Category Archives: Best Buys

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

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+

JACOB’S CREEK RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2013, Adelaide Hills, Australia

02 Wednesday Dec 2015

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

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Jacob's

Cost: $14.95 (Clearance price: $12.00)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: Australia
Region: Adelaide Hills
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Jacob’s Creek
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

A true value Chard that stands out from the rest in this price range

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features light toasted oak, lemon zest, honeydew melon, white peach, pear, green apples, nutmeg, clove and coconut. Medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Don’t over chill this wine in order to for all the flavours to come out. I love that an entry level Chard has moderate alcohol of 13% vs 14% or higher.

Drink now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Crab Alfredo.

Tasted: 16 Nov 2015

Best Buy

Score: 9/10, Value: 9+/10 (Clearance price: 9.5/10) Total: 18+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 270017

DEAKIN ESTATE VIOGNIER 2014, Australia

02 Wednesday Dec 2015

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

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Deakin Viognier

Cost: $10.80 (Clearance price: $8.70)
Grape: Viognier
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO
Country: Australia
Region:
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Deakin Estates
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

A nice easy drinking lighter style Viognier

Description: Pale straw in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features apricots, Kiwi, lime, honeysuckle and clementine. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with Braised Rabbit with artichokes and bacon.

Tasted: 17 Nov 2015

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 399253

KWV CATHEDRAL CELLAR 2013, Western Cape, Australia

02 Wednesday Dec 2015

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Cathedral

Cost: $15.95 (Sale price until 29 Nov 2015: $13.95)
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: South Africa
Region: Western Cape
Format: 750 mL
Producer: KWV Cathedral Cellar
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

A Cab that taste twice it’s cost

Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, plums, boysenberry, nectarine, turmeric, cassis, eucalyptus, cinnamon, thyme and smoked leather. Full body with medium tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Venison Roast with red wine and juniper berries.

Tasted: 18 Nov 2015

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 328567