The Sept 26 LCBO Vintages Release has a good variety of high-scoring wines under $20. There are also 2 Cellar Selections worthy of waiting for or gifting.
Good wine doesn't have to be expensive! Use my (free!) recommendations to get the best wine for your money!
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If you try a recommended wine - this is your chance to be a critic! Leave your comment below to let us know how you liked it. If you find another gem you would like people to know about add that too!
Best White Wines Under $20:
PADDY BORTHWICK SAUVIGNON BLANC 2025 Wairarapa, North Island, NZ Vintages #361220 $19.95 This gets a 93 from Sam Kim of wineorbit.co.nz, who describes intense kiwi, pineapple, nectarine and citrus notes on the nose and palate. The palate is textured, with a good seam of acidity and a long, flavourful finish. Enjoy with Salmon with Citrus Cream. (XD - 2 g/L)
Best Red Wines Under $20:
BORSAO SELECCIÓN GARNACHA 2024 DO Campo de Borja, Spain Vintages #386961 $14.95 This is scoring 90/91 among respected critics. Look for spicy red cherry and bramble. Tannins are fine. This is a great everyday red to enjoy with Beer Can Stuffed Burgers or BBQ. Best Buy. Score - 90 (Elaine Chukan Brown, Wine Enthusiast) (XD - 3 g/L)
GENIO ESPAÑOL ROBLE MONASTRELL 2021 DO Jumilla, Spain Vintages #44140 $16.95 This is scoring 90+ points consistently. A modern style with black pepper, wild herb and violet notes on the nose. The palate is powerful and energetic with chalky tannins and refreshing acidity. A perfect match for Spicy Black Pepper Beef. Score - 96 (Decanter World Wine Awards, 2023) (XD - 6 g/L)
SAN ALEJANDRO EVODIA GARNACHA 2023 Spain Vintages #23914 $16.95 This is an aromatic, elegant Grenache with ripe, juicy fruit and good balance. 'The quality is clearly beyond its price point; it's an amazing value for money.' One to buy by the truckload!' Enjoy with Red Wine Braised Beef. Luis Gutiérrez, robertparker.com Score 92 (XD - 3 g/L)
SUSANA BALBO CRIOS CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2024 Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina Vintages #640979 $17.95 This is a bold wine showing cassis and smoke with raspberries and dark fruit. Full-bodied, fruity and well-balanced. Score - 92 (Jacobo Garcia-Andrade Llamas, jamessuckling.com) (XD - 3 g/L)
SISTER'S RUN EPIPHANY SHIRAZ 2022 McLaren Vale, South Australia Vintages #269464 $17.95 Sister's Run is always a reliable bet for quality. This is an 'opulent', complex wine with rich dark fruit, cake spice, chocolate and toasty oak. The palate is concentrated with excellent depth and a 'plush' texture. Score - 94 (Sam Kim, wineorbit.co.nz) (XD - 4 g/L)
XANADU CIRCA 77 CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2023 Margaret River, Western Australia Vintages #18344 $18.95 This gem is scoring mid-90s among respected critics and getting rave reviews. Look for blackberry with spices, herbs and violet aromas. The palate has a core of ripe fruit and fine tannins. Still slightly firm, this will continue to evolve through the early 2030s. Editors' Choice. Serve with Spicy Blackberry Ribs. Score - 95 (Christina Pickard, Wine Enthusiast) (XD - 3 g/L)
Best Buy White Wines Under $40
TOI TOI RESERVE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2025 Marlborough, South Island, NZ Vintages #32554 $24.95 Look for tropical fruit and gooseberry with lime and herbal notes here. Hints of crushed stone add complexity. The palate is lively with a long, persistent finish. Score - 96 (nataliemaclean.com) (XD - 3 g/L)
THIRTY BENCH SMALL LOT WOOD POST VINEYARD RIESLING 2024 VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, ON, Canada Vintages #359760 $28.95 Thirty Bench does an admirable job on Riesling, and this one has the talking point that it was added to the Canadian Wine Library in 2026. It is bright and fresh now, with tangy citrus, apple and kiwi. Underlying wet-stone minerality adds complexity. This will continue to evolve into the mid-2030s- so if you are a fan of Ontario Riesling, you might want to stock up!
