WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: 20 wines under & over $20 for the NOVEMBER 8, 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).
THEME • Fine wines for the Holiday, Entertaining, Burgundy, VQA Local talent
TOP Wines UNDER $20 [most are $19.95] for the release.
====================================================
FIZZ+544056 VILLA TERESA ORGANIC PROSECCO $17.95
FIZZ+45813 AVELEDA BRUT SPARKLING PORTUGAL $16.95
W+36181 WAPISA PATAGONIA SAUVIGNON BLANC 2023 $17.95
W+37909 ZONTE'S FOOTSTEP LADY MARMALADE VERMENTINO AUSTRALIA 2024 $18.95
W+42737 LE BOURGEAIS MUSCADET SEVRE ET MAINE SUR LIE 2023 $16.95
W+45808 CERCHIO IDI DI MARZO SETTE VIZI TREBBIANO ABRUZZO 2024 $14.95
W+95802 PETER ZEMMER PINOT GRIGIO ALTO ADIGE 2024 $19.95
W+17703 LITORALE VAL DELLE ROSE VERMENTINO TUSCANY 2023 $19.95
W+17549 OTU MARLBOROUGH SAUVIGNON BLANC NEW ZEALAND 2024 $19.95
W+45185 BOSCHENDAL 1685 SAUVIGNON BLANC SOUTH AFRICA 2024 $19.95
R+24849 CICCHITTI CABERNET SAUVIGNON ARGENTINA 2022 $16.95
R+167619 ZUCCARDI SERIE A MALBEC 2024 $18.95
R+197392 WAKEFIELD ESTATE LABEL PINOT NOIR AUSTRALIA 2024 $19.95
R+167619 ZUCCARDI SERIE A MALBEC 2024 $18.95
R+197392 WAKEFIELD ESTATE LABEL PINOT NOIR AUSTRALIA 2024 $19.95
R+45495 THE BLACK CHOOK CABERNET SAUVIGNON AUSTRALIA 2022 $19.95
R+606764 ARBOLEDA CABERNET SAUVIGNON CHILE 2022 $19.95
R+24495 CHÂTEAU MAISON NOBLE SAINT MARTIN BORDEAUX 2022 $16.95
R+44275 DOMAINE LA BERTHETE CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES 2023 $18
R+561290 LOUIS BERNARD LOUIS CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES 2023 $16.95
R+44600 VARVAGLIONE PAPALE ORO PRIMITIVO DI MANDURIA PUGLIA 2021 $18.95
TOP Wines OVER $20 for the release.
=================================
FIZZ+967398 TALTARNI TACHÉ BRUT ROSÉ SPARKLING AUSTRALIA 2016 $26.95
FIZZ+401018 LABOURÉ-GONTARD BRUT CRÉMANT DE BOURGOGNE $23.95
FIZZ+352153 FERRARI BRUT SPARKLING ALTO ADIGE $29.95
W+267856 STRATUS CHARDONNAY VQA 2024 $35.20
W+578864 LEANING POST THE FIFTY CHARDONNAY VQA 2022 $25.95
W+47930 13TH STREET RESERVE VIOGNIER VQA 2023 $29.95
W+396275 ORGANIZED CRIME SAUVIGNON BLANC VQA 2023 $22.95
W+43938 LOUIS LATOUR POUILLY-FUISSÉ 2023 $62.95
W+621581 BLASON DE BOURGOGNE SAINT-VÉRAN 2023 $28.95
W+65573 JEAN-MAX ROGER CUVÉE LES CAILLOTTES SANCERRE 2023 $41.95
W+36903 BABICH FAMILY ESTATES SINGLE VINEYARD SAUVIGNON BLANC NEW ZEALAND 2023 $24.95
R+10541 RYMILL COONAWARRA CLASSIC RELEASE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2020 $29.95
R+361816 BACHELDER LOWREY VINEYARD OLD VINES PINOT NOIR VQA 2021 $55.00
R+394171 KACABA TERRACED VINEYARD SYRAH VQA 2021 $35.15
R+643239 M. CHAPOUTIER BILA-HAUT OCCULTUM LAPIDEM 2020 $23.95
R+45175 CHÂTEAU DE DRACY BOURGOGNE PINOT NOIR 2023 $29.95
R+47576 LA DURBANE CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2020 $69.95
R+32757 ANTONINI CORIUM MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO 2021 $22.95
R+540849 TENUTA DI RENIERI CHIANTI CLASSICO 2022 $24.95
R+45805 CARPINETO ROSSO DI MONTEPULCIANO 2022 $21.95
R+548503 SUTHERLAND CABERNET SAUVIGNON SOUTH AFRICA 2021 $21.95
R+586701 CAMPO VIEJO GRAN RESERVA RIOJA 2016 $34.95
LIMITED TIME OFFERS: Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO's Limited Time Offer selections...these are "better" value...on sale LIMITED Monday October 13 through November 9 -- better hurry!!
