WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for AUGUST 16, 2025 release.
By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com. My "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of wine news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits, has been at https://pages.pathcom.com/~dtudor since 1994. These top wines BELOW are available through LCBO Vintages New Releases (on a bi-weekly basis) and can always be found at http://www.gothicepicures.blogspot.ca or at https://pages.pathcom.com/~dtudor No winery can buy their way into – or out of – my publications. Not all wines are available in all stores. Evaluations are a combined MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Rhone would taste like a Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace, above or below its price).
MAJOR THEMES: Summer Smart Buys; Great Greek Grapes...
Top Wines UNDER $20
=================
FIZZ+36395 SAN MARTINO CONEGLIANO VALDOBBIADENE EXTRA DRY PROSECCO $17.95
FIZZ+10580 UNDURRAGA PINOT NOIR BRUT ROSÉ SPARKLING CHILE $14.95
FIZZ+25073 MURVIEDRO ARTS DE LUNA BRUT NATURE ORGANIC SPARKLING SPAIN $15.95
ROSE+650655 REDSTONE ROSÉ 2024 VQA $18.95
ROSE+719062 FAMILLE PERRIN RÉSERVE CÔTES DU RHÔNE ROSÉ 2024 2 $16.95
ROSE+43739 DOMAINE SABANIS FAIR WIND ROSÉ 2024 GREECE $15.95
W+243196 CRIOS CHARDONNAY 2024 ARGENTINA $16.95
W+68015 FLAT ROCK UNPLUGGED UNOAKED CHARDONNAY 2023 VQA $19.95
W+44277 MAYU SAUVIGNON BLANC 2023 CHILE $14.95
W+45456 RICHEMER VIOGNIER 2024 LANGUEDOC $14.95
W+38011 VALLÉE LOIRE TOURAINE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2023 $17.95
W+32387 SKOURAS WILD FERMENT ASSYRTIKO 2024 GREECE $19.95
W+35951 UMBERTO CESARI LIANO PINOT GRIGIO 2024 ABRUZZO $17.95
W+44234 MUCCHIETTO ORGANIC SOAVE 2023 VENETO $18.95
W+44948 ABCDARIUM ARINTO VINHO VERDE 2023 PORTUGAL $16.95
W+44584 VALDEHERMOSO SOTAVENTO VERDEJO 2023 SPAIN $15.95
R+65664 FINCA EL ORIGEN RESERVA MALBEC 2022 ARGENTINA $17.95
R+131540 FEATHERSTONE RED TAIL MERLOT 2022 VQA $19.95
R+44596 CARMEN GRAN RESERVA CABERNET FRANC 2023 CHILE $18.95
R+119354 CHÂTEAU SAINT-ROCH CHIMÈRES GRENACHE/CARIGNAN/SYRAH CÔTES SOUTH FRANCE $19.95
R+44599 NEMEA WINE COOPERATIVE AGIORGITIKO 2021 GREECE $18.95
R+278150 NIRO DI CITRA MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO 2021 $17.95
R+30224 OLARRA CERRO AÑÓN CRIANZA 2021 RIOJA $16.95
Top Wines OVER $20
================
FIZZ+421032 CHARLES MIGNON PREMIUM RÉSERVE BRUT CHAMPAGNE $58.95
W+46472 CHÂTEAU DES CHARMES OLD VINES SAVAGNIN 2023 VQA $24.95
W+284026 JOSEPH DROUHIN DROUHIN-VAUDON CHABLIS 2022 $35.95
W+36317 VOLPAIA VERMENTINO 2024 TUSCANY $26.95
W+155382 MARCHESI DI BAROLO GAVI DEL COMUNE DI GAVI 2023 PIEDMONT $26.95
R+46463 REDSTONE CABERNET FRANC 2021 VQA $40.95
R+21087 CHÂTEAU LA PIROUETTE 2019 BORDEAUX $23.95
R+45171 CELLIER DU CHÂTEAU DE LA CHAUME BOURGOGNE PINOT NOIR 2023 $26.95 R+86298 CASTELLANI RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2019 $21.95
R+16090 BRIGALDARA VALPOLICELLA RIPASSO SUPERIORE 2022 $22.95
LIMITED TIME OFFERS: Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO's Limited Time Offer selections...these are "better" value...on sale through Sunday August 17 [better hurry -- one day left!!]
