The April 13 LCBO Vintages Release has emphasis on Cabernet Sauvignons, particularly from Bordeaux. Check out the Gran Cru and the Cru Bourgeois Best Buys.
My picks for the best wines <$40 in this release are below.
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Good wine doesn't have to be expensive! Get better value for your wine dollars with the recommendations below - and they're free!
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!
Please leave a comment below so others can benefit!
Cheap and Cheerful Wines
The white wine winner in the 'cheap and cheerful' category this release:
RUDI RÜTTGER LE TENDRE RIESLING 2022 Pfalz, Germany Vintages #37824 $16.95
If you are a fan of the sweeter German style Rieslings then you will want to know about this one. According to Vintages notes this a well balanced wine with lime peel, beeswax and bready notes. (M - 15 g/L)
The red wine winners in the 'cheap and cheerful' category this release:
CHÂTEAU RIVIÈRE 2020 Minervois, France Vintages #35999 $16.95 This 80/20 Syrah/Grenache blend is scoring 89-91 with the high coming from James Suckling. He describes complex aromas ranging from strawberry to thyme to bakings spices and black olives. Raspberries and cherries dominate the palate which is 'fleshy and bright'. And it leads to a 'joyous, spicy finish'. Enjoy now with Spicy Strawberry Salad. (XD - 4 g/L)
SAN ALEJANDRO EVODIA 2021 DO Calatayud, Spain Vintages #23914 $16.95 This is scoring solid 90s among critics despite the 2021 season being very challenging weather-wise. No doubt thanks to attention to detail in the winemaking, including fermentation with 15% full clusters in concrete. 60% of the volume remained in concrete while the rest was equal parts in used 225-liter barrels and large oak vats for five months. The result is 100% Grenache with freshness, fragrance and good acidity. The palate is juicy and fruit-driven with fine tannins and good balance. This feels like a patio wine for Back Ribs with Bourbon Rhubarb BBQ Sauce. )This sauce is soooo delicious you won't want rhubarb season to get away on you, I promise! (XD - 3 g/L)
Best Buy Sparkling Wines
EMILIANA AMALUNA ORGANIC BRUT SPARKLING traditional method, DO Valle de Casablanca, Chile Vintages #536607 $18.95 Chile is starting to make a name for itself as far as Sparklings go. This 80%/20 Chardonnay and Pinot Noir is well received every year (non-vintage). ' Look for 'soft and creamy bubbles', hints of minerality and bakery notes. Enjoy on its own or with a Mother's Day Luncheon Buffet. Score - 91 Patricio Tapia, guiadescorchados.cl, 2021 (XD - 8 g/L)
PIERRE SPARR BRUT RÉSERVE CRÉMANT D'ALSACE Traditional method, AC, Alsace, France Vintages # 388603 $20.95 This is also being enthusiastically received. In true Alsace style, look for crispness, green apple, some florality and a citrusy, vibrant finish. Enjoy with calamari or Herb Crusted Salmon with Lemon Cream Sauce. Score - 92 (International Wine Challenge, 2021) (XD - 10 g/L)
Best Buy White Wines
FREIRE LOBO VIGNO BRANCO 2021 DOC Dão, Portgual Vintage #37848 $17.95 From vines at 1,500 feet, this dry, medium-bodied white has a light floral character at first, followed by a rich, creamy palate. Throw in some spice, texture and minerality and you have a refreshing wine not lacking in character. Roger Voss of Wine Enthusiast gives it a 91 and calls it a ' Best Buy'. Enjoy with Pork Chops with Mustard Caper Sauce. (XD - 0 g/L)
INVIVO SAUVIGNON BLANC 2023 Marlborough, South Island, NZ Vintages #14199 $18.95 The premium Invivo makes it on to various Top 100 wine lists. This one has similar grapes and techniques to commend it. Sam Kim of wineorbit.co.nz gives this one a 93 and describes aromas of tropical fruit and lime followed by a 'gorgeously flavoursome palate' with generous fruit and vibrancy. Enjoy with Lemon Ricotta Pasta. (XD - 5 g/L)
