Category Archives: Best Buys

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

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY BALANCE CHARDONNAY 2012, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara, Ontario, Canada

24 Wednesday Aug 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Niagara College Teaching Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, White Wines, Winery Review Series

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12 BF Chard Pic

Cost: $18.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Niagara College Winery
Country: Canada
Region: St. David’s Bench, Niagara, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Nicely balanced between citric, tropical fruit, acidity & oak

Description: Medium bright gold in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features medium toasted oak, lemon, apple, pineapple, Freestone peaches, oak spice, clove, dill and white flower on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Thanks to Kate from the Teaching Winery for assisting me at the winery’s tasting area.

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years, on its own or pair it with pizza bianche with fior di latte, cherry tomatoes, arugula & prosciutto di Parma

Tasted: 20 August 2016

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

HANDSOME BRUT MÉTHODE TRADITIONNELLE NV, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

23 Tuesday Aug 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Sparkling Wine

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Handsome

Cost: $24.95 (Clearance price: $20.00)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Angels Gate
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

A quality Blanc de Blanc at a good price

Description: Bright straw in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose and fine mousse. This wine features light brioche, lemon/lime, pear, peach, green apples, kiwi, honeydew melon and honeysuckle on the nose. Medium+ body with medium tannin, 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 Pear, Parmesan, Candied Pecan and Arugula Salad.

Tasted : 7 Aug 2016

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 395160

KITTLING RIDGE LIMITED EDITION BARREL AGED BACO NOIR 2012, VQA Ontario, Canada

23 Tuesday Aug 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Red Wines

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Kittling Ridge Baco

Cost: $16.95
Grape: Baco Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Winery
Alcohol: 13.3% Alcohol/Vol.

One of the better Baco Noir’s I’ve had

Description: Light to medium garnet in colour with an intense nose. This wine features smoked oak, mulberry, blackberry, plum, peppercorn, mushrooms and pipe tobacco on the nose. Medium+ body with medium tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Slightly chill and use the balloon style glassware

Drink now or in the next 3 of years, on its own or pair it with Gourmet style Broiled Burgers topped with Smoked Bacon and Fried Egg.

Tasted: 31 July 2016

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 373613

DOMAINE ALLIMANT-LAUGNER BRUT CRÉMANT D’ALSACE MÉTHODE TRADITIONNALLE NV, Ac Alsace, France

23 Tuesday Aug 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, Sparkling Wine

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Allimant

Cost: $19.95 (Clearance price: $16.00)
Grape: Pinot Blanc, Riesling, Pinot Gris
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Alsace
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Domaine Allimant-Laugner
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Simple, yet elegant

Description: Medium straw in colour with a medium+ intense nose and fine mousse. This wine features light yeast, hay, lemon, pear, almonds, limestone and jasmine 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 Smoked Salmon.

Tasted: 31 July 2016

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 30593

MAGNOTTA EQUUS SERIES PINOT NOIR ROSÉ 2015, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

22 Monday Aug 2016

Posted by in Amazing Buys, Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, Rosés

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rose_eq_pinotnoirrose

Cost: $9.95 (Sale price until 31 July 2016: $8.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Rosé Wine
Location Magnotta Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Winery
Alcohol: 13.3% Alcohol/Vol.

Still reigning champion for best rosé for under $10

Description: Pale salmon in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features cherry, strawberry, Macoun apple, nectarine, rhubarb and light peat moss on the nose. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Try it with a Pinot Noir style glassware; you won’t be disappointed. See my previous review that I did in 2014 of the 2013 vintage.

Drink now or in the next 2 of years, on its own or pair it with Grilled Pork Chops with Orange Peppers.

Tasted: 26 July 2016

Amazing & Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9.5+/10 (Sale price: 10/10) Total: 18+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

CHATEAU DES CHARMES BRUT MÉTHODE TRADITIONNELLE NV, VQA, Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario, Canada

22 Monday Aug 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Sparkling Wine

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chateau des charmes

Cost: $23.95
Grape: Chardonnay & Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara-On-The-Lake
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Chateau Des Charmes Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Solid, easy drinking sparkling wine made in the traditional style at a fair price

Description: Light straw in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features light toast, lemon, green apples, pear, lime, peach and white flowers on the nose. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

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

Tasted: 24 July 2016

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 224766

CHÂTEAU DORLEAC REVALATIONS D’HUBERT De BOÜARD 2014, Ac Graves, France

28 Thursday Jul 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Dorleac

Cost: $15.95
Grape: 97% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Graves
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Château Dorleac
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Simple, easy drinking but with substance & at a great price

Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, cherry, red currants, dried berries, smoked cherry tobacco and violets on the nose. Medium+ body with medium tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Reminds me of my teen years during summers when I tried Colts cigars

Drink now or in the next 5-7 of years, on its own or pair it with Roast Chicken with Thyme and Onions.

Tasted: 15 July 2016

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 444315

HILLIER CREEK ESTATES PINOT NOIR 2012, VQA Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada

28 Thursday Jul 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Red Wines

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Hillier

Cost: $22.95 (Clearance price: $18.40)
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Prince Edward County
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Hillier Creek Estates
Alcohol: 10.6% Alcohol/Vol.

10.6% alcohol for a Pinot?! Thank you HCE for substantially giving us lower than average alcohol level and yet produce a nice juicy, full flavoured wine at a good price

Description: Light garnet in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, cherry, red currants, cranberry, peat moss, barnyard notes and violets on the nose. Light to medium body with light tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Prince Edward County produces some of Canada’s best Pinot Noir

Drink now or in the next 5 of years, on its own or pair it with Grilled Mediterranean Lamb Burgers with Sumac Marinated Onions. 

Tasted: 19 July 2016

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 424382

RIOJA BORDÓN GRAN RESERVA 2005, DOCA Rioja, Spain

27 Wednesday Jul 2016

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

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Rioja Bordon

Cost: $23.95
Grape: 80% Tempranillo, 16% Garnacha, 2% Mazudo, 2% Graciano
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bodegas Franco Españolas
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A top notch, youthful Gran Reserva at a good price

Description: Medium garnet to ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features sandalwood, cherry, red currants, dried bramble fruit, old leather, shitake mushrooms, vanilla, chalk, and cherry tobacco on the nose. Medium body with dusty tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 10 of years, on its own or pair it with Braised Beef Roast with Cherry Balsamic Sauce.

Tasted: 20 July 2016 (Happy Birthday to my beautiful wife, without her contribution to my site it would not have the positive impact that it has)

Best Buy & Top Pick

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

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

LCBO: 428060

CHÂTEAU DES DEMOISELLES 2011, Ac Castillon, Bordeaux, France

27 Wednesday Jul 2016

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

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Chateau

Cost: $17.95
Grape: 70% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Castillon, Bordeaux
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Château Des Demoiselles
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Big on substance, low on price: Can’t ask for more

Description: Medium ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features cedar, bramble fruit, blueberry, cherry, red & black currants, plum, coffee, thyme, peppercorn, cassis, anise, turmeric, tomato leaf, leather and railway ties on the nose. Medium to medium+ body with medium tannins, good acidity and a very long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Serve between 16-18 Celsius

Drink now or in the next 7 years on its own or pair it with Gourmet Burgers made with Grass fed Prime Beef, Camembert, truffle Mayo, onion jam and tomatoes.

Tasted: 6 May 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: 348755