Category Archives: Best Buys

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

BOUGRIER VOUVRAY CHENIN BLANC AOC, Vouvray, Loire Valley, France

25 Friday May 2012

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

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Cost: $13.40
Grape Variety: Chenin blanc
Category: White Wine
Appellation: LCBO General List
Country: France
Region: Loire Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bougrier
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium+ straw colour with a medium intensity.

Positives: Sweet peach, nectarine, quince, honey, pink grapefruit & red apricot. Medium minus body, verging on off dry with good acidity & medium length.

Negatives: None.

Interesting Point: LCBO puts this wine on sale a couple of times throughout the year.

Drink now on its own or pair it with dishes containing pesto or sage.

Tasted: 24 May 12

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO#: 253229

DOMAINE SERGENT OAK AGED MADIRAN 2008, AC Madiran, Maumusson, South West France

20 Sunday May 2012

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Domaine Sergent Oak Aged Madiran 2008, Ac Bottle

Cost: $16.90
Grape Variety: Tannat, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: France
Region: Madiran
Format: 750 mL
Producer: M.T. Vins
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium ruby with medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: Lots going in this wine. The nose brims with cedar, sandalwood, leather, pencil shavings, cinnamon, sage, cloves, plums, blackberry & expresso. The taste has similar notes as the nose but with mint, red currants & pomegranates. Medium to full body with medium+ tannins, good acidity with a very long length.

Negatives: Quiet a bit of heat coming from the 14.5% alcohol.

Interesting Point: This wine won gold in Paris in 2010. I would encourage everyone to try to explore wines that come from areas around the world that are generally not accessible unless you visit the specific location. Lucky the LCBO has brought us wine from Madiran.

Drink now or over the next 3 years. It’s enjoyable on its own but would pair even better with rack of lamb or grilled tenderloin steak.

Tasted: 19 May 12

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO#: 251561

CHATEAU DES CHARMES BRUT METHODE TRADITIONELLE NV, VQA, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario

15 Tuesday May 2012

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Sparkling Wine

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CHATEAU DES CHARMES BRUT METHODE TRADITIONELLE VQA

Cost: $22.95 (on sale: $20.95)
Grape Variety: 50% Chardonnay, 50% Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wines
Appellation: LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara-on-the-Lake
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Chateau Des Charmes
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium straw colour with fine mousse & medium intensity on the nose.

Positives: Lighter champagne style featuring lemon, baked apple, limestone, pear, biscuit with light toast.

Good acidity with medium+ length.

Negatives: None.

Interesting Point: I had it for Mother’s Day & my mom loved it. My wife and I had it for brunch on 21 May 12, and she really liked it too.

Drink now on its own or with fresh oysters.

Tasted: 13 May 12

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO#: 145409

PASSADOURO VINHO TINTO 2008, DOC Douro, Portugal

13 Sunday May 2012

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Passadouro Vinho Tinto 2008, Doc Douro Bottle

Cost: $21.95
Grape Variety: Red Wine
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: Portugal
Region: Douro
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Quinta Do Passadouro
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Dark ruby with medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: Violets on the nose with plum, cinnamon, peppercorns, cherry, figs, blackberry, mocha, leather, olives, vanilla & black currants. Full body with medium+ tannins, good & long length.

Negatives: Slight heat from the high alcohol.

Interesting Point: Classic Port notes without the sweetness of desert wine.

Drink now or over the next 3 years on its own or pair it with beef coq au vin.

Tasted: 12 May 12

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO#: 267997

THE PEOPLE’S WINE PINOT NOIR 2010, Central Otago, New Zealand

05 Saturday May 2012

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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THE PEOPLE'S WINE PINOT NOIR

Cost: $16.95 (Sale $15.95 until 27 May 12)
Grape Variety: Pinot noir
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: LCBO General List
Country: New Zealand
Region: Central Otago
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Constellation Wines Nz
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium minus ruby with a low intense nose.

Positives: A lighter & simple style Pinot featuring raspberry, sour cherry, rhubarb & a slight earthy note. Medium minus in body, low tannins, medium acidity & medium+ length.

Negatives: None.

Interesting Points: This maybe a simple Pinot but I like it. The flavours that it does feature are all very good. The other things I like are: It’s in the LCBO General List, it’s under $20, which both points used to be unheard of for a Central Otago, it’s on sale now & it has a funky front & back label. Drink now on its own or pair it with Thumper, AKA rabbit. (Hey at least I didn’t say Bambi!)

