The July 5 2025 LCBO Vintages Release has lots of easy drinking Rosés and good selection of Sauvignon Blanc. And check out the Brunello under $40!
Good wine doesn't have to be expensive! Get better value for your wine dollars with the recommendations below - and they're free!
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If you try a recommended wine - this is your chance to be a critic! If you find another gem you would like people to know about add that too!
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Cheap And Cheerful
Cheap and Cheerful White Wine Winners:
AVELEDA LOUREIRO 2023 DOC Vinho Verde, Portugal Vintages #646067 $14.95
This is a fun summer sipper. Typically juicy and refreshing, look for lime and tropical fruit with some saline and mineral hints. Enjoy with Brie and strawberries dockside. (XD - 3 g/L)
Cheap and Cheerful Rosé Wine Winners:
MONTES LIMITED SELECTION ROSÉ 2024 Valle de Colchagua, Chile Vintages #43407 $16.95 From a respected producer, this 85% Syrah and 15% Grenache blend features cherry, pomegranate and watermelon notes. Pair with Creamy Shrimp Tarte. (XD - 5 g/L)
C'EST TROP ROSÉ 2024 IGP Méditerranée, France Vintages #37678 $16.95 From another respected producer, this Grenache Noir, Cinsault and Rolle blend is showing watermelon and strawberry with zesty acidity to keep it lively through the finish. (XD - 2 g/L)
FIELDING ROSÉ 2024 VQA Niagara Peninsula, ON Canada Vintages #53421 $17.95 This Gamay, Merlot and Pinot Gris blend is 'bursting' with red berries and citrus including tangy grapefruit. Well-structured, it will stand up to food. Scoring low 90s among critics. Try it with Salmon and Shrimp Sandwich Cake. (XD - 2 g/L)
Cheap and Cheerful Red Wine Winners:
RAVANAL GRAN RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 Valle de Colchagua, Chile Vintages #542183 $16.95 This gets a 91 from James Suckling. Look for hints of chocolate, plum and currant on the nose that carry to the palate. Fine tannins with a lingering finish. Enjoy with Beer Can Stuffed Burgers. (XD - 3 g/L)
DOMAINES ANDRÉ AUBERT VISAN CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES 2023 Rhone, France Vintages #224915 $17.95 A Rhone blend is always an approachable pour. This 65% Grenache, 35% Syrah has prune and mulberry notes with a concentrated palate of dark, ripe fruit. ' Impressive for the price. Score - 93 Decanter World Wine Awards, 2024')'. This one deserves Flank steak! (XD - 4 g/L)
NIETO SENETINER DON NICANOR MALBEC 2022 Mendoza, Argentina Vintages #178657 $17.95 This gets a 92 from Zekun Shuai of jamessuckling.com. Look for blueberry and cherry notes on a vibrant, fresh palate. Soft tannins and fruity, expressive finish round out the picture. (XD - 3 g/L)
Best Buy White Wines
GORGHI TONDI COSTE A PREOLA GRILLO 2023 DOC Sicilia Vintages #11670 $18.95 Fans of Grillo wait with baited breath for this tropical, citrusy pour. Look for passion fruit and some herbal tones here. Medium finish with good acidity. Enjoy with grilled fish or calamari. Score - 91 (Othmar Kiem & Simon Staffler, falstaff.com) (XD - 2 g/L)
DOMAINE BELLEVUE TOURAINE SAUVIGNON 2023 Loire, France Vintages #82305 $18.95 Just in time - my stash has dwindled! This is widely recognized as good value from 20-50-year-old vines. It is crisp and concentrated with citrus, mango and gooseberry tones, underpinned by herbal mint and nettle notes. (XD - 2 g/L) If you can't find this one try DOMAINE CÉDRICK BARDIN COTEAUX DU GIENNOIS SAUVIGNON 2023 Vintages #42740 $22.95 which is flintier and smokier with peach and citrus notes. (XD - 2 g/L)
NOMAD FUMÉ BLANC 2021 VQA Niagara Lakeshore, On, Canada Vintages #45579 $19.95 This score low 90s consistently year after year. It is barrel for 12 months creating a Sauvignon Blanc that is 'sultry and smoky'. Pair it with Orzo Corn Salad with Feta Dressing. (XD - 2 g/L)
BODEGA EL PORVENIR DE CAFAYATE LABORUM FINCA EL RETIRO TORRONTÉS 2023 Valle de Cafayate, Salta, Argentina Vintages # 489179 $19.95 From one of the highest altitude vineyards in the world......high up in the Andes.... comes....