W H I T E W I N ES
BOSCHENDAL 1685 CHARDONNAY
WO Western Cape, South Africa
367698 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $17.95
NOW $15.95 Save $2.00
CAVE SPRING ESTATE RIESLING
VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment,
Ontario, sustainable
286377 (XD – 7 g/L) 750 ml $21.95
NOW $19.95 Save $2.00
FLAT ROCK RIESLING
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
43281 (M – 11 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00
KIM CRAWFORD CHARDONNAY
Marlborough/Hawke's Bay,
East Coast, New Zealand
991950 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $20.95
NOW $18.95 Save $2.00
PIERRE SPARR GEWURZTRAMINER
AC Alsace, France
373373 (D – 14 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00
WESTCOTT ESTATE CHARDONNAY
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
424507 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $29.95
NOW $27.95 Save $2.00
WITHER HILLS SAUVIGNON BLANC
Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand, sustainable
919514 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00
R E D W I N ES
CALVET RÉSERVE DES REMPARTS
SAINT-ÉMILION
AC, Bordeaux, France
31898 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $24.95
NOW $22.95 Save $2.00
CANTO DE CASA TEMPRANILLO
DO Cariñena, Spain
43852 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $17.95
NOW $15.95 Save $2.00
DANDELION VINEYARDS LIONHEART OF
THE BAROSSA SHIRAZ
Barossa, South Australia
167189 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $20.95
NOW $18.95 Save $2.00
DUCA DI SARAGNANO
ALCHYMIA PRIMITIVO
IGT Puglia, Italy
636613 (M – 17 g/L) 750 ml $22.95
NOW $19.95 Save $3.00
HECHT & BANNIER LE LANGUEDOC
AC Languedoc, France
251587 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $18.95
NOW $16.95 Save $2.00
MARCHESI DI BAROLO
LA TRADIZIONE BAROLO
DOCG, Piedmont, Italy
168179 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $52.95
NOW $50.70 Save $2.25
RIVERA IL FALCONE RISERVA
CASTEL DEL MONTE
DOCG, Puglia, Italy
177295 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $26.95
NOW $23.95 Save $3.00
RUFFINO RISERVA DUCALE ORO
GRAN SELEZIONE CHIANTI CLASSICO
DOCG, Tuscany, Italy
353201 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $49.95
NOW $44.95 Save $5.00
TENUTA FRESCOBALDI DI CASTIGLIONI
IGT Toscana, Tuscany, Italy
145920 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $23.95
NOW $20.95 Save $3.00
ANTINORI PÈPPOLI CHIANTI CLASSICO
DOCG, Tuscany, Italy
606541 (XD – 3 g/L)
750 ml REG. $24.95
NOW $22.95 Save $2
PENFOLDS KOONUNGA HILL
SHIRAZ/CABERNET
South Australia
285544 (XD – 3 g/L)
750 ml REG. $18.95
NOW $16.45 Save $2.50
AND Nov 10 through November 30, 2025 --
LIMITED-TIME OFFERS
Save on these wines from Nov. 10 to Nov. 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 $7.00
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 DARE TO COMPARE TASTING OF PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY CHARDONNAYS AND PINOT NOIRS, plus a small trade show walkaround...
