WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: 20 wines under & over $20 for the NOVEMBER 22, 2025 release.
By DEAN TUDOR, wine writer since 1968 and owner of 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 individual wines, beers and spirits, has been at https://pages.pathcom.com/~dtudor since 1994. These notes (below) for TOP wines available through the LCBO Vintages New Releases (on a bi-weekly basis) 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 every LCBO store.
What is a TOP wine? Terrific-Occasional-Personal--- A TOP wine can be expressed as 88+ points, or Silver/Gold Medal, or described as BETTER/BEST, or 4/5 ****/***** Stars (out of?) and other such categories [in the 1950s such categories were titled "dandy, so-so, punk and lousy"]. My evaluations are a combined MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Rhone wine should taste like Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace, above or below its price).
THEMES •
• Giftable wines
• Local Talent: Sparkling wines
• Good Partners: Fontanafredda
TOP Wines UNDER $20 [most are $19.95] for release.
=================
+46400 ZUCCARDI MOUNTAIN VINEYARDS CHARDONNAY ARGENTINA 2023 $19.95
+606772 ARBOLEDA CHARDONNAY CHILE 2022 $18.95
+361220 PADDY BORTHWICK SAUVIGNON BLANC NEW ZEALAND $19.95
+14199 INVIVO SAUVIGNON BLANC NEW ZEALAND 2024 $19.95
+484055 BELLINGHAM THE OLD ORCHARDS CHENIN BLANC SOUTH AFRICA 2024 $19.95
+958736 MUGA BARREL FERMENTED WHITE SPAIN 2024 $18.95
+222018 SISTER'S RUN CALVARY HILL SHIRAZ AUSTRALIA 2021 $19.95
+670539 PÉREZ CRUZ LIMITED EDITION CARMENÈRE CHILE 2023 $19.95
+320499 BASTIDE MIRAFLORS SYRAH/VIEILLES VIGNES GRENACHE FRANCE 2022 $19.95
+368167 CHÂTEAU RECOUGNE FRANCE 2021 $16.95
+538009 RÉMY FERBRAS PLAN DE DIEU CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES 2023 $16.95
+224592 CHÂTEAU LE GRAND RETOUR PLAN DE DIEU CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES $16.95
+46567 UMANI RONCHI PODERE MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO 2023 $16.50
+455659 FATTORIA LE PUPILLE MORELLINO DI SCANSANO TUSCANY 2023 $19.95
+917864 BRIGALDARA VALPOLICELLA VENETO 2024 $19.95
+17518 DALVA COLHEITA TINTO PORTUGAL 2022 $14.95
TOP Wines OVER $20 for release.
================
+46641 SEE YA LATER RANCH LEGACY CHARDONNAY BC-VQA 2020 $33.95
+417832 DOMAINE QUEYLUS RESERVE CHARDONNAY VQA 2021 $48.70
+45270 BARTON & GUESTIER POUILLY-FUISSÉ 2023 $45.95
+42374 DOMAINE LOUIS MOREAU CHABLIS 2023 $32.95
+45275 CHARTRON ET TRÉBUCHET MÂCON-CHARNAY 2024 $24.95
+42444 HUBERT BROCHARD SANCERRE LOIRE 2023 $39.95
+366948 FONTANAFREDDA GAVI DI GAVI PIEDMONT 2024 $23.95
+359513 CLOUDY BAY CHARDONNAY NEW ZEALAND 2023 $49.95
+493577 HEIRLOOM COONAWARRA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2022 $22.95
+629238 PENFOLDS MAX'S SHIRAZ/CABERNET AUSTRALIA 2021 $29.95
+377036 WAKEFIELD JARAMAN SHIRAZ AUSTRALIA 2022 $24.95
+647933 CHÂTEAU BEAU-SITE 2018 $48.95
+46111 DOMAINE BOURGOGNE-DEVAUX LE CLOU HAUTES-CÔTES DE BEAUNE $39.95
+19755 TRIACCA LA MADONNINA GRAN SELEZIONE CHIANTI CLASSICO 2019 $35.95
+692780 R. LÓPEZ DE HEREDIA VIÑA CUBILLO CRIANZA RIOJA 2017 $34.95
There's also a wide variety of sparklers for the upcoming holidays; these are new listings at the LCBO. Price is a consideration as well as grape varieties. (material taken from the New Releases catalogue for Nov 22). Write me at deantudor@deantudor.com and I'll tell you which sparklers were my faves.
