Category Archives: Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

In addition to Best Buys, these are my top picks with no consideration to price

SIEUR GAILLARD EXCELLENCE CRÉMANT DE BORDEAUX, MÉTHODE TRADITIONNELLE, NV, Entre-deux-Mer, Bordeaux, France

09 Sunday Nov 2025

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

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Cost: $20.00
Grape: Sémillon, Muscadelle and Cabernet Franc
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Prague
Country: France
Region: Entre-deux-Mer, Bordeaux
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Sieur Gaillard
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Elegance in a bottle. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with good acidity, fine mousse, a medium+ intense nose, & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon zest, golden apples, pear, honeydew melon, light yeast & vanilla.,

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: “Harvested by hand. Primary fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature, secondary fermentation and aging on the lees for 12 months in bottles.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5 – 7 years on its own or pair it with Eggs Benedict.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: November 9, 2025

KIN VINEYARDS TRAVELER’S CHARDONNAY 2023, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

31 Friday Oct 2025

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Kin Vineyards, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, White Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $25.00
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Kin Vineyards
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.

For those Chard lovers that don’t like heavy oak, as this one is unoaked, but still have a full body, tropical fruits & creamy but fresh finish. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Ligh gold in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, pineapple, apple, pear, peach, banana & cantaloupe.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Kin Vineyards is located in the Ottawa Valley, but the grapes in this wine come from Niagara Peninsula.

Winemaker’s Note: “The grapes were machine picked, destemmed and sorted by harvester before being pressed to extract the juice. Following cold settling, the clear juice was racked to stainless steel fermenter for inoculation with cultured yeast. After 10 days, the fermentation was halted to block the malolactic conversion of acids, bentonite fined and cold settled for 16 days prior to racking to tank for 5 months of tank ageing. Sterile filtration proceeded bottling.” Winery

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with Japanese food.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: August 18, 2025

LCBO: 17199

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

12 Sunday Oct 2025

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.

Classic Viognier style made in Ontario. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Medium yellow in colour with good acidity, a low intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Apricot, tangerine, Golden apples, Quince & lemon pith.

Negatives: None

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

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: July 24, 2025

WESTCOTT VINEYARDS BLOCK 76 CHARDONNAY 2023, VQA Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

04 Thursday Sep 2025

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

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Cost: $50.00
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Westcott Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.9% Alcohol/Vol.

Top quality Canadian Chard that is bold & beautiful without the high alcohol. Score: 95/100.

Tasting Note: Light gold in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, mild tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, pineapple, apple, pear, peach, mango, sweet corn, dill, ginger, oak spice, butterscotch & buttery.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: “Handpicked. Whole cluster pressed. Barrel fermented in neutral oak. All wild fermented & MLF. Barrel aged 16 months with no stirring. Bottle unfiltered.” Winery

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: August 28, 2025

KACABA FOUNDER’S SELECT CABERNET/SYRAH 2022, VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada

12 Tuesday Aug 2025

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Kacaba Vineyards & Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $69.95
Grape: 39.6% Syrah, 30.2% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30.2% Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Escarpment, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Kacaba
Alcohol: 13.7% Alcohol/Vol.

High end Ontario red that will show its true caliber in years to come. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, grainy tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Cherry, raspberry, mulberry, plum, cassis, Star Anise, white pepper, Radicchio & arugula.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: “Aged 16 months in French & American oak.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 6 – 8 years on its own or pair it with tenderloin steak.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: August 7, 2025

QUEENSTON MILE SMALL BATCH RESERVE ROSÉ 2023, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

08 Friday Aug 2025

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

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: 50% Cabernet, 50% Pinot Meunier
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Queenston Mile
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

One of the best rosés without the high cost. This delicious off-dry rosé is full flavoured & juicy. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Rosé red in colour with good acidity, a medium intense+ nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Bing Cherries, Fuji Apples & strawberries.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: The use of 50% Pinot Meunier, a grape used in Champagne.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 2 – 3 years on its own or pair it with chicken wings

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: August 7, 2025

SOUTHBROOK ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2023, VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

14 Monday Jul 2025

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

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Cost: $47.75
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Four Mile Creek, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Southbrook Winery
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

High end Ontario Chard that can compete with the best Chards in the world. Score: 97/100.

Tasting Note: Light gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon rind, quince, white cranberry, yellow & green apples, ginger, dill, cloves, oak spice & Easter Lily on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Organic & Biodynamic

Winemaker’s Note: “Whole bunch pressed to cold settle in tank. Racked to ferment wild in barrel and receiving full malolactic conversion. After ten months elevage in French oak barrels (30% new).

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5 – 7 years on its own or pair it with Steamed Lobster & drawn butter.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: July 11, 2025

13th STREET WINERY CHARDONNAY 2023, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

01 Tuesday Jul 2025

Posted by in 13th Street Winery, Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, White Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $21.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

My new Ontario best Chard at under $30. Beautifully made, elegant, creamy with vibrant tropical fruits & some spice. Score: 95/100.

Tasting Note: Gold in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, peach, pear, green & golden apples, mango, ginger, oak spice & honeysuckle on the nose.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: “The grapes for our Chardonnay 2023 come from select vineyards in the Niagara Peninsula appellation. They were harvested in late September and early October and fermented and aged in French oak and acacia barrels of a variety of sizes (228L, 400L, and 500L). There were 100% malolactic fermentations. After rigorous tasting, winemaker Jean-Pierre Colas decided on the final blend and bottled the wine in January 2025, following light fining and filtration.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 4 – 6 years on its own or pair it with Fogo Island cod, soy ginger glaze, charred shitake mushrooms & green garlic.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: June 29, 2025

KACABA RESERVE SYRAH 2022, VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada

04 Wednesday Jun 2025

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Kacaba Vineyards & Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $69.95
Grape: Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Escarpment, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Kacaba Winery
Alcohol: 13.3% Alcohol/Vol.

High price but it’s worth the complexity, structure & taste of this wine Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Medium bright ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, powdery tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherry, plum, mulberry, blackberry, cocoa, tobacco leaves, white pepper, star anise, tarragon & fresh cut violets on the nose.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Note: “Grapes were harvested using a combination of hand & machine harvesting. Grapes undergone a long cold soak before a gentle & cool fermentation to extract colour & tannin, and to achieve optimal colour & aroma. Fruit was transferred to open top fermenters & inoculated with select strains of yeast. The wine was left on the skins post fermentation to add to the complexity & texture of the wine. After the wine was pressed from its skins, it was transferred to French & American oak barrels for 18 months of aging.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 7 – 9 years on its own or pair it with Mechoui

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: June 3, 2025

KACABA CABERNET/SYRAH 2019, VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario, Canada

08 Thursday May 2025

Posted by in Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Kacaba Vineyards & Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $44.95
Grape: 38.7% Syrah, 28.5% Cab Franc, 28.5 % Cab Sauvignon, 4.3% Viognier
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Escarpment, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Kacaba Vineyards & Winery
Alcohol: 13.2% Alcohol/Vol.

Well-made Ontario red blend with luscious & vibrant notes. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Light ruby going to garnet in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, smooth tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Dark cherry, plum, blackberries, blackcurrants, cassis, anise, white pepper, graphite, espresso, tobacco leaves & smoked ambers on the nose.

Negatives: None

Winemaker’s Point: “Aged in French & American oak for 12 months.” Winery

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3 – 5 years on its own or pair it with Beef Short Ribs.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: May 6, 2025