WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for OCT 11, 2025 release.
By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com. My "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits, has been at https://pages.pathcom.com/~dtudor since 1994. These notes for better or best wines available through LCBO Vintages (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 publication.
Scores are a combination of MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Southern Rhone would taste like a Southern Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace, above or below its price).
I was one of the first to jump on the Robert Parker bandwagon, using numerical indications for my scores in the early 1980s. Why? Because with a database I could rate, rank and order wines in any fashion. It was just so convenient using databases. Unfortunately, the numerical system has been shown to be disgraced by overuse and "inflated numbers"; thus I have quit any ranking by number. From now on, it will just be GOOD, BETTER and BEST, which will give me some wiggle room (e.g. is this wine an 87, 88, 89, or 90? Or all of them...depends on my mood and time of day). With the rigorous standards and lab testing by the LCBO, I can safely say that every single wine at the LCBO is at least GOOD, which I would numerically rank at 75-85 points. For reasons of time and space, I will NOT be listing the GOOD wines. Just the BETTER (86-89) and the BEST (90+ ) wines. This spread of points will relate to SILVER and GOLD medals, with GOOD being BRONZE. This also fits into my scheme for trade tastings.
MAJOR THEME: Italian iconic wines; Chile; Thanksgiving Wines of Ontario
TOP WINES UNDER $20
===================
ROSE+117861 FEATHERSTONE ROSÉ VQA 2024 $16.95
FIZZ+727438 CARPENÈ MALVOLTI 1868 BRUT CONEGLIANO VALDOBBIADENE $19.95 FIZZ+515254 VILARNAU BARCELONA RESERVA BRUT ORGANIC CAVA $16.95
W+389262 ZUCCARDI SERIE A TORRONTÉS ARGENTINA 2024 $17.95
W+662775 D'ARENBERG THE HERMIT CRAB VIOGNIER/MARSANNE 2024 $17.95
W+47636 KONZELMANN LEGION UNOAKED CHARDONNAY VQA 2023 $19.95
W+41906 LA PLAYA RESERVA CHARDONNAY CHILE 2023 $19.95
W+10433 MATETIC EQ COASTAL SAUVIGNON BLANC CHILE 2023 $18.95
W+557207 FLEURON DE LA REBOURGÈRE SUR LIE MUSCADET-SÈVRE ET MAINE 2023 $16.95
W+599274 DR. L RIESLING MOSEL-SAAR-RUWER 2023 $17.95
W+31789 QUINTA DA RAZA ALVARINHO PORTUGAL 2023 $19.95
R+673897 JIP JIP ROCKS SHIRAZ AUSTRALIA 2022 $16.95
R+45334 HUGH HAMILTON JIM JIM CABERNET SAUVIGNON AUSTRALIA 2022 $19.95
R+353193 ZONTE'S FOOTSTEP BLACKBERRY PATCH CABERNET AUSTRALIA 2022 $19.95
R+47635 KONZELMANN LEGION CABERNET SAUVIGNON VQA 2024 $19.95
R+11851 CREEKSIDE RED TRACTOR CABERNET/MERLOT VQA 2020 $19.95
R+37865 LUMA CHEQUÉN GRAN RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON CHILE 2021 $17.95 R+349910 CHÂTEAU LA FONTAINE DE GENIN BORDEAUX 2017 $16.95
R+35721 DOMAINE HATZIMICHALIS ALFEGA ERYTHROS GREECE 2021 $17.95
R+23862 IDI DI MARZO VULGARIS MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO 2022 $14.95
R+44949 JOSÉ MARIA DA FONSECA ANTICICLONE PORTUGAL 2022 $13.95
R+44953 MORGADO DE SILGUEIROS RESERVA PORTUGAL 2021 $16.95
TOP WINES OVER $20
==========================
ROSE+319368 CHÂTEAU D'AQUÉRIA TAVEL ROSÉ 2024 $26.95
FIZZ+47616 REDTAIL SPARKLING RIESLING VQA 2023 $22
W+416511 VASSE FELIX FILIUS CHARDONNAY AUSTRALIA 2023 $23.95
W+566026 CAVE SPRING CSV CAVE SPRING VINEYARD ESTATE GROWN RIESLING VQA
$34.95
W+431593 TAWSE LIMESTONE RIDGE-NORTH RIESLING VQA 2021 $21.95
W+302083 BACHELDER L'ARDOISE NIAGARA CHARDONNAY 2023 VQA $25.95
W+485334 KEW MARSANNE VQA 2020 $21.95
W+149302 FEATHERSTONE CANADIAN OAK CHARDONNAY VQA 2023 $24.95
