Best Value wines in the March 16 2024 LCBO Vintages Release include some Sparklings of note and Sauvignon Blanc lovers will be happy!
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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!
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Cheap and Cheerful Wines
The white wine winner in the 'cheap and cheerful' category this release:
BOUGRIER MUSCADET-SÈVRE ET MAINE 2022 Loire, France Vintages #24610 $14.95 This is one of my favourite 'work horse' wines. It is neutral enough to go with any light meal, yet has qualities of interest.
The Melon de Bourgogne grape is gaining popularity for its ability to marry the crisp, chalky character of Sauvignon Blanc with the salty minerality of Pinot Grigio.
LCBO Vintages Magazine
(This might be because of the volumes I buy! LOL!) This one has hints of lime,
pear and bread along with a nod to the sea. That is a lot going on in a glass for this price! Enjoy with Creamy Shrimp Tarte and a green salad. (XD - 3 g/L)
The red wine winner in the 'cheap and cheerful' category this release:
LA POSTA PIZZELLA FAMILY MALBEC 2022 Mendoza, Argentina Vintages # 166298 $16.95 Critics agree this is 'correct' in all aspects, made to appeal to a broad audience. Zekun Shuai, jamessuckling.com gives it a 92 and describes it as ripe and spicy with fresh dark berries on the nose and palate. Tannins are firm and small grained. Lots of oak in play here so plan to enjoy with charcuteries or duck sausages. (XD - 4 g/L)
Best Buy Sparkling Wines
BEDIN ASOLO EXTRA DRY PROSECCO SUPERIORE Veneto, Italy Vintages #36172 $17.95 Italians sure know how to please the world with their Pinot Grigios and Proseccos to name only a couple. This is a highly respected producer who took Gold with this at Mundus Vini, Spring 2023. Look for a soft mousse with tropical fruit flavours and some bread, nutty notes. Enjoy this one with Walnut Cream Cheese tea sandwiches. (D - 15 g/L)
LABOURÉ-GONTARD BRUT CRÉMANT DE BOURGOGNE Burgundy, France Vintages #401018 $22.95 Traditional method It is hard to wrong with a Crémant if you want a bubbly with French finesse without Champagne prices. This one gets a 90 from Anna Lee C. Iijima of Wine Enthusiast who says it has a perfect balance of creaminess, yeast notes and lemon on the nose. It has a lively mousse with those welcome bread-y notes. Dry and refreshing on the finish. This would be perfect for an Easter Brunch or Dinner. (D - 10 g/L)
Best Buy White Wines
HENRY OF PELHAM THE DRY RIVER RIESLING 2022 Niagara Escarpment, On, Canada Vintages #557165 $19.95 This gets a glowing review from Vic Harradine of winecurrent.com with a 94 score. He calls it a 'delightful experience from twist top to last drop …'. Look for zesty citrus aromas and lemon/grapefruit on the palate with orange and passionfruit undertones. He calls it Exceptional Value. This would be perfect for Lemoncello Chicken or other Asian dishes with General Tso Sauce. (D - 21 g/L)
TRIUS DISTINCTION SAUVIGNON BLANC 2021 Niagara Peninsula, On, Canada Vintages #19379 $19.95 I am so happy to see quality Canadian wines at prices and scores that make it in to the Best Buy category! This one was tasted blind at the NWAC (National Wine Awards of Canada 2023 with a Score of 92 from John Szabo, MS of winealign. He calls it a balanced, quality wine with good depth and great length. Winemaker notes say to look for layers of citrus, green apple, and gooseberry with underlying peach notes. Enjoy this Warm Goat Cheese Salad . (XD - 3 g/L)
PIERRE SPARR GRANDE RÉSERVE PINOT GRIS 2021 Alsace, France Vintages #983395 $20.95 This seems to be crafted to have wide appeal for those who enjoy some perceivable residual sugar, balanced with high acidity. Look for an aromatic nose showing peach, chamomile, nuts and light bakery notes. Enjoy with Thai Shrimp Bisque. (D - 14 g/L)
SUSANA BALBO SIGNATURE BARREL FERMENTED TORRONTÉS 2022 Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina Vintages #384339 $22.95 I have to admit that some overly floral examples of Torrontés from South America have made me, personally, very wary of this varietal. However, this is nothing like them. It will serve proudly beside any complex white wine. It has the character of the Torrontés from the Uco Mountains. It gets a 95 from Patricio Tapia of guiadescorchados.cl who describes lively acid, with both herbal and citrus character. 4 month of barrel aging gives it texture and spice. I am now a convert to this style! Enjoy through 2028 with Herb Crusted Salmon.
A Torrontés that takes the variety to a higher level, proof of how fine the variety can be.
Patricio Tapia of guiadescorchados.
