The Sept 13 2025 LCBO Vintages Release features a couple of good-value fortified wines, just in time for sweater weather!
Good wine doesn't have to be expensive! Get better value for your wine dollars with the recommendations below - and they're free!
Jump to:
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:
S. SEBASTIÃO SYRAH/TINTA RORIZ 2022 Vinho Regional Lisboa, Portugal Vintages # 632869 $13.95 This Syrah/Tinta Roriz blend is very well received by consumers year after year. Look for lush dark fruit, a silky palate and spice on the finish. Some earthy, mushroom tones lend weight. Enjoy with Ottolenghi Lasagne with Mushroom Ragu. Score - Gold (Asia Wine Trophy, 2023) (D - 7 g/L)
LA POSTA PIZZELLA FAMILY MALBEC 2023 Mendoza, Argentina Vintages #166298 $17.95 This is scoring low 90s consistently among critics. It is ripe with generous dark berries and spice on the palate. It is smooth with a lingering finish. Enjoy with Ribs With Spicy Blackberry Sauce. Score - 91 (XD - 4 g/L)
DEMAZET ARMOIRIES TRADITION CÔTES DU RHÔNE 2023 Rhone, France Vintages # 494690 $16.95 This GSM blend from parcels surrounding Avignon is showing plush red fruit with hints of leather and black pepper. It gets a 90 from Natalie Maclean and Gold from Concours International de Lyon, 2023. Enjoy with Montreal Spice Marinated Lamb Chops. (XD - 3 g/L)
SISTER'S RUN EPIPHANY SHIRAZ 2022 South Australia Vintages #269464 $17.95 Sister's Run is always a reliable choice for good value. This gets a 94 from Sam Kim of wineorbit.co.nz, who describes dark, rich fruit and spice on the nose. The palate is concentrated with excellent depth and texture. Tannins are polished and well integrated. Enjoy with Wine Braised Ox Tail Stew. (XD - 3 g/L)
Best Buy Fortified Wines
CROFT RESERVE TAWNY PORT DOP, Portugal Vintages #538983 $19.95 This scores low 90s year after year from the discerning Wine Align Cru (as they cleverly like to call themselves!). So treat yourself and take some of the edge off the cooler Fall evenings. John Szabo, MS, winealign.com, gives it a 91 and describes it as fragrant and nutty with complex treacle/caramelized flavours. It is sweet but balanced and not cloying with very good length. Note that it is not age-designated, meaning the character comes from the wine-making process rather than barrel ageing. (S - 103 g/L)
LUSTAU PAPIRUSA MANZANILLA DOP Jerez-Xérès-Sherry, Solera Reserva, Spain Vintages #43307 $24.95 This gets a 95 from the Decanter panel; therefore, it's the agreed-upon rating from 3 experts. It is dry (XD - 0 g/L), rich and balanced with a persistent finish. Nutty and elegant with dry lemon hints and complex toasty brioche notes. My last bottle has been finished for a while now so I can't wait for this to hit the shelf for sipping and cooking. Let it shine in these Sweet Potato and Sherried Onion Bites.
Best Buy Sparkling Wines
JULIEN BARTHAZAC BRUT CRÉMANT DE BORDEAUX AOC, Bordeaux, France Vintages #42128 $19.95 Traditional method This blend of 53% Sémillon, 42% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc is showing citrus peel and white stone fruit along with melon and elderflower notes. Bright and round with underlying mineral notes. Score 90 Decanter World Wine Awards, 2019) (XD - 9 g/L)
KRONE CUVÉE CAP CLASSIQUE BRUT ROSÉ CUVÉE SPARKLING 2022 WO Western Cape, South Africa Vintages #130047 $21.95 This is scoring 90 -92 among trusted critics. A Pinot Noir/Chardonnay blend, look for raspberry, apple and biscuit notes. It has a fine mousse and a refreshing finish. Score - 90 Claire Nesbitt, jamessuckling.com, (XD - 8 g/L)
Best Buy White Wines
ORCHARD LANE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 Marlborough, South Island Vintages #17561 $19.95 This gets a 90 from Christina Pickard, Wine Enthusiast, who describes lovely depth and texture with generous passionfruit, lime and white floral tones on the palate and a long finish. Enjoy with Seafood Pie. (XD - 4 g/L) If that isn't available, look for TWO RIVERS CONVERGENCE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 Vintages #277707 $22.95 Score - 95 Sam Kim, wineorbit.co.nz This is aromatic with melon and lemon and green tea. The palate is focused with 'excellent' concentration, powerful fruit and a saline texture. (XD - 4 g/L)
CAVE SPRING ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2023 VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, ON Canada Vintages #256552 $21.95 This gets a 91 from John Szabo, MS, winealign.com who describes it as featuring bright citrus, apple, pear and creamy lemon with delicate barrel influences and yeastly-lees notes. He notes above average depth, flavour and length. Enjoy now or through the early 30s with Chicken Casserole with Rice. (XD - 3 g/L)
SIDEWOOD MAPPINGA CHARDONNAY 2023
Vintages #688291 $27.95
Adelaide Hills, South Australia
This walked away with the top three awards at the 2024 International Cool Climate Wine Show (ICCWS), winning Best Wine in Show, Best White Wine in Show and Best Australian Wine.
