Category Archives: Best Buys

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

OGIER VENTOUX ROSÉ 2015, Ac Ventoux, Rhône Valley, France

04 Sunday Dec 2016

Posted by in Amazing Buys, Best Buys, Rosés

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ventoux

Cost: $13.95 (Sale price until Nov 6, 2016: $11.95)
Grape: Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault
Category: Rosé Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Ventoux, Rhône Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Ogier
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Simple, delicious & at a great price

Description: Pale salmon in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features pink grapefruit, strawberry, Spy apples and basil. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in 2 years on its own or pair it with Grilled Salmon.

Tasted: 17 October 2016

Amazing & 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+

LCBO: 134916

WENTE MORNING FOG CHARDONNAY 2015, Livermore Valley, San Francisco Bay, California, United States

03 Saturday Dec 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

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wente

Cost: $18.95 (Sale price until Nov 6, 2016: $16.95)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: United States
Region: Livermore Valley, San Francisco Bay, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Wente Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Balanced tropical fruit with oak in this well priced California Chard

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features light buttered toast, lemon, green and red apples, peach, pineapple, mango, coconut, dill, ginger, vanilla and Easter Lily on the nose. Full body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Drink from the larger Montrachet glassware

Drink now or in 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Halibut Primavera.

Tasted: 18 October 2016

Best Buy

Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10 (Sale price: 9+/10) Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 175430

CHÂTEAU HAUT SELVE 2012, Ac Graves, France

22 Tuesday Nov 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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haut

Cost: $24.95
Grape: 55% Merlot, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Graves
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Chateau Haut Selve
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

A lighter style of Graves, but not light on flavour

Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, blackcurrant, plum, bramble fruit, dried herbs, and peat moss on the nose. Medium+ body and tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in 7-10 years on its own or pair it with Fire Roasted Veal Chop with Maple Glaze.

Tasted: 28 October 2016

Best buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 738120

CREEKSIDE ESTATE THE TRAD 2011, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

22 Tuesday Nov 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Sparkling Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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No Unauthorized Reproduction @Jason Dziver

Cost: $28.95 (Clearance Price: $18.25)
Grape: 56% Pinot Noir, %44 Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: St. David’s Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Creekside Winery
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

Champagne style that is complex, smooth & delicious

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose and a fine mouse. This wine features toasted oak, brioche, yeast, lemon pie, pear, green apples, honey, ginger, dill and honeydew on the nose. Medium+ body, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in 7-10 years on its own or pair it with Fresh Baked Clams.

Tasted: 30 October 2016

Best buy and top pick

Score: 9.5/10, Value: 9/10 (Clearance Price: 10/10) Total: 18.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: 390336

KINGSTON ESTATE MERLOT 2014, Mt Benson and Clare Valley, Austalia

22 Tuesday Nov 2016

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

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kingston-merlot

Cost: Under $20 retail
Grape: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: Bridges Food & Wine Restaurant, Sarnia
Country: Australia
Region: Mount Benson & Clare Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kingston Estate
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A nice easy drinking, juicy wine that’s delicious

Description: Dark ruby to purple in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features light cedar, cherry, plum, mulberry, blueberry, candy apple, vanilla and light oak spice. Medium body with light tannin, good acidity and a decent length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with Braised Beef Short Ribs.

Tasted: 3 October 2016

Best buy

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

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

DOMAINE DE LA BAUME ELISABETH VIOGNIER 2014, IGP Pays D’oc, Southern France

22 Saturday Oct 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, White Wines

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elisabeth

Cost: $16.95
Grape: Viognier
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: South France
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Domaine De La Baume
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

How a Viognier should be, smooth, oily with tropical & citric fruit

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features peach, apricot, lychee, mango, orange, pink grapefruit, honey and peach pit. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Drink now or in 5 years on its own or pair it with Chicken Pad Thai.

Tasted: 8 September 2016

Best Buy & Top Pick

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

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

LCBO: 438796

CHATEAU DES CHARMES BARREL FERMENTED CHARDONNAY 2014, VQA Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario, Canada

18 Tuesday Oct 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, White Wines

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chateau-des-charmes-chard

Cost: $14.95 (Sale until Oct 9, 2016: $13.95)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Chateau des Charmes
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Smooth, not complex but full flavoured Chard

Description: Straw in colour with an intense nose. This wine features light oak, lemon meringue, pineapple, kumquat, pear, backed apple, buttered popcorn, oak spice and vanilla. Medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: The intense nose may deter some people

Drink now or in the next 3-4 of years on its own or pair it with Old Fashioned Linguine with White Clam Sauce.

Tasted: 23 September 2016

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 81653

HENRY OF PELHAM BACO NOIR OLD VINES 2015, VQA Ontario, Canada

18 Tuesday Oct 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Red Wines

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henry-of-pelham

Cost: $19.95
Grape: Baco Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Henry of Pelham
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Juicy, full flavoured & delicious

Description: Dark purple to garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, mulberry, dark cherry, blackberry, cracked peppers, cinnamon, cloves, and smoked ambers on the nose. Medium+ body with medium tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: This is Henry of Pelham’s 2nd tier Baco, their first, the Reserve is the best Baco on the planet, or at least what I’ve tasted. Their 2nd tier follows big brother nicely. Use the same ballon glass for Pinot Noir and lightly chill the wine.

Drink now or in 7 years on its own or pair it with Provencal Braised Lamb Chops.

Tasted: 24 September 2016

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 459966

LOUIS BOUILLOT PERLE D’IVOIRE BRUT CRÉMANT DE BOURGOGNE NV, Ac Burgundy, France

17 Monday Oct 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, Sparkling Wine

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louis

Cost: $19.95
Grape: Mostly Chardonnay with some white grapes
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Burgundy
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Louis Bouillot
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

An elegant substitute for Champagne at half the price

Description: Bright straw in colour with a medium+ intense nose and fine mousse. This wine features light brioche, lemon, green apples, pear and white roses on the nose. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in 7 years on its own or pair it with Littleneck Clams Casino topped with Smoked Bacon, Charred Jalapeño and Burnt Lime.

Tasted: 25 September 2016

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 48801

ANCIANO GRAN RESERVA TEMPRANILLO 2007, DOP VALDEPEÑAS, Spain

17 Monday Oct 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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anciano

Cost: $12.95 (Sale price until 9 Oct 2016: $10.95)
Grape: Tempranillo
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: Spain
Region: Valdepeñas
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bodegas Navalon
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Love the beautiful bottle & the price & the taste isn’t too bad either

Description: Medium garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features light sandalwood, raisin, plum, cherry, mushrooms and some leather on the finish. Medium body with dusty tannin, good acidity and an average length.

Negatives: Don’t expect this simple wine to be typical of a Grand Reserva that sells for over $20+

Interesting Note: Has the classic Rioja gold metal like mesh over the bottle to prevent counterfeiting.

Drink now on its own or pair it with Caramelized Mushrooms, Roasted Garlic, and Cherry Tomato Pasta.

Tasted: 7 October 2016

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 464214