Category Archives: Best Buys

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

13th STREET WINERY “ESTATE SERIES” MERLOT, 2010 VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario

06 Thursday Oct 2011

Posted by in 13th Street Winery, Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Red Wines

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Cost: $17.95

Grape Variety: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer:  13th Street Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Description: Medium+ ruby in colour with medium+ intensity on the nose. 

Positives: Alluring floral notes of carnations followed by cherry & plum notes.   This is an easy drinking wine that has nice cherry, plum, red currants & red peppers on the taste. Good acidity makes this wine food friendly or drink on its own. Try pairing it with cooked ham. 

Negatives: None 

Interesting Things: This wine is un-oaked  

Best Buy 

Tasted: 30 Sept 2011

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine 4

ERRAZURIZ MAX RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON, 2009 Valle de Aconcagua, Chile

05 Wednesday Oct 2011

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Cost: $17.95
Grape Variety: Cabernet-Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: LCBO General List
Country: Chile
Region: Valle de Aconcaqua
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vina Errazuriz S.A.
Alcohol: 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Dark ruby in colour with medium+ intensity on the nose.

Positives: Beautiful ripe, but not cooked Cab aromas featuring cedar, cassis, menthol, nutmeg, cinnamon & cloves followed by some bramble fruit. The taste is just as wonderful. This is a medium to full body wine with a long finish and a good balance of tannis and acidity making the wine feel round and not linear or austere. As with the nose there is a lot going on. The taste is similar as the nose.

Negatives: none

Interesting Things: The Max Reserva Cab is consistently year in & year out a best buy.

Drink on its own or pair it with classic grilled tenderloin steak. The wine is drinkable now, but can cellar for another 3-4 years.

Best Buy

Tasted: 4 Oct 11

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO#: 335174

WARRE’S WARRIOR PORT RESERVE, NV, Portugal

24 Saturday Sep 2011

Posted by in Best Buys, Fortified & Desert Wine

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Cost: $15.15
Grape Variety: Red Blends from Portugal
Category: Fortified
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: Portugal
Region:
Format: 750 mL
Producer: W & J Graham & Company
Alcohol: 20.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Opaque ruby in colour.

Positives: The nose shows a lot of complexity with chocolates, dates, figs, raisins, plums, red licorice, blackcurrants, mulberry & black cherry with a nice oak integration and spicy/mint finish. The nose reminds me of the Prisoner, which is a blend that’s dominated by Zinfandel. The taste is similar to the nose but with more traditional Port notes of prunes, nuts & caramel.

Negatives: none.

Interesting items: This port has steadily been a Best Buy year to year & you will not be disappointed. On sale now at LCBO. Drink now

Tasted: 23 Sept 11.

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 197202

CHIVITE GRAN FEUDO ROSÉ, 2010, DO Navarra, Spain

18 Sunday Sep 2011

Posted by in Best Buys, Rosés

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Chivite Gran Feudo Rose 2010, Navarra Bottle

Cost: $11.95
Grape Variety: Grenache
Category: Rosé Wine
Appellation: LCBO General List
Country: Spain
Region: Navarra
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bodegas Julian Chivite
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Bright watermelon in colour with a medium+ intensity in the nose.

Positives: Very nice nose & taste of cranberry, strawberries & pomegranates. Very easy drinking wine. Good acidity & length to thus wine.

Negative: A little bit of bitterness on the aftertaste (grapefruit)

Interesting Things: Have it chilled to about 13-15 C & drink from an old world styled Chard glass. I compared it to the Riedel Grape series Chard & the Riedel Vinum Sauvignon Blanc & I found the Chard glass far better. The Sauvignon glass had way to much bitterness. Drink on its own or pair it with grilled Tuna with steak spice. Just make sure it medium rare. Drink now.

Remember that Rosé can be drunk year round, but drink those within 2 years maximum. Rosés are meant to be drank young. Many Rosés are best buys.

Best Buy

Tasted: 17 Sept 11 Score: 9/10, Value: 10/10, Total: 19/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO:# 165845

SELLA & MOSCA CANNONAU DI SARDEGNA RISERVA, 2007, DOC, Alghero, Sardinia, Italy

15 Thursday Sep 2011

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Sella & Mosca Cannonau Di Sardegna Riserva (V) 2007, Doc Sardinia Bottle

Cost: $14.95
Grape Variety: Grenache
Category: Red ineW
Appellation: Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Sardinia
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Sella &  Mosca
Alcohol: 14.0 %
Description: “Cannonau (aka Grenache) di Sardegna is the Italian answer to France’s Côtes du Rhône. This pale-coloured red, typical to the variety, displays complex aromas of ripe plum, wild berries, spices, tobacco, dried flowers and smoke. Medium- to full-bodied, the palate is filled with plump, attractive fruit flavours.” (LCBO)

Positives: I love this wine. The aroma itself is intoxicating, maybe because it’s 14% alcohol! Luckily the taste is almost as good. Hey if it was as good I would have scored this wine as perfect. This is an easy drinking wine, with light tannin’s, good acidity, medium minus body and a medium+ length.  This is drinking well now, but you can cellar it for another 2 years. Drink on its own or pair it with hot or medium hot Italian sauces in a basil tomato sauce with pasta. It also went well pizza.

Negatives: The high alcohol of 14%, but surprisingly it still went well with hot food. The taste has a slight watery feel to it.

Interesting Item: The label makes this wine look an expensive Italy wine. Bring it to dinners or parties and it will impress people. The taste will back this up. People will think this is easily a $30-$40 wine.