Show notes indicate it is generously complex with peach, nectarine and grapefruit aromas, leading to delicious flavours of almond, lime and lychee. It is 'tight and racy' with mineral tones, oaky tannins and a lengthy finish. Enjoy this with slices of Granny Smith apple and St. Paulin cheese, a favourite combo of mine! (XD - 2 g/L)
Best Buy Red Wines
INDOMABLE BLEND DE MALBEC 2021 Mendoza, Argentina Vintages #31972 $18.95 This is 100% Malbec, the blend referring to the 4 different vineyards used to source the grapes. Look for violet, cedar and tabacco on the nose with jammy cherry and strawberry on the palate. Bright acidity keeps it from being cloying. Score - 96 Decanter World Wine Awards,2022 (XD - 3 g/L)
UGGIANO ROCCIALTA RISERVA CHIANTI 2021 Tuscany, Italy Vintages #10605 $19.95 This is scoring 90 across the board among respected critics. James Suckling describes fresh red fruit with hints of blood orange and star anise. The palate is juicy, medium-bodied and silky. He calls it 'sleek and seductive' with freshness and poise. Enjoy with Spaghetti and Meatballs. (XD - 3 g/L) If you can't find that one, look for CARPINETO CHIANTI CLASSICO 2022 Vintages #356048 $23.95 Score - 90 Decanter World Wine Awards, 2025 It is rich with sweet oaky and plum aromas. The palate shows black cherry, mushroom and savoury herbs. (XD - 3 g/L)
CHATEAU TANUNDA GRAND BAROSSA SHIRAZ 2022 Barossa, South Australia Vintages #20884 $22.95 Jeni Port of winepilot.com gives this a 93 and describes it as elegant with spicy blackberry, cherry and plum notes. It is well structured with hints of earthiness to counter the sweetness of the fruit. Tannins are fine and the finish is long. (XD - 4 g/L)
KNAPPSTEIN CLARE VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 South Australia, Vintages #23905 $19.95 If you are missing your California Cabs, then consider this one. It gets a 93 from Sam Kim, wineorbit.co.nz, who describes generous blackcurrant, nutmeg and floral aromas. The palate is elegant and fruity with excellent weight and a lingering finish. Drink now to 2031. (XD - 3 g/L). For a 'weightier' Cab consider WYNNS COONAWARRA ESTATE THE SIDING CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 Coonawarra, South Australia vintages #333229 $24.95 Score - 92 Campbell Mattinson, winecompanion.com.au. It is elegant with classic redcurrant, tobacco, cedar and mint notes and a most pleasant, satisfying finish. (XD - 2 g/L)
GEORGES DUBOEUF BROUILLY 2024 Beaujolais, France Vintages #22669 $23.95 Score - 91 Stuart Pigott, jamessuckling.com Look for bright red and black currant. The medium-bodied palate is showing tannins, sour cherry and a 'surprisingly long finish.' (XD - 2 g/L)
TRAVAGLINI GATTINARA 2021
Piedmont, Italy Vintages #713354 $39.95
This is a BIG wine, scoring firmly in the 90+ range with a high of 96 from James Suckling. Cellar until 2027 through 2038. Tannins are firm under cherry, raspberry and wild strawberry. Full-bodied with concentrated fruit, refreshing acidity and a savoury finish. Plan to enjoy with food, like Braciole. (XD - 2 g/L)
Related Recipes
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.
Leave a Reply