Category Archives: Highly Recommended

KONO PINOT NOIR 2022, South Island, New Zealand

14 Friday Aug 2026

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Organic/Sustainability, Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Cost: $22.95 (Clearance Price: $18.40)
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: RedvWine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: New Zealand
Region: South Island
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Kono Wines
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Elegant & complex cool climate Pinot. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Medium garnet to ruby in colour with good acidity, medium+ intensity on the nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Cherry, pomegranate, cranberry, raspberry, rhubarb, oyster mushrooms, cinnamon, clove, thyme, oak spice & violets on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Sustainable

Winemaker’s Note: “Grapes for this wine are picked at optimal ripeness before being transported back to the winery for processing. Once at the winery the fruit is gently destemmed and then lightly crushed using state of the art processing equipment. Batch fermented according to block and clone in small open top fermenters, the must undergoes a cold soak lasting around 7 days before being warmed and inoculated either with selected yeasts or left to undergo a ‘wild’ ferment using indigenous yeasts found naturally on the grapes. Once fermentation is complete the wine undergoes a short period of post-fermentation maturation on skins before being pressed directly to a combination old and new French barriques. These barrels are kept cool in a temperature-controlled cellar over the winter months, before being warmed in spring, allowing the wine to undergo a secondary malolactic fermentation. Barrels are carefully monitored over this period and once the malolactic fermentation is determined to be 100% complete the final blend is carefully put together before being filtered and bottled.”

Pairings: Drink this now or 3 – 5 years on its own or pair it with roasted duck.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Top Pick

Tasted: Aug 11, 2026

LCBO: 19623

GRAHAM BECK MÉTHODE CAP CLASSIQUE, BRUT ROSÉ PINOT NOIR & CHARDONNAY, NV, Western Cape, South Africa

02 Sunday Aug 2026

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $24.95 (Clearance Price: $20)
Grape: 52% Pinot Noir, 48% Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location Bought: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Western Cape
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Graham Beck Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Beautiful sparkling that’s elegant & silky smooth. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Silver pink in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, medium intensity on the nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Cherry, pomegranate, cranberry, strawberry, McIntosh apple & oyster shell.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: ““Whole bunch pressing of both varietals ensured that only the quality juice went into fermentation. The two varietals were then fermented separately. The unique silver-pink hue is obtained from an enzymatic reaction during the transport of the Pinot Noir fruit to the cellar. This lends sufficient time for the gentle colour extraction of this Rosé NV. After fermentation, the portions are blended and then lightly fined and bottled for the second fermentation. A long lees time resulted in subtle yeasty characters, with a burst of berry and cherry flavour.”

Pairings: Drink this now or 5 – 7 years on its own or pair it with Charcuterie Board.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: Aug 2, 2026

LCBO: 175588

FAR FROM THE CROWD CHENIN 2025, W.O. West Cape, South Africa

25 Saturday Jul 2026

Posted by in Amazing Buys, Best Buys, Highly Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $12.60 (On sale until Aug 16/26: $10.60
Grape: Chenin Blanc
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: LCBO General List
Country: South Africa
Region: W.O. West Cape
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Bruce Jack Wineries
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

My new favourite inexpensive Chenin Blanc that features tropic fruits with good minerality & acidity. Score: 91/100.

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with good acidity, medium intensity on the nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Pineapple, mango, papaya, kumquat, yellow dragon fruit and limestone.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Sustainable Certified

Winemaker’s Note: “Carefully chosen vineyards are designated for this Chenin Blanc, each vineyard block is treated distinctively in the winery to emphasize their unique qualities. Minimal intervention is employed in the cellar, with fermentation occurring in tanks. The wine is then aged on fine lees for several months before being bottled in its youthful state, yielding a fresh, fruit-forward wine with a crisp, clean finish.”

Pairings: Drink this now or 2 – 3 years on its own or pair it with Korean BBQ Cheesy Corn.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Amazing Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: July 24, 2026

LCBO: 48730


GRAY MONK ODYSSEY ROSÉ BRUT MÉTHODE CLASSIQUE 2023 VQA Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada

23 Thursday Jul 2026

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Gray Monk Winery, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine, Sparkling Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $29.00
Grape: 55% Gamay Noir and 45% Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location Bought: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Okanagan Valley, BC
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Gray Monk Winery
Alcohol: 11.2% Alcohol/Vol.

This versatile dry brut rosé is simply eloquent. Score: 95/100.

Tasting Note: Light copper in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, low to medium intensity on the nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Strawberry, cherry, rhubarb, pink grapefruit & brioche.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: “The base wine underwent a traditional second fermentation in bottle and was aged sur lie for 24 months to enhance texture and complexity. After aging, it was disgorged and finished with a proprietary dosage to achieve a precise balance of acidity and subtle sweetness.”

Pairings: Drink this now or 5 – 7 years on its own or pair it with Charcuterie Board.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: July 19, 2026

GRAY MONK ODYSSEY CHARDONNAY 2022, VQA British Columbia, Canada

24 Wednesday Jun 2026

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Gray Monk Winery, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine, White Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $33.00
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: British Columbia
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Gray Monk Winery
Alcohol: 13.9% Alcohol/Vol.