Tasted: 3 May 12

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9.5/10, Total: 18.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO#: 234526

MOUTON CADET RESERVE BLANC 2009, AOC Graves, France

22 Sunday Apr 2012

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

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Mouton Cadet Reserve Blanc 2009, Graves, Bordeaux Bottle

Cost: $14.95 (sale: $12.95 until 29 Apr 12)
Grape Variety: Semillon/sauvignon/muscadelle
Category: Wine
Appellation: LCBO General List
Country: France
Region: Graves
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Baron Philippe De Rothschild S.A.
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium straw colour with medium intense nose.

Positives: This is an easy drinking wine featuring guava, gooseberry, hay, lime, wet stone & grapefruit. Medium minus body with good acidity & a long length.

Negatives: None.

Drink now on its own or pair it with Caprese salad.

Tasted: 22 Apr 12

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9.5/10 (sale price is 10/10), Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO#: 247080

GEYSER PEAK CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2007, Alexander Valley, California

22 Sunday Apr 2012

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Geyser Peak Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County Bottle

Cost: $21.95
Grape Variety: Cabernet-Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: United States
Region: Alexander Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Ascentia Wine Estates
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: “This wine won a Judges’ Choice Award at the Wine Access International Value Wine Awards in 2009. The wine is filled with cassis, black plum, vanilla and cherry aromas. Dry and fruity, it is surrounded by ripe tannins and gentle acidity. Enjoy this award-winner with grilled lamb steaks.” LCBO

Dark ruby in colour with a medium intense nose.

Positives: Cedar, pine cones, dark cherry, marzipan, chocolate, cassis, anise, nutmeg, cinnamon, leather, pencil shavings, tamarind, slate & cigar box. Medium+ body, medium tannins, good acidity, long length & the alcohol is nicely integrated.

Negatives: None.

Interesting Point: This has been a favourite of mine for decades. I’m glad it’s back & it’s under $25.

Drink now on its own or pair it with a T-bone grilled steak.

Tasted: 21 Apr 12

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO#: 343467

PIERRE SPARR RÉSERVE PINOT GRIS 2009, AC Alsace, France

15 Sunday Apr 2012

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

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Pierre Sparr Réserve Pinot Gris 2009, Ac Alsace Bottle

Cost: $14.95
Grape Variety: Pinot gris
Category: White Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: France
Region: Alsace
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Maison Pierre Sparr & Successeurs
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Deep straw with pink tinge in colour & medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: What a delicious wine featuring peach, pear, pink grapefruit, lemon/lime, lychee, beeswax ending off on a creamy finish. Off dry, medium+ body with medium to medium+ acidity & long length.

Negatives: None.

Interesting Thing: This is another two bottle wine that you can drink in a seating. The back label gives a lot of detail about this wine that would benefit consumers. Use the Viongier/Chardonnay glass if you have them.

Drink now on its own or pair it with shrimp tempura.

Tasted: 15 Apr 12

Best Buy

Score: 9+/10, Value: 10/10, Total: 19.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO#: 983395

FAMILIA ZUCCARDI Q CHARDONNAY 2009, Mendoza, Argentina

05 Thursday Apr 2012

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FAMILIA ZUCCARDI Q CHARDONNAY 2009

Cost: $19.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: Argentina
Region: Mendoza
Format: 750 mL
Producer: La Agricola
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Light gold in colour with a medium intense nose.

Positives: The nose has a sweet peach smell along with lemon, orange, mango, pineapple, dill, butter & light toasted oak. The taste shows similar notes to the aromas with the addition of pink grapefruit rind. Medium body with good acidity & very long length.

Negatives: None.

Interesting Point:

  • Taste more like a $40 Chard
  • Use the smaller Chard glasses if you have them.
  • I was able to find it on sale for $14.05 at a LCBO store.

Drink now on its own or pair it with lobster & drawn butter.

Tasted: 4 Apr 13

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO#: 232702

ST. SUPÉRY MERLOT 2007, Napa Valley, California

04 Wednesday Apr 2012

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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St. Supéry Merlot 2007, Napa Valley Bottle

Grape Variety: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: USA
Region: Napa Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: St.Supery
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium ruby in colour with a medium intense nose.

Positives: Although the nose is somewhat muted in scent but the taste surely is not. The mouth explodes with blueberry, plum, raspberry, cassis, cedar, black cherry, dark chocolate & cinnamon. Medium+ body with young tannins, good acidy & long length.

Negatives: A little heat coming from the 14.5% alcohol.

Interesting Thing: I was able to get this at the LCBO on sale for $13.35, which would give it a 10/10 on the value scale.

Decant and drink on its own today or pair it with prime rib. I believe this wine will get better in 2 years.

Tasted: 3 Apr 12

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO#: 398214