Category Archives: Highly Recommended

MIRABEAU PURE ROSÉ 2020, AOP Côtes De Provence, France

13 Sunday Feb 2022

Posted by in Highly Recommended, Rosés, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Cost: $28.95 (Clearance Price: $20.25)
Grape: 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Cinsault
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Côtes De Provence
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Maison Mirabeau
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.


Beautifully made this classic Provence rosé is dry, crisp & full of flavour. Score: 93/100

Tasting Note: Pale cooper in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Peach, lychee, pink grapefruit, kiwi, flint & limestone.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 2-4 years on its own or pair it with fresh
oysters with an orange and chorizo dressing or spicy prawn dumplings.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy at Clearance Price

Tasted: Feb 12, 2022

LCBO: 19847

CHÂTEAU LABROUSSE BORDEAUX RED 2019, AOC Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux, France

10 Thursday Feb 2022

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

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Cost: $17.95
Grape: 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Scea Labrousse
Alcohol: 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.


Classic Right Bank Bordeaux with juicy fruits, musk & spice, all at a great price. Score: 95/100

Tasting Note: Dark ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, fine grained tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Dark cherry, raspberries, pomegranates, blackcurrants, blackberries, plum, cassis, anise, tomato leaves, pencil shavings, Champagne mushrooms, vanilla, cedar & leather.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Beef Bourguigon

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: Feb 7, 2022

LCBO: 21083

GIUSTI BRUT ASOLO PROSECCO SUPERIORE D.O.C.G, Italy

31 Monday Jan 2022

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Glera
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Veneto
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Societa Agricola Giusti Dal Col Srl
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.
One, if not the best Prosecco I’ve tasted. Beautifully made, delicious, elegant & full flavoured Prosecco. Score: 92/100

Tasting Note: Medium straw with a green ting in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon/lime, pear, green apples, thyme & limestone.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “Glera grapes from vineyards located in Veneto, in the hilly area of Montello and the Asolo hills, in the municipality of Nervesa della Battaglia and precisely in the vineyards of the estates ” Aria Valentina, Abbazia and Sienna located on the southern side of Montello. Primary fermentation takes place at a controlled temperature by selected yeasts. The second fermentation takes place at a low temperature in autoclaves.” Giusti Wines

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 4-6 years on its own or pair it with Crispy Baked Scallops with panko, Parmesan Cheese, paprika, butter and olive oil

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: Jan 30, 2022

LCBO: 16555

CHÂTEAU MAISON NOBLE SAINT MARTIN 2019, Bordeaux Supérieur, France

29 Saturday Jan 2022

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

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Cost: $15.95
Grape: 60% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Château Maison Noble St. Martin
Alcohol: 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Let this wine open up & you will have discovered a great Bordeaux wine at a great price. Lovely fruit notes followed by spice. Score: 94/100

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, fine grained tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Strawberry, blackberry, Ribena, tamarind, anise, cloves, cocoa, turmeric, pencil shavings, vanilla & leather.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: 30% in barrels (French oak) and 70% stainless steel and cement vats

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Quail with Grape Sauce

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: Jan 28, 2022

LCBO: 24495

BERONIA ELABORACIÓN ESPECIAL TEMPRANILLO, 2019 DOCa Rioja, Spain

26 Wednesday Jan 2022

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

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Cost: $16.95 (Sale Price Until Jan 30, 2022: $13.95)
Grape: Tempranillo
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bodegas Beronia
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Consistent taste profile vintage to vintage. Beautifully made & my favourite Tempranillo for under $20. Score: 94/100

Tasting Note: Opaque ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherry, prune, chocolate, Chinese 5 Spices, liquorice, vanilla bean, oak spice & sandalwood on the nose.

Negatives: 14.5% alcohol

Interesting Point: Can’t beat the sale price for a wine of this quality.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Ibérico Cured Meats.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended
Top Pick, Best Buy & Amazing Buy at sale price
Tasted: Jan 25, 2022
LCBO: 426981

ARTERRA CHARDONNAY 2018, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

21 Friday Jan 2022

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

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Cost: $29.95 (Clearance Price: $21.05)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Arterra Wines
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
One of the better made Ontario Chards that seems like a hybrid of Meursault & Puligny-Montrachet styles. Score: 94/100

Tasting Note: Rich yellow gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, soft tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon drops, peach, pineapple, lemon grass, toasted almonds, drawn butter, ginger, oak spice, vanilla, limestone & crushed stones.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Use Montrachet style wine glassware & don’t over chill it.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Crab Coconut Thai Soup with Lemon Grass & Rice Noodles

My Opinion: Highly Recommended
Top Pick & Best Buy at Clearance Price
Tasted: Jan 20, 2022
LCBO: 577007

FOLKLORE CABERNET MERLOT 2018, Western Australia

20 Thursday Jan 2022

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $17.95
Grape: Cabernet & Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Australia
Region: Western Australia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Negociants International
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Not a complex wine but it has intense flavours & pleasant to drink. Score: 91/100

Tasting Note: Dark ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, soft tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Mint, blackcurrants, plum, strawberry, mocha & vanilla.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Lamb and Rosemary Meat Pie

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: Jan 19, 2022

LCBO: 20879

CHÂTEAU LA COMMANDERIE DU BARDELET 2019, AOC Bordeaux, France

13 Thursday Jan 2022

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $15.95
Grape: 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Famille Petit Les Grands Vins
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Well made, easy drinking with nice flavours. Score: 90/100

Tasting Note: Opaque ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherry, blackberry, anise, cassis, cloves, pencil shavings, leather & vanilla sticks.  

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Boeuf de Bazas

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: Jan 12, 2022

LCBO: 21282

OAK BAY PINOT NOIR 2019, VQA Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada

10 Monday Jan 2022

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

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Okanagan Valley, BC
Format: 750 mL
Producer: St. Hubertus & Oak Bay Estate Winery
Alcohol:  13.3% Alcohol/Vol.

Consistently good vintage to vintage & one would be hard to find a better Pinot under $20.  Score: 94/100

Tasting Note: Light garnet in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, mild tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Sour cherries, red plum, beetroot, peat moss, Champagne mushrooms & smoked cherry tobacco on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Vineyards planted in 1928, Oak Bay now is 100% sustainable & organically maintained.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 6-7 years on its own or pair it with Honey Roasted Duck.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: Jan 9, 2022 LCBO: 267146

FORTANT GRANDS TERROIRS 2018, AOC Minervois, Languedoc, France

09 Sunday Jan 2022

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Cost: $15.95
Grape: 80% Syrah, 20% Grenache
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Minervois, Languedoc
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Fortant
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Impressive both taste & cost. On the taste it’s complex, full flavoured, smoky & meaty.  Score: 94/100

Tasting Note: Opaque ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherries, plum, blackberries, cassis, cloves, cocoa, sage, black pepper, licorice, anise, portobello mushrooms, black olives & smoked ambers.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: After trying several styles of wine glassware, I found that the Syrah style was the best as it gave the wine a smoother after taste than other styles such as Bordeaux.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-6 years on its own or pair it with Pappardelle Pasta with Portobello Mushroom Ragu.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: Jan 8, 2022

LCBO: 20713