Category Archives: Best Buys

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

ARTADI BRUT 2007 CAVA, Traditional Method, Álava, Laguardia, Spain

04 Wednesday Sep 2013

Posted by in Best Buys, Non LCBO Wine, Sparkling Wine

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Artadi

Cost: $24.95 (Clearance: $18.75)
Grape Variety: Viura
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages Private Import
Country: Spain
Region: Álava, Laguardia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Artadi Winery
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium straw in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose and fine mousse.

A unique experience and a rare find in Ontario — this Spanish sparkling made out of the Viura grape which also taste’s like a vintage Champagne at 1/3 of the price.

Positives: This sparkling wine features yeast, brioche, baked apples, lemon candy, peach, pear and limestone. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Only available at Crossroads LCBO (Weston & 401)

Drink now or over the next 10 years on its own or pair it with cavair.

Tasted: 3 Sep 2013

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+

GEYSER PEAK CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2008, Alexander Valley, California, United States

30 Friday Aug 2013

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

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Cost: $19.95
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Alexander Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Geyser Peak Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

Now this is what I’m talking about! A quality California Cab that’s yummy and less than 14% alcohol.

Positives: This wine features cedar, pine cones, cloves, blackberry, dark cherry, vanilla, raspberry, strawberry, cinnamon, nutmeg, anise and some leather & pencil shavings on the finish. Medium+ body with medium+ tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or over the next 5 years on its own or pair it with rib eye steak.

Tasted: 29 Aug 2013

Best Buy & Top Pick

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: 343467

MAGNOTTA BLANC DE BLANCS 2011 SPARKLING WINE, Traditional Method, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

30 Friday Aug 2013

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

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d_swbldeblanc

Cost: $17.15 ($16.95+deposit)
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location Bought: Magnotta Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Winery
Alcohol: 14.1% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright straw in colour with a medium intense nose and fine mousse.

What a nice surprise to have a quality sparkling wine in the traditional method at under $20

Positives: Full flavoured, well balanced and easy drinking sparkling wine features lemon, green & golden apple, pear, light yeast & brioche and limestone on the finish. Medium+ body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Unusual to see a sparkling with about 14% alcohol.

Drink now or over the next 5 years on its own or pair it with seared scallops on a bed of cooked spinach & mustard greens.

Tasted: 27 Aug 2013

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

DANIEL LENKO OLD VINES CHARDONNAY 2010, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

23 Friday Aug 2013

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, White Wines

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Daniel Lenko

Cost: $22.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Daniel Lenko
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

Either you’ll love it or hate it. I happen to love it.

Positives: This is not a fruit driven Chard as it features smokey sweet oak spice, buttery toast, butterscotch, toasted marshmallows, lemon, pear, vanilla, cinnamon, coconut and peaches & cream corn. Full body with medium acidity and a very long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Use the new world large Chardonnay glasses if you have them.

Drink now or over the next 2 years on its own or pair it with snow crab and drawn butter.

Tasted: 22 Aug 2013

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 352328

BERONIA RESERVA 2008, DOC Rioja, Spain

21 Wednesday Aug 2013

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Beronia

Cost: $18.95
Grape Variety: Tempranillo, Graciano, Mazuelo
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Gonzalez Byass & Co.
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Deep ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

This is not a gentle wine as the wood & fruits explode in your mouth, and I like it.

Positives: Full flavour wine featuring lots of cedar, vanilla, sandalwood, cherry pipe tobacco, dark cherry, chocolate, mocha, bramble fruit, cloves and licorice. Full body with medium+ to high tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Touch high on the heat due to the 14.5% alcohol.

Interesting Point: Decant for 30 min to ease the tannins.

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

Tasted: 20 Aug 2013

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 50203

CHATEAU DE LANDIRAS 2010, AC Graves, France

18 Sunday Aug 2013

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Chateau Landira

Cost: $21.95
Grape Variety: Red Bordeaux Blend
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Graves
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Michel Pelissie
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Dark garnet to ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

A juicy & delicious wine from the Graves region.