The Date and Time: June 2, 2025 1 - 5 PM
The Event: a seminar on comparing PEC chardonnays and pinot noirs to non-Canadian PN&C wines.
The Venue: Peter Pan
The Target Audience: sommeliers, wine trade guests, wine media.
The Availability/Catalogue: some wines are at the LCBO, others are at the winery.
The Quote/Background: PEC has about 40 wineries producing a variety of wines from different grapes. But chardonnays and pinot noirs are the best varieties made into wines in PEC. The seminar/masterclass attracted about 30; there were 10 wines poured, 5 chardonnays and 5 pinot noirs. Three of each were from PEC. The attempt was not to see which wine was best or better, but rather to compare the present status of PEC and non-PEC wines. Sommelier Jay Whiteley, who had moved to PEC in 2018, led the tasting which went on for about 2 hours and was well-presented. The Chardonnays came from Trail Estate, Rosehall Run, and Three Dog in PEC. The two outliers were La Chablisienne 2023 and Church Road Grand Reserve Hawkes Bay New Zealand 2021. The PEC Pinot Noirs came from Stanners, Broken Stone, and Keint-he. The comparison was made to Pech a Mama 2022 from Australia and Cape of Good Hope Sneeuwkans 2019 from South Africa.
The Wines: The wine show had more than just chardonnays and pinot noirs; I did not taste everything - just the chards and pinots. I also decided to add the PEC wines I tasted from the recent Taste Ontario trade show within my ratings.
**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Broken Stone Winery County Grown Chardonnay Prince Edward County 2023 13.5% ABV LCBO +668269 $29.95
-Closson Chase Vineyards Churchside Pinot Noir Prince Edward County 2022 12.5% ABV $50
-Closson Chase Vineyards South Clos Chardonnay Prince Edward County 2022 12.5% ABV $50
-Huff Estates Winery Cuveé Peter Huff Prince Edward County 2021 12.5%ABV LCBO +198754 $40
-Norman Hardie Winery & Vineyard County Chardonnay Prince Edward County 2021 11.5% ABV LCBO+381715 $59.20
-Norman Hardie Winery & Vineyard Cuvée L Pinot Noir VQA Ontario 2022 12.5% LCBO+36826 $99.20
-Trail Estate Winery Chardonnay Prince Edward County 2023 $50
-Huff Estates Winery Catharine's Chardonnay Prince Edward County 2022 12.5% LCBO+88955 $35
-Stanners Chardonnay PEC 2018 & 2019
-Keint-He Winery Portage Chardonnay PEC 2018 11.9% ABV $22.95
***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (86 – 89 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Broken Stone Winery Pinot Noir "The One" Prince Edward County 2023 12% $39.95
-Casa-Dea Estates Winery Pecorino Prince Edward County 2023 12.7% $34.95
-Casa-Dea Estates Winery Sparkling Rose Prince Edward County 2023 13% $24.95
-Rosehall Run Vineyards Stardust Tradtional Method Prince Edward County 2014 12% $65
-Rosehall Run Vineyards Chardonnay Musqué Prince Edward County 2024 12.5% $26
-The Grange Of Prince Edward Estate Series Sauvignon Blanc Prince Edward County 2024 12.5% $29.95
-The Grange Of Prince Edward Aurelia Series Cabernet Franc Prince Edward County 2023 13% $73.65
-Trail Estate Winery Chardonnay Prince Edward County (new oak) 2022 11.4% $48
-Huff Chardonnay Unoaked 2023
-Keint-He Little Creek Chardonnay Benway Block PEC 2021 $41.22 licensee
-Keint-He Greer Road Chardonnay PEC 2021 $36.95
The Food: none
The Downside: I was very late in arriving due to the slow TTC and street construction, but I got to taste the 10 wines in the seminar.
The Upside:a rare opportunity to taste PEC wines in Toronto.
The Contact Person: admin@pecwines.com
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 88
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).