one of 'the most exciting expressions of Torrontés in Argentina', according to Tim Atkins, who gives this a 95. Look for lemongrass, citrus and clementine with hints of stony minerality. Enjoy with Summer Corn Quiche. (XD - 2 g/L)
FORREST THE DOCTORS' SAUVIGNON BLANC 2023 Marlborough, South Island, NZ Vintages #317842 $19.95 Zesty with cut-grass and gooseberry, this is a juicy, appealing wine with a lingering finish. Score - 91 (Bob Campbell, MW, therealreview.com) (XD - 7 g/L)
TOI TOI SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 Marlborough, South Island, NZ Vitags #454785 $19.95 This gets a 93 from Sam Kim who describes lemon zest and green apple aromas. The palate is powerful and fruity with a deliciously long finish. (XD - 4 g/L)
Best Buy Rosé Wines
ERADUS SADIE ROSÉ 2024 Marlborough, South Island, NZ Vintages #43353 $19.95 Sam Kim gives this a 93 and describes watermelon, pomegranate and floral notes on the nose. The palate is finely textured with juicy, fruit and vibrant acidity. (XD - 2 g/L)
Best Buy Red Wines
CHÂTEAU RIVIÈRE 2020 AP Minervois, France Vintages #35999 $18.95 James Suckling gives this a 91 and describes ripe strawberries, currant and baking spices on the nose. The palate is fleshy with raspberry and cherry notes. Look for a delicious spicy finish. 80% Syrah and 20% Grenache. Pair with Sour Cherry Glazed Ribs. (XD - 4 g/L)
PIEDRA NEGRA GRAN LURTON SINGLE VINEYARD CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2018
IG Los Chacayes, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina Vintages #980334 $24.95 This is getting rave reviews among critics with a 95 from James Suckling. Full-bodied with savoury stewed currant, plums, mushrooms and dried herbs. 'Dense and chewy' but refined and polished. (XD - 2 g/L)
CHÂTEAU HAUCHAT 2022 AC Fronsac, Bordeaux, France Vintages #123489 $19.95 This gets rave reviews every year. Look for fresh, dark fruit and spice. This will take you from Brie Burgers on the patio to your winter stew. (XD - 3 g/L)
THE LANE ADELAIDE HILLS LDR 2022 Adelaide Hills, South Australia Vintages #41787 $19.95 A Shiraz, Cab, Merlot blend, this is highly approachable. Leaning a bit to the Old World style, look for green pepper, bitter chocolate and spice with gentle tannins. (XD - 2 g/L)
CUNEKA TAHI THE ONE SYRAH 2021 Gimblett Gravels, Hawke's Bay, North Island, NZ Vintages #41788 $23.95 This gets high praise and a 93 from Sam Kim, who describes dark plum and blueberry notes with almond and spicy notes. Succulent and silky with a lingering 'velvety' finish. Pair with Steak with Peppercorn Sauce. (XD - 2 g/L)
QUERCECCHIO BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2020
Vintages # 438580
$38.95
DOCG Tuscany, Italy
2020 was an outstanding vintage with instant appeal. A Brunello in the <$40 price rang is unusual in itself and this one is scoring low 90s. Look for a lithe mouthfeel with grippy tannins. The palate has cherry and plum over earthy leather tones. Drink now to early 2030s with Braciole. (XD - 3 g/L)
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FAQs
What Are LCBO Vintages Releases?
Twice a month the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) releases a selection of special wines they have chosen from around the world. They are not part of the regular stock that is replenished regularly. So if you see something that is good value you need to order it or pick it up while you can.
I am WSET 3 Certified and I use my experience as an LCBO-approved media taster to highlight good value wines. I also have the opportunity to taste wines from all over the world as showcased in industry Master Classes and wine tastings. See my About page for more details on my experience.
The Best Buy wines I recommend tend to be wines that score 90 or above and are in the $20-$30ish range. I research the wines to see which are scoring consistently in the 90 + range. You can expect these wines to represent the characteristics of their varietal and region well; display some complexity, depth and length. I suggest food pairings for many of the recommendations because... that is what it's all about here at The Wine Lover's 
Kitchen.
Wines I call 'cheap and cheerful' wines are wines that are hovering around the high 80s to 90-point mark. They are not going to win gold medals in competition but they should be a solid choice for weeknight sipping or dock or deck sitting. They also make for a good value choice if you are serving a crowd and your lively guests are too busy chatting to discuss the depth and length of their wine!
Premium Wine recommendations are edging up on my $40 limit. They may be 'entry' level wines of prestigious regions or producers. Often cellar-worthy and always wines that you want to pay attention to when you serve them to ensure you appreciate their complexities!
The $40 is a rather arbitrary level, but if you are spending more then $40 routinely on a bottle of wine then you are probably a wine enthusiast doing your own research.
Decanter World Wine Awards tastes and score wines according to their price bracket. So a 95 Score for a $20 bottle of wine means it is outstanding among wines 'in that price range'. Decanter scores from an individual or a panel are scored against the 'Gold standard' for that varietal.
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