Category Archives: Best Buys

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

RIOJA BORDÓN GRAN RESERVA 2005, DOCA Rioja, Spain

27 Wednesday Jul 2016

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

≈ Leave a comment


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

≈ Leave a comment


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

PENTHOUSE PINOT NOIR 2013, Adelaide Hills, Australia

27 Wednesday Jul 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Penthouse_Pinot_Noir_2013_web

Cost: $16.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Australia
Region: Adelaide Hills
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Penthouse Wines
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A nice mix of new and old world style Pinot at a great price

Description: Light garnet in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, cherry, strawberry, plum, truffles, mushrooms, pipe tobacco and violets on the nose. Medium body with light tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 5 of years, on its own or pair it with Brisket and Mushroom stew served with Cheddar Jalapeño Biscuits. 

Tasted: 22 July 2016

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 432864

CASTILLO DE ALMANSA ROSADO 2015, DO Almansa, Spain

13 Monday Jun 2016

Posted by in Amazing Buys, Best Buys, Rosés, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

≈ Leave a comment


Castillo

Cost: $11.95
Grape: Syrah
Category: Rosé Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Almansa
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bodegas Piqueras
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

A rosé that’s bursting with juicy flavours

Description: Bright pomegranate in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features cherry, strawberry, pomegranate, rhubarb and red roses on the nose. Medium body with good acidity and a very long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: So far this year this is my favourite rosé

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Grilled Chicken Breasts with Strawberry Red Wine Balsamic Sauce.  

Tasted: 31 May 2016

Amazing Buy, Best Buy & Top Pick

Score: 9+/10, Value: 10/10 Total: 19+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: 445635

CAMPO VIEJO TEMPRANILLO ROSÉ 2015, DOC Rioja, Spain

13 Monday Jun 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, Rosés

≈ Leave a comment


Rose

Cost: $11.75
Grape Variety: Tempranillo Rosé
Category: Rosé Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Campo Viejo
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

Consistently one of the best tasting Rosés for your money

Description: Light cranberry in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features cherry candy, peach, strawberry, watermelon, rhubarb and Spy apple. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next couple years on its own or pair it with Sweet and Tart Chicken Wings.

Tasted: 10 May 2016

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 175620

GRANDE RESERVE NAOUSSA BOUTARI 2008, PDO Naoussa, Greece

01 Sunday May 2016

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

≈ Leave a comment


Naoussa

Cost: $18.95 (Sale price: $15.20)
Grape: Xinomaro
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Greece
Region: Naoussa
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Boutari
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic Old Word aged wine at a bargain price

Description: Light garnet in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features dusty old wood, sandalwood, dried red berries, licorice, anise, black olives, champagne mushrooms and leather. Medium+ body with mild tannins, good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Similar to a Grand Reserva Rioja, but use the same glassware that you would drink a Cabernet in.

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Penne with Bacon and Black Olive Sauce.

Tasted: 23 April 2016

Best buy & Top Pick

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

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

LCBO: 140111

RODNEY STRONG RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY PINOT NOIR 2013, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States

01 Sunday May 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Rodney Strong

Cost: $24.95 (Sale until 24 April 2016: $22.95)
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Russian River Valley, Sonoma County
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Rodney Strong
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Consistently a nice drinking, full flavoured & balanced RRS Pinot at a reasonable price

Description: Light to medium ruby in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features pine, cranberry, crabapples, cherry, rhubarb, cinnamon, cloves and forest greens. Medium+ body with mild tannins, good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: The 14.5% alcohol

Interesting Note: Slightly chill and if you can use the balloon style Pinot glass

Drink now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Turkey Cranberry and Grilled Brie Panini.

Tasted: 21 April 2016

Best buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 954834

CHÂTEAU MAMIN 2009, Ac Graves, Bordeaux, France

21 Thursday Apr 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Mamin

Cost: $21.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Graves, Bordeaux
Format: 750 mL
Producer:
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Juicy, a touch acerbic on the finish, yet still smooth & delicious

Description: Medium+ ruby to garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, cherry, plum, blackberry, black currants, blueberry, turmeric, pencil shavings, leather and mesquite. Medium+ body and tannins, with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Crispy Skin Trout with Mint and Coriander Pork Belly.

Tasted: 4 April 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: 444281

TOASTED HEAD CHARDONNAY 2014, California, United States

21 Thursday Apr 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Toasted Head

Cost: $18.95 (Sale price until 24 April 2016: $15.95)
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: R.H. Phillips Vineyard & Winery
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.
A nice balance of smokiness, wood & tropical fruit that makes this Chard stand above the regular mass produced California Chards

Description: Gold in colour with medium+ intense nose. This wine features medium toasted oak, lemon meringue, smokiness, apples, cinnamon, peaches, pineapple, peaches & cream corn, butterscotch and coconut. Medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Notes: LCBO puts this wine on sale a couple times a year, which makes it even more worth buying.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Grilled Chicken Thighs with Chipotle-Peach Salsa.

Tasted: 6 April 2016

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: 594341

VILLA MARIA PRIVATE BIN PINOT NOIR 2013, Marlborough, New Zealand

21 Thursday Apr 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Villa Maria

Cost: $19.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: New Zealand
Region: Marlborough
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Villa Maria
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A juicy, mid weight, well balance & delicious Pinot for under $20

Description: Medium ruby to garnet colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features pine, cherry, raspberry, strawberry, rhubarb, forest greens and fresh cut carnations on the nose. Medium body with mild tannin, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Slightly chill and if you can use the balloon style Pinot glass

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Dry Rubbed Oven Roasted Brisket stuffed with Garlic, Rosemary and Pine-nuts.

Tasted: 7 April 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: 146548