The Oct 19 2024 LCBO Vintages Release has a few old standbys in the good value department.
As anticipated, many of the wines in this release are firmly in the 'premium' category, many well into the 3 digits. So the good value options are limited and not as exciting as other releases. If something appeals to you - stock up now. The premium wine focus will hold steady now until January.
Good wine doesn't have to be expensive! Get better value for your wine dollars with the recommendations below - and they're free!
Cheap And Cheerful
Cheap and Cheerful Red Wine Winners:
PRUNUS PRIVATE SELECTION RED 2021 DOC Dão, Portugal Vintages #37769 $14.95 This is well received among reviewers in addition to the 95 from Decanter World Wine Awards, 2023. It would be great for everyday drinking with some BBQ burgers, pizza or pasta. Look for jammy blueberry and plum with some lively herbal notes and a refreshing finish. Enjoy with Pork Tenderloin with Prune Sauce. (XD - 3 g/L)
CHÂTEAU LUCQUES BESSAN 2016 AC Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux, France Vinages #38204 $16.95 There are good value Bordeaux wines from some of the lesser known appellations, but they are right next door to the more famous. This gets a 91 from Roger Voss of Wine Enthusiast who describes mature, rich fruit. It is well-balanced and poised with blackberry fruit. Enjoy with Cassoulet. (XD - 3 g/L)
Best Buy Sparkling Wines
CONTARINI BRUT VALDOBBIADENE PROSECCO SUPERIORIE 2023 Vintages #39770 $19.95 From the prestigious areas of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene, this 100% Glera has white flowers and honey notes. Enjoy with appetizers or toasting on its own. (D - 7 g/L)
Best Buy White Wines
There are only a couple of dozen whites in the whole release. As usual, any of the New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs are a reliable bet but the value award goes to MISSION ESTATE MARLBOROUGH SAUVIGNON BLANC 2022 Marlborough, South Island, NZ Vintages #17586 $17.95 It gets a 90 from Rebecca Gibb MW of vinous.com who describe a firm, intense green expression that is lively and balanced. (XD - 6 g/L)
Or, for a few dollars more BABICH BLACK LABEL SAUVIGNON BLANC 2022 Vintages #9142 $20.95 is getting consistently good reviews. Score - 94 (Cameron Douglas, MS, camdouglasms.com. Look for ripe, fresh fruit with lemon and tropical notes. The palate has wet stone and saline qualities with gooseberry and lemon. Some spice and good acidity round out the palate. (XD - 3 g/L). JULES TAYLOR SAUVIGNON BLANC 2023 Vintages #224428 $21.95 has a similar profile and also scores 94 from Cameron Douglas, MS, camdouglasms.com. (XD - 2 g/L)
INAMA VIN SOAVE CLASSICO 2022 Veneto, Italy Vintages #949768 $22.95 Soave is a light to medium-bodied wine, known for hints of stone fruits, orange zest and some salinity. Soave Classico has typically been aged in old oak so there may be a bit more texture and some nuttiness. This one is considered a Best Buy by Jeff Porter of Wine Enthusiast, who gives it a 91. Enjoy with Vermouth Seared Scallops.
FEATHERSTONE CANADIAN OAK CHARDONNAY 2022 VQA Niagara Peninsula, ON, Canada Vintages #149302 $24.95 This gets a 91 from Rick VanSickle of winesinniagara.com. He describes aromas of rich pear, apple and buttery vanilla spice. The palate is generous with ripe stone fruits and hints of stony minerality. It is vibrant and balanced. You can enjoy now or cellar for a couple of years. Pair with Brandied Chicken Pot Pie. (XD - 2 g/L)
Best Buy Red Wines
SAN ALEJANDRO QUERENCIA DESEYA ORGANIC VIEJA GARNACHA 2022 Calatuyd, Spain Vintages #37722 $18.00 This gets a 92 from Luis Gutiérrez of robertparker.com, who describes elegant aromas of roses and an 'ethereal' palate with very fine tannins. He suggests buying it by the case he is so excited about it. Pair with Red Wine Braised Beef. Drink date: 2024-2028. (XD - 3 g/L)
SISTER'S RUN OLD TESTAMENT CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 Coonawarra, South Australia Vintages #478271 $18.95 This is one of the 'old standbys' of Vintages releases. Always reliable, it offers up blackcurrant and black licorice aromas with eucalyptus and mint hints. It got a 94 from the Melbourne International Wine Competition, 2023. Enjoy with Balsamic Marinated Steak. (XD - 3 g/L)
ALAMOS SELECCIÓN MALBEC 2020 Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina Vintages #322800 $18.95 James Suckling gives this a 92 and describes aromas of fresh berries, cloves and tobacco leaf. Medium-bodied with fine tannins. (XD - 2 g/L)
TRIVENTO PRIVATE RESERVE MALBEC 2022 Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina Vintages #38142 $18.00 This is a wine that consistently over-delivers according to Tim Atkin, who gives it a 93. Look for an 'enticing' nose of violets and fennel, and a palate that is bright and juicy with bramble and blueberry. There are hints of chalkiness and tannins are elegant. Pair with Sausage and Fennel Pasta. (XD - 0 g/L)
CHÂTEAU DU LUC 2020 AC Côtes de Bourg, Bordeaux, France Vintages #38202 $19.00 An 'impressively rich wine' according to Roger Voss of Wine Enthusiast, who gives it a 92. It has a balanced and dense structure. Tannins are still firm so decant if drinking now, or cellar for a few more years. (XD - 0 g/L)
HENTLEY FARM VILLAIN & VIXEN SHIRAZ 2022 Barossa Valley, South Australia Vintages #36282 $19.95 Ned Goodwin, MW of jamessuckling.com gives this a 91 and calls it a big, 'plush' wine. Look for violet and anise aromas with some meaty notes. The palate is juicy with nice tension on the finish. Enjoy with Italian Milk Braised Pork With Fennel. (XD - 3 g/L)
COURTOIS LA GRANGE VINSOBRES 2022, Vinsobres, Rhone, France Vintages #526632 $19.95 Vinsobres is a Rhone area that represents good value since it is not yet as widely recognized as it could be. Louise Boutin of winecurrent.com gives it a 92 and calls it 'exceptional value'. Look for red plum and strawberry, on the nose with some toasty, leather components. The palate is lively and savoury with bay leaf and black olive over the fruit base. Tannins are polished and it is all in good balance. Enjoy with Beef Burguignon. (XD - 3 g/L)
PETER LEHMANN THE BAROSSAN SHIRAZ 2021 Barossa, South Australia Vintages #522235 $21.95 This is another reliable standby in the Vintages releases consistently score low 90s. Look for blueberry jam and peppery spice. Pair with Ribs With Spicy Blackberry Sauce.(XD - 5 g/L)
WAPISA MALBEC 2022 Rio Negro, Patagonia, Argentina Vintages #631879 $21.95 Lots going on here according to Zekun Shuai of jamessusankling.com, who gives it a 94. Look for black pepper and lavender with some sandalwood notes. The palate has blackcurrant and peppermint hints. Concentrated fruit at the core with fine tannins. Drink now or cellar for the next 5-6 years. (XD - 3 g/L)
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.
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