W H I T E W I N ES
BOLLINI PINOT GRIGIO
DOC, Trentino, Italy
951319 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 mL $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00
CLOUDY BAY SAUVIGNON BLANC
Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand
304469 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 mL $42.95
NOW $38.95 Save $4.00
FEATHERSTONE FOUR FEATHERS VQA Niagara
341586 (D – 13 g/L) 750 mL $15.95
NOW $14.95 Save $1.00
KIM CRAWFORD ILLUMINATE SAUVIGNON BLANC
Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand
18947 (D – 16 g/L) 750 mL $21.95
NOW $19.95 Save $2.00
OYSTER BAY SAUVIGNON BLANC
Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand
316570 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 mL $20.95
NOW $17.95 Save $3.00
SUSANA BALBO CRIOS TORRONTÉS Argentina
1834 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 mL $16.95
NOW $14.95 Save $2.00
WILLM RESERVE PINOT GRIS
AC Alsace, France
42495 (XD – 8 g/L) 750 mL $18.95
NOW $17.95 Save $1.00
FLAT ROCK RIESLING
VQA Niagara Peninsula,
43281 (D – 11 g/L)
750 mL REG. $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2
R E D W I N ES
CATHEDRAL CELLAR CABERNET SAUVIGNON
WO Western Cape, South Africa
328567 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 mL $19.95
NOW $16.95 Save $3.00
DESCENDIENTES DE J. PALACIOS PÉTALOS
DO Bierzo, Spain
446484 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 mL $29.95
NOW $26.95 Save $3.00
LA MASCOTA CABERNET SAUVIGNON Mendoza, Argentina
292110 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 mL $16.95
NOW $14.95 Save $2.00
PORCUPINE RIDGE SYRAH
WO Swartland, South Africa
595280 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 mL $16.95
NOW $13.95 Save $3.00
RICASOLI ROCCA GUICCIARDA
RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO
DOCG, Tuscany, Italy
943613 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 mL $24.95
NOW $21.95 Save $3.00
THE BLACK CHOOK SHIRAZ/VIOGNIER
South Australia
66738 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 mL $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00
VIÑA TARAPACÁ GRAN RESERVA
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Valle del Maipo, Chile
18721 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 mL $18.95
NOW $15.95 Save $3.00
WAKEFIELD ESTATE SHIRAZ
Clare Valley, South Australia
943787 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 mL $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00
TOMMASI RIPASSO VALPOLICELLA
CLASSICO SUPERIORE
DOC, Veneto, Italy
910430 (D – 7 g/L)
750 mL REG. $27.95
NOW $25.95
UPCOMING LIMITED-TIME OFFERS beginning next week ... Save on these popular Vintages wines from Aug. 18 to Sept. 14, 2025...
W H I T E W I N ES & ROSE
TAWSE SPARK LIMESTONE RIDGE
ORGANIC BRUT SPARKLING RIESLING
VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment,
Ontario, traditional method
370361 (M – 19 g/L) 750 ml $24.95
NOW $22.95 Save $2.00
MALIVOIRE LADYBUG ROSÉ
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario,
sustainable, vegan
559088 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00
BANFI PRINCIPESSA GAVIA GAVI
DOCG, Piedmont, Italy
250696 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $21.95
NOW $19.95 Save $2.00
FERZO ABRUZZO PECORINO SUPERIORE
DOP, Abruzzo, Italy
573683 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $17.95
NOW $15.95 Save $2.00
FLAT ROCK TWISTED WHITE
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, sustainable
1578 (D – 15 g/L) 750 ml $17.95
NOW $15.95 Save $2.00
KIM CRAWFORD MARLBOROUGH SAUVIGNON BLANC
Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand
35386 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $21.95
NOW $18.95 Save $3.00
OYSTER BAY PINOT GRIGIO
Hawke's Bay, North Island, New Zealand
326090 (XD – 5 g/L) 750 ml $20.95
NOW $17.95 Save $3.00
PACO & LOLA ALBARIÑO
DO Rías Baixas, Spain
350041 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $23.95
NOW $21.95 Save $2.00
PIERRE SPARR GEWURZTRAMINER
AC Alsace, France
373373 (D – 16 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00
WAKEFIELD ESTATE LABEL
