Category Archives: Best Buys

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

ASOLO SUPERIORE EXTRA DRY PROSECCO 2010, DOCG Veneto Italy

29 Sunday Jan 2012

Posted by in Best Buys, Sparkling Wine

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Prevedello Asolo Superiore Extra Dry Prosecco 2010, Docg Bottle

Cost: $16.95
Grape Variety: Prosecco
Category: Sparkling Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: Italy
Region: Veneto
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Prevedello
Alcohol: 11.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium straw in colour with good mousse & medium intensity.

Positives: Notes of peach, wild flowers, honeydew melon, baked apples, lemon rind, tangerine & yeast taste on the finish. Overall one of the more complex Proseccos I’ve tasted. Medium to medium+ body, good acidity & long length.

Negatives: Some might not like the yeastiness on the finish.

Interesting Thing: I wouldn’t use this Prosecco to make Bellinis due to the complexity of the wine. It would be a waste of this fine sparkling.

Drink now on its own or pair it with calamari.

Tasted: 28 Jan 12

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO#: 262881

 

CAMPEDEL RIPASSO VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO SUPERIORE 2008, DO Protetta Italy

28 Saturday Jan 2012

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Cost: $13.90
Grape Variety: Corvina Blend
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: Valpolicella-superiore
Country: Italy
Region: Veneto
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Az. Agr. Gamba
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium garnet in colour with medium+ intensity.

Positives: Very smooth albeit not complex Valpolicella but still delicious wine. You’ll find classic Valpolicella notes of cedar, dark chocolate, raisins, plums, dark cherry, nutmeg, cinnamon & leather. Medium body, medium to medium minus tannins, good acidity with long length.

Negatives: Be careful not to inhale the aromas too quickly as the high alcohol vapor may knock you out. I kid, but it is really strong.

Drink now on its own or pair it with BBQ beef ribs.

Tasted 24 Jan 12

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO#: 160242

CASTELLO DELLA SALA BRAMÌTO DEL CERVO CHARDONNAY 2010, IGT Umbria, Italy

25 Wednesday Jan 2012

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

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Castello Della Sala Bramìto Del Cervo Chardonnay 2010, Igt Umbria Bottle

Cost: $21.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: Italy
Region: Umbria
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Marchesi Antinori
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: “The Umbria region in general, and Antinori’s Castello della Sala estate in particular, have shown a fine hand with Chardonnay. The 2009 Bramìto Chardonnay is no exception. Filled with aromas of peach, apricot, toast and a fine minerality, this well-made, fresh Chardonnay is an ideal partner for barbecued jumbo shrimp or even for the upcoming Thanksgiving dinner.” LCBO

Light gold in colour with a medium minus to medium intensity in the nose.

Positives: A Chablis style chard featuring lemon, apple, peach, limestone & wet stone. Medium body with good acidity & long length.

Negatives: None.

Interesting Points: Use the smaller chard glass as it brings out more of the intensity of the notes. An excellent alternative to Chablis.

Drink now or within the next two years. Drink on its own or pair it with raw oysters.

Tasted: 23 Jan 12

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO:# 176792

BADGER MOUNTAIN VINTNER’S ESTATE SYRAH 2008, Columbia Valley, Washington

23 Monday Jan 2012

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Cost: $16.15
Grape Variety: Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: United States
Region: Columbia Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Badger Mountain Winery
Alcohol: 13.9% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium+ ruby in colour with a high intensity nose.

Positives: The taste of this complex wine washes over the palate in waves. Look for dark cherry, tamarind, rhubarb, blackberry, mulberry, plums, red currants, licorice, black pepper, capers, celery & earth notes. Medium body, medium+ acidity & very long length.

Negatives: Due to its complexity some notes may not be for everyone, but I really liked it.

Interesting Point: Washington’s first certified organic winery in 1990.

Drink now on its own or pair it with veal Parmigiana.

Tasted: 22 Jan 12

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO#: 209882

HOB NOB CHARDONNAY, 2009 Pays D’Oc, France

21 Saturday Jan 2012

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

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Hob Nob Chardonnay 2009, Vins De Pays D'oc Bottle

Cost: $11.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Appellation: LCBO General List
Country: France
Region: Pays D’Oc
Format: 750 mL
Producer: George Duboeuf
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: New gold in colour with medium to medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: A lot of flavour going on especially for a wine that’s under $12. Good balance between citric & tropical fruit. No new wood detected but there is malolactic fermentation to smooth out the wine. Medium body, good acidity & medium length.

Negatives: None.

Interesting Thing: Use the larger new world Chard glass as I found the smaller glass enhanced the citric notes.

Drink now on its own or pair it with a variety of seafood dishes.