F I Z Z
CHAMPAGNE
+23421 COLLET ART DECO 1ER CRU BRUT CHAMPAGNE $73.95
+45902 ROGER BARNIER CUVÉE BLANCHE CHAMPAGNE 2018 $84.95
SPARKLING WINE
ONTARIO +315200 HENRY OF PELHAM CUVÉE CATHARINE CARTE BLANCHE ESTATE $49.95 BLANC DE BLANCS VQA 2017
+491092 KEW TRADITION SPARKLING VQA 2020 $32.95
+48056 REDSTONE LIMESTONE VINEYARD BLANC DE NOIRS SPARKLING VQA 2021 $32.95
+48055 TAWSE SPARK QUARRY ROAD BLANC DE BLANCS BRUT SPARKLING VQA 2016 $39.95
+38733 WESTCOTT BRILLIANT ROSÉ SPARKLING VQA 2022 $40.00
+528752 BENJAMIN BRIDGE MÉTHODE CLASSIQUE BRUT SPARKLING VQA $32.95
+15694 BLEASDALE THE POTTS FAMILY SPARKLING SHIRAZ (375 ml) AUSTRALIA $16.95
+163634 OYSTER BAY BRUT SPARKLING CUVÉE NEW ZEALAND $23.95
+175588 GRAHAM BECK MÉTHODE CAP CLASSIQUE BRUT SOUTH AFRICA $24.95 PINOT NOIR/CHARDONNAY ROSÉ SPARKLING
+632356 LUC BELAIRE RARE LUXE DEMI SEC SPARKLING $42.95
+460832 WOLFBERGER BRUT CRÉMANT D'ALSACE $21.95
+47578 BALFOUR 1503 CLASSIC CUVÉE SPARKLING UK $55.95
+21281 CHAPEL DOWN KIT'S COTY SINGLE VINEYARD BLANC DE BLANCS UK 2019 $119.95
+47087 DOMAINE EVREMOND CLASSIC CUVÉE SPARKLING UK $99.95
+47093 LANGHAM CULVER CLASSIC CUVÉE EXTRA BRUT SPARKLING UK $74.95
+45850 SENSI 18K PURE GOLD BRUT PROSECCO 2024 $25.95
+105353 CA' DEL BOSCO CUVÉE PRESTIGE EXTRA BRUT FRANCIACORTA LOMBARDY $46.95
+558825 SEGURA VIUDAS HEREDAD RESERVA BRUT CAVA SPAIN $39.95
+40768 ARTWINERY VICTORY RED SEMI-SWEET SPARKLING UKRAINE $18.95
+40769 ARTWINERY VICTORY WHITE BRUT SPARKLING UKRAINE $18.95
Plus these Sparkling Wines Limited Time Offers-- on sale through Nov 30.
13TH STREET BLANC DE BLANC VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario,
traditional method,
28420 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $29.95 NOW $27.95 Save $2.00
LAURENT-PERRIER CUVÉE BRUT ROSÉ CHAMPAGNE
AC, Champagne, France
158550 (D – 11 g/L) 750 ml $114.95 NOW $108.95 Save $6.00
LOUIS BOUILLOT PERLE D'AURORE BRUT ROSÉ CRÉMANT DE BOURGOGNE
AC, Burgundy, France, traditional method
48793 (D – 13 g/L) 750 ml $25.95 NOW $23.95 Save $2.00
SANTA MARGHERITA BRUT ROSÉ SPARKLING Italy
302752 (D – 10 g/L) 750 ml $21.95 NOW $19.95 Save $2.00
MORE LIMITED TIME OFFERS: Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO's Limited Time Offer selections...these are "better" value...on sale through November 30, 2025...