W+461640 WILLIAM FÈVRE CHAMPS ROYAUX CHABLIS 2023 $38.95
W+42742 DOMAINE SAUTEREAU SANCERRE BLANC LOIRE 2023 $40.95
W+994012 FALCHINI VIGNA A SOLATÌO VERNACCIA DI SAN GIMIGNANO TUSCANY 2023 $23.95
R+713024 ELDERTON BAROSSA SHIRAZ 2022 $27.95
R+20422 HIDDEN BENCH GAMAY VQA 2023 $29.95
R+230896 PENINSULA RIDGE RESERVE SYRAH VQA 2020 $29.95
R+26295 CHÂTEAU TOUR DE HAUT-MOULIN BORDEAUX 2015 $27.95
R+32608 CHÂTEAU CLARKE BORDEAUX 2018 $52.95
R+45173 JAFFELIN BOURGOGNE HAUTES-CÔTES DE BEAUNE 2023 $34.95
R+211599 LORNANO CHIANTI CLASSICO 2020 $22.95
R+922054 TENUTE SILVIO NARDI BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2019 $53.95
R+357335 HACIENDA LÓPEZ DE HARO RESERVA SPAIN 2018 $22.95
LIMITED TIME OFFERS: Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO's Limited Time Offer selections...these are "better" value...on sale through Sunday October 12 .. better hurry!!
W H I T E W I N ES
ANSELMI SAN VINCENZO
IGT Veneto, Italy
948158 (XD – 6 g/L) 750 ml $18.95
NOW $16.95 Save $2.00
CLOSSON CHASE THE BROCK CHARDONNAY
VQA Niagara River, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
20899 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $24.95
NOW $22.95 Save $2.00
FIELDING UNOAKED CHARDONNAY
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
164491 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $16.95
NOW $15.45 Save $1.50
FLAT ROCK CELLARS CHARDONNAY
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
286278 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $21.95
NOW $19.95 Save $2.00
OYSTER BAY CHARDONNAY
Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand
326728 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $20.95
NOW $17.95 Save $3.00
THIRTY BENCH WINEMAKER'S BLEND RIESLING
VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario
24133 (D – 16 g/L) 750 ml $22.95
NOW $21.95 Save $1.00
VINELAND ESTATES ELEVATION ST.URBAN VINEYARD RIESLING
VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario
38117 (M – 33 g/L) 750 ml $22.95
NOW $19.95 Save $3.00
R E D W I N ES
13TH STREET GAMAY VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
177824 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00
FEATHERSTONE CABERNET FRANC
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
64618 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $21.95
NOW $19.95 Save $2.00
LOUIS JADOT BEAUJOLAIS-VILLAGES
AC, Beaujolais, France
365924 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $25.95
NOW $23.95 Save $2.00
OYSTER BAY PINOT NOIR
Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand,
590414 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $21.95
NOW $18.95 Save $3.00
CHÂTEAU TEYSSIER
AC Montagne-Saint-Émilion,
Bordeaux, France
226035 (XD – 2 g/L)
750 ml REG. $27.95
NOW $24.95 Save $3
THE FOREIGN AFFAIR THE CONSPIRACY
VQA Niagara Peninsula,
149237 (XD – 3 g/L)
750 ml REG. $19.95
NOW $16.95 Save $3
TAWSE GROWERS BLEND PINOT NOIR
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
130989 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $29.95
NOW $26.95 Save $3
MORE LIMITED TIME OFFERS: Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO's Limited Time Offer selections...these are "better" value...on sale Monday October 13 through November 9 --
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
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 THE TASTE ONTARIO TORONTO TRADE & MEDIA TASTING
The Date and Time: May 26, 2025, 11AM to 2PM
The Event: Media tasting room
The Venue: LCBO HQ Kitchener Room, third floor
The Target Audience: wine media
The Availability/Catalogue: spreadsheets were distributed well in advance..THANKS!!!
