The Sept 21 2024 LCBO Vintages Release marks the turning of the corner where each release includes more and more premium wines until the year-end holidays are over. What that means to us is - when we see a Best Buy we should snap it up because there will be fewer of them in each release until the wine gods take pity on us with the first January.
There are very few white wines in the release. A good variety of Best Buy reds to choose from Be sure to read the Cellar Suggestion since it is exceedingly good value if you are set up for cellaring.
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 Red Wine Winners:
REINO DE ALTUZARRA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 Navarro, Spain Vintages #37579$12.95 Just the one review that I could find, but Mike DeSimone of Wine Enthusiast gives it a 93 and describes cherry, fig and leather on the nose with bright pomegranate and raspberry on the palate followed by chocolate and tobacco. Tannins very much in play so plan to enjoy with charcuterie or Beer Can Stuffed Burgers. (XD - 3 g/L)
GLORIA RESERVA 2021 Douro, Portugal Vintages #146522 $14.95 This got a 92 from the Panel, International Wine & Spirit Competition, 2023 who describe blackcurrant and vanilla aroma and a rounded, smooth palate of damson plum, spice, and some green hints. A 'decent finish of blueberries and violets'. It is also well received among user comment sites so I think it has wide appeal. Enjoy with Pork Osso Buco. (D - 6 g/L) $14.95
FAMILLE FABRE LE CERF ET LE VIGNERON CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2022
38880 $14.95 IGP Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, France Another little gem that is scoring low 90s and recognized as great value. Look for French elegance with fruit and spice. Enjoy with Mushroom Lasagna. (XD - 4 g/L)
This Cabernet Sauvignon is a bouquet of flowers in your glass. A perfumed nose begins with blackberry, cherry cola, Alpine strawberry, red currant and dried-crushed violet blossom. Definitively floral on the palate as well, the wine is supported by polished tannins that give way to robust bloom-like elements on the long finish. This is a lovely Cabernet Sauvignon.
Reggie Solomon, Wine Enthusiast
BRICKFIELDER G.F. ANGAS SHIRAZ 2020 Barossa Valley, South Australia Vintages #36283 $16.95 How can you go wrong with Barossa Valley? Sam Kim, wineorbit.co.nz gave this a 93 and describes aromas of blackberry, oaky vanilla, spice and rich
floral aromas. The palate is very satisfying and velvety with good structure, fine tannins and a generous lengthy finish. Drink now to 2030. Snap this up folks and enjoy with a good BBQ Flank Steak. (XD - 3 g/L)
LA POSTA PIZZELLA FAMILY MALBEC 2022 Mendoza, Argentina Vintages #166298 $15.95 Again - how can you go wrong with Malbec-Argentina-Laura Catena?
This gets a 92 from Zekun Shuai of jamessuckling.com. This is a ripe, spicy Malbec with lots of fruit, hints of chocolate and fine tannins. Medium to full-bodied, it will go great with anything stewed or off the grill.