F I Z Z
13TH STREET BLANC DE BLANC
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario,
traditional method,
28420 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $29.95
NOW $27.95 Save $2.00
LAURENT-PERRIER CUVÉE BRUT
ROSÉ CHAMPAGNE
AC, Champagne, France
158550 (D – 11 g/L) 750 ml $114.95
NOW $108.95 Save $6.00
LOUIS BOUILLOT PERLE
D'AURORE BRUT ROSÉ CRÉMANT DE BOURGOGNE
AC, Burgundy, France, traditional method
48793 (D – 13 g/L) 750 ml $25.95
NOW $23.95 Save $2.00
SANTA MARGHERITA BRUT
ROSÉ SPARKLING Italy
302752 (D – 10 g/L) 750 ml $21.95
NOW $19.95 Save $2.00
W H I T E W I N ES
CASAS DEL BOSQUE COLLECTION
SAUVIGNON BLANC
Valle de Casablanca, Chile
974717 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $17.95
NOW $15.95 Save $2.00
DOMAINE SABANIS ASSYRTIKO
PGI Central Greece
41120 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00
HIDDEN BENCH ESTATE ORGANIC CHARDONNAY
VQA Beamsville Bench,
Niagara Escarpment, Ontario
68817 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $33.95
NOW $31.95 Save $2.00
LOUIS JADOT CHARDONNAY BOURGOGNE
AC, Burgundy, France
933077 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $39.95
NOW $37.95 Save $2.00
STONELEIGH LATITUDE SAUVIGNON BLANC
Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand
40137 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $23.95
NOW $20.95 Save $3.00
R E D W I N ES
BLEASDALE MULBERRY TREE
CABERNET SAUVIGNON South Australia
661892 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00
CATHEDRAL CELLAR CABERNET SAUVIGNON
WO Western Cape, South Africa
328567 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $16.95 Save $3.00
CHÂTEAU ARGADENS BORDEAUX SUPÉRIEUR
AC, Bordeaux, France
681643 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00
EL GORU MONASTRELL/SYRAH/PETIT VERDOT
DOP Jumilla, Spain
443945 (D – 4 g/L) 750 ml $14.95
NOW $13.95 Save $1.00
FAUSTINO I GRAN RESERVA
DOCa Rioja, Spain
976662 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $31.95
NOW $28.95 Save $3.00
HIDDEN BENCH ESTATE
ORGANIC PINOT NOIR
VQA Beamsville Bench,
Niagara Escarpment, Ontario
274753 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $38.95
NOW $35.95 Save $3.00
LAN CRIANZA
DOCa Rioja, Spain
166538 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $18.95
NOW $16.95 Save $2.00
LE VOLTE DELL'ORNELLAIA
IGT Toscana, Tuscany, Italy
964221 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $31.95
NOW $28.95 Save $3.00
LOUIS JADOT BOURGOGNE PINOT NOIR
AC, Burgundy, France
162073 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $41.95
NOW $39.95 Save $2.00
M. CHAPOUTIER LES VIGNES DE
BILA-HAUT CÔTES DU ROUSSILLON-VILLAGES
AC, Midi, France
168716 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $16.95
NOW $14.95 Save $2.00
THE BLACK CHOOK
SHIRAZ/VIOGNIER South Australia
66738 (XD – 3 g/L)
750 ml REG. $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2
MONASTERIO DE LAS VIÑA GRAN RESERVA
DOP Cariñena, Spain
82024 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $22.95
NOW $20.95 Save $2.00
MONTES ALPHA CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Valle de Colchagua, Chile
322586 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $22.95
NOW $20.95 Save $2.00
REMO FARINA AMARONE DELLA
VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO
DOCG, Veneto, Italy
995910 (D – 6 g/L) 750 ml $44.95
NOW $42.45 Save $2.50
RICASOLI ROCCA GUICCIARDA
RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO
DOCG, Tuscany, Italy
943613 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $24.95
NOW $21.95 Save $3.00
TOMMASI RIPASSO VALPOLICELLA
CLASSICO SUPERIORE
DOC, Veneto, Italy
910430 (D – 7 g/L) 750 ml $27.95
NOW $24.95 Save $3.00
TORRES GRAN CORONAS RESERVA
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
DO Penedès, Spain
36483 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00
TWO HANDS GNARLY DUDES SHIRAZ
Barossa Valley, South Australia
660043 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $24.95
NOW $21.95 Save $3.00
VILLA ANTINORI TOSCANA
IGT, Tuscany, Italy
53876 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $27.95
NOW $25.95 Save $2.00
WITS END LUNA SHIRAZ
McLaren Vale, South Australia
311258 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $16.95
NOW $14.95 Save $2.00
ZENATO RIPASSA VALPOLICELLA
RIPASSO SUPERIORE
DOC, Veneto, Italy
479766 (D – 9 g/L) 750 ml $29.95
NOW $26.95 Save $3.00
TAYLOR FLADGATE 20-YEAR-OLD
TAWNY PORT DOP, Portugal
149047 (S – 111 g/L) 750 ml $72.95
NOW $65.95 Save $7
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 GREEK WINE TODAY: authentic, sustainable...