The Quote/Background: Over 105 wines (sparkling, white, red) were available for tasting in the Media Room. The trade show itself had 60 wineries and over 300 wines to sample. I could not do it all. I did not even sample all the 105 wines in the Media Room!
The Wines: I did not taste all the wines; indeed, I did not taste all the chardonnays. But I tasted as many as I could, along with some sparklers, riesling, pinot noir. Prices are retail. The highlight for me was the "double platinum" I should award for two wines that were faves with me today. I had not tasted this vintage of either of them before, but both chardonnays managed to push my buttons.
******Domaine Le Clos Jordanne Jordan Village Chardonnay Niagara Peninsula 2022 +20455 $30
******Peninsula Ridge Estates Winery Beal Vineyard Reserve Chardonnay Niagara Peninsula 2021 $26.95
**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Broken Stone Winery County Grown Chardonnay Prince Edward County 2023 VINTAGES +668269 $29.95
-Charles Baker Wines Picone Vineyard Riesling Vinemount Ridge 2014 $49.95
-Charles Baker Wines Picone Vineyard Riesling Vinemount Ridge 2021 750 $44.95
-Closson Chase Vineyards Churchside Pinot Noir Prince Edward County 2022 $50
-Closson Chase Vineyards South Clos Chardonnay Prince Edward County 2022 $50
-Cloudsley Cellars Chardonnay, Twenty Mile Bench 2023 $36.93
-Domaine Queylus Mountainview Pinot Noir Lincoln Lakeshore 2020 $80
-Domaine Queylus Chardonnay Réserve Du Domaine Niagara Peninsula 2022 $48.70
-Hidden Bench Estate Winery Chardonnay Beamsville Bench 2022 +68817 $31.95
-Hidden Bench Estate Winery Pinot Noir Beamsville Bench 2022 +274753 $37.95
-Huff Estates Winery Cuveé Peter Huff Prince Edward County 2021 +198754 $40
-Huff Estates Winery Catharine'S Chardonnay Prince Edward County 2022 +88955 $35
-Icellars Estate Winery Syrah Twenty Mile Bench 2020 $89.27
-Icellars Estate Winery Wiyana Wanda Niagara-on-the-Lake 2020 $134.47
-Jackson-Triggs Grand Reserve Pinot Noir Niagara Peninsula 2022 $29.95
-Kew Vineyards Traditional Method Beamsville Bench 2019 $29.95
-Leaning Post Wines Sauvignon Blanc Niagara Lakeshore 2024 $29.58
-Norman Hardie Winery & Vineyard County Chardonnay Prince Edward County 2021 +381715 $59.20
-Norman Hardie Winery & Vineyard Cuvée L Pinot Noir Ontario 2022 +36826 $99.20
-Stratus Vineyards Alto White Niagara-on-the-Lake 2024 $28.95
-Stratus Vineyards Cabernet Franc Amhpora Niagara-on-the-Lake 2022 $65.20
-Strewn Winery Terroir Riesling Niagara-on-the-Lake 2019 $24.83
-Tawse Winery Tawse Robyn's Block Chardonnay Twenty Mile Bench 2022 +416321 $46.95
-The Foreign Affair Winery Traditional Method Vinemount Ridge 2022 $34.95
-Thirty Bench Wine Makers Small Lot Riesling 'Wood Post Vineyard' Beamsville Bench 2021 $29
-Trail Estate Winery Chardonnay Prince Edward County 2023 $50
-Trius Winery Trius Showcase Blanc De Noirs Niagara Peninsula NV $58
-Westcott Vineyards Brilliant Blanc De Noirs Vinemount Ridge NV $48
***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (86 – 89 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Big Head Wines Lipinski Family Viognier Four Mile Creek 2022 $90
-Black Bank Hill Chardonnay Lincoln Lakeshore 2022 $40
-Broken Stone Winery Pinot Noir "The One" Prince Edward County 2023 $39.95
-Cave Spring Vineyard Pinot Gris Estate Beamsville Bench 2022 +903719 $27.95
