Category Archives: Best Buys

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

DONATIEN BAHUAUD LES GRANDS MORTIERS VOUVRAY 2021, AOP Vouvray, France

11 Saturday Nov 2023

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, White Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $21.95 (Clearance Price: $17.60)
Grape: Chenin Blanc
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Vouray
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Donatien Bahuaud
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Rich, refined and complex. Off dry but finishes with nice minerality. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Bright straw in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Yellow Pitaya, lemon rind, peach, apples, pear, dried apricot, thyme, honeycomb & limestone.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3 – 5 years on its own or pair it with spicy fish tacos

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: November 8, 2023

LCBO: 140889

MCBRIDE SISTERS COLLECTION RED BLEND 2019, Central Coast, California, United States of America

08 Wednesday Nov 2023

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Red Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $22.95 (Clearance Price: $15.50)
Grape: Red Blend
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: Central Coast, California
Format: 750 ml
Producer: McBride Sisters
Alcohol: 13.9% Alcohol/Vol.

This will please those that like Cali red which has some substance & yet not overtly priced. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby to garnet in colour with good acidity, an intense nose, soft tannin & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Blueberry pie, cherry, bramble fruit, plum, ripe tamarinds, mocha, orange chocolate, white pepper, tarragon, turmeric & fresh cut carnations on the nose.

Negatives: Some heat from the listed 13.9% alcohol

Interesting Note:

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3 – 5 years on its own or pair it with Portuguese Peri Peri Chicken

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy at clearance price

Tasted: November 7, 2023

LCBO: 30699

FAUSTINO BRUT CAVA NV, Méthodo Tradicional, Cava, Spain

05 Sunday Nov 2023

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Sparkling Wine

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $17.95 (Clearance Price: $14.40)
Grape: Macabeo and Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Cava
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Bodegas Faustino
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Beautifully made Cava with substance & elegance. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour with good acidity, fine mouse, medium intense nose & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Light brioche, lemon, dried apricot, MacIntosh apples, pear, peach & honeycomb.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Minimum 18 months ageing sur latte.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3 – 5 years on its own or pair it with poached eggs on a bed of grape tomatoes.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Amazing Buy at the clearance price

Tasted: November 5, 2023

LCBO: 29948

VILLA CONCHI BRUT ROSÉ CAVA, NV, Traditional Method, DO Cava, Spain

29 Sunday Oct 2023

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Sparkling Wine

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $16.95 (Clearance Price: $13.60)
Grape: Trepat
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Cava
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Villa Conchi
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A simple but nice palate cleaner to start the meal. Score: 89/100.

Tasting Note: Salmon in colour with good acidity, fine mouse, low to medium intensity nose & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Raspberry, strawberry & cranberry.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3 – 5 years on its own or pair it with braised pork belly.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: October 29, 2023

LCBO: 632265

DOUGH CHARDONNAY 2020, North Coast, California, United States of America

28 Saturday Oct 2023

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, White Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $24.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: North Coast, California
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Dough Wines
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A nice lean Cali Chard that keeps the alcohol in check & brings up nice tropical notes. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Gold in colour with good acidity, medium intensity nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon meringue pie, pineapple, tangerine, lime, Fuji apple, baking spice & honeysuckle on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Dough offers two needs-based $2,500 scholarships to students of George Brown College’s hospitality and culinary arts programs.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3 – 5 years on its own or pair it with baked Brie.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: October 27, 2023

LCBO: 25598

CABRAL RESERVA 2020, DOC Douro, Portugal

24 Tuesday Oct 2023

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

≈ Leave a comment

Cost: $14.95
Grape: Viosinho, Arinto, Rabigato & gouveiro
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Portugal
Region: Douro
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Vallegre – Cabral
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Taste profile: It’s a combination of Sancerre, Viognier & Chenin Blanc. Great price especially for the quality. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Gold in colour with good acidity, medium intensity nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: White peach, yellow pitahaya (yellow Dragon Fruit), pear, kiwi, apricot, white pepper & honeysuckle on the nose.

Negatives: None

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: October 23, 2023

LCBO: 35446

KEW VINEYARDS CHARDONNAY CUVÉE 2016, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

17 Sunday Sep 2023

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

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $23.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Kew Vineyards
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Elegant, classically style & all at a great price. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Medium straw in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, medium intensity nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Light yeast, brioche, pear, green apples, lemon meringue, dill, oak spice & limestone.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with Eggs Benedict with smoked salmon & chives.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: September 17, 2023

LCBO: 28978

CHÂTEAU MOULIN DES RICHARDS SIGNATURE 2018, AC Côtes de Bourg, Bordeaux, France

12 Saturday Aug 2023

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Red Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $18.95
Grape: 90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Côtes de Bourg, Bordeaux
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Château Moulin des Richards
Alcohol: 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic right bank Bordeaux made for under $20 that’s drinking well now. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Dark ruby in colour with good acidity, medium+ intensity nose, rounded tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Dark cherry, blackberry, raspberry, plum, cassis, pencil shavings, turmeric, baby spinach & light smoke on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point:

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: August 9, 2023

LCBO: 26291

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY BALANCE SYRAH 2021, VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

23 Sunday Jul 2023

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Niagara College Teaching Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, Red Wines, Winery Review Series

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $22.95
Grape: Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Four Mile Creek
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A nice clean, not aggressive Syrah that those that don’t like red wines may like this one. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Light to medium ruby in colour with good acidity, medium+ intensity nose, powdery tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherries, plum, raspberry, cocoa, cloves, white pepper, baby spinach, & violets with light smoke on the nose.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with Arabic coffee beef ribs with Pomegranate BBQ Sauce.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: July 17, 2023

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY CABERNET FRANC ROSÉ 2022, VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara Region, Ontario

16 Sunday Jul 2023

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Niagara College Teaching Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, Rosés, Winery Review Series

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $24.95
Grape: Cabernet Franc
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Four Mile Creek, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Dry, crisp & full of flavour. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Salmon in colour with good acidity, medium+ intensity nose & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Sour cherry, cranberry, pink grapefruit, red currants, peach pit & cranberries on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: First wine produced for NC winery by winemaker Allison Findlay.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 2 -4 years on its own or pair it with Smoked salmon and cucumber canapés.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: July 4, 2023