There is a little bit of something for everyone in the LCBO Vintages Release Aug 22 2020. A port under $20, highly rated Sauvignon Blanc, Malbecs, interesting Syrahs.
If you try any of these please leave a comment and let everyone know what you thought of it. Feel free to share recommendations or comments on any other wines you have tried as well! Here are my picks for good value wines under $35 from the LCBO Vintages Release August 22 2020 LCBO Vintages Release.
Fortified Wine
As you may know, I think Port is one of the best ‘bang for your buck’ pours. It is pretty hard to get a bad port because the blending and aging process is so extensive and consistent the end result is pretty consistent. The Offley Late Bottled Vintage Port 2015 VINTAGES#: 70086 $19.95 Douro, Portugal got a 90 from Mark Squires of robertparker.com. Not as weighty as some (some people might think that a good thing) but with good structure, fruit and concentration. Amazing that they can sell this stuff for under $20…..
Whites
Ontario Riesling are among some of our signature wines. Vineland Estates Escarpment Riesling tend to show the minerality of the terroir along with a juicy citrus profile and usually a nice acidic tension. I would expect no less of this one.
Vineland Estates Elevation St. Urban Vineyard Riesling VINTAGES#: 38117 $19.95 Ontario, Canada
Montes Alpha is a respected Chilean producer and Montes Alpha Chardonnay 2016 VINTAGES#: 390203 $19.95 Casablanca Valley, Chile is described as a ‘serious’ Chardonnay with pastry and ripe apple notes. James Suckling gives it a 93 and describes it as ‘beautiful and long.’
Invivo Sauvignon Blanc 2019 VINTAGES#: 14199 $17.00 Marlborough, New Zealand has an aromatic melon and passionfruit bouquet with excellent fruit and acidity on the palate according to Sam Kim or wineorbit.co.nz who gives it a 94. Might be a nice change from the grassy Marlborough profile.
South Africa offers many good value wines and Cathedral Cellar Chardonnay 2016 VINTAGES#: 328559 $17.95 Western Cape, South Africa gets a 94 from Decanter World Wine Awards. ‘Opulent, lemon, butterscotch, vanilla and wood spice’ sound pretty rich to me!
Reds
This California Cab Sauv has been scoring highly among various critics. Full bodied, opulent and smooth with lots of black fruit and chocolate. Three Finger Jack Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 VINTAGES#: 135624 $21.95 California, USA
Some of the best value Malbecs come from Uco Valley and Salentein Reserve Malbec 2018 VINTAGES#: 640854 $17.95 Mendoza, Argentina is a good example. Black cherries and plums with some herbal notes. Decant for an hour or so.
Aromo Private Reserve Syrah 2016 VINTAGES#: 14128 $16.95 Maule Valley, Chile gets a 95 from James Suckling and he describes ‘a wealth of spicy blackberries and cherries’ along with a ‘stony thread’.
Wakefield Jaraman lines are consistently good and Wakefield Jaraman Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 VINTAGES#: 142398 $24.95 South Australia, Australia gets a 95 from Sarah Ahmed of Decanter. Described as minty and herbal with fresh acidity.
Château Terre de Grand 20167 VINTAGES#: 14452 $16.95 Bordeaux, France gets a 91 from Roger Voss of Wine Enthusiast who describe it as ripe and bold and balanced. A Bordeaux Supérieur fro Saint-Émilion to decant or til 2022.
Sometimes you just need a good Sangiovese and this one might fit the bill. James Suckling gives Famiglia Castellani Sangiovese 2016 VINTAGES#: 14374 $20.95 Tuscany, Italy a 94 and describes fresh cherries, dark chocolates and hints of spice. Complex, fruity with fine tannins.
Portugal has been producing some interesting Syrahs. Mark Squires of robertparker.com gives Vale de Lobos Syrah 2015 VINTAGES#: 14546 $19.95 Tejo, Portugal a 92 and describes it as focused and precise with good structure and a lot of character.