Category Archives: Highly Recommended

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

CHÂTEAU PIERRE DE MONTIGNAC 2020, AOP Médoc, Bordeaux, France

17 Friday Nov 2023

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Red Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $24.95 (Clearance Price: $17.50)
Grape: Right Bordeaux Red Blend
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Mêdoc, Bordeaux
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Château Pierre de Montignac
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A powerful, yet balanced Médoc at half the price of its AOC cousins. Score: 91/100.

Tasting Note: Dark ruby in colour with good acidity, a light to medium intense nose, fine grained tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Dark cherry, dried cranberry, plum, cassis, anise, turmeric, pencil shavings, cocoa & granite.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Let the wine breath for about an hour or decant to smooth out the tannin.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 5 – 7 years on its own or pair it with Beef Bourguignon

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: November 16, 2023

LCBO: 437954

FAUSTINO BRUT CAVA NV, Méthodo Tradicional, Cava, Spain

05 Sunday Nov 2023

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Sparkling Wine

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $17.95 (Clearance Price: $14.40)
Grape: Macabeo and Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Cava
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Bodegas Faustino
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Beautifully made Cava with substance & elegance. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour with good acidity, fine mouse, medium intense nose & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Light brioche, lemon, dried apricot, MacIntosh apples, pear, peach & honeycomb.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Minimum 18 months ageing sur latte.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3 – 5 years on its own or pair it with poached eggs on a bed of grape tomatoes.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Amazing Buy at the clearance price

Tasted: November 5, 2023

LCBO: 29948

DOUGH CHARDONNAY 2020, North Coast, California, United States of America

28 Saturday Oct 2023

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, White Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $24.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: North Coast, California
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Dough Wines
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A nice lean Cali Chard that keeps the alcohol in check & brings up nice tropical notes. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Gold in colour with good acidity, medium intensity nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon meringue pie, pineapple, tangerine, lime, Fuji apple, baking spice & honeysuckle on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Dough offers two needs-based $2,500 scholarships to students of George Brown College’s hospitality and culinary arts programs.

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: October 27, 2023

LCBO: 25598

CABRAL RESERVA 2020, DOC Douro, Portugal

24 Tuesday Oct 2023

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

≈ Leave a comment

Cost: $14.95
Grape: Viosinho, Arinto, Rabigato & gouveiro
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Portugal
Region: Douro
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Vallegre – Cabral
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Taste profile: It’s a combination of Sancerre, Viognier & Chenin Blanc. Great price especially for the quality. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Gold in colour with good acidity, medium intensity nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: White peach, yellow pitahaya (yellow Dragon Fruit), pear, kiwi, apricot, white pepper & honeysuckle on the nose.

Negatives: None

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: October 23, 2023

LCBO: 35446

MUD HOUSE PINOT NOIR 2020, Central Otago, New Zealand

03 Tuesday Oct 2023

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

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $24.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: New Zealand
Region: Central Otago
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Mud House
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Elegant Pinot with bright juicy fruit flavours & spiciness. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby to garnet in colour with good acidity, medium intensity nose, dry tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Dark cherry, bramble fruit, pomegranate, Allspice, dry thyme, Champagne mushrooms,

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note:

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: October 1, 2023

LCBO: 12630