RADFORD DALE VINUM CHENIN BLANC 2022 WO Stellenbosch, South Africa Vintages #13338 $19.95 If you are looking for a medium weight white wine consider this one, with its peachy/pear aromas and a 'fresh and expressive' palate. Tangerine on the finish suggests pairing this with Salmon with Citrus Cream. Score - 92 Jamie Goode, wineanorak.com (XD - 2 g/L)
ECKER-ECKHOF GRÜNER VON ECKHOF 2022 Niederösterreich, Austria Vintages #37419 $19.95 If you haven't had Austria on your radar for wine production then put in on now! If you want crisp, dry white with hints of spiciness look no further. The NY Times says, 'Yet another fabulous wine from this winery in Wagram'. Look for a citrusy, herbaceous character with 'fresh acidity' on a 'long and characterful' finish. Enjoy with Chicken Piccata. (XD - 2 g/L)
CATENA HIGH MOUNTAIN VINES CHARDONNAY 2022 Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina Vintages #918805 $20.95 This is scoring low 90s and recognized as good value among many respected critics. Look for ripe apples, nutty notes and a creamy texture. The finish has lots of character and excellent length. Score - 93 Zekun Shuai, jamessuckling.com (XD - 2 g/L)
JOEL GOTT SAUVIGNON BLANC 2022 California, USA Vintages #191593 $21.05 This ranked 31 in Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines of 2023. MaryAnn Worobiec of winespectator.com gives it a 91 and describes it as juicy and aromatice with lime, tangerine, green apple and ginger. Bright and vibrant with a long, flavourful finish.
Best Values. Enjoy with Salmon in Puff Pastry and Lime Cream. (XD - 3 g/L) Check availability upon release-product not showing on LBCO site.
DOMAINE DU PRÉ BARON TOURAINE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2022 Loire, France Vintages #107128 $20.95 Another wine I will be snapping up since I am a fan of the finesse Loire Sauvignon Blancs show. Vintages notes say this is clean and 'brisk' with citrus, white pepper and herbaceous notes. Enjoy with Ham and Asparagus Crepes. Score - Gold Concours des Vins du Val de Loire, 2023 (XD - 2 g/L)
HIDDEN BENCH ESTATE ORGANIC RIESLING 2019 Niagara Escarpment, ON Canada Vintages #183491 $24.95 This is causing a lot excitement among Canadian critics who put it solidly in the low 90s, with a high of 93 from David Lawrason of winealign.com. He describes it as an 'intense, edgy and powerful dry riesling'. Look for citrus aromas with hints of honey and spice. The palate is showing a bit of residual sugar which is offset by a well balanced seam of acidity. Excellent depth and length with a 'stony' finish. This is still fresh and livey 5 years in and has another 5 potentially. This is probably best enjoyed with food, perhaps soft cheeses or Air Fryer Cod Loins. (M - 21 g/L)
Hidden Bench Estate Winery is an artisanal, terroir-focused winery dedicated to crafting premium wines solely from our own organic estate vineyards situated within the Beamsville Bench VQA sub-appellation. Hidden Bench has established an ongoing reputation for consistent excellence both domestically and internationally.
Hidden Bench Winery
Best Buy Rosé Wines
BODEGA GARZÓN RESERVA PINOT NOIR ROSÉ 2023 Maldonado, Uruguay Vintages #15265 $19.95 I am taking a bit of a flyer on this one because many of the Rosés on offer seemed to have a candied bent. This one is more 'Old World' style. By 'Old World' I am hoping they mean Provence with its light fruit and dry, herbaceous nature. From one of Uruguays best producers, this 100% Pinot Noir is showing citrus, strawberry and cherry notes wrapped up in a sophisticated, dry yet refreshing package. Some underlying minerality is homage to its marine heritage. Enjoy with soft cheeses and Strawberry Cream Cheese Bites. (XD - 2 g/L)
JOEL GOTT ROSÉ 2022 Central Coast, California, USA Vintages #668368 $24.95 This gets a 90 from Matt Kettman, Wine Enthusiast who describes an 'exuberant' nose of strawberry and lime. The palate is juicy with red fruit and underylying chalky minerality. Best Buy. (XD - 2 g/L) Check availability upon release-product not showing on LBCO site.
