The Oct 31 2024 LCBO Vintages Release has some good Sparkling choices a few standout reds.
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
Cheap and Cheerful White Wine Winners:
RUSTENBERG STELLENBOSCH SAUVIGNON BLANC 2022 WO Stellenbosch, South Africa Vintages #456020 $15.95 South Africa does a good job on Sauvignon Blanc. This got a 92 from James Suckling as well as a 92 from Decanter World Wine Awards, 2023. Decanter notes speak of a grassy, fruity nose. The palate is vibrant and rich. This will make a good holiday party sipper with Smoked Salmon Hors D' Oeuvres. (XD - 3 g/L)
Cheap and Cheerful Red Wine Winners:
MORGADO DE SILGUEIROS VINHO TINTO 2021 DOC Dão, Portugal Vintages #166439 $12.95 This 'silky blend' will be a crowd pleaser. Look for dark fruit with some savoury notes. Enjoy on a chilly weeknight with Pork Osso Buco. (XD - 8 g/L)
CHÂTEAU DUCASSE 2020 AC Graves, Bordeaux, France Vintages #38261 $16.95 This gets a 90 from Roger Voss of Wine Enthusiast and is well received by reviewers. It has firm, ripe fruit with distinct earthy, leathery tones. Best Buy. Drink now or hang on to it for a few more years. Enjoy with Wine Braised Oxtail Stew. (XD - 3 g/L)
HEREDAD DE URUEÑA SANTO TERROIR TEMPRANILLO 2015, Castilla y León, Spain Vintages #629832 $16.95 100% Tempranillo, oak aged with complexity and character. It gets a 92 from Rod Phillips who calls it all well-integrated and balanced. (XD - 2 g/L)
Best Buy Fortified Wines
OFFLEY LATE BOTTLED VINTAGE PORT 2018 DOP, Portugal Vintages #70086 $22.95 This won Gold at the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, 2023. Lots of red fruit and spice, particularly black pepper and clove along with cedar and cigar box. Good acidity keeps the sugar in check. Enjoy with Curried Cheese Spread with Chutney topping (S - 97 g/L)
BURMESTER 10-YEAR-OLD TAWNY PORT DOP, Portugal Vintages #223958 $29.95 Score - 95 Decanter World Wine Awards, 2019 A Tawny Port showing typical nutty notes with a few citrus highlights. Silky, with the character flowing through the finish. (S - 100 g/L)
Best Buy Sparkling Wines
STARS BRUT NATURE RESERVA CAVA 2022 DO, Spain, traditional method Vintages # 515221 $17.95 Cava is the 'workhorse' of Sparklings. The bubbles are not quite as refined as a French Sparkling but it is a great choice for serving with a brunch or toasting at midnight. Look a clean, dry pour with tongue-tingling green apple, apricot and citrus notes. (D - 2 g/L)
ZONIN VALDOBBIADENE EXTRA BRUT PROSECCO SUPERIORE DOCG, Italy Vintages #39647 $23.95 Score 94-The Melbourne International Wine Competition and a 92 from Natalie Maclean. Ahem... my bias for Extra Dry Brut Prosecco may be showing here but you have Prosecco from the class Valdobbiadene region so what is not to like? This one has complex notes of grapefruit and cantaloupe and a fine mousse. Acid and sugar are in balance, making for a lively, enjoyable sipper. (XD - 13 g/L)
If you can't find that one you may see ANDREOLA DIRUPO BRUT CONEGLIANO VALDOBBIADENE PROSECCO SUPERIORE Vintages #14010 $24.95 It has a light crisp profile with mineral undertones and earned ⅔ Goblets (Very Good) from Gambero Rosso 2024. (D - 9 g/L)
Best Buy White Wines
MEZZACORONA TRENTINO RISERVA PINOT GRIGIO 2022 DOC Alto Adige-Trentino Vintages #32714 $19.95 From the classic Alto Adige area, what caught my eye was 'This is not your typical Pinot Grigio'. This has more body and texture than typical due to some 60% of the grapes for this wine being fermented in barrel, with the remainder in stainless steel. Look for bright tropical fruit with oak spice. Enjoy with Dijon and Tarragon Grilled Chicken. Score - Gold (Mundus Vini, Spring 2024) (XD - 4 g/L)
LA PERRIÈRE CÔTEAUX DU GIENNOIS BLANC 2022 Loire, France Vintages #39302 $19.95 Another Sauvignon Blanc from 'a stone's throw from Sancerre'. So expect the French elegance without the Sancerre price tag. 'Vivacious with fresh vegetable and herbal notes and a hint of green fruit. Enjoy with Warm Goat Cheese Salad. (XD - 2 g/L)
SUSANA BALBO SIGNATURE WHITE BLEND 2023 Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina Vintages #558734 $22.95 This complex blend of Torrontés, Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon Blanc gets critical acclaim every year. It has layers of pear, citrus (lime and grapefruit) with some mineral, and stone hints. Some skin contact has lent a bit of tannic structure. Drink from 2025 or decant for an hour and enjoy now with Chicken Marsala. Score - 94 (timatkin.com, Argentina Special Report 2024) (XD - 2 g/L)
There are 3 Marlborough NZ Sauvignon Blancs, all scoring 93 by Sam Kim of wineorbit.co.nz, prices ranging from $17.95-20.95 - so the INVIVO SAUVIGNON BLANC 2023 Vintages #14199 $17.95 (XD - 5 g/L) gets the value award but SUGAR LOAF SAUVIGNON BLANC 2023 Vintages # 410001 $20.95 or SUMMERHOUSE MARLBOROUGH SAUVIGNON BLANC 2023 Vintages #36872 $20.95 would both be good bets.
