The March 30 2024 LCBO Vintages Release is dominated by red wines. This release features Cabernet Sauvignon and there is good representation from around the world. Great opportunity for a Cabernet tasting to compare styles from different regions and countries! There are some good Sparkling choices and Bordeaux fans will be interested in the Decanter Best in Show. 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 were no white wine winners in the 'cheap and cheerful' category this release.
The red wine winners in the 'cheap and cheerful' category this release:
EVEL TINTO 2019 Douro, Portugal Vintages #190694 $14.95 This is scoring 89-90 among critics and all agree it is a great bargain at this price. David Lawrason of winealign.com calls it full bodied and dense with the all the black fruit and plum notes of classic Douro wines. A bit of oak spice and toast with good length. Enjoy with Ottolenghi Lasagne with Mushroom Ragu. (XD - 4 g/L)
CUNE CRIANZA 2019 Rioja, Spain Vintages #39925 $15.95 This scores low 90s year after year. Mike DeSimone of Wine Enthusiast gives it a 92 and describes blackberry and butterscotch aromas with cherry, plum and toffee on the palate. (I love butterscotch and toffee hints in my wine so I am interested in this one!) Tannns are plush. Enjoy with Billie Jean's Mahogany Glazed Ribs. (XD - 3 g/L)
POGGIO AL VENTO 2019 Tuscany, Italy Vintages #36898 $16.95 Vic Harradine of winecurrent.com gives it a 91 and describes spicy aromas with black fruit and herbs. The palate is persistent and fruity with a flavourful finish and aftertaste. Enjoy with Casa Rugantino Spaghetti. (XD - 3 g/L)
Best Buy Sparkling Wines
DE PRÓ BRUT CAVA traditional method, DO, Penedès, Spain Vintages #36059 $14.95
James Suckling gives this a 90 and describes almond, citrus and honey aromas. The palate is creamy with soft bubbles and hints of honey. There is no mention of zesty acid so this would probably drink well on its own, with shrimp or something like Applebees' Oriental Chicken Salad where there is a touch of honey in the dressing. (XD - 13 g/L) 750mL
PONGRÁCZ CAP CLASSIQUE ROSÉ Traditional method, WO Western Cape, South Africa Vintages #646968 $22.95 This scores well year after year. It gets a 90 from the very discerning John Szabo, MS of winealign.com. It is dry, fresh and full-flavoured. Look for toasty notes too. 'Very impressive at the price.' (D - 8 g/L) 750mL This would be great with a Mother's Day Luncheon.
Best Buy White Wines
THIERRY DELAUNAY TOURAINE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2022 Loire, France Vintages #391847 $17.95 I am always happy to see this in a release because I stock up on it and it goes fast! This is really good value if you are a fan on French style Sauvignon Blanc. Stuart Pigott of jamessuckling.com gives it a 90 and describes generous gooseberry fruit with basil and nettles. He calls it straightforward,clean and vibrant. Serve this with Chicken Saltimbocca with Lemon. (XD - 4 g/L)
RAPAURA SPRINGS SAUVIGNON BLANC 2022 Marlborough, South Island, NZ Vintages #465880 $19.95 Sam Kim of wineorbit.co.nz gives it a 93. He describes green aromas with nectarine and lime. The palate is flavoursome with 'terrific' fruit intensity. Vibrant with a lengthy finish. (XD - 7 g/L)
If that is not available look for VILLA MARIA WAIRAU VALLEY RESERVE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2022 Vintages # 536201 $20.95 scoring 95. Or maybe you want both. They are both excellent quality at excellent prices.
Be forewarned. German Rieslings are notoriously sweet. But if you are a fan of the German style, which tends age well, then you will want to know about the ones below.
FREY RIESLING KABINETT 2018 Rheinhessen, Germany Vintages #37049 $21.95 Prädikatswein This is elegant, structured and fresh according to Vintages Notes. The palate is tangy with apricot, yellow plum, and salty minerality. Drinking beautifully now but can age further. (MS - 38 g/L)
MAX FERD. RICHTER BRAUNEBERGER JUFFER RIESLING KABINETT 2022 Mosel, Germany Vintages #36929 $31.95 Prädikatswein from 40- to 50-year-old vines, this gets a 93 from Stephan Reinhardt of robertparker.com. The nose has ripe Riesling notes with pink grapefruit and a hint of stone. The palate is lush but 'enormously saline and highly stimulating on the finish.' Drinking beautifully but may drink as far as 2050. (S - 55 g/L)
Best Buy Red Wines
PERIQUITA RESERVA 2021 Península de Setúbal, Portugal Vintages #488007 $17.95
Roger Voss of Wine Enthusiast gives this a 90, calls it a Best Buy and says it is 'packed with black currant and berry flavors'. Spice adds complexity. (D - 7 g/L) Pair with Beer Can Stuffed Burgers.
