The July 19 2025 LCBO Vintages Release has a premium Bordeaux for your collection and an Aussie Shiraz scoring mid 90s for <$20.
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:
BIRD IN HAND SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 Adelaide Hills, South Australia Vintages #41875 $17.95 This is being well received by consumers. Adelaide Hills are cool, high-altitude sites lending focus and concentrated citrus and stone fruit to the palate here. Acidity is good and the savoury notes are typical of Suavignon Blanc. Enjoy with calamari. (XD - 4 g/L)
Cheap and Cheerful Red Wine Winners:
CASTAÑO HÉCULA ORGANIC MONASTRELL 2022 DO Yecla, Spain Vintages #718999 $13.95 Previous vintages score 90/91 among respected critics and have caused quite a buzz at this price point. It's a lighter style Monastrell, which would be welcome in summer, fruit-forward with rhubarb and black raspberry. Tannins are youthful so plan to enjoy with Beer Can Stuffed Burgers on your patio. Best Buy. Score - 90 Reggie Solomon, Wine Enthusiast (XD - 4 g/L)
CARMIM TERRA LENTA PREMIUM 2023 DOC Alentejo Vintages #646083 $13.95 I am a fan of the easy-going Alentejo blends so I was happy to see this scored a 90 from Gilbert & Gaillard as well as Double Gold. Look for spicy dark fruit and enjoy with Juicy Grilled Pork Chops. (XD - 3 g/L)
MT. MONSTER SINGLE VINEYARD SHIRAZ 2022 Limestone Coast, South Australia Vintages #30710 $16.95 This is scoring mid-90s among various critics. Look for black fruits with hints of leather and herbal notes. It is velvety, medium-full-bodied with a medium finish that throws up cherry, herbs and pepper to the end. Tannins are well-integrated with light oak tones. It is up the middle of Aussie and California style. So, if you are missing your California wines from your shelves, give this one a try! 'Exceptional. Best Buy. Score - 94 tastings.com'. (XD - 5 g/L)
VELENOSI BRECCIAROLO ROSSO PICENO SUPERIORE 2022 Marche, Italy Vintages #732560 $16.95 No professional reviews to be found on this one but consumer reviews indicate it is a favourite. A blend of 70% Montepulciano and 30% Sangiovese showing cherry, vanilla, and black fruit. Supple and complex with hints of leather and peppercorn it is made in a modern, approachable style. Spaghetti and meatballs anyone? (D - 7 g/L)
SIDEWOOD STABLEMATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2023 Adelaide Hills, South Australia Vintages #26926 $17.95 Sidewood is always a reliable choice. It gets a 92 from Rod Phillips, who describes layers of dark fruit giving way to spicy tones. Balanced and well-made. Enjoy with Flank Steak. (XD - 3 g/L)
Best Buy White Wines
SPY VALLEY SAUVIGNON BLANC 2023 Marlborough, South Island, NZ Vintages #686675 $19.95 Sam Kim of wineorbitz.co.nz gives this a 94 and calls it intensely aromatic with kiwi, melon and basil aromas followed by a 'terrific' fruity, powerful palate. A long finish and juicy acidity round out the picture. (XD - 3 g/L)
CAP MARITIME COASTAL CHARDONNAY 2023 WO Cape South Coast, South Africa Vintages #41446 $19.95 A textured Chardonnay with tropical and lemon notes along with pear and pie crust. Ripe and tangy, it gets a 90 from Claire Nesbitt of jamessuckling.com. (XD - 2 g/L)
KONZELMANN BARREL AGED RESERVE SERIES CHARDONNAY 2022 VQA Niagara Peninsula, On, Canada Vintages #46054 $24.95 This is getting rave reviews, including a 92 from Jacky Blisson, MW of winealign.com, who describes ripe stone fruit, lifted citrus and undertones of wet stones. The palate is fresh and substantial with bright fruit and a hint of green notes on the finish. (D - 8 g/L)
PETRIESSA ASSYRTIKO 2024
37070$18.95 PGI Evia, Greece
If you have ever enjoyed sipping white wine in Santorini, chances are it was Assyrtiko. This zesty example is scoring low 90s among critics. Look for refreshing peach, lemon and grapefruit with pleasing, underlying mineral tones. (XD - 2 g/L)
Best Buy Rosé Wines
REDTAIL ROSÉ 2023 VQA Ontario Vintages #45885 $19.00 This Pinot Noir with a splash of Gamay is scoring consistently in the low 90s. Look for bright, fresh cherry, strawberry and floral notes. Medium-bodied, it is concentrated and has some weight from time spent on the lees. A perfect match for Sheet Pan Salmon with Crispy Rice. (XD - 0 g/L)
GÉRARD BERTRAND CÔTE DES ROSES ROSÉ 2024 AP Languedoc, France Vintages #490912 $38.95 Note: This is 1500 mL. This Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault blend is a perennial fan favourite. It is vibrant, zesty and elegant with enough acidity for food and fruity enough for sipping. Look for red berries, citrus peel and herbal notes. Enjoy with Swedish Shrimp Sandwiches. (XD - 2 g/L)
Best Buy Red Wines
PETER LEHMANN THE BAROSSAN SHIRAZ 2022 Barossa, South Australia Vintages #522235 $19.95 You can't go wrong with a Peter Lehmann Barossan Shiraz. Look for ripe black cherries, cassis with spicy clove, mocha and vanilla aromas. A powerful, but not-over-the-top Shiraz it is velvety and spicy throughout. Pair with Sour Cherry Glazed Ribs. Score - 93 (nataliemaclean.com ) (XD - 5 g/L)
BURGO VIEJO RESERVA 2020 DOCa Rioja, Spain Vintages #168823 $19.95 This 100% Tempranillo 'explodes' with cherry, cranberry and plum. It is creamy and long, albeit with bracing acidity. Plan to enjoy with food like Sherry Tapas Meatballs. Score - 95 (Decanter World Wine Awards, 2024) (XD - 2 g/L)
MONTE DEL FRÀ TENUTA LENA DI MEZZO VALPOLICELLA RIPASSO CLASSICO SUPERIORE 2021 Vintages #165662 $24.95 This is scoring consistently low 90s with a 93 from Jeff Porter of Wine Enthusiast, who describes complex fruit and spice on the nose. The palate is 'electric' with cherries, plum and hints of chocolate. '... a true taste of Valpolicella's soul.' Enjoy with Venetian Duck Ragu. (D - 7 g/L)
JULES TAYLOR PINOT NOIR 2021 Marlborough, South Island, NZ Vintages #329805 $25.95 This is getting high praise among critics with a 95 from Cameron Douglas, MS of camdouglasms.com. He describes aromas of dark cherry and cassis with savoury natural spice. The palate has generous fruit along with dried herb and smoky, spicy notes. The length is very good. Stylish and outstanding. Pair with Duck Risotto. (XD - 3 g/L)
CLARENDELLE MÉDOC 2019
Bordeaux, France Vintages #647966 $30.95
From the prestigious Domaine Clarence Dillon of Chateau Haut-Brion fame, this gets a 92 from Georgina Hindle of decanter.com, who describes seductive aromas of rich, dark fruit and bursts of fresh fruit, such as strawberry, cherry and plum on the palate. Well made, fresh and lively make for easy drinking. Enjoy it now or over the next 10 years with Air Fryer Beef Tenderloin. (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-$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.
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