The Dec 6 2025 LCBO Vintages Release has a number of specialty wines and seasonal favourites. If you are a Framboise, Tokaj or Sauterne fan - you are in luck this release.
Good wine doesn't have to be expensive! Use my recommendations to get the best wine for your money - 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!
Please leave a comment below so others can benefit!
Cheap And Cheerful
Best White Wines Under $20:
THIERRY DELAUNAY TOURAINE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 Loire, France Vintages #391847 $17.95 Stock up on this one for your holiday sipping, lunches and light dinners! This is a perennial favourite. Look for elegant gooseberry, citrus and some stony minerality. Enjoy with Sheet Pan Salmon with Crispy Rice. (XD - 4 g/L)
VIEIL ARMAND ORIGINE RIESLING 2022 Alsace, France Vintages #40432 $18.95 I am a fan of the tension and minerality that is a hallmark of Alsace wines. This gets a 91 from James Suckling, who describes aromas of peach, pear, citrus and honey. The palate is medium to full-bodied, clean and fresh with 'vivid' acidity and mineral undertones. Drink now with Creamy Shrimp Quiche. (XD - 5 g/L)
HENRI BOURGEOIS PETIT BOURGEOIS SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 IGP Loire, France Vintages #672345 $19.95 Another elegant SB from the Loire for us. Look for green apple, lemon grass and some floral notes. Some influence from the lees adds weight. The finish is impressively long with mineral notes. Pair with Herb Crusted Salmon with Lemon Cream Sauce. (XD - 2 g/L)
Best Red Wines Under $20:
HALOS DE JUPITER CÔTES DU RHÔNE 2023 Rhone, France Vintages #276956 $18.95 This is always a good bet for a GSM blend and according to Jeb Dunnuck the 2023 is even richer, with more depth than previous years. Look for red and blue fruit, and peppery herbs on the nose and palate. It is well-balanced with 'tons of charm and character'. Pair with Beef Bourguignon. Score - 90-92 (jebdunnuck.com, Oct. 29, 2024) (XD - 4 g/L)
CLAYMORE BITTERSWEET SYMPHONY CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2022 Clare Valley, South Australia. Vintages #489971 $19.95 This gets a 92 from Sam Kim of wineorbit.co.nz, who describes savoury blackcurrant with spice and almond hints. The palate is finely textured with chalky tannins and a persistent finish. Serve with Ribs with Spicy Blackberry Sauce. (XD - 2 g/L)
GARAGE OLD VINES CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2022
Vintages #47671 $19.95
Valle del Maule, Chile
This may be the best value in the release based on the comments from John Szabo below. (CH)
TASTING NOTE: Here's a deeply-coloured, immediately impressive, dry-farmed, old vine cabernet from the Maule
Valley, replete with ripe, dark fruit, wild herbal-spice and genuine grit and old vine density, effortless balance and
complexity. There's a ton of character on offer for the price, and drinkability is high, the sort of wine you can enjoy now with salty protein to soften, or cellar for another decade without concern for a fully savoury expression. A terrific value, honest and authentic wine in the final analysis - I've seen less wine at three times the price.