Top tier Chard that is exquisite, elegant & complexed. Wine features nice balance between oak, fruit & acidity. Score: 98/100.

Tasting Note: Light gold in colour with good acidity, medium+ nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, pineapple, peach, green & yellow apples, green mango, Haden mangos, butterscotch, ginger, dill, oak spice.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: In order to bring out everything this wine has to offer, don’t overchill and use the larger Chard style glassware.

Winemaker’s Note: “The grapes come from select vineyards in Kelowna and Osoyoos regions of the Okanagan Valley, and from the Similkameen Valley, allowing for unique Chardonnay characteristics from each terroir. 50% of the wine was fermented and aged in new French oak barrels for 3 months, with battonage (lees stirring), and underwent a full malolactic fermentation to soften the acidity. 50% of the wine was aged in stainless steel with no malolactic fermentation for a more refreshing fruit forward style. This first vintage of the Odyssey Chardonnay was blended, allowed to rest, then bottled in small production of 524 cases.”

Pairings: Drink this now or 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with Chilean Sea Bass in butter.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: June 22, 2026

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY DEAN’S LIST CHARDONNAY 2019, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

19 Friday Jun 2026

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Niagara College Teaching Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, White Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $34.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location Bought: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

NC best Dean’s List Chardonnay to date featuring a balance between the oak, fruit & acidity. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Light gold in colour with good acidity, medium+ nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, pineapple, peach, green apples, butterscotch, ginger, dill & oak spice.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: “This Chardonnay for the St. David’s Bench was aged in a combination of new and neutral French oak to balance the freshness of the fruit and the softness of the barrel.”

Pairings: Drink this now or 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with steamed lobster with drawn butter.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: June 18, 2026

HÃHÃ HAWKE’S BAY CHARDONNAY 2024, Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand

30 Saturday May 2026

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, White Wines

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: New Zealand
Region: Hawke’s Bay
Format: 750 ml
Producer: HãHã
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Easy drinking, smooth, creamy with tropical fruits. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Bright yellow gold in colour with good acidity, medium nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon zest, lemon meringue, peach, pear, kumquat, golden apple, ginger, honeycomb & light oak spice.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Don’t over chill it.

Winemaker’s Note: “Following harvest the grapes were gently pressed on
arrival to the winery. The juice was cold settled before being inoculated with selected yeast for fermentation. The wine was aged on full lees and French oak and went through 50% malolactic fermentation in spring prior to blending, filtering and bottling.”

Pairings: Drink this now or 3 – 5 years on its own or pair it with creamy seafood pasta dishes.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Top Pick

Tasted: May 27, 2026

LCBO: 10020

MATISCO VIRÉ-CLESSÉ 2023, AOC Viré-Clessé

09 Thursday Apr 2026

Posted by in Highly Recommended, Organic/Sustainability, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, White Wines

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Cost: $28.75
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Burgundy, Mâconnais, Viré-Clessé
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Maison Matisco
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Complex Chard, well balanced with juicy fruits, good acidity & spicy notes. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Light clear gold in colour with good acidity, medium nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, peach, pear, pineapple, kumquat, dill, ginger, honeycomb, oak spice & white flowers on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Organic

Pairings: Drink this now or 5 – 7 years on its own or pair it with Chilean Sea Bass.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: April 7, 2026

LCBO: 43890

QUEENSTON MILE VINEYARD VIOGNIER 2020, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

20 Friday Mar 2026

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, White Wines

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Cost: $29.95
Grape: Viognier
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Queenston Mile Vineyard
Alcohol: 13.8% Alcohol/Vol.

I think the technical term is: “Yummy”. Best Canadian Viognier that I have tasted. Full body, rich, oily, expressive, juicy & spicy. Score: 96/100.

Tasting Note: Bright deep gold in colour with low acidity, medium nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Peach, peach pit, apricot, ginger, Chinese 5 Spice, vanilla & honeysuckle on the nose.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: “Harvested October 9th 2020 from the estate vineyard. Fermented and aged in neutral in French Oak barrels for 9 months before a careful barrel selection determined this final blend of 180 cases.”

Pairings: Drink this now or 3 – 5 years on its own or pair it with Dungeness Crab.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: March 19, 2026

QUEENSTON MILE VINEYARD PINOT NOIR ESTATE BOTTLED 2020, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

09 Monday Mar 2026

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Cost: $29.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Queenston Mile Vineyard
Alcohol: 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic Burgundian style Pinot with sour fruit, earthiness & smokiness. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Light garnet in colour with good acidity, medium+ nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Rhubarb, sour cherries, strawberries, cranberries, pickled beets, oyster mushrooms, peat moss & smoked ambers on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Lightly chill to 15C and use a balloon style glassware.

Winemaker’s Note: “Fruit was cold soaked for 3 days, followed by small batch fermentation & 12 months of ageing in French oak barrels & puncheons.”

Pairings: Drink this now or 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with escargot.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: March 8, 2026