Best Buy Red Wines
AMASTUOLA NEGROAMARO Salento, Puglia, Italy 2020 Vintages #363899 $17.95 This is scoring 90-91 across the board. Expect a medium-bodied wine with generous fruit on the nose an palate. Think ripe raspberries, blackberries, sandalwood and dark spices. Tense with dusty tannins and good length. Enjoy with Red Wine Braised Beef. Score - 91 James Suckling (XD - 8 g/L)
SIDEWOOD STABLEMATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 South Australia Vintages #26926 $17.95 This sounds like a crowd pleaser. Sam Kim of wineorbit.co.nz describes it as 'charming drinking'. Look for ripe black fruit on the nose and palate with good weight and elegant structure. (XD - 3 g/L)
H J. FABRE BARREL SELECTION MALBEC 2021 Patagonia, Argentina Vintages #114983 $18.95 This gets a 93 from Tim Atkin of timatkin.com. He describes herbaceous notes with some graphite and underlying spices. Plum and black cherry dominate with some white pepper. (XD - 3 g/L)
MAQUIS GRAN RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2020 Valle de Colchagua, Chile Vintages #13064 $19.95 Tim Atkin of timatkin.com calls this a bargain coming from an 'exemplary' winery. This is a polished blend of Cabernet Sauvignon with 8% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. Look for violets and leafy aromas. The palate is showing sweet oaky tones with good acidity and a long finish. Enjoy now through 2030 with Steak with Peppercorn Sauce.
BYRON & HAROLD ROSE & THORNS SHIRAZ 2020 Western Australia Vintages #453183 $21.95 This is scoring solidly 92-94. Sam Kim of wineorbit.co.nz says it has instant appeal with dark berries, thyme and nuts on the nose. The palate is equally enticing with fruit purity and intensity leading to a delicious lingering finish. Enjoy with Creamy Mushroom Lasagna with Ground Beef. (XD - 6 g/L)
If you can't find that one THORN-CLARKE SHOTFIRE SHIRAZ 2019 Vintages #18796 $22.95 Barossa, South Australia is another highly acclaimed Shiraz that Cameron
Douglas, MS of camdouglasms.com gives a 93. Look for dark fruits on the nose and palate along with clove, vanilla and cedar. This one will last to 2030 and beyond. (XD - 3 g/L)
CHÂTEAU LA CARDONNE 2015 Cru Bourgeois, AC Médoc, Bordeaux, France Vintages #550244 $25.95 From an excellent vintage this is just coming in to its own. Roger Voss of Wine Enthusiast gives it a 91 and suggests it is a powerful wine showing blackberry fruit in a spicy, smoky frame. Dense with tannins that are well integrated. Enjoy with Tuscan Ribs with Balsamic Glaze. (XD - 3 g/L)
Premium Wine
LES HAUTS DE GRANGET 2018 AC Saint-Émilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux, France Vintages #35372 $37.95 It's not every day we see a Saint-Émilion Grand Cru on offer. Critics are using words like 'stunning' or 'magnificent' to describe this one. 85% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, look for ripe cherry, blueberry, cedar and cinnamon aromas. Full-bodied with fine, ripe tannins and balanced acidity. A Grand Cru from a great vintage...how lucky are we that it is in our snack bracket! Enjoy now through 2035 with your best cut of beef served with Classic Bordelaise Sauce! Score - 96 Decanter World Wine Awards, 2021 (XD - 4 g/L)
A stunning release from this small plot on the plateau of Saint-Emilion... The palate is rich and spicy, offering a very full mouthfeel, elegant yet generous and a good balanced tannin structure that lingers long after. This wine is built to age. Drink: 2023-2035
Wine and Beyond
Cellar Suggestions
CHÂTEAU TERRE BLANQUE 2020 AC Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux, France Vintages #18577 $18.95 This is scoring low 90s and won Gold at the Challenge International du Vin, 2021. A medium-bodied red with earthy tones typical of the Blaye region. Look for ripe black fruit with hints of chocolate on the finish. Tannins are still firm. Drink from 2025-2030. (XD - 2 g/L)
Frequently Asked Questions
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 winetastings. 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 week night 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.
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