Best Buy

Tasted: 15 Sept 11

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO:# 425488

INNISKILLIN EAST WEST SERIES CHARDONNAY, 2010, Niagara-on-the-Lake & Okanagan BC

15 Thursday Sep 2011

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, White Wines

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Cost: $16.95 (on sale for $15.95)
Grape Variety: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Appellation: Wine Rack
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara-on-the-Lake (Ontario) & Okanagan Valley (BC)
Format: 750 mL
Producer:  Inniskillin Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Description: Light golden in colour with a medium intense nose. 

Positives: This is a well balanced Chard. Good acidity and the oak is nicely integrated into the flavours of apple, pear and spring mix garden salad. (I have to thank Giulia from the Wine Rack in the Metro Supermarket in Woodbridge for the spring mix garden salad note). Very easy drinking that can be had on its own or pair it with lobster and drawn butter. (Metro had a sale on their lobster for $8.99/lbs).

Negatives: None, unless you taste it in the plastic cups that Wine Rack supplies. When I tasted it at the store I found that there was a bitter note, and again thanks to Giulia, the note was radicchio. 

Interesting Things: Firstly, if you are serious about wine or even want to enjoy wine, please please please buy some nice wine glasses and it doesn’t have to be expensive. Just make sure that the first thing you look for is a thin rim glass. Please email me if you have any question about glassware or wines. Secondly, I usually, ok never have, recommended wine from Canada that is not VQA. But there is always an exception, and this one is it. Thirdly, this is only available at this time at Wine Rack stores and the Winery. (Say hi to Giulia). And finally, this is a Best Buy wine, even at the full price. I just wish that Canada would be like the United States and have real sales on their wines. Seriously $1.00 off?! I guess we’ll take what we can get.   

Tasted: 14 Sept 11

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated it 4

Wine Rack product# 80007027                                                                                


BODEGAS CALLIA MAGNA SHIRAZ 2008, Valle de Tulum, Argentina

07 Wednesday Sep 2011

Posted by in Amazing Buys, Best Buys, Red Wines

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Bodegas Callia Magna Shiraz 2008, Valle De Tulum, San Juan Bottle

Cost: $15.95 (Sale price: $11.25)
Grape Variety: Shiraz
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: Argentina
Region: Valle de Tulum, San Juan
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bodega Salentein, S.A.
Alcohol: 14.0 %
Description: Dark to almost opaque ruby in colour with a medium nose. A very pleasant nose indeed showing spruce, carnations, cloves, cinnamon, smoked bacon, plums, cherry pie, coconut & vanilla. Very surprised that the nose isn’t bigger, but that’s not a negative for this wine. The taste is as good as the nose with similar notes. It’s dry, medium tannins, medium+ acidity, medium+ length, medium+ body & balanced. This is a nice alternative to Australian Shiraz as it’s a little more restraint than most Australian Shiraz under $20.

This wine taste more like a wine around the $30, so I make it a Best Buy. I bought this on sale at the LCBO for $11.25, which I would classify this as an Amazing Buy. Drink now with Prime Rib or by itself. This wine will can be cellared for another 2-3 years.

Tasted: 7 Sept 11

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO#: 218818

LUCAS & LEWELLEN PINOT NOIR, 2007, Santa Barbara County, California

05 Monday Sep 2011

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Lucas & Lewellen Pinot Noir 2007, Santa Barbara County Bottle

Cost: $18.95
Grape Variety: Pinot noir
Category: Red Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: United States
Region: Santa Barbara
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Lucas & Lewellen Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: Medium minus garnet in colour & intensity on the nose. The aromas & taste are classic Pinot with beets, rhubarb, Earth notes of fallen leaves, mushrooms & suede. The taste is dry, light tannins, medium acidity, light to medium body, medium length & balanced. Love this wine with pâté or roasted duck. This wine maybe understated in its complexity but definitely delivers on taste. Great price for a really good quality Pinot for under $20. Remember to chill it to 15 C. Drink now.

Best Buy

Tasted 4 Sept 11

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO:# 127605

RAVENTÓS I BLANC L’HEREU RESERVA BRUT CAVA 2007, Spain

04 Sunday Sep 2011

Posted by in Best Buys, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $19.95
Grape Variety: Macabeu 60%, Parellada 20%, Xarello 20%
Category: Sparkling Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: Spain
Region:
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Raventos I Blanc
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.
Description:  Sale price: $14.05 Light gold in colour with fine mousse & medium+ intensity. The nose is pleasant showing baked apples, light yeast, biscotti, lemon, peach, pear & limestone. The taste is dry, good acidity, medium length, medium body & balanced. This easy drinking Cava has similar tasting notes as the nose with more pear than peach. High quality Cava for a very reasonable price. This is one if the better Cava’s I’ve tasted. As such I’m putting this in the best by category.

Tasted 4 Sept 11.

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9/10 (10/10 sale price), Total: 18+/20.

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: #221796

DVERI-PAX TRAMINEC (Traminer), 2007 Slovania

04 Sunday Sep 2011

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

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Cost: $9.95
Grape Variety:
Category: White Wine
Appellation: VINTAGES
Country: Slovenia
Region:
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Dveri-Pax
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Description: “Someone once described good Traminer as giving you a palate paved with flowers, and this one, from this respected Slovenian winery, does just that. Violets, magnolia blossom and rose petals, plus a bit of lychee all vie for your attention here. Just off-dry, this flavourful wine is quite lovely and would be a worthy partner for spicy Eastern European dishes.” LCBO

Best Buy

Tasted: 1 Sept 11 Score: 8.5+, Value: 10/10, Total: 18.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO:# 179184