THEME • Fine wines for the Holiday, Entertaining, Burgundy, VQA Local talent
TOP Wines UNDER $20 [most are $19.95] for the release.
====================================================
FIZZ+544056 VILLA TERESA ORGANIC PROSECCO $17.95
FIZZ+45813 AVELEDA BRUT SPARKLING PORTUGAL $16.95
W+36181 WAPISA PATAGONIA SAUVIGNON BLANC 2023 $17.95
W+37909 ZONTE'S FOOTSTEP LADY MARMALADE VERMENTINO AUSTRALIA 2024 $18.95
W+42737 LE BOURGEAIS MUSCADET SEVRE ET MAINE SUR LIE 2023 $16.95
W+45808 CERCHIO IDI DI MARZO SETTE VIZI TREBBIANO ABRUZZO 2024 $14.95
W+95802 PETER ZEMMER PINOT GRIGIO ALTO ADIGE 2024 $19.95
W+17703 LITORALE VAL DELLE ROSE VERMENTINO TUSCANY 2023 $19.95
W+17549 OTU MARLBOROUGH SAUVIGNON BLANC NEW ZEALAND 2024 $19.95
W+45185 BOSCHENDAL 1685 SAUVIGNON BLANC SOUTH AFRICA 2024 $19.95
R+24849 CICCHITTI CABERNET SAUVIGNON ARGENTINA 2022 $16.95
R+167619 ZUCCARDI SERIE A MALBEC 2024 $18.95
R+197392 WAKEFIELD ESTATE LABEL PINOT NOIR AUSTRALIA 2024 $19.95
R+167619 ZUCCARDI SERIE A MALBEC 2024 $18.95
R+197392 WAKEFIELD ESTATE LABEL PINOT NOIR AUSTRALIA 2024 $19.95
R+45495 THE BLACK CHOOK CABERNET SAUVIGNON AUSTRALIA 2022 $19.95
R+606764 ARBOLEDA CABERNET SAUVIGNON CHILE 2022 $19.95
R+24495 CHÂTEAU MAISON NOBLE SAINT MARTIN BORDEAUX 2022 $16.95
R+44275 DOMAINE LA BERTHETE CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES 2023 $18
R+561290 LOUIS BERNARD LOUIS CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES 2023 $16.95
R+44600 VARVAGLIONE PAPALE ORO PRIMITIVO DI MANDURIA PUGLIA 2021 $18.95
TOP Wines OVER $20 for the release.
=================================
FIZZ+967398 TALTARNI TACHÉ BRUT ROSÉ SPARKLING AUSTRALIA 2016 $26.95
FIZZ+401018 LABOURÉ-GONTARD BRUT CRÉMANT DE BOURGOGNE $23.95
FIZZ+352153 FERRARI BRUT SPARKLING ALTO ADIGE $29.95
W+267856 STRATUS CHARDONNAY VQA 2024 $35.20
W+578864 LEANING POST THE FIFTY CHARDONNAY VQA 2022 $25.95
W+47930 13TH STREET RESERVE VIOGNIER VQA 2023 $29.95
W+396275 ORGANIZED CRIME SAUVIGNON BLANC VQA 2023 $22.95
W+43938 LOUIS LATOUR POUILLY-FUISSÉ 2023 $62.95
W+621581 BLASON DE BOURGOGNE SAINT-VÉRAN 2023 $28.95
W+65573 JEAN-MAX ROGER CUVÉE LES CAILLOTTES SANCERRE 2023 $41.95
W+36903 BABICH FAMILY ESTATES SINGLE VINEYARD SAUVIGNON BLANC NEW ZEALAND 2023 $24.95
R+10541 RYMILL COONAWARRA CLASSIC RELEASE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2020 $29.95
R+361816 BACHELDER LOWREY VINEYARD OLD VINES PINOT NOIR VQA 2021 $55.00
R+394171 KACABA TERRACED VINEYARD SYRAH VQA 2021 $35.15
R+643239 M. CHAPOUTIER BILA-HAUT OCCULTUM LAPIDEM 2020 $23.95
R+45175 CHÂTEAU DE DRACY BOURGOGNE PINOT NOIR 2023 $29.95
R+47576 LA DURBANE CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2020 $69.95
R+32757 ANTONINI CORIUM MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO 2021 $22.95
R+540849 TENUTA DI RENIERI CHIANTI CLASSICO 2022 $24.95
R+45805 CARPINETO ROSSO DI MONTEPULCIANO 2022 $21.95
R+548503 SUTHERLAND CABERNET SAUVIGNON SOUTH AFRICA 2021 $21.95
R+586701 CAMPO VIEJO GRAN RESERVA RIOJA 2016 $34.95
LIMITED TIME OFFERS: Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO's Limited Time Offer selections...these are "better" value...on sale LIMITED Monday October 13 through November 9 -- better hurry!!
