Category Archives: Highly Recommended

ALVI’S DRIFT CHARDONNAY 2020, Western Cape, South Africa

07 Monday Mar 2022

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Cost: $13.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Western Cape
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Alvi’s Drift Winery
Alcohol: 13.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

For an inexpensive Chard, this one packs a lot of flavour & crispness. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Bright gold with green tinge in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon zest, lime, pineapple, peach, apricot, kumquat, oak spice, ginger & Easter Lily on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “The vineyards are grown using a philosophy of
sustainability and minimal intervention and are fertilized with natural compost produced on the farm. Only the premium free run juice was used for this wine which was fermented in stainless steel tanks as well as lightly oaked. Left several months on lees before the wine was fined, stabilized and bottled.” AD

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4-6 years on its own or pair it with South Africa Chutney Chicken.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: March 6, 2022

LCBO: 21151

RIOJA VEGA CRIANZA 2017, DOC Rioja, Spain

02 Wednesday Mar 2022

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: Tempranillo
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Principe De Viana, S.L.
Alcohol: 14.0 % Alcohol/Vol.

Good value for a full flavoured classic Crianza. Score: 91/100.

Tasting Note: Ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Bing cherry, raspberry, plum, licorice, cloves, cinnamon, leather, tobacco leaves & sandalwood.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in 5-7 years on its own or pair it with slow cooked lamb curry.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: March 1, 2022

LCBO: 471854

REDE RESRVA 2016, DOC Douro, Portugal

01 Tuesday Mar 2022

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

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Cost: $14.95
Grape: Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca and Tinta Roriz
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Portugal
Region: Douro
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Quinta de Rede
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Complex, delicious wine that is juicy with spiciness all at a great price. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Opaque ruby to purple in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, dry tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherry, blackberry, plum, licorice, thyme, raisin, cassis, Star Anise, leather, tobacco leaves,

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “Partial aging in French oak wood for 6 months. The oldest historical records of Quinta da Rede are from 1484. It is part of the Douro wine region even before the demarcation of 1756. The Quinta overlooks the Douro River, on its right bank, between Mesão Frio and Régua, an altitude between 90 to 140 meters.” QR

Pairings: Drink this now or in 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Espetada.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: Feb 28, 2022

LCBO: 431262

STEORRA PÉTILLANT NATUREL SPARKLING WINE 2016, Monterey County, California, United States of America

21 Monday Feb 2022

Posted by in Highly Recommended, Sparkling Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Cost: $34.95 (Clearance Price: $28.00)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: Monterey County, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Copper Cane Wines by Joe Wagner
Alcohol: 12.3% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic vintage Champagne Blanc de Blancs style. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Bright yellow gold in colour with a fine mousse, good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Sour bread dough, brioche, lemon curd, green apples, toasted almonds, pear, peach, honeycomb & limestone.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Joe Wagner used only naturally occurring sugar of Chardonnay from one vineyard & each bottle is numbered. This one is: 03.521

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with Quiche Lorraine

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick


Tasted: Feb 20, 2022
LCBO: 20177

CAMBRIA KATHERINE’S VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2018, Santa Maria Valley, California, United States of America

19 Saturday Feb 2022

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

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Cost: $29.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: Santa Maria Valley, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cambria Estate Winery
Alcohol: 14.1% Alcohol/Vol.

My new favourite Chard with alcohol under 14.5% & it doesn’t break the bank. Taste like lemon meringue pie with spiciness. Score: 98/100.

Tasting Note: Bright gold with a green tinge in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, mild tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon meringue pie, peach, pineapple, mango, tangerine, lemon zest, dill, ginger, oak spice, buttered toast & vanilla.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Women lead, women owned certified sustainable winery

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick
Tasted: Feb 17, 2022
LCBO: 980490


LES GRANDS MERISIERS CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2012, AOC Châteauneuf-Du-Pape, Rhône, France

17 Thursday Feb 2022

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

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Cost: $34.95
Grape: Red blend including Syrah, Grenache, Cinsault, Mouvèdre
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages (No Longer Available)
Country: France
Region: Châteauneuf-Du-Pape, Rhône
Format: 750 mL
Producer: M. Chapoutier
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

This 10-year Châteauneuf-Du-Pape is drinking perfectly. Score: 98/100

Tasting Note: Light straw in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Plum, raisins, dry figs, black cherries, ripe tamarind, Portobello Mushrooms, cinnamon, cloves, white pepper, peppercorn, smoke & vanilla.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Recommend decanting as this wine just keeps opening up.

Pairings: Drink this now on its own or pair it with Wagyu steak.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: Feb 16, 2022

LCBO: 421073 (No longer at LCBO)

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

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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

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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