The Aug 2 2025 LCBO Vintages Release has a good choice of Cheap and Cheerful wines but make sure to read down to the Chianti Classico that rates >90 for under $20.
Good wine doesn't have to be expensive! Get better value for your wine dollars with the recommendations below - and they're free!
Jump to:
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
Cheap and Cheerful White Wine Winners:
MAN FREE-RUN STEEN CHENIN BLANC 2024 WO Cape Coast, South Africa Vintages #126847 $14.95 This is in the full-bodied and rich category and makes a nice alternative to a Chardonnay. Look for white peach, citrus and almond aromas with apple and pear on the palate and finish. Serve with Chilled Spanish Garlic Soup. Score - Gold (gilbertgaillard.com, 2025)
(XD - 3 g/L)
MARKUS WALDSCHÜTZ KAMPTAL GRÜNER VELTLINER 2023 Kamptal, Austria Vintages #34245 $17.95 Another crisp white that complements fresh summer dishes. This gets a 91 from Peter Moser (arguably the godfather of Austrian wine). Look for citrus and apple notes with some flinty minerality. Excellent balance (and price!) Serve with Lemon Pepper Haddock Bites. (XD - 4 g/L)
Cheap and Cheerful Red Wine Winners:
FIUZA DUCADO DO INFANTE RESERVA RED 2022 DOP Tejo, Portugal Vintages #44950 $13.95 Fans of Portuguese red blends will be happy about this one. Smooth and rich with black plum and ripe tannins. Plan to enjoy this robust wine with burgers or pizza. Best Buy. Score - 90 Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast (D - 8 g/L)
DUCA DI SARAGNANO NERO DI TROIA 2024 IGT Puglia, Italy Vintages #23034 $14.95 Another robust red here, that is well received by consumers. Look for dried herbs, olive black fruit with hints of pepper and tobacco. You might want to save this one for your first fall stew or spaghetti night. (D - 9 g/L)
3 RINGS CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2023 Barossa Valley, South Australia Vintages #36237 $15.95 You can't go wrong with Barossa Valley anything IMHO... This gets a 94 from Sam Kim of wineorbit.co.nz who describes is as splendidly ripe and stylish with excellent concentration, plush texture with fine tannins and a persistent, structure finish. Pair with Sirloin Steak. Stock up folks! (XD - 3 g/L)
ALCEÑO TWELVE 12 MESES MONASTRELL 2021 DOP Jumilla, Spain Vintages #398925 $17.95 This gets a 92 from Zekun Shuai of jamessuckling.com. Rich blackberries are complemented by peppery notes and aromas of minty oak and vanilla. Tannins are fine but abundant so plan to enjoy with a steak! (XD - 6 g/L)
STONEHAVEN STEPPING STONE SHIRAZ 2021 Limestone Coast, South Australia Vintages #36387 $16.95 This gets a 93 from Sam Kim of wineorbit.co.nz who describes plum and raspberry with nutty notes and fine tannins. Silky and 'delectably expressed'. (XD - 3 g/L)
CHÂTEAU LES TOURELLES 2020 AC Bordeaux, France Vintages #426247 $17.95 Chateau Les Tourelles is a prestigious producer from the prestigious Pauillac region. This wine is registered simply as Bordeaux, suggesting it is a 'poor cousin' to the Pauillac brands. Based on its pedigree and the Gold rating from gilbertgaillard.com, 2024 I would take a chance on it. Notes describe concentrated aromas and a firm palate that is balanced and fruity. Based on the 'firm' palate plan to enjoy with charcuterie or a Beef Bourguignon. (XD - 3 g/L)
Best Buy White Wines
VILLA MARIA EARTH GARDEN SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 Marlborough, South Island, NZ Vintages #24981 $18.95 Cameron Douglas, MS, camdouglasms.com calls this a 'lovely example' with tropical fruit, citrus and stone fruit. Mineral and spicy notes add complexity, and basil hints lend some green notes. Enjoy with Vichyssoise. (XD - 4 g/L)
MATAHIWI ESTATE PINOT GRIS 2023 Wairarapa, North Island, NZ Vintages #12679 $18.95 Cameron Douglas, MS, camdouglasms.com, gives this a 93 and describes fresh pear and apple with spicy and biscuit notes from the lees. Medium-plus-bodied with a satin texture and refreshing acidity. 'Excellent'. Enjoy with Thai Shrimp Bisque. (XD - 7 g/L)
DOMAINE DE LA CHAISE TOURAINE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2023 Loire, France Vintages #42843 $19.95 We seem to be blessed with a fairly regular supply of Loire Sauignon Blancs! This one has some tropical fruit and grapefruit notes with asparagus and herbs providing the green profile. Balanced and long. Pair with Summer Squash and Potato Torte. (XD - 3 g/L)
REDSTONE LIMESTONE VINEYARD SOUTH RIESLING 2023
VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment, ON Canada Vintages #381251 $22.95
This gets a 92 from Natalie Maclean of nataliemaclean.com who describes it as vibrant and intense. Look for citrus, peach and apple notes. Refreshing with a hint of minerality on the finish. Just off-dry this will pair well with Asian dishes. (M - 33 g/L)
Best Buy Rosé Wines
NOUVELLE VAGUE ORGANIC ROSÉ 2024 France, Vintages #43530 $18.95 This is a Grenache Rosé showing bright, crunchy fresh fruit. Notes include terms such as versatile, inviting and 'a tangy delight'. Just what you want in a Rosé! Pair with Sheet Pan Salmon.