Positives: Nothing shy about this wine which features cedar, blackcurrants, cinnamon, dark chocolate, Kahlua, raspberry, cigar box, turmeric, graphite, and spinach leaves. Full body with medium to medium+ tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point:  ‘In 1173, William the Knight Templar, Archbishop of Bordeaux, bought the land of Landiras and the fortress previously built by the lords of Landiras. In 1306, the castle of Landiras was rebuilt on the ruins of the fortress. This château gave its name to the estate, Château de Landiras. Today, a magnificent barbican stands as a testimony of the past fame of Château de Landiras. During the 17th century, the Château used to be the residence of the most important owner of all times, Saint Jeanne de Lestonnac, founder of the order The Company of Mary Our Lady. This is the reason why the Château is still a place for pilgrimage.’ (Chateau Landiras)

Drink now or over the next 5 year on its own or pair it with Roquefort cheese

Tasted: 17 Aug 2013

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 324673

RUSTENBERG STELLENBOSCH CHARDONNAY 2011, Stellenbosch, South Africa

17 Saturday Aug 2013

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

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Chard

Cost: $22.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Stellenbosch
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Rustenberg
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Light gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

A quality Chard that is under $25.

Positives: This wine features well-integrated oak, lightly buttered toast, lemon, peach, pineapple, vanilla, nutmeg and cinnamon. Full body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Use the larger new World Chardonnay glass.

Drink now or over the next 5 years on its own or pair it with seared scallops wrapped in bacon.

Tasted: 15 Aug 2013

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 598631

KAIKEN BRUT NV, Traditional Method, Mendoza, Argentina

12 Monday Aug 2013

Posted by in Best Buys, Sparkling Wine

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Kaiken Brut

Cost: $14.05
Grape Variety: Pinot Noir & Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages Consignment
Country: Argentina
Region: Mendoza
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kaiken Winery
Alcohol: 12.4% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Straw in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose and fine mousse.

Nice to get quality sparkling wine similar to Champagne and yet only pay a quarter of the price.

Positives: This sparkling wine features lemon, yeast, brioche, baked apples, pears, green apples, almonds and limestone. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Over two years aged in bottle

Drink now or over the next 3 years on its own or pair it with seared scallops with angel hair pasta tossed in olive oil, nutmeg, and basil and tomato.

Tasted: 11 Aug 2013

Best Buy

Score: 9/10, Value: 10/10 Total: 19/20

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

CHATEAU LA FLEUR JONQUET 2009, AC Graves, France

03 Saturday Aug 2013

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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le fleur

Cost: $20.95 (Clearance: $15.25)
Grape Variety: Bordeaux blend
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Graves
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Chateau La Fleur Jonquet
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium to medium+ garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

Juicy and smooth, drink on its own or pair it with food. Best Buy especially at the clearance price.

Positives: This wine features well-integrated oak, smoked meat, blackberry, mulberry, dark cherry, blueberry, oregano, turmeric, leather and graphite. Medium to medium+ body and tannin’s with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or over the next 2 years on its own or pair it with rib eye steak.

Tasted: 3 Aug 2013

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 307280

PENINSULA RIDGE RESERVE SYRAH 2010, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

26 Friday Jul 2013

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

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Peninsula Syrah

Cost: $24.95
Grape Variety: Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Peninsula Ridge Estates Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium to medium+ ruby in colour with medium+ intense nose.

This is one of the better Canadian Syrah I have tasted to date.

Positives: This easy drinking wine has a beautiful smoky-violet/sandalwood nose combining on the taste with pepper, rhubarb, cured meats, tobacco leaf, forest greens & sour cherry. Medium body with medium minus tannins, medium acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: Surprisingly I get some heat from the 12.5% alcohol.

Drink now on its own or pair it with Peninsula Ridge’s Antipasto Platter consistent of House smoked duck, Pingue’s prosciutto, Mennonite summer sausage, rabbit rillette,citrus marinated olives and grilled vegetable salad.

Tasted: 26 July 2013

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 230896