The Date and Time: Wednesday August 27 11AM and 1:30PM for two masterclasses.
The Event: Masterclasses of predominantly white (11AM) and red (1:30PM) wines, with five panelists providing deep background. The first official Greek wine legislation was in the early 1970s, Currently, the North American taste is for assyrtiko white wines, with the red agriorgitiko and the red xinomavro (the latter principally rose sparkling), The white moschofilero also appears.
The Venue: Arcadian Loft Bay Street
The Target Audience: sommeliers, agents, media, and some buyers
The Availability/Catalogue: It was a simple listing by winery, with varietal names, dates locations and agents. 14 wines were from Macedonia, 13 from Peloponnese, some from Crete, Epirus, Thessaly, Aegean Island -- about 45 in all. The walkaround was very nicely done.
The Quote/Background: Greek wines attract the attention of sommeliers as something affordable and different. The country has 300 indigenous grape varieties and 1600 wineries. Currently, only 12% of the wine is exported; Germany is the destination for a third of Greece's total export.
The Wines: I did not try every wine. Agents are listed with a Google search.
**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Papaioannou Winery Mikroklima Agiorgitiko Nemea 2006 Peloponnese -- my fave of the day
-Ktima Palivou Diaselo Kidonitsa 2024 Peloponnese
-Ktima Pavlidis Emphasis Assyrtiko 2024 Macedonia
-Kechris Winery Tear of the Pine 2022 Macedonia
-Ktima Spiropoulos Nemea Unoaked 2024 Peloponnese
-Ktima Biblia Chora White 2024 Macedonia
-Ktima Gerovassiliou White 2024 Macedonia
-Idaia Winery Ocean Thrapsathiri 2024 Crete
-Lafazanis Winery Geometria White 2023 Peloponnese
-Michalakia Estate Gold Cuvee 2024 Crete
-Kotrotsos Winery Malagouzia 2024 Peloponnese
***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (86 – 89 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Orealios Gaea R Robola 2024 Ionian Island
-Diamantakis Winery Vidiano 2024 Crete
-Novus Winery A Priori Mantinia 2024 Peloponnese
-Domaine Costa Lazaridi Malagouzia Single Vineyard 2024 Macedonia
-Dourakis Winery To Romeiko 2020 Crete - Rose
-Tsililis Winery Ktima Theopetra White 2024 Thessaly
The Food: Oliver & Bonacini had a charcuterie and cheese board with fresh and dried fruit, breads and biscuits, and preserves.
The Downside: the two masterclasses were red or white (no real choice)
The Upside: a chance to taste some rare wines not usually seen in Ontario.
The Contact Person: lisa@androscom.com
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 85
REPORT ON CHIANTI MASTERCLASS TORONTO 2025...
The Date and Time: Monday September 22 at 10AM to 1PM.
The Event: vertical tasting of Chianti's main production categories, styles and sub-regions, conducted by John Szabo, MS.
The Venue: Aria Ristorante
The Target Audience: sommeliers, media, agents
The Quote/Background: John Szabo spoke on the various styles, and then we tasted seven different Chianti wines. Different names have been attached for styles: Annata, Superiore, Reserva, all within DOCG standards. More Sangiovese is used in the "Superiore" style.
The Wines:
**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Chianti Montespertoli DOCG 2022: murky, organic, full flavoured.
-Chianti Colli Fiorentini DOCG Riserva 2022: dark, soft palate, off-dry.
-Chianti Colli Senesi DOCG Riserva 2022: dark, soft palate, dry dusty.
-Chianti Rufina DOCG Riserva 2020: dark, great aging, best wine of the tasting.
***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (86 – 89 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Chianti Montalbano DOCG 2024 Annata: pale transparency, youthful, fruity, developing well.
-Chianti Superiore DOCG 2023 Colline Pisane: clear at rim, a definite food wine, plenty of tannins.
-Chianti Superiore DOCG 2022 Colli Aretini: similar to Isane, good aging but tannic.
The Food: radicchio salad, chicken, salmon, new potatoes.
The Downside: I wanted more wines to sample
The Upside: a sterling, informative presentation
The Contact Person: b.marassi@ice.it
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 88