Tasted April 2025. Score -
92 (John Szabo, MS, winealign.com)
(XD - 0 g/L)
KILIKANOON KILLERMAN'S RUN GRENACHE/SHIRAZ/MATARO 2023 Clare Valley, South Australia. Vintages #412189 $19.95 This gets a 92 from Sam Kim of wineorbit.co.nz, who describes ripe plum and raspberry with spicy notes. The palate is supple and silky with a lingering finish. Pair with Easy Cassoulet. (XD - 3 g/L)
THE LANE SHIRAZ 2021 Adelaide Hills, South Australia. Vintages #462515 $19.95 This is the best value of the Aussie Shiraz on offer this release, with consistent mid-90s scores from various critics and outscoring some of the higher-priced ones. It is an elegant, cool-climate Shiraz with violet tones over peppery black fruit. The palate is medium-bodied and energetic. Score - 94 (Tony Love, winepilot.com, June 2023)
(XD - 2 g/L
Best Buy Sparkling Wines Under $40
MARKUS HUBER SPARKLING WHITE Austria, tank method Vintages #47078 $19.95 Austrian Sparkling or Sekt, is known for its crisp, clean nature. This is a blend of 10 different grapes from a single vineyard. (I am trying to picture what that vineyard looks like.....). Look for citrus, tropical fruit and mineral notes. (D - 0 g/L)
ALBINO ARMANI EXTRA DRY CONEGLIANO VALDOBBIADENE PROSECCO SUPERIORE Friuli, Italy Vintages #16602 $22.95 James Suckling calls this 'fun to drink' and gives it a 92. Look for floral, tropical and light candied notes. The mousse is creamy and the aftertaste is salty. Sounds like a perfect match for holiday appetizers. (D - 13 g/L)
If you can't find that one, look for GIUSTI ASOLO EXTRA DRY PROSECCO SUPERIORE
Vintages #47797 $21.95 (D - 13 g/L)
Best Buy Fortified Wines Under $40
BURMESTER 10-YEAR-OLD TAWNY PORT DOP, Portugal Vintages #223958 $32.95 Port season is upon us! Look for generous toffee and nutty notes with hints of cedar and herbs. The finish is 'everlasting' according to Decanter World Wine Awards, 2024. Score-95 (S - 100 g/L)
Best Buy Sweet Wines Under $40
SOUTHBROOK CANADIAN FRAMBOISE Canada Vintages #341024 $22.95
Fruit wine gets a bad rap sometimes, but don't knock it till you've tried this one! If you want a hit of fresh raspberry in the winter, a hit that will transport you right into the raspberry patch - you have to try this. I serve it winter or summer with this amazing Raspberry Frozen Torte or this Raspberry/Meringue Christmas tree. (They are easier than they look!) Score - 92 (David Lawrason, winealign.com) (S - 119 g/L) 375mL
Okay... I cheated on the $40 limit on the next 2 but I didn't want to not mention the opportunity to experience a Sauterne or a Tokaj since they are not always (or even often) available. Serve either of these with liver pate, dried apricots, nuts, dates, brie etc.
LA CHAPELLE DE LAFAURIE-PEYRAGUEY SAUTERNES 2015 AOC, second wine of Ch. Lafaurie-Peyraguey Vintages #477588 $40.95 This gets a 93 from James Suckling who describes stone fruit, mangoes and papaya aromas. Rich, creamy and yet fresh with a long, elegant finish. (S - 107 g/L) 375mL
PANNON TOKAJ 5 PUTTONYOS TOKAJI ASZÚ 2017 Tokaj Vintages #278937 $42.95 There is nothing that quite compares to a 'botrytis affected' Tokaj. This is 5 "puttonyos", so it is on the higher end of the 3-6 puttonyos sweetness scale. Look for honey, peach, apricot and spice with a balancing lovely acidity. (S - 147 g/L) 500mL
Best Buy White Wines Under $40
SPOKE AWATERE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2023 Awatere Valley, Marlborough, South Island, NZ Vintages #41799 $24.95 This gets a 95 from Sam Kim, who describes fresh green apple, lime and herbal aromas. The palate is lively, intense and juicy. (XD - 2 g/L)
LEYDA LOT 5 CHARDONNAY 2023 DO Valle de Leyda, Chile Vintages #47081 $26.95 This is being well-received and recognized as good value. Seaside influences and gravelly, marine soils provide the 'terroir' here. It was aged in cement and wood for 10 months, adding herbal and spicy complexity. The texture is outstanding- creamy and soft but with 'nervy acidity'. It drinks well now but will continue to evolve for a few more years. Pair with Cornish Hens with Orange Apricot Glaze. Score - 98 (Patricio Tapia, guiadescorchados.cl, 2025) (XD - 2 g/L)
