Category Archives: Best Buys

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

HENRY OF PELHAM THREE HILLS CHARDONNAY 2022, VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

15 Monday Apr 2024

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

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Cost: $19.95 (Sale Price until April 28, 2024: $17.95)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Short Hills Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Henry of Pelham Estate
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

My new favourite Canadian Chard under $20. Excellent balance between oak, fruit & acidity. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, soft tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, green & yellow apples, pear, peach, quince, dill, ginger, oak spice, vanilla, roasted almonds & jasmine on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: I reviewed 2019 vintage, and was not too crazy about it, and it was selling for $21.95. Now, now only is it $2 less, but the quality is exceptional.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with steamed lobster.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Top Pick

Tasted: April 11, 2024

LCBO: 268342

CAVE DE RIBEAUVILLÉ GIERSBERGER BRUT CRÉMANT D’ALSACE, NV, AC Alsace, France

18 Monday Mar 2024

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $22.95 (Clearance Price: $16.00)
Grape: 80% Pinot Blanc, 20% Auxerrois
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Alsace
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Cave de Ribeauville
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Bone dry on the taste with citric fruit & minerality. Score: 89/100.

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with fine mousse, high acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Yeast, brioche, green & yellow apples, pear, orange, limestone & acacia on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: “The grapes are exclusively harvested by hand. This Crémant is produced in the purest respect of the traditional method with a second fermentation in the bottle, followed by aging for a minimum of 12 months on slats. A dosage of 8.5g/l during disgorging gives it its raw character.” Winery

Pairings: Drink this now or in 2 – 4 years on its own or pair it for Sunday Brunch.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: March 17, 2024

LCBO: 183624

COUTADA VELHA SIGNATURE 2022, IG Alentejano, Portugal

16 Saturday Mar 2024

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $14.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon, Aragonex & Trincadeira
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Portugal
Region: Arrailos, Alentejano
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Ravasqueira
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Excellent value wine with depth & flavour. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Opaque ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, dry tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Dark cherry, plum, blackberry, cassis, anise, leather, tobacco leaves, fig & violets on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Aged in oak barrels for 8 months.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3 -5 years on its own or pair it with Espetada.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: March 15, 2024

LCBO: 11152

CHÂTEAU LE BOURDIEU 2016, AC Médoc, Bordeaux, France

01 Thursday Feb 2024

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: 50% Merlot, 50% Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Médoc, Bordeaux
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Château Le Bourdieu
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Here’s an opportunity to buy a delicious, aged Médoc wine at a great price. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Dark ruby going to garner in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, dry tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Dark cherry, plum, mulberry, cinnamon, cloves, pencil shavings, turmeric, tobacco leaves, slate & violets on the nose.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in 2 – 4 years on its own or pair it with Marinated Flank Steak Recipe.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: January 31, 2024

LCBO: 85084

CHÂTEAU LES TOURELLES 2019, AC Bordeaux, France

23 Tuesday Jan 2024

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $17.00
Grape: 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Château Dauphiné-Rondillon – Vignobles Darriet
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A good example of left bank Bordeaux at an inexpensive price point. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Dark ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, dry tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Dark cherry, plum, tamarind, raspberry, pomegranate, cloves, pencil shavings, turmeric, clay & violets on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Decant for at least 1 hour

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3 – 5 years on its own or pair it with Moroccan Beef Stew

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: January 22, 2024

LCBO: 426247

FREIXENET ITALIAN ROSÉ 2021, IGT Veneto, Italy

19 Friday Jan 2024

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Rosés

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Cost: $18.95 (Clearance Price: $14.20)
Grape: Veneto Grape Varieties
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO
Country: Italy
Region: Veneto
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Freixenet
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A simple yet nice easy dry drinking rosé. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Light pink to salmon in colour with good acidity, a light intense nose & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Strawberry, cherry & tangerine.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Vegan & I love the look of the bottle

Pairings: Drink this now or in a couple years on its own or pair it with Sweat & Spicey Shrimp

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: January 18, 2024

LCBO: 21623

DOMAINE LES SALICES VIOGNIER 2012, Pays D’Oc, France

03 Sunday Dec 2023

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $17.95 (Clearance Price: $14.40)
Grape: Viognier
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Pays D’Oc
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Domaine François Lurton
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Oiliness followed by nice yellow fruit acidity. Score: 89/100.

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with good acidity, a light to medium intense nose & a good length on the finish. This wine features: White peach, pear, yellow cherry, Cape Gooseberries, apricot, light roasted hazelnuts & limestone.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: “Tasting of the grapes to determine the harvest date at the moment of the aromatic peak. Harvest by machine (between 4 and 9 a.m.) to take advantage of the cool temperatures and thus limit the phenomenon of oxidation. Skin maceration. Pneumatic pressing then cold stabilization for several days. Racking and yeasting for alcoholic fermentation between 16 and 18°C.
Aged for 6 months in French barrels with regular stirring of the lees for 1/3 of the volume.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in 2 – 3 years on its own or pair it with chicken & pork pâté

My Opinion: Recommended

Best buy

Tasted: December 1, 2023

LCBO: 358192

LYV ROSÉ 2022, Pays D’OC, France

25 Saturday Nov 2023

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Rosés

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Cost: $19.95 (Clearance Price: $14.00)
Grape: Grenache, Cinsault & Syrah
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Pays D’Oc
Format: 750 ml
Producer: LIV winery
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A nice crisp, dry with predominantly red fruits that seem to explode in ones mouth. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Pale salmon in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Raspberry, strawberry, pomegranate, white cranberry, tangerine, limestone & lilac on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Vegan wine and love the shape of the bottle

Pairings: Drink this now or in 2 – 3 years on its own or pair it with vegan Banh Bao

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best buy

Tasted: November 22, 2023

LCBO: 32422

TORRE ZAMBA INCASTRO BIANCO 2022, IGT Terre Di Chieti, Abruzzo, Italy

19 Sunday Nov 2023

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $17.95 (Clearance Price: $14.50)
Grape: 50% Pecorino, 30% Passerina & 20% Trebbiano
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Terre Di Chieti, Abruzzo
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Torre Zambra
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Simple, crisp & expressive food friendly wine. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Bright straw in colour with good acidity, an intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Passion fruit, lemon, orange pith, green apple, pear, white cherry & limestone.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Organic & Vegan wine

Pairings: Drink this now or in 2 – 4 years on its own or pair it with Chili Lime Trout

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: November 18, 2023

LCBO: 28121

CHÂTEAU PIERRE DE MONTIGNAC 2020, AOP Médoc, Bordeaux, France

17 Friday Nov 2023

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $24.95 (Clearance Price: $17.50)
Grape: Right Bordeaux Red Blend
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Mêdoc, Bordeaux
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Château Pierre de Montignac
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A powerful, yet balanced Médoc at half the price of its AOC cousins. Score: 91/100.

Tasting Note: Dark ruby in colour with good acidity, a light to medium intense nose, fine grained tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Dark cherry, dried cranberry, plum, cassis, anise, turmeric, pencil shavings, cocoa & granite.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Let the wine breath for about an hour or decant to smooth out the tannin.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 5 – 7 years on its own or pair it with Beef Bourguignon

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: November 16, 2023

LCBO: 437954