CHÂTEAU DE RIBEBON 2019 Bordeaux Supérieur, France Vintages #12281 $17.95 Roger Voss of Wine Enthusiast gives this a 91 and says the berry fruits and spice and tannins all work well together. Dark chocolate notes on the finish.This would be great for Red Wine Braised Beef. (XD - 3 g/L)
FRANKLAND ROCKY GULLY CABERNETS 2019 Western Australia Vintages #33556 $17.95 James Suckling gives this a 94 and calls it a well structured wine with red currant, cloves and black pepper notes. Lots of spice on the finish along with chocolate and coffee. Serve with Fennel and Sausage Pasta. (XD - 2 g/L)
CATHEDRAL CELLAR CABERNET SAUVIGNON Western Cape, South Africa Vintages #328567 $17.95 This wine offers super value and has wide appeal with lots of blackcurrant, cedar, chocolate and smoky oak. Acidity keeps it fresh.(XD - 3 g/L) Try this with your first BBQ of Marinated Strip Steak.
TINAZZI COLLEZIONE DI FAMIGLIA VALPOLICELLA RIPASSO SUPERIORE 2019 Veneto, Italy Vintages #32711 $19.95 This gets a 91 from David Lawrason of winealign.com who calls it a 'fairly hefty yet balanced and dry style of ripasso'. Cherry and floral notes combine with spice and woody tones. The length is excellent with a slightly earthy, spicy finish. (D - 7 g/L) Serve this with Tuscan Ribs with Balsamic Glaze.
ROBERT OATLEY SIGNATURE SERIES CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019 Margaret River, Western Australia Vintages #323741 $21.95 From one of the most respected producers from arguably Australia's best Cabernet region. Christina Pickard of Wine Enthusiast gives it a 91 and describes vivid cherry, blackberry, eucalyptus and black olive brine on the nose, true to the regions characteristics. A powerful palate with juicy, brambly fruit, spice and hints of charred oak. Drink now through 2030. And when you do, consider pairing with Pistachio Black Olive Crusted Steak. (XD - 5 g/L)
CASTELLO DI RADDA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2020 Tuscany, Italy Vintages #16448 $22.95
Decanter gives this a 95 and describes it as an energentic wine with plum and cherry on the nose. The palate is juicy and lovely with powdery tannins. The finish is tangy with plum notes. (XD - 2 g/L) Pair this with an Easter brunch with charcuterie and Italian Easter Bread.
LOS CLOP RESERVA PARAJE ALTAMIRA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2017 Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina Vintages #668327 $23.95 James Suckling gives this a 92. Look for aromas of blackcurrants and plums with spicy oak and cedar wood. The palate has 'succulent, spicy fruit' with firm but fine-grained tannin. Serve with French short ribs. (XD - 3 g/L)
BOGLE VINEYARDS CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 California, USA Vintages #904565 $23.95 Stacy Briscoe of Wine Enthusiast gives this a 90 and says it 'packs bags of flavor'. An exciting California Cab with notes of cherry, plum and cinnamon, nutmeg, violets and toasted wood. Tannins are very much in play with modest acidity. Pair with Sour Cherry Glazed Ribs. (XD - 5 g/L)
LEEUWIN PRELUDE VINEYARDS CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019 Margaret River, Western Australia Vintages # 986133 $28.95 Erin Larkin of winecompanion.com.au gives this a 95 and calls it compelling, vibrant and intense with cassis, pomegranate, licorice, clove and graphite. Oak and acidity provide structure. (XD - 3 g/L) Pair this with Chateaubriand with Mushroom Sauce.
All things in place here - yet another compelling Prelude release from the team at Leeuwin. Unbelievable value for money. Special Value. Score - 95
Erin Larkin of winecompanion.com.au
L'ORME DE RAUZAN-GASSIES 2016 Haut-Médoc, Bordeaux, France Vintages #24211 $36.95 Best in Show. Score - 97 (Decanter World Wine Awards, 2020)
66% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon. Decanter notes: 'This wine is dark purple-red, with earthy and purposeful aromas. The fruit is rich, dense and closely constituted, just beginning to leave the flush of youth behind it but with plenty of cladding to take it through another half-dozen years of ageing if you wish. The innate depth and tenacity of the fruit suggest serious vineyard origins.' (XD - 2 g/L) This deserves Prime Rib with Bordelaise Sauce.
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.
Charlotte
Love that Loire Sauv. Blanc