LEYDA LOT 4 SAUVIGNON BLANC 2021 Valle de Leyda, Chile Vintage #18997 $22.95 This one interests me because it comes from a Sancerre clone and Leyda Valley is gaining a reputation for quality Sauvignon Blancs. Not to mention it is scoring 92+ with a 95 from Patricio Tapia of guiadescorchados.cl. It was aged both in clay foudres and large barrels. Look for good, dense fruit concentration along with mineral acidity. Drink now with Chicken Piccata. (XD - 3 g/L)
INVIVO X, BY SARAH JESSICA PARKER SAUVIGNON BLANC 2023 Marlborough, NZ Vintages #14278 $23.95 This was in the Dec 16, 2023 release. **Correction** I said this was on Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines list but it was the 2022 vintage not this one. (It is a dollar more now so good for you if you bought a few.) Having said that, this vintage is getting mid 90 scores suggesting a similar quality. For the most part, Malborough escaped the weather extremes that damaged other areas. According to Sam Kim of wineobitz.com.nz (score 95) it has a pronounced nose of passionfruit, fig and lime. The juicy palate has excellent weight, refreshing acidity and persistency. Enjoy with Salmon in Puff Pastry with Lime Cream. (XD - 6 g/L)
PIEROPAN SOAVE CLASSICO 2022, Veneto, Italy Vintages #946848 $20.95 This gets a 92 from Jeff Porter of Wine Enthusiast who describes it as an elegant, classic Soave with complex aromas of apple, citrus, almond and lemon. It is crisp and seemingly startling on the palate (my word not his). His words say it has 'amazing textural depth and finishes with vibrant acidity.' Enjoy with Lemon Ricotta Pasta with Asparagus and Hazelnuts XD - 5 g/L)
Best Buy Red Wines
JIP JIP ROCKS SHIRAZ/CABERNET 2021 South Australia Vintages #186114 $17.95 Sam Kim of wineorbit.co.nz gives this a 93 and describes a generous nose of berries and cedar. The palate is juicy and supple and 'flavoursome with a lengthy silky finish.' Enjoy now with a Baking Steel Pizza. (XD - 3 g/L)
SAN PEDRO 1865 SELECTED VINEYARDS CARMENÈRE 2022 Valle de Colchagua, Chile Vintages #249201 $19.95 Fans of the smoky herbal notes of Carmenère will be happy to see this one that scores 90 year after year. Look for blackberry and plum with a core of smoke and spice and cedar. It is 'robust' so enjoy with charcuterie or Brisket with Leeks and Onion. (XD - 4 g/L)
CAVE SPRING ESTATE GROWN CABERNET FRANC 2021 Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, ON, Canada Vintages #523001 $20.95 Michael Godel of winealign.com calls this a 'winner'. Cab Franc is becoming the darling of red wine aficionados and this is a good example. Look for a melange of cranberry, pomegranate and currant with some dusty savoury notes. (XD - 2 g/L)
SALENTEIN RESERVE MALBEC 2021 Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina Vintages #640854 $19.95 This gets a 90 from Joaquín Hidalgo of vinous.com who calls it a 'rewarding wine'. Lots of ripe red fruit on the nose and palate. It is fresh with polished tannins. Enjoy now through 2029 with Spicy Black Pepper Beef .. (XD - 3 g/L)
PETER LEHMANN THE BAROSSAN CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2022 Barossa, South Australia Vintages #12331 $20.95 From an esteemed producer, Natalie Maclean gives this a 93. It is a big, bold wine with complex blueberry, black olive and vanilla. It is rich with great stucture and depth. This calls for a steak or Montreal Spiced Marinated Lamb Chops. (XD - 4 g/L)
CHÂTEAU DE VIMONT 2019 Graves, Bordeaux 35620 $21.95 Natalie Maclean calls this 'amazing value' and Roger Voss of Wine Enthusiast gives it a 91. It is a rich, fruity wine with generous black fruit and everything in balance. Drink now with Steak with Pistachio and Black Olive Crust. (XD - 3 g/L)
PEREZ CRUZ PIEDRA SECA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 Valle del Maipo, Chile Vintages #36167 $22.95 Perez Cruz is always a reliable bet. Tim Atkin gives it a 94 in his Chile Special Report 2023. It is elegant and has the hallmarks for Cab Sauv with black cherry, mint and blackcurrant leaf flavours on the palate. Drink now through 2035 with Red Wine Braised Beef. (XD - 3 g/L)
SEA SUN PINOT NOIR 2021 California, USA Vintages #16027 $24.95 From grapes from the cooler coastal vineyards, this has vibrant acidity and the expected cherry and berry on the palate. Some spice and vanilla add complexity. Natalie Maclean gives it a 90. Enjoy with Crispy Duck with Cherry Port Sauce. (D - 8 g/L)
DESCENDIENTES DE J. PALACIOS PÉTALOS 2021 DO Bierzo, Spain Vintages #446484 $28.95 This is getting rave reviews (as always). Wine Spectator gives it 92 and Luis Gutiérrez, robertparker.com a 93+. From old vines, with the 2021 vintage outranking 20 and 22. Wine Spectator describes cigar box aromas with a silky palate of black raspberry and black olive. Gutiérrez calls it 'expressive and showy'. Medium-bodied, enjoy with Venetian Duck Ragù.
Cellar Suggestion
H.J. FABRE GGG GRANDE GUALTALLARY GRAN MALBEC 2020 Gualtallary, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina Vintages #35429 $26.95
Patricio Tapia, guiadescorchados.cl gives this 94. The grapes are from the north end of Uco Valley at 1,450 meters above sea level which gives it a notable freshness. It has generous fruit and rich herbal tones with tension and tannins in the framework. Nerve and verve here! You could drink now with 60 to 90 minutes decanting or cellar it til 2027+. (XD - 0 g/L)
Frequently Asked Questions
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 winetastings. 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 week night 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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