(XD - 4 g/L)
CHÂTEAU CANDELEY 2020 Languedoc, France Vintages #38197 $16.95 This is scoring solidly in the low 90s among respected critics, along with the 95 from Decanter World Wine Awards, 2022. Here is a chance to compare a Malbec from France to Malbec from Argentina. Look for aromas of blueberry, leather, smoke and spice. Full-bodied with a tannic structure, enjoy with a classic Cassoulet. (XD - 3 g/L)
Best Buy White Wines
There are 2 Marlborough Sauvignon Blancs in the release with 1 point and $6 difference between them (both scored by Sam Kim of wineorbit.co.nz). So OTU MARLBOROUGH SAUVIGNON BLANC 2023 Marlborough, South Island Vintages #17549 $18.95 is the better value of the 2. Look for a nose with kiwi, melon, apricot and lime peel. The palate offers 'terrific fruit vibrancy and persistency'. (XD - 4 g/L)
BODEGA GARZÓN MALDONADO SAUVIGNON BLANC 2023 Uruguay, Vintages #12678 $19.95 I tasted both the Garzón Albarino and the Rosé from the summer release. Both were well-made and showed good character. I will gladly try it and recommend the Sauvignon Blanc based on that experience. James Suckling gives this a 90 and describes crisp citrus, apple and celery with a clean finish. Enjoy with a summery vegetable platter or this Potato Salad With Celery and Cucumber. (XD - 4 g/L)
MATAWHERO SINGLE VINEYARD PINOT GRIS 2022 Gisborne, North Island, NZ Vintage #30156 $23.95 I have a soft spot for NZ Pinot Gris, and I have given previous vintages of this one a 90. Sam Kim gives this vintage a 94 and describes elegant floral, apricot, and spicy aromas. The palate is silky and rounded palate, followed by a long refreshing finish. Enjoy with soft cheeses or Honey Feta Garlic Dip. (XD - 5 g/L)
Best Buy Red Wines
ESCAPADE SHIRAZ 2021
Barossa Valley, South Australia, Vintages #36286 $17.95 This is getting rave reviews in the 93-94 point range so it is by far the best value Shiraz in this offering. Wine Showcase Magazine, gave it a 95 and describes a spicy, juicy wine with peppery hints of plum and black olive. Crafted to have broad appeal, enjoy it with Tuscan Ribs with Balsamic Glaze. (XD - 3 g/L)
If you can't find this then look for MAJELLA THE MUSICIAN CABERNET/SHIRAZ #142018 $19.95
MIGUEL TORRES ANDICA ORGANIC GRAN RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2022 Valle del Itata, Chile Vintages #25933 $17.95 I marvel at how the expertise and finesse of Miguel Torres wine can get all the way to Canada for this price. Fruity, spicy and easy to enjoy according to Vintages notes. Look for red fruit with cumin and black pepper. Enjoy with Montreal Steak Spice Lamb Chops. (XD - 2 g/L)
VIÑALBA PARRILLA MALBEC 2022 Mendoza, Argentina Vintages #38143 $19.95 Score - 95 Decanter World Wine Awards, 2023 100% Malbec. Look for generous ripe fruit on the nose and palate with dark cherries and a hint of spice. Good structure and acidity.
(XD - 0 g/L)
LICENCIADO RESERVA 2019 DOCa Rioja, Spain Vintages #370023 $19.95 Score - 95 Decanter World Wine Awards, 2023 This 100% Tempranillo is being well received. Look for a well-structured Rioja with rose and violet hints, 'refreshing acidity' and smooth tannins. (XD - 3 g/L)
CORTE MEDICEA ERASTOS ROSSO 2019 IGT Toscana, Italy Vintages #10948 $19.95
This Super Tuscan Cabernet Sauvignon scores well year after year and is recognized as good value. Look for dark plum with gentle vanilla spices and earthy tones. Pair with Red Wine Braised Beef.