Best Buy Red Wines
AVIGNONESI CANTALORO 2020 Tuscany, Italy Vintages #36519 $19.95 This is getting lots of praise for 'over-delivering' and holding broad appeal. A Merlot, Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon blend showing ripe blackberry, cherry, cocoa, tobacco and licorice. A long finish ends with a minty note. Enjoy with Braciole. (XD - 2 g/L)
VILLA CERNA PRIMOCOLLE CHIANTI CLASSICO 2021 Chianti, Italy Vintages #573501 $19.95 Bruce Sanderson, of winespectator.com gives this a 92. It is harmonious and supple with cherry, raspberry and mineral flavours. Elegant with fine tannins and a long, refreshing finish. Enjoy now through 2036. Serve with Tuscan Ribs. (XD - 2 g/L)
DANDELION MENAGERIE OF THE BAROSSA GRENACHE/SHIRAZ/MATARO 2023 Barossa, South Australia Vintages #399899 $21.95 An Aussie GSM blend, look for raspberry with plum and blueberry complements. Spice, citrus and floral notes add complexity. Medium-bodied with sandy tannins and lots of energy and zip. Special Value. Score - 94 (Dave Brookes, winecompanion.com.au,) (XD - 3 g/L)
JAFFELIN BROUILLY 2023 Beaujolais, France Vintages #42030 $21.95 This is an 'engaging Beaujolais cru' according to Vintage notes. Look for intense cherry and blackcurrant. Good concentration and a long, satisfying finish. Structure and weight here so plan to pair it with salmon, duck breast or veal. (XD - 3 g/L)
SUSANA BALBO SIGNATURE MALBEC 2022 Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina Vintages #79798 $22.95 A perennial favourite, look for ripe black fruit with spicy undertones. Patricio Tapia of guiadescorchados.cl calls it an exuberant red and gives it a 94. (XD - 3 g/L)
RHONÉA LES CONFLUENCES VINSOBRES 2022 Rhone, France Vintages #43748 Score - 92 This GSM (50% Syrah, 43% Grenache and 7% Mourvèdre) is from the CdP wannabe region of Vinsobres. Look for wild strawberry, blackberry, thyme and pepper on the nose that carry to the palate. Hints of mushroom and licorice emerge on the long, satisfying finish. Enjoy with Ottolenghi Mushrrom Ragu Lasagne. Aerate if serving now. Best Buy. Score 92 Anna-Christina Cabrales, Wine Enthusiast. (XD - 3 g/L)
PUELLES GRAN RESERVA 2015
Vintages # 30222 $27.95
DOCa Rioja, Spain
TASTING NOTE: This is a beautiful Gran Reserva Rioja, a blend of tempranillo (95%) and garnarcha, graciano, and mazuelo (combined 5%). It was matured 24 months in a 50-50 mix of American and French barrels. The fruit is complex and well structured, with dark fruit to the fore and highlights of spiciness. The fruit-acid balance is perfect, and the tannins are nicely integrated and just perceptible. This fine wine is drinking beautifully now and will easily hold to the late 2020s. (XD - 2 g/L)
Score - 95 Rod Phillips,
Related Recipes
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 than $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.
Leave a Reply