-Cave Spring Vineyard Pinot Noir Estate Beamsville Bench 2021 +246561 $39.95
-Cooper's Hawk Vineyards CHV Barrel Fermented Chardonnay Ontario 2023 +44465- [Convenience & Wine Boutique only] $20.15
-Creekside Estate Winery Iconcolast Sauvignon Blanc Semillon Niagara Peninsula 2023 +520627 $28
-Konzelmann Estate Winery Gewürztraminer Reserve Niagara Peninsula 2024 +392367 $24.95
-Lailey Winery Stonebridge Blanc De Blanc Brut Nature Four Mile Creek 2020 $64
-Lailey Winery Lailey Pinot Noir Niagara-on-the-Lake 2022 $42
-Malivoire Wine Company Courtney Gamay Beamsville Bench 2022 $36.36
-Malivoire Wine Company Gewurztraminer Beamsville Bench 2024 $25.06
-Megalomaniac Wines Narcisisst Riesling Niagara Peninsula 2023 +67587 $22.74
-Meldville Wines Sauvignon Blanc Lincoln Lakeshore 2023 750 $20
-Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery Ravine Vineyard Small Batch Riesling Four Mile Creek 2023 $25
-Rosehall Run Vineyard Chardonnay Musqué Prince Edward County 2024 $26
-Rosewood Estates Winery White Rabbit Niagara Peninsula 2024 $20.20
-Southbrook Organic Vineyards Triomphe Cabernet Sauvignon Niagara Peninsula 2021 $29.95
-Strewn Winery Terroir Strewn Three Niagara-on-the-Lake 2020 $99.41
-Tawse Winery Cherry Pinot Noir Twenty Mile Bench 2022 $33.15
-Trail Estate Winery Chardonnay Prince Edward County 2022 $48
The Food: Oliver & Bonacini presented a Harvest Table - two kinds of salmon (gravlax, smoke bloke), hummus with root veggies, two kinds of salumni, diverse Ontario cheeses (e.g., Ontario Blue, Gunn's Hill Brie, Ontario Gouda), Kozlik's mustards, rosemary focaccia, crisp biscuits.
The Downside: well, it was my birthday, so I had to hustle through the day.
The Upside: a chance to sit down and actually taste the wines before expectorating.
The Contact Person: andrea@winesofontario.ca
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 93
By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com. My "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits, has been at https://pages.pathcom.com/~dtudor since 1994. These notes for better or best wines available through LCBO Vintages (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 publication.
Scores are a combination of MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Southern Rhone would taste like a Southern Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace, above or below its price).
I was one of the first to jump on the Robert Parker bandwagon, using numerical indications for my scores in the early 1980s. Why? Because with a database I could rate, rank and order wines in any fashion. It was just so convenient using databases. Unfortunately, the numerical system has been shown to be disgraced by overuse and "inflated numbers"; thus I have quit any ranking by number. From now on, it will just be GOOD, BETTER and BEST, which will give me some wiggle room (e.g. is this wine an 87, 88, 89, or 90? Or all of them...depends on my mood and time of day). With the rigorous standards and lab testing by the LCBO, I can safely say that every single wine at the LCBO is at least GOOD, which I would numerically rank at 75-85 points. For reasons of time and space, I will NOT be listing the GOOD wines. Just the BETTER (86-89) and the BEST (90+ ) wines. This spread of points will relate to SILVER and GOLD medals, with GOOD being BRONZE. This also fits into my scheme for trade tastings.
