The Sept 27 2025 LCBO Vintages Release has a good selection of Sparklings and a variety of appealing GSM blends.
Good wine doesn't have to be expensive! Get better value for your wine dollars with the recommendations below - and they're free!
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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!
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Cheap And Cheerful
Cheap and Cheerful White Wine Winners:
SECRETO DE VIU MANENT SAUVIGNON BLANC 2023, Valle de Casablanca, Chile Vintages #540823 $16.95 This gets a 92 from Patricio Tapia of guiadescorchados.cl, who describes 'delicious herbal tones' and fresh citrus. Juicy and refreshing with good weight. Enjoy with Italian Inspired Cod. (XD - 2 g/L)
ONTAÑÓN VIURA 2021, DOCa Rioja, Spain Vintages #437707 $17.95 This gets a 91 from Zekun Shuai of jamessuckling.com. Look for honeyed, nutty tones with pastry and citrus. Medium to full-bodied thanks to time spent on the lees. Look forward to a long, flavourful finish with some hints of butterscotch. Play up the caramel tones and pair with Clay Pot Pork. (XD - 2 g/L)
Cheap and Cheerful Red Wine Winners:
QUINTA DAS SETENCOSTAS ALENQUER RED 2020, Alenquer, Portugal Vintages #50930$13.95 Scores on this one range from 89 to a high of 92 from James Suckling, who describes aromas of red berries, currants and dried herbs leading to a medium-bodied palate with a core of berries, fine tannins and a polished structure. The finish is focused with excellent length. Drink now with Wine Braised Oxtail Stew. (XD - 4 g/L)
THOMAS GOSS MCLAREN VALE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2022, McLaren Vale, South Australia Vintages #36238 $16.95 This gets a 93 from Sam Kim of wineorbit.co.nz who describes a generous nose with blackcurrant and blueberry along with some floral and almond tones. The palate has excellent weight and intensity with succulent fruit and fine-grained tannins. The finish is persistent. Enjoy with Ribs with Spicy Blackberry Sauce. (XD - 3 g/L)
MONASTERIO DE LAS VIÑAS RESERVA GARNACHA/TEMPRANILLO/CARIÑENA /CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2020, DO Cariñena, Spain Vintages #166579 $16.95 I like to have a few of these on hand since they make for an easy-drinking but substantial pour. Look for spicy tones of cloves, cherries, chocolate and orange peel on the nose and palate. Tannins are sleek. (XD - 3 g/L)
Best Buy Sparkling Wines
ACKERMAN BULLE ROYALE CRÉMANT DE LOIRE BRUT SPARKLING, Loire, France Vintages #42057 $20.95 Traditional method. This is widely recognized as a Best Buy. It gets a 91 from Reggie Solomon of Wine Enthusiast. Look for gooseberry and pear with hints of dried herbs on the nose. The palate is showing green apple and lemon notes. Enjoy this celebration-worthy Sparkling on its own or with Brunch. (D - 13 g/L)
MASOTTINA CONTRADAGRANDA VALDOBBIADENE SUPERIORE EXTRA DRY PROSECCO DOCG, Prosecco, Italy Vintages #45847 $20.95 This gets a 95 from decanter.com, which suggests you might want to stock up on this one! Look for lemon curd with floral and candied notes on the nose. The palate is 'silky and seductive' with zesty acidity and a 'steely finish'. This would be a great addition to an afternoon tea menu! (D - 13 g/L)
Best Buy White Wines
SUTHERLAND CHARDONNAY 2021, WO Elgin, South Africa Vintages #146423 $19.95
This is scoring consistently 90+ with a high of 95 from the International Wine Challenge, 2023. Tasting notes indicate a flinty nose with apple blossom and peach. The palate is silky and creamy with a lime-tinged finish. Pair with poultry or pork with a side of Broiled Apples and Pears with Rosemary. (XD - 2 g/L)
MEGALOMANIAC NARCISSIST RIESLING 2024, VQA Niagara Peninsula, On, Canada Vintages #67587 $19.95 This is getting solid 92/93 scores from respected critics. It is clean with classic petrol and pear tones. Off-dry and nicely balanced by acidity. Precise and correct in every way. (M - 19 g/L)
Although any of the NZ Sauvignon Blancs on offer this release would be a reliable choice, the value award IMHO is TE PA MARLBOROUGH SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024, Marlborough, NZ Vintages #43360 $18.95. This is scoring consistently mid-90s among respected reviewers- so lucky for us at this price! Sam Kim of wineorbit.co.nz gives it a 94 and describes an intense nose with passionfruit, pineapple and citrus. The palate is also intense and juicy with bright acidity. (XD - 4 g/L). If you can't find that one THORNBURY SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 Vintages #734798 $18.95 got a 91 score and is another reliable bet. (XD - 5 g/L)
TERRES SECRÈTES LES PRÉLUDES SAINT-VÉRAN 2023, Burgundy, France Vintages #16725 $27.95