GREYWACKE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 Marlborough, South Island, NZ Vintages #164228 $28.95 This appears often in the Top 100 lists (the 2022 ranked #10 on The Wine Spectator Top 100 Wines of 2023). It gets a 95 from Emma Jenkins, MW, decanter.com, who describes it as 'bursting' with pink grapefruit, tropical fruit, lemongrass and herbal, mineral undertones. The palate is rich and has generous fruit with an acid backbone. The finish is long with hints of salinity. (XD - 4 g/L)
Best Buy Red Wines Under $40
SUSANA BALBO SIGNATURE MALBEC 2023 Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina Vintages #79798 $22.95 This is getting high praise among critics. Look for generous red and black fruit with floral accents, framed by sturdy tannins. Enjoy with Balsamic Marinated Sirloin Steak now or through mid-2030s. Score - 95 (Patricio Tapia,guiadescorchados.cl, 2025) (XD - 3 g/L)
If you can't find the Garage Old Vines above, look for MONTGRAS INTRIGA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 Vintages #57901$23.95. It scores in the low to mid-90s; a Cabernet Sauvignon/Cabernet Franc/Petit Verdot blend, 88/7/5. Score- 95 (Patricio Tapia, guiadescorchados.cl, 2024) (XD - 3 g/L)
SANTA MARIA VALPOLICELLA RIPASSO CLASSICO SUPERIORE 2021, Tuscany, Italy Vintages #47033 $23.95 Look for spicy blood orange, sour cherry and clove notes in this one. The palate is silky with ripe wild berries, offset with citrus notes. Tannins are gentle and the finish is long. A very pleasant pour by all accounts. Pair this with Venetian Duck Ragu. Score - 92 (Eric Guido, vinous.com, Sept. 25, 2025) (XD - 5 g/L)
SAN FELICE IL GRIGIO RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2021 Tuscany, Italy Vintages #716266 $29.95 This beauty ranked #24 in Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines of 2024. Look for cherry and plum fruit with wild herbs and earthy minerality. It is poised and powerful but elegant - beautifully balanced. Dusty tannins and fruit carry through the long finish. Drink from 2026 through the 2040s with Tuscan Ribs with Balsamic Glaze. Decant if drinking soon. Score - 93 (Bruce Sanderson, winespectator.com, Oct. 15, 2024) (XD - 2 g/L) NOTE: This was not showing up on the LCBO website at the time of publishing this newsletter, so it isn't clear if it will be available the date of release. But I didn't want you to miss out on it in case it is available.
CLOS HENRI ESTATE PINOT NOIR 2022, Wairau Valley, Marlborough, South Island, NZ. Vintages #19621 $29.95 This gets a 94 from Emma Jenkins, MW of decanter.com, who describes it as great value with plenty of personality. The nose is showing plum, blackberry and cranberry with a bit of smoky iodine. The palate is savoury and slightly textured. Some classic forest floor notes add richness. Balance and structure are excellent. Pair with Crispy Duck with Port Cherry Sauce. (XD - 3 g/L)
LA VITE LUCENTE 2023 Tuscany, Italy Vintages #747030 $32.95 This is the little sister to the famous Super Tuscan 'Luce' that retails in the 3-digit echelon. It certainly holds its own if you are looking for an elegant Italian wine and I look forward to it every year. 60% Merlot and 40% Sangiovese; it has aromas of black cherry, walnut, with some flinty notes. The palate is creamy with refined tannins and a 'pretty' finish. Drink or hold. Pair with Red Wine Braised Beef. Score - 95 (jamessuckling.com, June 3, 2025) (XD - 3 g/L)
BARÓN DE LEY GRAN RESERVA 2017 DOCa Rioja, Spain Vintages #642496 $32.95
This is scoring low 90s among critics. The ageing has been done for you, so look for a smooth pour with dark berries with floral and savoury notes. The palate is fresh and fruity with vanilla hints. Drink now or through the 2030s. Score - 95 (International Wine Challenge, 2024) (XD - 2 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-$30 ish 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 < $20 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.
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