As a nod to Riesling's German heritage, enjoy with Oktoberfest Schnitzel. (D - 17 g/L)
INNISKILLIN MONTAGUE SINGLE VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2023 VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON, Canada Vintages #53667 Another addition to the Canadian Wine Library here. Look for an enticing bouquet of orchard fruit and vanilla. The palate is creamy, showing stone fruit and citrus over warm spices and subtle salinity. Well-balanced and rich with a long, toasted honey finish. Pair with Brandied Chicken Pot Pie. Score - 91 (International Wine & Spirit Competition, 2026) (XD - 2 g/L)
Best Buy Red Wines Under $40
KILIKANOON PRODIGAL GRENACHE 2022 Clare Valley, South Australia Vintages #482547 $21.95 Kilikanoon is always a reliable producer for quality. This gets a 95 from Sam Kim of wineorbit.co.nz, who describes a generous bouquet of dark cherry, strawberry, spice and some floral tones. The palate is layered with a rich texture and fine tannins. The finish is 'splendidly long, satisfying'.(XD - 3 g/L)
MONTES ALPHA SPECIAL CUVÉE PINOT NOIR 2023 DO Zapallar, Aconcagua Costa, Chile Vintages #19288 $24.95 Chile's coastal areas are well-suited to Pinot Noir. Look for warm spices, dried cherry, citrus and violet notes. The palate is focused with dark plum, crushed stone and silky tannins. Score - 95 (nataliemaclean.com) (XD - 3 g/L)
FRESCOBALDI PERANO CHIANTI CLASSICO 2022, Tuscany, Italy Vintages #10360 $24.95 This is scoring 92-94 among critics. It is well-structured and polished with refined tannins. Look for tart sour cherry, with hints of spice and tobacco. It is medium-bodied with a long, precise finish. Enjoy with classic Spaghetti and Meatballs. Score - 94 (James Suckling, jamessuckling.com) (XD - 3 g/L)
JULES TAYLOR PINOT NOIR 2023 Marlborough, South Island, NZ Vintages #329805 $24.95 If you are in the mood for a classic NZ Pinot Noir, look no further. This is scoring firmly in the mid-90 point range among respected critics. It has 'seductive' aromas of red cherry, plum, herbs and spices. It is well-balanced with more red fruit and baking spices on the palate. Tannins are smooth. Balanced enough to drink on its own or enjoy with Crispy Duck with Cherry Port Sauce. (XD - 2 g/L)
Cellar Selections
CARPINETO RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2020
Vintages #47118 $32.95
Carpineto is usually a standout booth at trade shows and this Riserva is an example of why.
For a talking point: this was ranked #25 in Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines of 2025. Look for black cherry, blackberry with wild herb, iron and earthy tones at its depth. The palate is concentrated and dense, leading to a long, spicy finish. Tannins are still 'muscular,' so plan to cellar for a year or more. Enjoy with Braciole.
( 2027 through 2043). Score 93 (Bruce Sanderson, winespectator.com)
(XD - 2 g/L)
TRAVAGLINI GATTINARA 2022
Piedmont, Italy
Vintages # 713354
$39.95
This 100% Nebbiolo rivals the much higher priced Barolos of Piedmont. It scores firmly in the 91-93 point range. It is a polished wint with cherry, blood orange, spice and leather floating in the glass. Well-balanced with silky tannins. 'What a total delight'. Note the drinking window: 2027-2042. (XD - 2 g/L)
Score - 93
(Antonio Galloni, vinous.com)
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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-$30 ish 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 < $20 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 taste 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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