Category Archives: Best Buys

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

CASTLE ROCK BARREL FERMENTED CHARDONNAY 2010, Central Coast, California

03 Sunday Feb 2013

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

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Castle Rock Chard

Cost: $14.99 (Cayman Islands)
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: Tortuga
Country: United States
Region: Central Coast
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Castle Rock Winery Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.5 % Alcohol/Vol.
Description: A deep gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

Positives: I am always surprised to drink an inexpensive Chard from the Central Coast and when it’s labeled “barrel fermented” and not be drinking an oak drink with some flavor. This is not a complex wine by any stretch of the imagination, but what does have is good quality. You’ll find medium buttery toasted oak, lemon candy, quince apples with a nice mineral finish. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now on its own or pair it with a cheese plate.

Tasted: 1 Feb 13

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9.5/10, Total: 18+/20

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

CHATEAU DES CHARMES CHARDONNAY BARREL FERMENTED 2010, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario

25 Friday Jan 2013

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, White Wines

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Château Des Charmes Chardonnay Barrel Fermented 2010, VQA Niagara-On-The-Lake Bottle

Cost: $13.95 (Clearance price of $11.20)
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara-on-the-Lake
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Chateau Des Charmes
Alcohol: 13.0 %
Description: Light gold in colour with a medium+ nose.

Positives: What a nice balanced Chard that is only $13.95, or even better at the clearance price of $11.20, which you really can’t beat. This wine features a mild oak spice, lemon, melon, clementine, MacIntosh apple & limestone. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: I can just see myself on a nice summer day drinking this Chard at my favourite golf course patio after just posting a 62, then realizing that I did that only on the front nine. Oh well, I’ll have another bottle please. Drink from the smaller Chardonnay glass. FYI it’s -25 C with windchill right now!

Drink now on its own, as above, or pair it with chicken parmigiana.

Tasted: 24 Jan 13

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value:10/10, Total: 18.5+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO#: 81653

THREE RIVERS CHARDONNAY 2008, Columbia Valley, Washington

23 Wednesday Jan 2013

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

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Three Rivers Chardonnay 2008, Columbia Valley Bottle

Cost: $19.95 (clearance price of $14)
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: LCBO VINTAGES
Country: USA
Region: Columbia Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Foley Family Wines Inc.
Alcohol: 14.3% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Rich gold with a medium to medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: Yummy! I would rate this a two bottle per person to drink in a day/night, (three if you start in the morning). This may not have a balanced fruit to mineral ratio to make it a high scoring Chard, but if you just want to enjoy a wine, not care about the technical scores and just get hammered, this one’s for you. Medium+ oak with a medium toast, Paula Deen buttery delight, butterscotch, toffee, coconut, lemon meringue pie and roasted marshmallows. Full body with good acidity and a very long length.

Negatives: Some heat coming from the 14.3% alcohol.

Interesting Point: Use the large Chard glasses and don’t chill it too much.

Drink now on its own or pair with lobster and drawn butter, or surf and turf.

Tasted: 22 Jan 13

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO#: 233445

KAIKEN ULTRA MALBEC 2009, Mendoza, Argentina

20 Sunday Jan 2013

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Kaiken Ultra Malbec 2009, Mendoza Bottle

Cost: $19.95
Grape Variety: Malbec
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO VINTAGES
Country: Argentina
Region: Mendoza
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Montes S.A.
Alcohol: 15.0 %
Description: Deep ruby with a purple fringe, and a medium to medium+ intense nose.

Positives: The Kaiken Ultra Malbec has been one of my favourite Malbecs year to year. This wine features oak, chocolate, espresso, plums, mulberry, blueberry and dark cherry. Full body with medium tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: 15% Alcohol

Interesting Point: The 2009 is on sale now for $16.

Drink now or over the next 2 years on its own or pair it with rack of lamb.

Tasted: 19 Jan 13

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO#: 50849

COORALOOK PINOT GRIS 2008, Strathbogie Ranges (90%) Mornington Peninsula (10%), Australia

20 Sunday Jan 2013

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

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Cooralook Pinot Gris 2008 Bottle

Cost: $14.90
Grape Variety: Pinot gris
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: LCBO General List
Country: Australia
Region: Strathbodie Ranges & Mornington Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Yabby Lake International Pty.L
Alcohol: 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

Positives: An easy drinking Pinot Gris styled between the Italian Pinot Grigio and Alsace Pinot Gris. This wine is crisp with lemon, honeysuckle, pink grapefruit and pineapple. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: The 2008 is on sale now for $11.95, which is a great deal.