If you want a bit more structure and age-ability then consider WHITEHAVEN GREG SINGLE VINEYARD RESERVE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2022 Vintages #325944 $24.95 Awatere Valley, Marlborough, South Island. It gets a 94 from Cam Douglas of camdouglasms.com. He describes a 'powerful' and complex bouquet of peach and gooseberry with citrus notes. Underlying is an herbaceous layer with dried basil and lemon peel. The complex notes carry over to the palate with an acid seam under savoury spicy notes. Well-made. Pair with Chicken Piccatta. (XD - 3 g/L)
OTU OTUWHERO ESTATE PINOT GRIS 2023 Marlborough, South Island, NZ Vintages #36879 $21.95 Regular readers may remember I am a fan of NZ Pinot Gris. Its profile is fruitier than an Alsatian Pinot Gris but it has its own charm. Look for floral aromas of pear, melon and lemon zest with a juicy, intense palate. It gets a 93 from Sam Kim of wineorbit.co.nz who describes it as 'Spendidly composed and elegant'. (XD - 4 g/L)
Best Buy Red Wines
FERRATON PÈRE & FILS SAMORËNS CÔTES DU RHÔNE 2023 Rhone, France Vintages #168708 $17.95 It is hard to go wrong with a Grenache/Syrah (70/30) blend. This is aromatic with blackberry, raspberry and licorice notes that carry to the palate along with a savoury hint of herbs. Pair with Beef Bourguignon. (XD - 3 g/L)
VALCARLOS FORTIUS RESERVA 2016 DO Navarra, Spain Vintages #30230 $17.95 This scores low 90s consistently from year to year so it represents great value. Score - 95 Decanter World Wine Awards, 2021. Look for a fruity palate with blackcurrant and spice aromas. Tannins and oak are both moderate and well-balanced. Decanter notes call it a 'Beautiful wine with a long, silky finish'. (XD - 3 g/L)
CHÂTEAU L'ESCADRE GRANDE RÉSERVE 2019 AC Côtes de Bordeaux - Blaye, France Vintages #630046 $19.95 This gets a 90 from Roger Voss of Wine Enthusiast. This is a big wine with lots of plum notes that should just be coming into its own now. Best Buy. Enjoy with Roast with Sauce Borelaise. Score - 90 (XD - 5 g/L)
URLAR THE MEDIATOR GLADSTONE PINOT NOIR 2020 Vintages #37396 $24.95 Wairarapa, North Island, NZ A classic NZ Pinot Noir with dark cherry, spices and tar. It gets a 93 from Sam Kim of wineorbit.co.nz and is scoring consistently in the mid-90s. Silky, smooth and elegant. (XD - 2 g/L)
KNAPPSTEIN CLARE VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 South Australia Vintages #23905 $19.95 This is an easy-drinking Cab Sauv with lots of blackcurrant and spice on the nose that carry to the palate. It gets 93 from Sam Kim of wineorbit.co.nz who calls it 'enticing with a lingering flavoursome finish.' (XD - 3 g/L)
SALENTEIN PYROS APPELLATION MALBEC 2019 3Valle de Pedernal, Argentina Vintages #38506 $22.95 This ranked #35 on Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines of 2023 with a Score of 93 from Aaron Romano, winespectator.com. The aromas of chalky slate and herbs foreshadow the palate that also boasts generous raspberry and plum. Polished with fine tannins on the finish. Drink now through 2030 so stock up! (XD - 0 g/L)
PRIMARIUS PINOT NOIR 2021 Oregon, USA Vintages #402180 $26.95 This 'elegant' Pinot Noir gets a 92 from Natalie Maclean who describes dark berries, mushrooms, fresh herbs and black pepper on the palate. Medium-plus-bodied. This calls for Lamb Chops with Montreal Steak Spice. (XD - 4 g/L)
ELDERTON BAROSSA SHIRAZ 2021 Barossa, South Australia Vintages #713024 $24.95 Elderton is a very respected name in Barossa Valley and this may exemplify why. It gets a 94 from Sarah Ahmed of decanter.com who describes a ' kaleidoscope of aromas' including black pepper, red licorice, savoury spices and espresso. The palate is lively with blue and black fruit along with the aromatic notes that have carried over. Lively acidity and a framework of mineral tannins. 'Great value'. Drink now through 2033. Enjoy with Ribs with Bourbon BBQ Sauce. (XD - 3 g/L)
MICHELE CHIARLO CIPRESSI NIZZA 2021 Piedmont, Italy Vintages # 19873 $26.95 (XD - 4 g/L) This Barbera was awarded 3 Glasses (out of 3) by Gambero Rosso Italian Wines, 2024. 3 Glasses or Tre Bicchieri means it is an exceptional wine. Gambero Rosso is the definitive guide to Italian wine. Each year a panel of more than 70 experts blind-taste more than 45,000 Italian wines. Around 25,000 make it into the guide with a 1 Glass (Good) 2 Glass (Very Good) or 3 Glass (Extraordinary) rating. Less than 1 % achieve 3 Glass status, such that the Gambero Rosso ratings are highly respected and have not been subject to the 'rate creep' many reviewers seem to have succumbed to. A 3 Glass rating is akin to 95+ from other respected reviewers. Enjoy this with Spaghetti and Meatballs.
MICHELE CHIARLO CIPRESSI NIZZA 2021
Gambero Rosso
Among the numerous exceptional wines presented this year, the Nizza Cipressi '21 caught our
attention most. It shines for its freshness, immediately expressive fruit, and ease of drinking, all paired with an
uncommon complexity and energy.
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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