Category Archives: Best Buys

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

VILLA MARIA PRIVATE BIN PINOT GRIS 2010, East Coast, New Zealand

13 Wednesday Jan 2016

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

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Villa Maria Pinot Gris

Cost: $18.59 (Cayman Dollars)
Grape: Pinot Gris
Category: White Wine
Location Blackbeard’s Cayman
Country: New Zealand
Region: East Coast
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Villa Maria
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Rich, creamy & delicious

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ nose. This wine features honeysuckle, wakame, dragon fruit, lemon zest, yellow apple and Anjou pear. Medium+ body with good acidity and long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Try this New Zealand Pinot Gris instead of Sauvignon Blanc, you won’t be disappointed

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years on its own or pair it with Poached Flounder in Orange Lemon Sauce.

Tasted: 13 January 2016

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

INNISKILLIN OKANAGAN ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2013, VQA, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada

11 Monday Jan 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, White Wines

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Inniskillin BC

Cost: $14.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintage
Country: Canada
Region: Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Inniskillin Estates
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A spicy Chard that has lots of character & quality for under $15

Description: Medium gold in colour with a medium to medium+ nose. This wine features light toasted oak, lemon, MacIntosh apples, peach, clementine, pineapple, dill, ginger, butterscotch, oak spice, vanilla, nutmeg and cinnamon. Medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: I really like Inniskillin’s Niagara Peninsula Chard, same year, reviewed by me and this one takes it by a nose.

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Roasted Chicken with Creamy Dill Sauce.

Tasted: 6 January 2016

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 423236

BERONIA ELABORACIÓN ESPECIAL TEMPRANILLO 2012, DOC Rioja, Spain

07 Thursday Jan 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Beronia

Cost: $15.95 (Sale until 31 Jan 2016: $13.95)
Grape: Tempranillo
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Beronia
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic Rioja style that’s smooth and delicious at a great price

Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ nose. This wine features sandalwood, strawberry, dark cherry, pomegranate, grilled red peppers, cloves, cinnamon, cigar box, oregano, vanilla and leather on the finish. Medium+ body with medium tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: A touch hot on the finish from the 14% alcohol.

Interesting Note: My first experience with this wine was in the Cayman Islands. Sadly, until now it wasn’t available at the LCBO. Today it’s on their general list.

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with BBQ Lamb Chops in Rosemary Garlic Marinade.

Tasted: 2 January 2016

Best Buy (Amazing Buy at the sale price)

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 426981

INNISKILLIN RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2013, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

03 Sunday Jan 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, White Wines

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Inniskilin

Cost: $18.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Inniskillin
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

A truly enjoyable well balanced Chard with lots of finesse.

Description: Light gold in colour with a medium to medium+ nose. This wine features lightly toasted oak, lemon, green & red apples, pineapple, oak spice, dill, some ginger and lightly buttered. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: One of the more enjoyable and better priced Ontario Chards.

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Lobster Thermidor.

Tasted: 28 Dec 2015

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 383562

MCMANIS CHARDONNAY 2014, River Junction, California

03 Sunday Jan 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

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McManis

Cost: $19.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintage
Country: United States
Region: River Junction, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: McManis Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Well balanced & elegant California chard

Description: Light gold in colour with a medium to medium+ nose. This wine features light oak, lemon, green & Spy apples, peach, honeydew melon, pineapple, dill and butterscotch on the finish. Medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Screw top

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Ginger and Honey Chicken Wings.

Tasted: 30 Dec 2015

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 265983

SOUTHBROOK TRIOMPHE CHARDONNAY 2013, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

02 Saturday Jan 2016

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Southbrook

Cost: $22.95 (Clearance price: $16.15)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintage
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Southbrook Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.1% Alcohol/Vol.

A balanced & elegant Ontario chard with finesse that can go up against Napa Chards priced higher

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium to medium+ nose. This complex wine features medium toasted oak, lemon, green & Spy apples, peach, clementine, pineapple, dill, ginger, butterscotch, oak spice, vanilla and Easter Lily on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Organic grapes used and it’s a screw top. I was fortunate to find this wine at the clearance price, and bought the 7 bottles they had.

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with escargot in garlic butter.

Tasted: 1 January 2016

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 172338

WENTE SOUTHERN HILLS CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2013, Southern Hills, Livermore Valley, San Francisco Bay, California, United States

02 Saturday Jan 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Wente Cab

Cost: $17.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: United States
Region: Southern Hills, Livermore Valley, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Wente Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Intoxicating bouquet followed by a well-balanced taste

Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ nose. This wine features cedar, dark cherry, plum, tamarind, blackcurrants, mulberry, turmeric, anise, cinnamon, cloves, leather, pencil shavings, mocha and a violets on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Probably one of the best Cabs for under $20 I’ve had. Tastes like a $35 Napa Cab.

Drink now or in the next 7 years on its own or pair it with Tamarind and Balsamic Braised Beef Short Ribs.

Tasted: 28 Dec 2015

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 301507

WENTE MORNING FOG CHARDONNAY 2014, Livermore Valley, San Francisco Bay, California, United States

02 Saturday Jan 2016

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

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Wente Chard

Cost: $17.95
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.

Well made California chard

Description: Light gold in colour with a medium to medium+ nose. This wine features light oak, lemon, green-yellow-red apples, honeydew melon, pineapple and limestone. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Spiced Apple Slow Cooked Pork Chops.

Tasted: 29 Dec 2015

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 175430

WHITEHAVEN PINOR NOIR 2012, Marlborough, New Zealand

20 Sunday Dec 2015

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Whitehaven Pinot

Cost: $24.00 (Sale: $20.00 until Jan 3, 2106)
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: New Zealand
Region: Marlborough
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Whitehaven Wine Company
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

New world style Pinot that is very good

Description: Medium to light garnet in colour with a medium to medium+ nose. This wine features pine, cherry, raspberry, pomegranate, bramble fruit and a light underbrush on the finish. Medium+ body with light tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Slightly chill and served in a balloon style stemware.

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Grilled Spiced Lamb Chops with Cherry and Blackberry Salsa.

Tasted: 15 Dec 2015

Best Buy

Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10 (Sale: 9.5/10) Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 245696

PRIMAL ROOTS RED BLEND 2011, California, United States

13 Sunday Dec 2015

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

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Primal Roots

Cost: $13.99 Cayman Islands
Grape: 49% Merlot, 42% Syrah, 9% Zinfandel
Category: Red Wine
Location Tortuga
Country: California
Region:
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Primal Roots Wnery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Although on the sweeter side it’s well integrated and balanced

Description: Opaque ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features light oak, Black Forest Cake, plum, cherry, mocha and vanilla. Full body with light tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: First time I can actually enjoy an entry style California Cab that’s on the sweeter style

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Peppered Beef Tenderloin with Merlot Shallot Sauce.

Tasted: 5 Dec 2015

Best Buy

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

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