Drink now on its own or pair it with Chinese food.

Tasted: 19 Jan 13

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value:10/10, Total: 18.5+/20

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

LCBO#: 212712

SEGURA VIUDAS ARIA, NV, Traditional Method, Catalunya, Spain

12 Saturday Jan 2013

Posted by in Best Buys, Sparkling Wine

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Segura

Cost: $19.95 (Cayman Islands)
Grape Variety: Macabeau, Xarel-lo & Parellada
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location Bought: Jacques Scott
Country: Spain
Region: Catalunya
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Segura Viudas
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium straw in colour with lots of mousse and a medium+ intense nose.

Positives: A nice easy drinking sparkling wine featuring lemon, ginger, light yeast, green apple & nectarine. Medium body with good acidity and a fairly long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now on its own or pair with as a brunch option especially with bacon.

Tasted: 12 Jan 13

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

RUTHERFORD RANCH CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2010, Napa Valley, California

12 Saturday Jan 2013

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Rutherford Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, Napa Valley Bottle

Cost: $19.95
Grape Variety: Cabernet-Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location Bought: LCBO VINTAGES
Country: United States
Region: Napa Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Rutherford Wine Company
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium+ ruby with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

Positives: What a nice surprise to have a Napa Valley Cab for under $20 that doesn’t taste like blueberry jam on toast. This wine features cedar, raspberry, plum, ribena, blueberry, mocha, cherry and a touch of leather. Medium+ body, tannins, acidity and length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Very similar to Errazuriz Max Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, Chile ($18.5 & a best buy from my earlier review), but not as strong in the ribena and blueberry notes.

Tasted: 9 Jan 13

Best Buy

Drink now or over the next 3 years, on its own or pair it with tenderloin steak.

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO#: 73817

CATHEDRAL CELLAR CHARDONNAY 2011, Western Cape, South Africa

04 Friday Jan 2013

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

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Cathedral Cellar Chardonnay 2011, Wo Western Cape Bottle

Cost: $14.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: LCBO VINTAGES
Country: South Africa
Region: Western Cape
Format: 750 mL
Producer: KWV
Alcohol: 13.0 %
Description: Light gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

Positives: Easy drinking & balanced Chard that features light toasted oak, melon, pineapple, lemon, all-spice, green apple, lemon drops & limestone. Medium body with good acidity and a long length, unusual for a white wine under $15.

Interesting Point: Drink from the larger Chard glass as this will bring out the tropical fruits.

Drink now on its own or pair it with lemon pepper haddock.

Tasted: 3 Jan 13

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9.5/10, Total: 18+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO#: 328559

ESTATE HATZIMICHALIS CHARDONNAY 2011, Atalanti Valley, California

20 Thursday Dec 2012

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

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Estate Hatzimichalis Chardonnay Bottle

Cost: $14.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: LCBO General List
Country: Greece
Region: Atalanti Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Farma Atalantis Agr S.A.
Alcohol: 13.5 %
Description: Medium gold with a medium to medium+ intense nose.

Positives: A nice easy drinking Chard featuring light oak, lemon/lime, lemon curd, dill, green & yellow apples and limestone. Medium body with good acidity & a fairly long length.

Negatives: A tad sour on the finish.

Drink now on its own or pair it with lemon pepper catfish.

Tasted: 19 Dec 12

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO#: 269654

COOPERS CREEK VIOGNIER 2008, Gisborne, New Zealand

17 Monday Dec 2012

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

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Coopers Creek Viognier 2008, Gisborne, North Island Bottle

Cost: $17.95 (clearance price $12.65)
Grape Variety: Viognier
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: LCBO VINTAGES
Country: New Zealand
Region: Gisborne
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cooper’S Creek Vineyard Ltd.
Alcohol: 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose.

Good news, bad news. Good news: This is the best Viognier for under $20 & it’s on clearance at LCBO for $12.65. Bad news: I bought the last bottles, so you’ll have to wait until LCBO restock it stores, hopefully next year.

This wine features peach, pear, apricot, jasmine on the nose, white pepper, orange rind, mandarin & ginger. Medium+ body with good acidity & a fairly long length.

Negatives: All sold out at LCBO.

Drink now on its own or pair it with wahoo ceviche.

Tasted: 15 Dec 12

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO#: 61416