Category Archives: Best Buys

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

SACRED HILL PINOT NOIR 2011, Marlborough, New Zealand

16 Saturday Aug 2014

Posted by in Amazing Buys, Best Buys, Red Wines

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Sacred Hill

Cost: $12.95
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: New Zealand
Region: Marlborough
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Sacred Hill
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Value to quality you can’t beat it for a good Pinot Noir

Description: Light garnet with a slight cloudiness in colour, which may be a result of the wine being unfiltered, with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features light pine and smoke, fresh carnations, beets, wild strawberry, sweet cherry, plums, barnyard and mushrooms. Light body and tannins with good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or pair it with .

Tasted: 12 Aug 2014

Amazing Buy & Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 277665

LOAN WINES SPECIAL RESERVE SEMILLON 2005, Barossa Valley, Australia

08 Friday Aug 2014

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

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Semillon

Cost: $16.95
Grape Variety: Semillon
Category: White wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Australia
Region: Barossa Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Tanuda Creek
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A good alternative to a Chard, but it will only please the discerning

Description: Bright yellow gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This unoaked wine features bees wax, tangerine, orange rind, lemon tart, golden apple and grapefruit. Medium body with good acidity and a very long length (The flavour was still in my mouth after 5 min).

Negatives: None

Interesting Points: Found it was best in the Viognier glassware.

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

Tasted: 7 Aug 2014

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 301127

MONTEBUENA CUVÉE KPF RIOJA 2012, Doc, Rioja, Spain

07 Thursday Aug 2014

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Montebuena

Cost: $14.95
Grape Variety: Tempranillo
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bodegas Montebuena
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

The nose won’t please a lot, but the taste will

Description: Deep ruby to purple in colour with a medium intense nose. The wine shows smoked spiced oak, bitter cherry, bramble fruit, licorice, umami and Portobello mushrooms. Medium body with low but dry tannins, good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: My mom really liked it (Insert shocked face)

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or and pair it with grilled lamb chops.

Tasted: 31 July 2014

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 211029

DON JACOBO ROSÉ 2013, DOCa Rioja, Spain

07 Thursday Aug 2014

Posted by in Best Buys, Rosés

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Don Jacobo

Cost: $14.95
Grape Variety: Tempranillo and Garnacha
Category: Rosé wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Don Jacobo
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Lots of juicy flavour

Description: Bright salmon colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features cherry, raspberry, plum and apples. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Using the Tempranillo glassware makes this wine even smoother

Drink now or in the next year on its own or and pair it with pork skewers.

Tasted: 1 Aug 2014

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 374850

MAX RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2012, Valle de Aconcagua, Chile

06 Wednesday Aug 2014

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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wine_25106_web

Cost: $18.95 (Sale $15.95 until 17 Aug 2014)
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.

“Danger Will Robinson!” So smooth & delicious that’s it’s easy to drink 2 bottles

Description: Medium+ ruby with a hint of garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This complex wine for under $20 wine features cedar, violets, black and red currants, cherry, blueberry, plum, cassis, turmeric, mocha, light graphite and leather. Medium+ body with smooth tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Always a solid wine for under $20, but this is the best vintage that I have tried to date.

Drink now or in the next 5 year on its own or pair it with oxtail stew.

Tasted: 3 Aug 2014

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 335174

MAGNOTTA LIMITED EDITION SHIRAZ 2010, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

29 Tuesday Jul 2014

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

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l_leshiraz10

Cost: $18.15
Grape Variety: Syrah
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: Magnotta
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Winery
Alcohol: 13.7% Alcohol/Vol.

A solid well balanced Canadian Rhône style wine

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

Negatives: Naming the wine Shiraz instead of Syrah

Drink now or in the next 3 years on its own or and pair it with peppercorn steak.

Tasted: 26 July 2014

Best Buy

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

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

E. GUIGAL CÔTES DU RHÔNE ROSÉ 2013, AC Côtes Du Rhône, France

29 Tuesday Jul 2014

Posted by in Best Buys, Rosés

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Guigal 2013

Cost: $16.95
Grape Variety: Grenache, Cinsaut, Syrah & Mourvèdre
Category: Rosé wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Côtes Du Rhône
Format: 750 mL
Producer: E. Guigal
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Giving my standard warning: “DANGER WILL ROBINSON” This is so smooth you can drink 2 bottles easily. Perfect summer party wine.

Description: Beautiful bright salmon in colour with a medium to low intense nose. This wine features watermelon, MacIntosh apple, wild strawberry and cherry. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: E. Guigal is one of my favourite French winemakers/producers. Usually a safe bet to get their wines from entry level to high end.

Drink now or in the next year on its own or and pair it with Caprese salad.

Tasted: 27 July 2014

Best Buy & Top Pick

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

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

LCBO: 225003

HENRY OF PELHAM ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2012, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

16 Wednesday Jul 2014

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, White Wines

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Henry of Pelham Chard

Cost: $19.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Wente Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A symbiotic quartet is created from the harmonious combination of oak, fruit, acidity and creaminess.

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This creamy wine features light oak, lemon, Bosc pear, apple, honeydew melon, honeysuckle, ginger and nutmeg. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Use the cooler climate Chard glass.

Drink now or in the next 5 years on its own or and pair it with steamed snow crab.

Tasted: 16 July 2014

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 26842

WENTE SOUTHERN HILLS CABERNET SAUVIGNON, 2011 LIVERMORE VALLEY, SAN FRANCISCO BAY, UNITED STATES

16 Wednesday Jul 2014

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Wente

Cost: $16.95
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red wine
Location Bought: LCBO General List
Country: United States Region: Livermore Valley, San Francisco Bay
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Wente Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

One of the best wines under $20 to take to a party because it’s smooth, delicious and the alcohol is under 14%, so more to drink

Description: Medium ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features light cedar, black cherry, blackberry, plums, cassis, vanilla, figs, milk chocolate, turmeric, cinnamon and a touch of pencil shavings. Medium body with smooth tannins, good acidity and a long length

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or and pair it with ribeye steak.

Tasted: 14 July 2014

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 301507

MAGNOTTA BLANC DE NOIRS NV, Méthode Classique, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

13 Sunday Jul 2014

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, Rosés, Sparkling Wine

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d_swbldenoir

Cost: $21.15
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir with a dosage of Cabernet Franc Icewine
Category: Sparkling wine
Location Bought: Magnotta
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Wines
Alcohol: 13.6% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Salmon in colour with a medium intense nose and fine mousse.

A simple sparkling with nice flavours & easy to drink

Positives: This wine features MacIntosh apples, strawberry, raspberry, cantaloupe and a hint of honey. Full body with good acidity and a fairly long length

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: 1. It was better in a wider base Champagne/Sparkling glass than the slimmer style. 2. Made with a touch of icewine.

Drink now or in the next 10 years on its own or and pair it with bacon wrapped seared scallops served on a bed of cantaloupe with caramelized shallots.

Tasted: 13 July 2014, Congrats to Germany on their World Cup Win!

Best Buy

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

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