MAJOR THEME: Italian iconic wines; Chile; Thanksgiving Wines of Ontario
TOP WINES UNDER $20
===================
ROSE+117861 FEATHERSTONE ROSÉ VQA 2024 $16.95
FIZZ+727438 CARPENÈ MALVOLTI 1868 BRUT CONEGLIANO VALDOBBIADENE $19.95 FIZZ+515254 VILARNAU BARCELONA RESERVA BRUT ORGANIC CAVA $16.95
W+389262 ZUCCARDI SERIE A TORRONTÉS ARGENTINA 2024 $17.95
W+662775 D'ARENBERG THE HERMIT CRAB VIOGNIER/MARSANNE 2024 $17.95
W+47636 KONZELMANN LEGION UNOAKED CHARDONNAY VQA 2023 $19.95
W+41906 LA PLAYA RESERVA CHARDONNAY CHILE 2023 $19.95
W+10433 MATETIC EQ COASTAL SAUVIGNON BLANC CHILE 2023 $18.95
W+557207 FLEURON DE LA REBOURGÈRE SUR LIE MUSCADET-SÈVRE ET MAINE 2023 $16.95
W+599274 DR. L RIESLING MOSEL-SAAR-RUWER 2023 $17.95
W+31789 QUINTA DA RAZA ALVARINHO PORTUGAL 2023 $19.95
R+673897 JIP JIP ROCKS SHIRAZ AUSTRALIA 2022 $16.95
R+45334 HUGH HAMILTON JIM JIM CABERNET SAUVIGNON AUSTRALIA 2022 $19.95
R+353193 ZONTE'S FOOTSTEP BLACKBERRY PATCH CABERNET AUSTRALIA 2022 $19.95
R+47635 KONZELMANN LEGION CABERNET SAUVIGNON VQA 2024 $19.95
R+11851 CREEKSIDE RED TRACTOR CABERNET/MERLOT VQA 2020 $19.95
R+37865 LUMA CHEQUÉN GRAN RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON CHILE 2021 $17.95 R+349910 CHÂTEAU LA FONTAINE DE GENIN BORDEAUX 2017 $16.95
R+35721 DOMAINE HATZIMICHALIS ALFEGA ERYTHROS GREECE 2021 $17.95
R+23862 IDI DI MARZO VULGARIS MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO 2022 $14.95
R+44949 JOSÉ MARIA DA FONSECA ANTICICLONE PORTUGAL 2022 $13.95
R+44953 MORGADO DE SILGUEIROS RESERVA PORTUGAL 2021 $16.95
TOP WINES OVER $20
==========================
ROSE+319368 CHÂTEAU D'AQUÉRIA TAVEL ROSÉ 2024 $26.95
FIZZ+47616 REDTAIL SPARKLING RIESLING VQA 2023 $22
W+416511 VASSE FELIX FILIUS CHARDONNAY AUSTRALIA 2023 $23.95
W+566026 CAVE SPRING CSV CAVE SPRING VINEYARD ESTATE GROWN RIESLING VQA
$34.95
W+431593 TAWSE LIMESTONE RIDGE-NORTH RIESLING VQA 2021 $21.95
W+302083 BACHELDER L'ARDOISE NIAGARA CHARDONNAY 2023 VQA $25.95
W+485334 KEW MARSANNE VQA 2020 $21.95
W+149302 FEATHERSTONE CANADIAN OAK CHARDONNAY VQA 2023 $24.95
W+461640 WILLIAM FÈVRE CHAMPS ROYAUX CHABLIS 2023 $38.95
W+42742 DOMAINE SAUTEREAU SANCERRE BLANC LOIRE 2023 $40.95
W+994012 FALCHINI VIGNA A SOLATÌO VERNACCIA DI SAN GIMIGNANO TUSCANY 2023 $23.95
R+713024 ELDERTON BAROSSA SHIRAZ 2022 $27.95
R+20422 HIDDEN BENCH GAMAY VQA 2023 $29.95
R+230896 PENINSULA RIDGE RESERVE SYRAH VQA 2020 $29.95
R+26295 CHÂTEAU TOUR DE HAUT-MOULIN BORDEAUX 2015 $27.95
R+32608 CHÂTEAU CLARKE BORDEAUX 2018 $52.95
R+45173 JAFFELIN BOURGOGNE HAUTES-CÔTES DE BEAUNE 2023 $34.95
R+211599 LORNANO CHIANTI CLASSICO 2020 $22.95
R+922054 TENUTE SILVIO NARDI BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2019 $53.95
R+357335 HACIENDA LÓPEZ DE HARO RESERVA SPAIN 2018 $22.95
LIMITED TIME OFFERS: Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO's Limited Time Offer selections...these are "better" value...on sale through Sunday October 12 .. better hurry!!
