Category Archives: Best Buys

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

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

OYSTER BAY PINOT NOIR 2013, Marlborough, New Zealand

01 Tuesday Dec 2015

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Oyster Bay

Cost: $19.95 (Clearance Price: $16:00)
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: New Zealand
Region: Marlborough
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Oyster Bay
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A light charming Pinot that has character for under $20

Description: Light ruby to garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, cherry, rhubarb, nutmeg, kiwi, wet moss and light smoky underbrush. Medium body with light tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Remember to lightly chill this wine.

Drink now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Roasted Squab Pigeon with Leeks.

Tasted: 22 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: 590414

PIERRE SPARR CRÉMANT D’ALSACE BRUT RESERVE NV, Traditional Method, Ac Alsace, France

01 Tuesday Dec 2015

Posted by in Best Buys, Sparkling Wine

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Pierre Sparr Cremant

Cost: $18.95
Grape: Pinot Blanc
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Alsace
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Pierre Sparr
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Off dry, simple Champagne style sparkler that’s nice

Description: Bright straw in colour with a medium+ intense nose and a fine mousse. This wine features light yeast, white flower, mandarin, pear, melon, pink grapefruit and some minerality on the finish. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Scallops in Herbed Brown Butter.

Tasted: 22 Nov 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: 388603

CHÂTEAU DE MONTGUÉRET CRÉMANT DE LOIRE BRUT NV, Traditional Method, Loire, France

12 Thursday Nov 2015

Posted by in Best Buys, Sparkling Wine

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Cremant

Cost: $19.95
Grape: Chenin Blanc, Cabernet, Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: France
Region: Loire
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Château de Montguéret
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

Smooth, well balanced & simply delicious. This should please a wide range of taste buds.

Description: Pale straw in colour with a medium intense nose and fine mousse. This sparkling wine features lightly buttered toasted brioche, yeast, lemon/lime, pink grapefruit, green apple, McIntosh apple, pear, lemon grass 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 Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict with Dill Hollandaise.

Tasted: 8 Nov 2015

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 217760

VILLA CAFAGGIO CORTACCIO VENDEMMIA 2006, IGT Tuscany, Italy

12 Thursday Nov 2015

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Cortaccio

Cost: $24.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Chianti, Tuscani
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Villa Cafaggio
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

Old World style that’s smooth, delicious & a great price for an aged wine that’s available now

Description: Deep dark ruby in colour with an intense nose. This complex wine features a mix of cedar and sandalwood, followed by dried cherry, blueberry, blackberry, raspberry, Portobello mushrooms, Christmas cake, cassis, cinnamon, sage, oregano, mocha, forest floor and damp moss. Full body with low tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Interesting Point: An Atypical Tuscan Cab.  This wine is more like a Rioja Grand Reserva than a Tuscan Cab, but I still like it.

Drink now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Slow Braised Lamb Shanks.

Tasted: 3 Nov 2015

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 20966

FOLIE À DEAUX CHARDONNAY 2013, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States

05 Thursday Nov 2015

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

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Folie

Cost: $21.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Folie à Deux
Alcohol: 13.9% Alcohol/Vol.

My style of Chard; juicy, buttery, creamy, oaked, layered flavours, well balanced & under 14% alcohol

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This complex wine features medium toasted oak, Easter Lily, lemon merengue pie, peach, golden and Spartan apples, honey, clove, ginger, dill, slate & peat smoke. Full 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 Butternut Squash Ravioli with Garlic Aioli.

Tasted: 27 Oct 2015

Best Buy & Top Pick

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

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

LCBO: 146951

CHURCH and STATE MERLOT 2011, VQA Okanagan Valley, Sun Ridge Vineyard, British Columbia, Canada

02 Monday Nov 2015

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

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church

Cost: $19.90
Grape: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location British Columbia
Country: Canada
Region: Okanagan Valley, Sun Ridge Vineyard
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Church & State Winery
Alcohol: 13.7% Alcohol/Vol.

Not complex but it’s juicy, well-balanced & delicious

Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, blackberry, raspberry, blueberry, ripe tamarind and spinach. Medium+ body with some green tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Not in LCBO

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

Tasted: 29 Oct 2015

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

MAGNOTTA LIMITED EDITION SHIRAZ 2103, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

25 Sunday Oct 2015

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

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l_leshiraz10

Cost: $18.15 (Sale price until 31 Oct 2015: $14.15)
Grape Variety: Syrah
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: Magnotta
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Winery
Alcohol: 13.3% Alcohol/Vol.

A solid well balanced Canadian Rhône style wine

Description: Medium dark ruby in colour with an intense nose. This wine features cedar, violets, black & white peppers, plums, loganberry and sage. Medium+ body with soft tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Naming the wine Shiraz instead of Syrah

Interesting Points: I just loved the 2010 vintage (reviewed on this site) and the 2013 vintage, although still young, follows closely behind. Big difference is that this vintage maybe smoother than the 2010, but not as complex.

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or and pair it with Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Fresh Fig Skewers.

Tasted: 22 Oct 2015

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4