The March 2 2024 LCBO Vintages Release includes a Best in Show from the Value division of Decanter World Wine Awards, 2022 and a Prosecco 'that is more interesting than the bulk of proseccos on the market'.
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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! Please leave a comment below so others can benefit. If you find another gem you would like people to know about add that too!
Sparkling Wine Recommendations
SAN MARTINO CONEGLIANO VALDOBBIADENE EXTRA DRY PROSECCO SUPERIORE 2022 Vintages # 36395 $18.95 I like this for a couple of reasons. It comes from the best Prosecco region and I have a preference for Extra Dry. It gets a 91 from Rod Philips who calls it 'more interesting . Look for tropical fruit and a hint of stone. Very well balanced. Enjoy with finger foods or an appetizer course. (D - 13 g/L)
Cheap and Cheerful Wines
There were no white wine winners in the 'cheap and cheerful' category this release.
The red wine winner in the 'cheap and cheerful' category this release:
CHÂTEAU L'ESPÉRANCE 2014 Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux, France Vintages #487868 $16.95 This is scoring 89/90 among critics who all agree that it is a rich wine on the palate with cherry and dark berries flavours. Herbs and spice round it out. Enjoy with a Meat Lovers pizza. (XD - 2 g/L)
Good Value White Wine Recommendations
WAPISA PATAGONIA SAUVIGNON BLANC 2022 Patagonia, Argentina Vintages #36181 $17.95 This is being well received by various critics. Zekun Shuai of jamessuckling.com gives it a 92. This has the fruity, grapefruit Sauvignon Blanc profile with some underlying minerality. He calls it fresh with lime notes and 'electric acidity'. Enjoy with Seared Scallops with Fennel Cream. (XD - 3 g/L)
Fans of Gewurztraminer will want to know about REIF RESERVE GEWÜRZTRAMINER 2021 Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON Canada Vintages # 360255 $19.95 Natalie Maclean calls it a Best Value and gives it a 91. Look for white florals, stone fruits and citrus hints with a concentrated palate and a long finish. Despite 2 grams of residual sugar per liter it has some perceived sweetness but it is balanced with acidity. Enjoy with Thai Shrimp Bisque. (XD - 2 g/L)
MITCHELL WATERVALE RIESLING 2022 South Australia Vitages #487785 $21.95 This is scoring mid 90s consistently among critics and it on a couple of Top 100 lists. Made from free run juice; slow fermentation with wild yeast and time on the lees give this wine texture and depth. Look for a floral nose with citrus (lemon and lime) and hints of oyster shell. The palate is 'expressive' with wonderful balance and acidity and 'great length'. You can enjoy this now but some predict it will cellar well for 10-20 years. Try it with Chicken and Lime Jasmine Rice. (D - 2 g/L)
SAVAS CUVÉE EVA 2020 Bordeaux, France Vintages #35368 $21.95 100% Sauvignon Blanc This got 97 and Best in Show in the Value division of Decanter World Wine Awards, 2022. Unusual for Bordeaux where SB is usually found in a blend. Decanter notes suggest a grassy freshness, some faint oak on the nose and a commendable finish. Not overly complex or concentrated but designed to provide drinking pleasure. I'm curious... Enjoy with Osso Buco Milanese with Gremolata. (XD - 2 g/L)
DOMAINE QUEYLUS TRADITION CHARDONNAY 2019 Niagara Peninsula, ON, Canada Vintages # 417774 $29.95 This gets a 91 from John Szabo of winealign.com who describes it as complex and creamy with hints of almond, bread and just a touch of oak. Depth and intensity are 'impressive' and really suggest a wine in a much higher price range. Enjoy now or over the next 4 years with Brandied French Chicken.
Good Value Red Wine Recommendations
CHÂTEAU LAMOTHE-VINCENT RÉSERVE MERLOT/CABERNET FRANC/CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2020 Bordeaux, France Vintages #36545 $18.00 80% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon This blend got a 95 from Decanter World Wine Awards, 2022 who remark on its value. Look for distinct aromas of black cherry with violet and slightly vegetative notes. The palate is ripe and generous. Enjoy with Sirloin Top Roast with Sauce Bordelaise. (XD - 3 g/L)
SISTER'S RUN OLD TESTAMENT CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 Coonawarra, South Australia Vintages #478271 $18.95 The ever-reliable Sister's Run, this one got a 94 at Melbourne International Wine Competition, 2023. Look for black currant and licorice flavours under aromas of eucalyptus and mint. Enjoy with Lamb Shanks in Guinness.(3g/L)
SANTA MARGHERITA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2020 Tuscany, Italy Vintages #91694 $23.95
This is being well received as a good value showing Chianti typicity. All describe it as 'generous' with dark cherry, oak and some earthiness. Enjoy with charcuterie or Fennel and Sausage Pasta. (XD - 2 g/L)
D.V. CATENA HISTORIC RED BLEND 2021 Mendoza, Argentina Vintages # 555466 $19.95 This is scoring consistently in the low 90s among critics, some of whom are in wonder of the quality here for under $20. Look for cherry and plum on the nose and palate. Smooth and juicy, enjoy with Tuscan Ribs with Balsamic Glaze. (XD - 3 g/L)
CHÂTEAU SAINT-ROCH CHIMÈRES GRENACHE/CARIGNAN/SYRAH 2020 Côtes du Roussillon-Villages, France Vintage # 119354 $19.95 This Grenache, carignan, syrah blend represents another good value wine from a reliable producer. James Suckling gives it a 92 and describes plum and thyme and cloves on the nose. The palate is plush and polished with generous ripe fruit. Several mentions of it being 'hot' on the palate from a declared ABV of 14%.Pair it with Meatloaf with Italian Sausage. (XD - 3 g/L)
KACABA CABERNET/SYRAH 2020 Niagara Peninsula, ON Canada Vintages #26424 $24.95 Kacaba has a history of award winning Syrah so this blend holds promise. Vic Harradine of winecurrent.com gives it a 93 and describes spicy, dark cherry aromas. The palate is 'a gusher of flavours' including tangy berries and herbs. Well balanced with 'plenty to like'. Enjoy with Sour Cherry Glazed Ribs. (XD - 2 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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