W H I T E W I N ES
ANSELMI SAN VINCENZO
IGT Veneto, Italy
948158 (XD – 6 g/L) 750 ml $18.95
NOW $16.95 Save $2.00
CLOSSON CHASE THE BROCK CHARDONNAY
VQA Niagara River, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
20899 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $24.95
NOW $22.95 Save $2.00
FIELDING UNOAKED CHARDONNAY
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
164491 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $16.95
NOW $15.45 Save $1.50
FLAT ROCK CELLARS CHARDONNAY
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
286278 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $21.95
NOW $19.95 Save $2.00
OYSTER BAY CHARDONNAY
Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand
326728 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $20.95
NOW $17.95 Save $3.00
THIRTY BENCH WINEMAKER'S BLEND RIESLING
VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario
24133 (D – 16 g/L) 750 ml $22.95
NOW $21.95 Save $1.00
VINELAND ESTATES ELEVATION ST.URBAN VINEYARD RIESLING
VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario
38117 (M – 33 g/L) 750 ml $22.95
NOW $19.95 Save $3.00
R E D W I N ES
13TH STREET GAMAY VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
177824 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00
FEATHERSTONE CABERNET FRANC
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
64618 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $21.95
NOW $19.95 Save $2.00
LOUIS JADOT BEAUJOLAIS-VILLAGES
AC, Beaujolais, France
365924 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $25.95
NOW $23.95 Save $2.00
OYSTER BAY PINOT NOIR
Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand,
590414 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $21.95
NOW $18.95 Save $3.00
CHÂTEAU TEYSSIER
AC Montagne-Saint-Émilion,
Bordeaux, France
226035 (XD – 2 g/L)
750 ml REG. $27.95
NOW $24.95 Save $3
THE FOREIGN AFFAIR THE CONSPIRACY
VQA Niagara Peninsula,
149237 (XD – 3 g/L)
750 ml REG. $19.95
NOW $16.95 Save $3
TAWSE GROWERS BLEND PINOT NOIR
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
130989 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $29.95
NOW $26.95 Save $3
MORE LIMITED TIME OFFERS: Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO's Limited Time Offer selections...these are "better" value...on sale Monday October 13 through November 9 --
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
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 THE TASTE ONTARIO TORONTO TRADE & MEDIA TASTING
The Date and Time: May 26, 2025, 11AM to 2PM
The Event: Media tasting room
The Venue: LCBO HQ Kitchener Room, third floor
The Target Audience: wine media
The Availability/Catalogue: spreadsheets were distributed well in advance..THANKS!!!
The Quote/Background: Over 105 wines (sparkling, white, red) were available for tasting in the Media Room. The trade show itself had 60 wineries and over 300 wines to sample. I could not do it all. I did not even sample all the 105 wines in the Media Room!
The Wines: I did not taste all the wines; indeed, I did not taste all the chardonnays. But I tasted as many as I could, along with some sparklers, riesling, pinot noir. Prices are retail. The highlight for me was the "double platinum" I should award for two wines that were faves with me today. I had not tasted this vintage of either of them before, but both chardonnays managed to push my buttons.
******Domaine Le Clos Jordanne Jordan Village Chardonnay Niagara Peninsula 2022 +20455 $30
******Peninsula Ridge Estates Winery Beal Vineyard Reserve Chardonnay Niagara Peninsula 2021 $26.95
**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Broken Stone Winery County Grown Chardonnay Prince Edward County 2023 VINTAGES +668269 $29.95
-Charles Baker Wines Picone Vineyard Riesling Vinemount Ridge 2014 $49.95
-Charles Baker Wines Picone Vineyard Riesling Vinemount Ridge 2021 750 $44.95
-Closson Chase Vineyards Churchside Pinot Noir Prince Edward County 2022 $50