CHARDONNAY
Clare Valley/Limestone Coast,
South Australia
711556 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $17.95
NOW $15.95 Save $2.00
R E D W I N ES
CONCHA Y TORO MARQUES DE CASA
CONCHA CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Puente Alto, Chile
337238 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $22.95
NOW $19.95 Save $3.00
KAIKEN ESTATE MALBEC
Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
58339 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $18.95
NOW $17.95 Save $1.00
LAN CRIANZA
DOCa Rioja, Spain
166538 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $18.95
NOW $16.95 Save $2.00
MONASTERIO DE LAS VIÑAS
GRAN RESERVA
DOP Cariñena, Spain
82024 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $21.95
NOW $19.95 Save $2.00
MONASTERIO DE LAS VIÑAS RESERVA
DO Cariñena, Spain
166579 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $16.95
NOW $15.45 Save $1.50
ROCCA DELLE MACÌE RISERVA CHIANTI
DOCG, Tuscany, Italy
111641 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $16.95
NOW $14.95 Save $2.00
UMBERTO CESARI LIANO
SANGIOVESE/CABERNET SAUVIGNON
IGT Rubicone, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
225086 (D – 11 g/L) 750 ml $29.95
NOW $24.95 Save $5.00
VIGNERONS DE BUXY BUISSONNIER
CÔTE CHALONNAISE PINOT NOIR
AC, Burgundy, France
28284 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $23.95
NOW $21.95 Save $2.00
ZONTE'S FOOTSTEP
CHOCOLATE FACTORY SHIRAZ
Vegan, McLaren Vale, South Australia
396481 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $18.95 Save $1.00
*****FOR MORE SELECTIONS, GO TO -- https://www.lcbo.com/en/products#t=clp-products&sort=relevancy&layout=card&f:@lcbo_current_offer=[On%20Sale]
** Some New Wines I Tasted Over the Past Season ---
REPORT ON CAVINONA'S TASTE & BUY THE ADRIATIC COAST May 2025
The Date and Time: 5:30 - 7:30 PM May 6, 2025
The Event: Taste & Buy some Adriatic Coast Wines
The Venue: Terroni Price
The Target Audience: Cavinona's clients, select others
The Availability/Catalogue: everything is available now, with bottles by the six pack or the 12 bottle case.
The Quote/Background: It was a walk around of 16 wines through four tables. The wines were also on the menu at the restaurant. Mixed cases of wines were also possible.
The Wines: for once, I could taste all the (16) wines presented...
**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Zerbina Bianco di Ceparano Albana Secco DOCG 2024 Emilia-Romagna $179.70 six-pack
-Zerbina Pietramora DOC Sangiovese Riserva Marzeno 2019 Emilia-Romagna $353.70 six-pack
-Zerbina Arrocco Albana Passito DOCG 2023 Emilia-Romagna $383.70 six-pack [my fave of the event]
-San Patrignano Aulente Bianco IGT Bianco Rubicone Chardonnay 2023 Emilia-Romagna $287.40 12 pack
-I Clivi Ribolla Gialla a Tessa Venezia Giulia IGP 2022 $221.70 6 pack
-Valle Reale Trebbiano d'Abruzzo Cru Vigneto di Popoli Abruzzo 2021 $419.70 6 pack
-Valerio Fannia Falanghina del Molise DOC 2024 $161.70 6 pack
-Carvinea Lucerna Fiano IGT Salento Bianco 2023 Puglia $275.40 12 pack
-Carvinea Negroamaro IGT Salento 2021 Puglia $2021 $335.40 12 pack
***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (87 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Zerbina PoggioVicchio Sangiovese Superiore DOC 2023 Emilia-Romagna $371.40 12 case
-San Patrignano Aulente Rosso IGT Rosso Rubicone 2023 Emilia-Romagna $287.40 12 pack
-San Patrignano Ora Romagna Sangiovese DOC Superiore 2021 Emilia-Romagna $359.40 12 pack
-San Patrignano Avi Romagna Sangiovese DOC Superiore 2021 Emilia-Romagna $377.70 6 pack
-Suavia Soave Classico DOC 2023 Veneto $209.70 6 pack
-Borgo Paglianetto Vertis Verdicchio di Matelica DOC 2021 $257.70 6 pack
-Carvinea Merula Rosa IGT Salento 2023 Puglia $275.40 12 pack
The Food: bread sticks from pizza dough, garlic knots, a meat board, a cheese board, and fruit.
The Downside: Earlier in the day I was at a heavy-duty Australian wine tasting.
The Upside: there was room for all, no sense of rushing or lining up.
The Contact Person: info@cavinona.com
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 90.