CHÂTEAU LA ROQUE DE BY 2019 AC Médoc, Cru Bourgeois, Bordeaux, France Vintages #38234 $21.95 This is scoring consistently in the low 90s but recent reviews suggest it is time to drink now. It gets a 93 from Roger Voss of Wine Enthusiast who describes a ripe, well-structured wine with dark tannins and juicy blackberry flavours. Best Buy. (XD - 2 g/L)
XAVIER VIGNON LIRAC 2020, Rhone, France Vintages #636183 $23.95 Lirac is just across the river from Chateauneuf du Pape so if a nice GSM is your jam you will want to know about this one. David Lawrason of winealign.com gives this a 91 and describes a ripe, generous nose with cherry, subtle pepper and florals. The palate is medium-bodied and elegant with fine, sandy tannins. Excellent length. Pair With Roast Lamb with Major Grey's Chutney. (XD - 3 g/L)
NORTON PRIVADA FAMILY BLEND 2021 Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina Vintages # 400598 $23.95 Lots of excitement over this 40% Malbec, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot blend. Scores range from 91 to the Platinum high of 97 from Decanter World Wine Awards, 2023. Look for a concentrated wine with black fruit and perfumed violets supported by a good backbone with creamy vanilla oak. '...intriguing with an opulent leathery texture, velvety soft tannins and a lengthy tobacco-laden finish. Outstanding!' (XD - 2 g/L)
Premium Wines
THIRTY BENCH SMALL LOT WOOD POST VINEYARD RIESLING 2019 VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, ON, Canada Vintages #359760 $32.00 For those who don't have the opportunity (or foresight!) to cellar wines... here is an aging Ont. Riesling. David Lawrason of winealign.com gives it a 93 and describes notes of peach and honey with some light mushroom and petrol. He suggests it is drinking best now through 2029. Note the 20 grams of sugar but in its youth, it was considered a 'slim, dry, tart edged yet very cohesive' wine per David. That makes me think, while there are honeyed notes, the sugar is well-balanced with acidity. This will also continue to age. (M - 20 g/L)
VIETTI PERBACCO NEBBIOLO 2020 DOC Langhe, Italy Vintages #15087 $36.95 Nebbiolos from Langhe are often consided 'baby' Barolos so if you are curious consider this one. It is scoring mid 90s consistently. Jonathan Cristaldi of tastingpanelmag.com gives it a 94 and describes its 'vivacity and lift'. Look for cherries, tobacco, along with spicy sandalwood and vanilla. Soft tannins, expressive acidity and a long finish all factor in to the score. (XD - 3 g/L)
The 2020 Perbacco is lights out! From the moment the cork is pulled you will be smitten with aromas of cherry, wild herbs, dried rose and anise enticing you to the glass. The wine delivers fresh and clear red-berried fruit snuggled with sweet and savory spices finishing with crunchy acidity begging you to take that next sip. -93 Editor's Choice
Jeff Porter
HOLLY SOUTH SERIES PINOT NOIR 2021 Wairarapa, North Island,NZ Vintages #17543 $37.95 Besides the 96 from International Wine Challenge, 2023, Cam Douglas' 95 point review is quoted below. Critics agree this is an enticing, well-structured wine. Look for 'fleshy' black fruit and bold cherry. (XD - 2 g/L)
There’s often nothing more satisfying than the bouquet of a well made wine that ticks the boxes of variety and expresses a style reflect place and time as well as attention to detail - I find these attributes clear and intense in this wine. Aromas and flavours of spiced dark cherry and plum, wild red flowers, nut, dried herb and wild strawberry. Tannins are firm and in abundance, acidity adds tautness and power, there’s a core of fruit and oak impression offering anise and brown baking spices and some new wood bite. Well made, still taut and youthful with a lengthy gently saline finish. Best drinking from late 2023 through 2030.
Cam DouglasMS.com
95 Points
Outstanding
Expert Review
STRATUS CHARDONNAY 2021
Vintages #267856 $35.20
VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON, Canada
Sara's review is so exquisite I can't paraprhase it! See below.
Generously aromatic and voluminous, as if there was a bit of skin contact but could it be the complexity of the lees entirely adding dimension to this unfiltered style of chardonnay. An a-typical but not unwelcome incarnation of this variety from Niagara-on-the-Lake with a notable vibrancy and dynamism to the palate along with palpable tension and an absence of showy oak or excessive warmth from alcohol. Offering the unadorned purity of fruit with memorable length. Tasted July 2023. Score - 93. (Sara d'Amato, winealign.com)
(XD - 2 g/L)
Cellar Suggestion
COSME PALACIO VENDIMIA SELECCIONADA 2018 DOCa Rioja, Spain Vintages #37552 $18.95 James Suckling gives this a 95 but suggest cellaring until 2026 at least to allow for its potential to develop. Look for 'sophisticated aromas' of dark fruit, crushed stones, concrete and damp earthy tones. This is a complex wine with creamy polished tannins. At this price buy a few and watch it develop over time. Serve with Dirty Roman Pasta. (XD - 2 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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