-Closson Chase Vineyards South Clos Chardonnay Prince Edward County 2022 $50
-Cloudsley Cellars Chardonnay, Twenty Mile Bench 2023 $36.93
-Domaine Queylus Mountainview Pinot Noir Lincoln Lakeshore 2020 $80
-Domaine Queylus Chardonnay Réserve Du Domaine Niagara Peninsula 2022 $48.70
-Hidden Bench Estate Winery Chardonnay Beamsville Bench 2022 +68817 $31.95
-Hidden Bench Estate Winery Pinot Noir Beamsville Bench 2022 +274753 $37.95
-Huff Estates Winery Cuveé Peter Huff Prince Edward County 2021 +198754 $40
-Huff Estates Winery Catharine'S Chardonnay Prince Edward County 2022 +88955 $35
-Icellars Estate Winery Syrah Twenty Mile Bench 2020 $89.27
-Icellars Estate Winery Wiyana Wanda Niagara-on-the-Lake 2020 $134.47
-Jackson-Triggs Grand Reserve Pinot Noir Niagara Peninsula 2022 $29.95
-Kew Vineyards Traditional Method Beamsville Bench 2019 $29.95
-Leaning Post Wines Sauvignon Blanc Niagara Lakeshore 2024 $29.58
-Norman Hardie Winery & Vineyard County Chardonnay Prince Edward County 2021 +381715 $59.20
-Norman Hardie Winery & Vineyard Cuvée L Pinot Noir Ontario 2022 +36826 $99.20
-Stratus Vineyards Alto White Niagara-on-the-Lake 2024 $28.95
-Stratus Vineyards Cabernet Franc Amhpora Niagara-on-the-Lake 2022 $65.20
-Strewn Winery Terroir Riesling Niagara-on-the-Lake 2019 $24.83
-Tawse Winery Tawse Robyn's Block Chardonnay Twenty Mile Bench 2022 +416321 $46.95
-The Foreign Affair Winery Traditional Method Vinemount Ridge 2022 $34.95
-Thirty Bench Wine Makers Small Lot Riesling 'Wood Post Vineyard' Beamsville Bench 2021 $29
-Trail Estate Winery Chardonnay Prince Edward County 2023 $50
-Trius Winery Trius Showcase Blanc De Noirs Niagara Peninsula NV $58
-Westcott Vineyards Brilliant Blanc De Noirs Vinemount Ridge NV $48
***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (86 – 89 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Big Head Wines Lipinski Family Viognier Four Mile Creek 2022 $90
-Black Bank Hill Chardonnay Lincoln Lakeshore 2022 $40
-Broken Stone Winery Pinot Noir "The One" Prince Edward County 2023 $39.95
-Cave Spring Vineyard Pinot Gris Estate Beamsville Bench 2022 +903719 $27.95
-Cave Spring Vineyard Pinot Noir Estate Beamsville Bench 2021 +246561 $39.95
-Cooper's Hawk Vineyards CHV Barrel Fermented Chardonnay Ontario 2023 +44465- [Convenience & Wine Boutique only] $20.15
-Creekside Estate Winery Iconcolast Sauvignon Blanc Semillon Niagara Peninsula 2023 +520627 $28
-Konzelmann Estate Winery Gewürztraminer Reserve Niagara Peninsula 2024 +392367 $24.95
-Lailey Winery Stonebridge Blanc De Blanc Brut Nature Four Mile Creek 2020 $64
-Lailey Winery Lailey Pinot Noir Niagara-on-the-Lake 2022 $42
-Malivoire Wine Company Courtney Gamay Beamsville Bench 2022 $36.36
-Malivoire Wine Company Gewurztraminer Beamsville Bench 2024 $25.06
-Megalomaniac Wines Narcisisst Riesling Niagara Peninsula 2023 +67587 $22.74
-Meldville Wines Sauvignon Blanc Lincoln Lakeshore 2023 750 $20
-Ravine Vineyard Estate Winery Ravine Vineyard Small Batch Riesling Four Mile Creek 2023 $25
-Rosehall Run Vineyard Chardonnay Musqué Prince Edward County 2024 $26
-Rosewood Estates Winery White Rabbit Niagara Peninsula 2024 $20.20
-Southbrook Organic Vineyards Triomphe Cabernet Sauvignon Niagara Peninsula 2021 $29.95
-Strewn Winery Terroir Strewn Three Niagara-on-the-Lake 2020 $99.41
-Tawse Winery Cherry Pinot Noir Twenty Mile Bench 2022 $33.15
-Trail Estate Winery Chardonnay Prince Edward County 2022 $48
The Food: Oliver & Bonacini presented a Harvest Table - two kinds of salmon (gravlax, smoke bloke), hummus with root veggies, two kinds of salumni, diverse Ontario cheeses (e.g., Ontario Blue, Gunn's Hill Brie, Ontario Gouda), Kozlik's mustards, rosemary focaccia, crisp biscuits.
The Downside: well, it was my birthday, so I had to hustle through the day.
The Upside: a chance to sit down and actually taste the wines before expectorating.
The Contact Person: andrea@winesofontario.ca
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 93
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