Tasted: 20 Jan 12

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO#:232710

PORCUPINE RIDGE SYRAH, 2010 Swartland, South Africa

20 Friday Jan 2012

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Porcupine Ridge Syrah (V) 2010, Wo Coastal Region Bottle

Cost: $14.95
Grape Variety: Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Swartland
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Boekenhoutskloof Winery
Alcohol: 14.5 %
Description: “Impressive Syrah with aromas of blackberry, bacon, brambleberry, mixed dried herbs and black pepper. It’s dry, with concentrated fruit and moderate tannins. Sweet-fruit core is nicely balanced by fresh acidity. Medium-full bodied with an impressive finish. Can cellar 2-3 years, but why wait? Enjoy it with bacon-wrapped sausages, smoked back ribs or grilled steaks with a peppercorn sauce.” LCBO

Medium+ ruby in colour with medium+ intensity on the nose. Positives: Smooth wine with notes of light cedar with tamarind chutney, blackberry, black cherry, mulberry, fried peameal bacon & sage. Full body, medium tannins, good acidity & medium+ length.

Negatives: A lot of heat on the finish due to the high alcohol.

Interesting Things: South Africa is the place to go for inexpensive Rhône varieties.

Drink now or in the next 2 years on its own or pair it with prime rib.

Tasted 18 Jan 12

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO#: 59280

Alamos Extra Brut NV, Mendoza, Argentina

14 Saturday Jan 2012

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

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Cost: $18.99
Grape Variety: Chardonnay & Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Appellation: Cayman Islands
Country: Argentina
Region: Mendoza
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Bodega Catena Zapata
Alcohol: 12.5%

Description: Medium straw colour with medium mousse and medium intensity on the nose.

Positives: Very easy drinking wine featuring lemon pie, custard, apples, jasmine and ginger. Medium body with good acidity and medium length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Things: Charmat (tank) method

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

Tasted: 12 Jan 12

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

WOODBRIDGE BY ROBERT MONDAVI CHARDONNAY, 2010 California

10 Tuesday Jan 2012

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

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Cost: $11.95 (on sale $9.95)
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Appellation: LCBO General List
Country: United States
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Robert Mondavi Winery
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Light gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: Easy drinking California Chard showing light toast & oak, lemon, apple, peaches & cream corn. Medium to full body, good acidity, balanced & moderate alcohol.

Negatives: A little tartness on the finish.

Interesting Things: I always like when Californian Chards are under 14% alcohol & this one is 13%. Not a complex wine but will satisfy those that like unoaked to oaked Chards. It’s priced nicely & LCBO usually has this wine on sale a handful of times a year.

Drink now on its own or pair it with rotisserie chicken.

Tasted: 9 Jan 12

Best Buy

Score: 8.5, Value: 9.5/10 (sale: 10/10)

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO#: 99408

J. LOHR RIVERSTONE CHARDONNAY, 2010 Arroyo Seco, Monterey County, California

08 Sunday Jan 2012

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

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Cost: $18.95
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: United States
Region: Arroyo Seco, Monterey County
Format: 750 mL
Producer: J Lohr Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: “Bright medium-yellow Chardonnay with an enticing toasty/fruity nose (particularly apricot, apple and cranberry). Dry and quite clean with pretty oak tones surrounding the fruit. Medium-full bodied with a medium finish. An ideal Chardonnay for grilled herbed chicken or smoky prawns with mango salsa.” LCBO

Bright gold in colour with medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: Tropical flavours of pineapple, mango, orange, bananas, honeydew melon & lemon with medium oak & buttered popcorn. Full body, good acidity, balanced with medium+ length & moderate alcohol.

Negatives: None.

Interesting Things: If you want a good drinking buttery Chard with moderate alcohol & under $20, you can’t beat this wine. Drink from new world Chard glass & don’t over chill it.

Drink now on its own or pair it with steak & lobster. Chris Ruth’s Steak House comes to mind.

Tasted: 5 Jan 12

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO#: 258699

GOATS DO ROAM RED, 2010 Western Cape, South Africa

02 Monday Jan 2012

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Cost: $12.95 (On sale for $11.95)
Grape Variety: Shiraz, Cinsaut, Carignan, Mourvèdre & Pinotage
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: LCBO General List
Country: South Africa
Region: Western Cape
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Fairview Trust
Alcohol: 14.0 %
Description: “Immensely popular worldwide, this cheeky Rhône-style blend (Shiraz, Cinsaut, Carignan and Mourvèdre with a dash of the local Pinotage) has proven to be more than just a witty name. It’s a friendly, straightforward and fun wine featuring berry fruit and plum aromas with some pepper and leather in the background. A fantastic value and a great party wine! Lovely with rich meat-based pasta dishes.” LCBO

Medium+ ruby to purple with medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: The nose shows carnations, plums, blackberries, pomegranate, star anise, sandalwood, eucalyptus & cherry pie. The taste is rich showing similar notes as the nose with plums being dominant. Medium to medium+ body, low tannins, medium acidity & medium+ length.

Negatives: High alcohol that you can detect on the nose & taste.

Interesting Thing: The name is a take off Côte du Rhône and its style. Consistent year to year. Periodically the LCBO puts this wine on sale for $1 off.

Drink now on its own or pair it with lamb chops.

Tasted: 1 Jan 12

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5

LCBO#: 718940