This is getting solid 90+ scores and it is a chance to experience a classic Burgundian Chardonnay. It is elegant, showing stone fruit and creamy lemon on the nose. The palate is silky and creamy, medium to full-bodied with lemon, apple and hints of wet stone. Pair with Brandied Chicken Pot Pie. (XD - 3 g/L)
Best Buy Red Wines
CLAYMORE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON SHIRAZ 2022, Clare Valley, South Australia, Vintages #72652 $19.95 This is scoring consistently mid-90s. Ken Gargett of winepilot.com gives it high praise, citing spice, blackberries, chocolate and licorice notes. with black currant on the finish. Savoury, with good balance, fine acidity and good length. Drink now through 2025. (XD - 2 g/L)
SAN MARZANO TALÒ PRIMITIVO DI MANDURIA 2023, Puglia, Italy Vintages #455220 $19.95 This is a restrained primitivo according to Jacobo Garcia-Andrade Llamas of jamessuckling.com. It is well-received by reviewers and consumers alike. Look for raspberries and dried herbs with citrus highlights. Full-bodied with elegant fruit at the core and a 'vibrant' finish. Enjoy with Sausage and Fennel Pasta. (D - 12 g/L)
ERASMO RED 2015 DO Valle del Maule, Chile Vintages #311837 $22.95 This Cab Sauv dominant blend is scoring low 90s consistently. Look for red and black fruit with spicy notes. It is firm with refreshing acidity. Plan to enjoy with Red Wine Braised Beef now or over the next 5 years. (XD - 3 g/L)
CHÂTEAU DES TOURS BROUILLY 2023. Beaujolais, France Vintages #637835 $22.95 This aromatic Beaujolais gets a 92 from Reggie Solomon of Wine Enthusiast, who describes cherry, plum and violet aromas with savoury herbal notes on the fruity palate. 'Classic Brouilly.' Enjoy with Crispy Duck with Cherry Port Sauce. (XD - 3 g/L)
DELAS SAINT-ESPRIT CÔTES DU RHÔNE 2022 AOC, Tournon-sur-Rhône, France Vintages #729962 $19.95 This GSM blend is scoring low 90s among various critics. Look for black plum and dark cherry aromas along with some savoury notes that carry from the nose to the palate. Supple tannins round out this easy-drinking Rhone example. Score - 91 (Anna-Christina Cabrales, Wine Enthusiast) (XD - 3 g/L)
If you can't find that, consider a weightier, meatier GSM example such as SHANAHANS THE BARKING DOG GSM 2023 Barossa Valley, South Australia Vintages #20880 $19.95 Drink date: 2025-2038. Score - 94 (Erin Larkin, robertparker.com) (XD - 3 g/L)
AGRAMONT GRAN RESERVA 2015 DO Navarra, Spain Vintages #44663 $22.95 A blend of Tempranillo, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine gets a 93 from Mike deSimone of Wine Enthusiast. Look for black currant and pomegranate aromas with coffee and spice. The palate shows black cherry and blackberry with chocolate, anise, and Mediterranean herbs. Tannins are silky and the finish is 'pleasing'. (XD - 4 g/L)
WAKEFIELD JARAMAN CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2022, South Australia Vintages #142398 $24.95 If you are missing your California Cabs, this Australian Cab is being well received. It gets a 93 from tasting.com. Notes describe black cherry, mint, cocoa and some meaty tones on the nose and palate. Medium to full-bodied, lively palate with well-integrated tannins and light oak touches. (XD - 4 g/L)
LAMOLE DI LAMOLE LAREALE RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2020, Tuscany, Italy Vintages #280651 $29.95 This Riserva scores well into the 90s year after year. The profile is a mixture of mineral and red berries influenced by alpine herbs, from the vines at a 600-meter elevation. Tannins are sandy. Enjoy now through 2032 with Braciole. Score - 92 (Michaela Morris, decanter.com) (XD - 2 g/L)
LA LIGIÈRE LE MOURRE DE LA CAILLE VACQUEYRAS 2022, Rhone, France Vintages #44217 $29.95 If you are in a Chateauneuf-du-Pape state of mind but the budget doesn't match, then this one is for you! A Grenache-dominated blend from right next door to CdP, it is showing strawberries and cherries with Provençal herbs. Medium-bodied, elegant and balanced with ripe tannins and 'a great finish' according to Jeb Dunnuck, who gave it a 90-92+ score. Drink now through 2030. This deserves Chateaubriand With Mushroom Sauce. (XD - 4 g/L)
CANNETO VINO NOBILE DI MONTEPULCIANO 2018
Vintages #12126 $34.95
TASTING NOTE: An elegant yet dense red, with leather, sanguine, iron and cedar aromas and flavors framing the
core of cherry and black currant fruit. Harmonious, with a vibrant structure and fine length. Sangiovese, Merlot and
Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now through 2040. (XD - 2 g/L)
Score - 93 (Bruce Sanderson, winespectator.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-$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.
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