Category Archives: Best Buys

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

GREG NORMAN ESTATES CABERNET MERLOT 2007, Limestone Coast, Australia

04 Sunday Oct 2015

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Greg Norman

Cost: $24.95 (Clearance: $20.00)
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Australia
Region: Limestone Coast
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Greg Norman
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A nicely aged and not jammy wine even with a 14.5% alcohol

Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, cherry, plum, mulberry, cocoa, Allspice, turmeric and leather. Full body with medium tannins, good acidity and a very long length.

Negatives: Some heat from the 14.5% alcohol on the finish

Interesting Point: 8 years and still going strong

Drink now on its own or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Pan Seared Venison with blueberries and shallots.

Tasted: 30 Sept 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: 552075

YALUMBA VIOGNIER 2013, Eden Valley, Australia

01 Thursday Oct 2015

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

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Cost: $24.95
Grape: Viognier
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Australia
Region: Eden Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vicenta Gandia
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Smooth, rich, elegant & so beautiful

Description: Light gold in colour with a medium intense nose. This complex wine features orange blossom, honeydew melon, orange, apricot, guava and white pepper. Medium+ body and with good acidity and a very long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Best non Condrieu Viognier I’ve had. Far superior in every sense than Yalumba’s Y Series Viognier (see my previous review).

Drink now or in the next 10 of years on its own or pair it with Spicy Honey Glazed BBQ Chicken with Crispy Sweet Potato Fries.

Tasted: 31 Aug 2015

Top Pick & Best Buy

Score: 9.5/10, Value: 9.5/10 Total: 19/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: 954644

MAGNOTTA SPECIAL RESERVE PINOT GRIS 2013, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

01 Thursday Oct 2015

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

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Pinot Gris

Cost: $12.10
Grape: Pinot Gris
Category: White Wine
Location Magnotta Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Winery
Alcohol: 13.1% Alcohol/Vol.

Pinot Gris with substance

Description: Bright light gold in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features green and red apples, lemon, grapefruit, guava and a hint of honey. Medium body and with good acidity and a very long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Made in the Alsace style

Drink now on its own or in the next 5 years on its own or pair it with Spicy Ginger Pork served with Kimchi.

Tasted: 22 Aug 2015

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 18/20

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

MAGNOTTA SPECIAL RESERVE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2013, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

01 Thursday Oct 2015

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

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Sauvignon Blanc

Cost: $14.10
Grape: Sauvignon Blanc
Category: White Wine
Location Magnotta Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Winery
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

One of the best Canadian Sauvignon Blanc: Elegance, substance & taste

Description: Bright straw in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features Jasmine, light gooseberry, pink grapefruit, honeydew melon, lychee, tangerine and kiwi. Medium body and with good acidity and a very long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Made in the Alsace style

*In Support of…* Magnotta Winery is donating a portion of the proceeds from the sale of this wine to the G. Magnotta Foundation for Vector-Borne Diseases to establish Canada’s first research centre for vector-borne illnesses including Lyme Disease.

Drink now on its own or in the next 5 years.  This wine can easily be paired with a vast variety of foods but when enjoyed with a simple item like green olives it elevates this wine to a silky complex experience on the palete.

Tasted: 22 Sept 2015

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

HOYA DE CADENAS RESERVA TEMPRANILLO 2011, DO Protegida, Spain

01 Thursday Oct 2015

Posted by in Amazing Buys, Best Buys, Red Wines

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Hoyas

Cost: $11.95 (Sale price until 13 Sept 2015: $10.95)
Grape: Tempranillo
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: Spain
Region: Protegida
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vicenta Gandia
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

My new favourite Tempranillo reserva for under $15

Description: Deep garnet with ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine has a beautiful nose and taste featuring sandalwood, tobacco cherry, plum, strawberry, nutmeg, dried figs, cinnamon and cloves. Medium+ body, medium tannins with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Decant for 30min to an hour and it will be silky smooth

Interesting Point: “The Hoya de Cadenas Estate is an eco-paradise just 100 Km from the city of Valencia. The estate boasts over 200 hectares of the finest local and international vine varieties. Its situation on the slopes of the Sierra de la Bicuerca affords a particular micro-climate with temperature variations from day to night which give the grapes their own special characteristics and encourages the accumulation of highly valued polyphenols.” (From Hoya de Cadenas web site)

Drink now or in the next 5 of years on its own or pair it with vegetarian Paella.