W H I T E W I N ES
BOSCHENDAL 1685 CHARDONNAY
WO Western Cape, South Africa
367698 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $17.95
NOW $15.95 Save $2.00
CAVE SPRING ESTATE RIESLING
VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment,
Ontario, sustainable
286377 (XD – 7 g/L) 750 ml $21.95
NOW $19.95 Save $2.00
FLAT ROCK RIESLING
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
43281 (M – 11 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00
KIM CRAWFORD CHARDONNAY
Marlborough/Hawke's Bay,
East Coast, New Zealand
991950 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $20.95
NOW $18.95 Save $2.00
PIERRE SPARR GEWURZTRAMINER
AC Alsace, France
373373 (D – 14 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00
WESTCOTT ESTATE CHARDONNAY
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
424507 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $29.95
NOW $27.95 Save $2.00
WITHER HILLS SAUVIGNON BLANC
Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand, sustainable
919514 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00
R E D W I N ES
CALVET RÉSERVE DES REMPARTS
SAINT-ÉMILION
AC, Bordeaux, France
31898 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $24.95
NOW $22.95 Save $2.00
CANTO DE CASA TEMPRANILLO
DO Cariñena, Spain
43852 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $17.95
NOW $15.95 Save $2.00
DANDELION VINEYARDS LIONHEART OF
THE BAROSSA SHIRAZ
Barossa, South Australia
167189 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $20.95
NOW $18.95 Save $2.00
DUCA DI SARAGNANO
ALCHYMIA PRIMITIVO
IGT Puglia, Italy
636613 (M – 17 g/L) 750 ml $22.95
NOW $19.95 Save $3.00
HECHT & BANNIER LE LANGUEDOC
AC Languedoc, France
251587 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $18.95
NOW $16.95 Save $2.00
MARCHESI DI BAROLO
LA TRADIZIONE BAROLO
DOCG, Piedmont, Italy
168179 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $52.95
NOW $50.70 Save $2.25
RIVERA IL FALCONE RISERVA
CASTEL DEL MONTE
DOCG, Puglia, Italy
177295 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $26.95
NOW $23.95 Save $3.00
RUFFINO RISERVA DUCALE ORO
GRAN SELEZIONE CHIANTI CLASSICO
DOCG, Tuscany, Italy
353201 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $49.95
NOW $44.95 Save $5.00
TENUTA FRESCOBALDI DI CASTIGLIONI
IGT Toscana, Tuscany, Italy
145920 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $23.95
NOW $20.95 Save $3.00
ANTINORI PÈPPOLI CHIANTI CLASSICO
DOCG, Tuscany, Italy
606541 (XD – 3 g/L)
750 ml REG. $24.95
NOW $22.95 Save $2
PENFOLDS KOONUNGA HILL
SHIRAZ/CABERNET
South Australia
285544 (XD – 3 g/L)
750 ml REG. $18.95
NOW $16.45 Save $2.50
AND Nov 10 through November 30, 2025 --
LIMITED-TIME OFFERS
Save on these wines from Nov. 10 to Nov. 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 $7.00
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 DARE TO COMPARE TASTING OF PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY CHARDONNAYS AND PINOT NOIRS, plus a small trade show walkaround...
