Category Archives: Highly Recommended

ROMBAUER CHARDONNAY 2022, Carneros, California, United States of America

25 Saturday May 2024

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

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $69.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: Carneros, California
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Rombauer Vineyards
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Rombauer successfully made my favourite Chard even better by having a better balance of acidity, oak, fruit & spiciness. Score: 99/100.

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, silky tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, mango, peach, pear, honeydew melon, nectarine, clementine, ginger, dill, vanilla bean, chamomile, buttered egg bread & Easter Lily on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: 9 months in American and French oak barrels (30% new)

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3 – 5 years on its own or pair it with Lobster Thermador.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: May 22, 2024

LCBO: 441089

DOMAINE DE CAROBELLE 2021, AOP Vacqueyras, Côte du Rhône

24 Wednesday Apr 2024

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

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $27.95 (Clearance Price: $23.25 & $18.65 if you can get find it.)
Grape: Grenache, Syrah, Mouvèdre, Cinsault)
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Vaqueyras, Côtes du Rhône
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Domaine de Carobelle
Alcohol: 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Beautifully made showing bright fruits & spice. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Light to medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, soft tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherry, blueberry, mulberry, strawberry jam, black & white pepper, and Champagne mushrooms & lavender on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Made with organic grapes.

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Top Pick

Tasted: April 15, 2024

LCBO: 31966

HENRY OF PELHAM THREE HILLS CHARDONNAY 2022, VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

15 Monday Apr 2024

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

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $19.95 (Sale Price until April 28, 2024: $17.95)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Short Hills Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Henry of Pelham Estate
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

My new favourite Canadian Chard under $20. Excellent balance between oak, fruit & acidity. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, soft tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, green & yellow apples, pear, peach, quince, dill, ginger, oak spice, vanilla, roasted almonds & jasmine on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: I reviewed 2019 vintage, and was not too crazy about it, and it was selling for $21.95. Now, now only is it $2 less, but the quality is exceptional.

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Top Pick

Tasted: April 11, 2024

LCBO: 268342

COUTADA VELHA SIGNATURE 2022, IG Alentejano, Portugal

16 Saturday Mar 2024

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Red Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $14.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon, Aragonex & Trincadeira
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Portugal
Region: Arrailos, Alentejano
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Ravasqueira
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Excellent value wine with depth & flavour. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Opaque ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, dry tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Dark cherry, plum, blackberry, cassis, anise, leather, tobacco leaves, fig & violets on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Aged in oak barrels for 8 months.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3 -5 years on its own or pair it with Espetada.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: March 15, 2024

LCBO: 11152

MISSION HILL RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2021, VQA Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, Canada

03 Saturday Feb 2024

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

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $26.95 (Clearance Price: $21.75)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Mission Hill Family Estate
Alcohol: 12.9% Alcohol/Vol.

An elegant Chard that is well balanced between fruit, acidity, minerality & oak. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Light bright gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, pineapple, green & yellow apples, pear, peach, ginger, dill & Easter Lily on the nose.

Negatives: None

Maturation: Fermented and aged in barriques and puncheons (93%), 6% Foudre and 1% concrete egg

Pairings: Drink this now or in 5 – 7 years on its own or pair it with Fettuccine with creamy dill sauce with shrimp, bay scallops and sea leg crab.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy at Clearance Price

Tasted: February 1, 2024

LCBO: 545004

CHÂTEAU LE BOURDIEU 2016, AC Médoc, Bordeaux, France

01 Thursday Feb 2024

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Red Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $19.95
Grape: 50% Merlot, 50% Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Médoc, Bordeaux
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Château Le Bourdieu
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Here’s an opportunity to buy a delicious, aged Médoc wine at a great price. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Dark ruby going to garner in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, dry tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Dark cherry, plum, mulberry, cinnamon, cloves, pencil shavings, turmeric, tobacco leaves, slate & violets on the nose.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in 2 – 4 years on its own or pair it with Marinated Flank Steak Recipe.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: January 31, 2024

LCBO: 85084

ORGANIZED CRIME PETIT VERDOT UNFILTERED 2020, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

08 Monday Jan 2024

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

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $54.95
Grape: Petit Verdot
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Beamsville Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Organized Crime
Alcohol: 14.9% Alcohol/Vol.

Bold but at the same time elegant. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Opaque ruby in colour with good acidity, an intense nose, fine grained tannin & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Plum, black cherry, dried cranberry, blueberry, cloves, cinnamon, cocoa, sage & violets on the nose.

Negatives: High alcohol

Winemaker’s Note: “Aged 18 months in older French Oak and bottled unfined and unfiltered.”

Pairings: Decant for at least 1 hr, & drink this now or in 7 – 10 years on its own or pair it with Chipotle-Grilled Pork Shoulder Steaks with Corn Salsa.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Tasted: December 31, 2023

VILLA MARIA CELLAR SELECTION CHARDONNAY 2022, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand

28 Thursday Dec 2023

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

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $29.95 (Clearance Price: $23.75)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: New Zealand
Region: Hawkes Bay
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Villa Maria
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Beautifully made having balance between the oak, tropical fruit, acidity & spiciness. Score: 95/100.

Tasting Note: Gold in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, peach, clementine, pineapple, green mango, Granny apples, white cranberry, ginger, dill, oak & baking spice, limestone, light toasty wood & Easter Lily on the nose.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note:

Pairings: Drink this now or in 5 – 7 years on its own or pair it with lobster Thermador.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy at clearance price

Tasted: December 24, 2023

LCBO: 16012

LYV ROSÉ 2022, Pays D’OC, France

25 Saturday Nov 2023

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Rosés

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $19.95 (Clearance Price: $14.00)
Grape: Grenache, Cinsault & Syrah
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Pays D’Oc
Format: 750 ml
Producer: LIV winery
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A nice crisp, dry with predominantly red fruits that seem to explode in ones mouth. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Pale salmon in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Raspberry, strawberry, pomegranate, white cranberry, tangerine, limestone & lilac on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Vegan wine and love the shape of the bottle

Pairings: Drink this now or in 2 – 3 years on its own or pair it with vegan Banh Bao

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best buy

Tasted: November 22, 2023

LCBO: 32422

CRÉMANT DE LOIRE BRUT NATURE NV, Méthode Traditionnelle, AC Loire, France

20 Monday Nov 2023

Posted by in Highly Recommended, Sparkling Wine

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $33.95 (Clearance Price: $23.65)
Grape: Chenin Blanc
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Loire
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Domain des Galloires
Alcohol: 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

High quality Blanc de Blanc with intensity & a delicious palate. Score: 95/100.

Tasting Note: Gold in colour with good acidity, fine mousse, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Toast, brioche, pear, apricot, peach, grilled pineapple, apple, lemon, beeswax & Easter Lily on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: “The sons and grandsons of Léon and Jean Toublanc pay tribute to them with this 100% Chenin blanc de blanc, which is foamed with the natural sugar of the grapes. Aging for a minimum of 24 months on slats gives a very fine bubble and a nice length in the mouth.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in 5 – 7 years on its own or pair it with roasted langoustines.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top pick & Best buy at clearance price

Tasted: November 19, 2023

LCBO: 287382