Tasted: 29 Aug 2015

Amazing & Best Buy

Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10 (Sale: Total: 18.5+/10) Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 620989

ASTORIA PROSECCO EXTRA DRY, DOC Veneto, Italy

16 Wednesday Sep 2015

Posted by in Best Buys, Sparkling Wine

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Astoria

Cost: $13.90
Grape: Prosecco
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Veneto
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Astoria
Alcohol: 11% Alcohol/Vol.

Full flavoured & you get a lot for the price

Description: Light straw in colour with a medium+ intense nose and medium fine mousse. This sparkling wine features orange blossoms, honeydew melon, green apples, peach, lemon, kiwi and light yeast. Medium to light body and with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 10 of years on its own or pair it with scallop ceviche.

Tasted: 16 Aug, 2015

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 593855

TENUTA S. ANNA PROSECCO EXTRA DRY, DOC Veneto, Italy

16 Wednesday Sep 2015

Posted by in Best Buys, Sparkling Wine

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Prosecco

Cost: $16.50
Grape: Prosecco
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Veneto
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Tenuta S. Anna
Alcohol: 11% Alcohol/Vol.

Refreshing & effervescent

Description: Light straw in colour with a medium+ intense nose and fine mousse. This sparkling wine features orange blossom, honeydew melon, pear, pink grapefruit and thyme. Medium to light body and with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 10 of years on its own or pair it with Spicy Tomato and Bergeron Omelettes.

Tasted: 16 Aug, 2015

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 388710

ERRAZURIZ MAX RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2013, Valle De Aconcagua, Chile

30 Sunday Aug 2015

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Max

Cost: $18.95 (Sale $14.95 until 16 Sept 2015)
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO General List
Country: Chile
Region: Valle de Aconcagua
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Errazuriz
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

A sold Cab that is full of flavour and easy to drink now but will improve with aging

Description: Medium deep ruby  in colour with an intense nose. This wine features cedar, violets, blackcurrants, cherry, blueberry, plum, raspberry, cassis, turmeric, mocha and leather. Medium+ body and tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Always a solid wine for under $20

Drink now or in the next 7 years on its own or pair it with Java Crusted Steak with peppery plum glaze.

Tasted: 29 Aug 2015

Best Buy

Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10 (Sale: 9.5+/10) Total: 19+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 335174

COYOTE’S RUN PINOT NOIR 2013, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

30 Sunday Aug 2015

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Red Wines

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Coyote

Cost: $19.95 (Clearance Price: $16)
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Coyote’s Run Estate Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A smooth & vibrant entry Pinot from a winery that specializes in Pinots

Description: Light ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features pine, violets, cherry, raspberry, portabella mushrooms, basil, thyme, forest greens and smouldering autumn leaves. Medium body and tannin with a mouthful of acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Lightly chill and serve in a balloon glass.

Drink now or in the next 5 of years on its own or pair it with Crispy Duck with spicy plum sauce.

Tasted: 28 Aug 2015

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9/10 (Clearance: 9.5/10) Total: 18.5+/20

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

LCBO: 53090

INNISKILLIN NIAGARA ESTATES CHARDONNAY 2013, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

30 Sunday Aug 2015

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Inniskillin_Estate_Chardonnay_web

Cost: $14.95 (Sale until 13 Sept 2015: $12.95)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Inniskillin House Wines Inc
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

A top Ontario Chard at this price that is well balanced & has some complexity

Description: Light gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features medium toasted oak, lemon, peach, pineapple, Spy apple, oak spice, almonds, ginger, dill and vanilla. Medium+ body with some tannin, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: I enjoyed their 2010 vintage, but this one is a grade higher. Use the larger Chardonnay glasses

Drink now or in the next 5 of years on its own or pair it with poached Salmon with Cucumber Dill Raita.

Tasted: 22 Aug 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: 317768