The Date and Time: June 2, 2025 1 - 5 PM
The Event: a seminar on comparing PEC chardonnays and pinot noirs to non-Canadian PN&C wines.
The Venue: Peter Pan
The Target Audience: sommeliers, wine trade guests, wine media.
The Availability/Catalogue: some wines are at the LCBO, others are at the winery.
The Quote/Background: PEC has about 40 wineries producing a variety of wines from different grapes. But chardonnays and pinot noirs are the best varieties made into wines in PEC. The seminar/masterclass attracted about 30; there were 10 wines poured, 5 chardonnays and 5 pinot noirs. Three of each were from PEC. The attempt was not to see which wine was best or better, but rather to compare the present status of PEC and non-PEC wines. Sommelier Jay Whiteley, who had moved to PEC in 2018, led the tasting which went on for about 2 hours and was well-presented. The Chardonnays came from Trail Estate, Rosehall Run, and Three Dog in PEC. The two outliers were La Chablisienne 2023 and Church Road Grand Reserve Hawkes Bay New Zealand 2021. The PEC Pinot Noirs came from Stanners, Broken Stone, and Keint-he. The comparison was made to Pech a Mama 2022 from Australia and Cape of Good Hope Sneeuwkans 2019 from South Africa.
The Wines: The wine show had more than just chardonnays and pinot noirs; I did not taste everything - just the chards and pinots. I also decided to add the PEC wines I tasted from the recent Taste Ontario trade show within my ratings.
**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Broken Stone Winery County Grown Chardonnay Prince Edward County 2023 13.5% ABV LCBO +668269 $29.95
-Closson Chase Vineyards Churchside Pinot Noir Prince Edward County 2022 12.5% ABV $50
-Closson Chase Vineyards South Clos Chardonnay Prince Edward County 2022 12.5% ABV $50
-Huff Estates Winery Cuveé Peter Huff Prince Edward County 2021 12.5%ABV LCBO +198754 $40
-Norman Hardie Winery & Vineyard County Chardonnay Prince Edward County 2021 11.5% ABV LCBO+381715 $59.20
-Norman Hardie Winery & Vineyard Cuvée L Pinot Noir VQA Ontario 2022 12.5% LCBO+36826 $99.20
-Trail Estate Winery Chardonnay Prince Edward County 2023 $50
-Huff Estates Winery Catharine's Chardonnay Prince Edward County 2022 12.5% LCBO+88955 $35
-Stanners Chardonnay PEC 2018 & 2019
-Keint-He Winery Portage Chardonnay PEC 2018 11.9% ABV $22.95
***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (86 – 89 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Broken Stone Winery Pinot Noir "The One" Prince Edward County 2023 12% $39.95
-Casa-Dea Estates Winery Pecorino Prince Edward County 2023 12.7% $34.95
-Casa-Dea Estates Winery Sparkling Rose Prince Edward County 2023 13% $24.95
-Rosehall Run Vineyards Stardust Tradtional Method Prince Edward County 2014 12% $65
-Rosehall Run Vineyards Chardonnay Musqué Prince Edward County 2024 12.5% $26
-The Grange Of Prince Edward Estate Series Sauvignon Blanc Prince Edward County 2024 12.5% $29.95
-The Grange Of Prince Edward Aurelia Series Cabernet Franc Prince Edward County 2023 13% $73.65
-Trail Estate Winery Chardonnay Prince Edward County (new oak) 2022 11.4% $48
-Huff Chardonnay Unoaked 2023
-Keint-He Little Creek Chardonnay Benway Block PEC 2021 $41.22 licensee
-Keint-He Greer Road Chardonnay PEC 2021 $36.95
The Food: none
The Downside: I was very late in arriving due to the slow TTC and street construction, but I got to taste the 10 wines in the seminar.
The Upside:a rare opportunity to taste PEC wines in Toronto.
The Contact Person: admin@pecwines.com
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 88
Dean Tudor, Prof Emeritus T'karonto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson) School of Journalism
Treasurer of Wine Writers' Circle of Canada http://www.deantudor.comhttp://gothicepicures.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/gothicepicures
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