLANC 2015, Clarksburg, California, United States

15 Wednesday Mar 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

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dry-creek

Cost: $20.95
Grape: Chenin Blanc
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Clarksburg, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Dry Creek Vineyard
Alcohol: 13 % Alcohol/Vol.

Good balance between oak, fruit & acidity

Description: Bright straw in colour with an intense nose. This wine features orange, sugar snaps, pineapple, honeydew, kiwi, limestone and honeysuckle on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Nice detail on the front label

Drink now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Crispy Baked Sweet and Sour Chicken.

Tasted: 20 February 2017

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

Best Buy

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

LCBO: 994442

NOVELLUM CHARDONNAY 2014, IGP Pays d’Orc Roussillon, France

15 Wednesday Mar 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

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novellum

Cost: $17.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Roussillon
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Novellum
Alcohol: 13 % Alcohol/Vol.

Unoaked but has subtle nuances that make it smooth with some complexity

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features orange, lemon meringue, pineapple, Spy and Golden apples, coconut cream pie, macadamia nuts and white flowers on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: No wood was used; instead the wine was aged on Viognier lees to give it more substance.

Drink now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Broiled Chicken stuffed with macadamia and camembert.

Tasted: 24 February 2017

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

Best Buy

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 390781

CHARLES and CHARLES CABERNET and SYRAH 2014, Columbia Valley, Washington State, United States

14 Tuesday Mar 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Cost: $17.95 (Sale Price until March 26, 2017: $15.95)
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon & Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: United States
Region: Columbia Valley, Washington
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Charles Smith Wines
Alcohol: 13.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

Simple but nicely done

Description: Medium+ ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features light cedar, dark cherry, plum, cassis and anise. Medium body with mild tannin, good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 2-3 years on its own or pair it with BBQ Pork Loin in Fresh Plum Sauce.

Tasted: 6 March 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: 363838

OYSTER BAY BRUT SPARKLING CUVÉE CHARMAT METHOD NV, Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand

24 Friday Feb 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, Sparkling Wine

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oyster-bay

Cost: $17.75
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: New Zealand
Region: Hawke’s Bay
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Oyster Bay
Alcohol: 12 % Alcohol/Vol.

Easy drinking delicious sparkler

Description: Bright straw in colour with a medium+ intense nose and fine mousse. This wine features tangerine, pineapple, kiwi, cucumber, honey, limestone and white flowers on the nose. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: My wife’s new favourite sparkling wine

Drink now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with bacon wrapped seared scallops

Tasted: 24 February 2017

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

Best Buy

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 163634