The June 7 2025 LCBO Vintages Release is your chance to stock up on summer white wines. And fans of Garnacha Rosés will be happy!
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!
Please leave a comment below so others can benefit!
Cheap And Cheerful
Cheap and Cheerful Red Wine Winners:
MONTES LIMITED SELECTION PINOT NOIR 2023 DO Aconcagua Costa, Chile Vintages #37937 $16.95 This gets a 90 from Aaron Romano of winespectator.com. He notes citrus peel and lavender aromas with raspberry and savoury sage on the palate, followed by a bit of earthy minerality, cedar and spice. That's a lot going on in a glass for the price! Enjoy with Smoked Duck Breast Salad. (XD - 3 g/L)
GENIO ESPANOL ROBLE MONASTRELL 2021 DO Jumilla, Spain Vintages #44140 $16.95 Decanter World Wine Awards, 2023 scored this a 96 and noted black pepper, herbs and violets on the nose. The palate is energetic with chalky tannins. 'Really really classy. Offers a lot within the price band.' Pair with Spicy Black Pepper Beef. (XD - 6 g/L)
Best Buy Sparkling Wines
SORELLE BRONCA L'EST BRUT PROSECCO VALDOBBIADENE SUPERIORE Vintages #42677 DOCG, Italy $24.95 This is a bright, well-balanced Sparkling according to David Lawrason of winealign.com, who gives it a 92. Look for green apple, lime and melon notes with hints of minerality. Excellent length with citrus and stones on the finish. (D - 7 g/L)
Best Buy White Wines
MANOIR DES HERBAUGES VIEILLES VIGNES CÔTES DE GRANDLIEU MUSCADET 2022 Loire, France Vintages #42842 $16.95 100% Melon de Bourgogne this gets a 95 from Decanter World Wine Awards 2023. Notes describe layers of stone fruit and citrus with zesty mint notes and fresh lemon texture. 'Exceptional'. Stock up if you enjoy leisurely patio lunches or appetizers on the dock. I plan to serve it with Melon and Crispy Prosciutto Salad. (XD - 0 g/L)
THIERRY DELAUNAY TOURAINE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2023 Loire, France Vintages #391847 $17.95 Just in time - my stash has run out! I stock up on this one every time it hits our shelves! I like the effortless elegance that is Loire SB. This gets a 91 from Reggie Solomon of Wine Enthusiast who describes aromas of nectarine, citrus, melon and floral tones. Add some herbal notes to the palate and lemon on the long finish. Best Buy. Pair with Asparagus Soup with Parmesan Custard. (XD - 4 g/L)
CLEEBOURG GEWURZTRAMINER 2022 AC Alsace, France Vintages #18560 $18.95 Fans of Gewürztraminer will be pumped for this one! (Note: Gewürztraminer is a bit like cilantro - you either like it or hate it... no one is neutral!) The nose is intense with floral spiciness; the palate is fruity, zesty and intense. Perfect for Thai or Indian cuisine like Thai Shrimp Bisque. Score - 92 Rod Phillips (D - 16 g/L)
INVIVO SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 Marlborough, South Island, NZ Vintages #14199 $19.95 Invivo scores consistently in the 90s year after year. This vintage gets a 94 from Sam Kim, wineorbit.co.nz, who describes crunchy apple and lime aromas followed by a juicy, fruity, 'punchy' palate. Pair with Air Fryer Asparagus with Prosciutto. (XD - 6 g/L)
Veneto, Italy Vintages #946848 $20.95 Looking for a change from Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc? Enter Soave. It is usually medium-bodied with citrus and melon notes. A good one has aging capability that accentuates the savoury, saline notes. This gem gets a Best Buy designation and a Score of 93 from Jeff Porter of Wine Enthusiast so it would make a great introduction to Soave. Look for pear, apple and flinty aromas. The palate is showing green apple and lemon zest with toasted almond and honey tones over a generous seam of minerality. Enjoy now or through 2035 with calamari or Chicken Saltimboca. (XD - 5 g/L)
ASTROLABE MARLBOROUGH PINOT GRIS 2023 Marlborough, South Island, NZ Vintages #648717 $24.95 This gets a 92 from Christina Pickard of Wine Enthusiast. Look for ginger and pear with floral aromas. Leaning to medium-bodied with mouthwatering acidity it will be refreshing on a summer day with Shrimp Quiche. (XD - 6 g/L)
Best Buy Rosé Wines
FIRMIAN FILDIROSE PINOT GRIGIO ROSÉ 2024 Alto-Adige-Trentino, Italy Vintages #43977 $17.95 I am curious to try this one. Pinot Grigio is classified as a white grape but extended skin contact (8 hours instead of minutes) allows the natural pink hue of the grape to create a blush tone. Dry with pink grapefruit and red berry notes. Floral and mineral tones add interest. It is well-received among Vivino drinkers who enjoy the lively, tangy citrus notes. Enjoy with Orange Champagne Salmon. (XD - 4 g/L)
IZADI LARROSA GARNACHA ROSÉ 2024 DOCa Rioja, Spain Vintages #490961 $17.95 From old vines, and vinified in stainless steel, this wine retains a trifecta of strawberry, raspberry and cherry notes! Floral tones and stone fruit round out the picture. Pair with Spicy Strawberry Salad. (XD - 2 g/L)
GÉRARD BERTRAND PERLES DE GRENACHE ROSÉ 2024 IGP Pays d'Oc, France Vintages #556209 $19.95 Another 100% Grenache showing strawberry with mineral tones from arguably the most respected Languedoc producer. Enjoy this one with Strawberry Chicken Salad Sandwiches. (XD - 2 g/L)
Best Buy Red Wines
VANITÁ PRIMITIVO 2023 IGP Puglia, Italy Vintages #569962 $17.95 This is a fan favourite among Vivino members. Look for itense cherry and blackberry notes with elegant floral hints. Oak spice adds complexity. Pair with Ottolenghi Mushroom Ragu Lasagne. (D - 7 g/L)
DURIGUTTI MENDOZA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2023 Mendoza, Argentina Vintages #15128 $17.95 This is scoring consistently low 90s and gets a 92 from James Suckling. Look for intense, ripe black and blue fruit with nutty chocolate and graphite notes. Smooth and well integrated, it is a pleasure to sip. Sour Cherry Glazed Ribs. (XD - 2 g/L)
CHÂTEAU MAISON NOBLE CUVÉE PRESTIGE 2020
AC Bordeaux Supérieur, France Vintages #633198 $20.95 Your BBQ steak dinner will be complete with a bottle of this one! A 75% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon blend with concentrated ripe black plum notes and well-integrated oak. The nose is pleasantly complex and the finish is long. Sounds delightful!
Score - 92 Decanter World Wine Awards, 2024 (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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