WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: 20 wines under & over $20 for the December 6, 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 • Premium wine for the holidays/Ribera del Duero
TOP Wines UNDER $20 [most are $19.95] for release.
=================
W+311456 ZONTE'S FOOTSTEP EXCALIBUR SAUVIGNON BLANC AUSTRALIA 2024 $19.95
W+672345 HENRI BOURGEOIS PETIT BOURGEOIS SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 $19.95
W+391847 THIERRY DELAUNAY TOURAINE SAUVIGNON BLANC LOIRE 2024 $17.95
W+27182 DOMAINE HATZIMICHALIS ALEPOTRYPA VINEYARD ASSYRTIKO GREECE 2024 $19.95
W+40432 VIEIL ARMAND ORIGINE RIESLING ALSACE 2022 $18.95
R+462515 THE LANE SHIRAZ 2021 AUSTRALIA $19.95
R+276956 HALOS DE JUPITER CÔTES DU RHÔNE 2023 $18.95
R+297317 XAVIER VIGNON CÔTES DU RHÔNE 2022 $19.95
R+47671 GARAGE OLD VINES CABERNET SAUVIGNON CHILE 2022 $19.95
R+60244 SANTA ALICIA GRAN RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON CHILE 2022 $18.95
R+123489 CHÂTEAU HAUCHAT FRONSAC BORDEAUX 2022 $19.95
R+143099 MAS DES BRESSADES TRADITION RHONE 2023 $19.95
R+999946 FARINA VALPOLICELLA RIPASSO CLASSICO SUPERIORE 2022 $19.95
R+44665 VALPARAÍSO ROBLE 2023 $17.95
TOP Wines OVER $20 for release.
================
W+276980 TAHBILK MUSEUM RELEASE MARSANNE AUSTRALIA 2018 $24.95
W+416321 TAWSE ROBYN'S BLOCK CHARDONNAY VQA 2022 $46.95
W+47156 MONTES OUTER LIMITS ALBARIÑO CHILE 2024 $24.95
W+45279 ALBERT BICHOT SECRET DE FAMILLE BOURGOGNE CÔTE D'OR $44.95
W+466144 J.MOREAU & FILS GLORIE DE CHABLIS 2024 $31.95
W+241117 DOMAINE LES VIEUX MURS POUILLY-FUISSÉ 2023
$45.95
W+22851 LOVEBLOCK SAUVIGNON BLANC NEW ZEALAND 2024 $24.95
W+22850 SUNDAY SAIL SAUVIGNON BLANC NEW ZEALAND 2023 $20.95
R+316984 VERSADO RESERVA MALBEC 2020 ARGENTINA $69.95
R+79798 SUSANA BALBO SIGNATURE MALBEC ARGENINA 2023 $22.95
R+84996 WYNNS COONAWARRA ESTATE BLACK LABEL CABERNET SAUVIGNON AUSTRALIA 2022 $44.95
R+390872 WOLF BLASS GREY LABEL SHIRAZ AUSTRALIA 2023
$34.95
R+427500 WESTCOTT ESTATE PINOT NOIR VQA 2021 $31.95
R+48247 REDSTONE REDSTONE VINEYARD MERLOT VQA 2020 $40.95
R+36167 PEREZ CRUZ PIEDRA SECA CABERNET SAUVIGNON CHILE 2023 $22.95
R+57901 MONTGRAS INTRIGA CABERNET SAUVIGNON CHILE 2021 $23.95
R+268052 P. FERRAUD & FILS DOMAINE FERRAUD LES CHARMES MORGON 2022 $26.95
R+399725 MARCHESI DI BAROLO DEL COMUNE BAROLO 2019
$85.95
R+13644 SAN BIAGIO SORANO BAROLO 2016 $59.95
R+261784 PAPALE LINEA ORO PRIMITIVO DI MANDURIA PUGLIA 2021 $28.95
R+46057 VARVAGLIONE SUSUMANIELLO PUGLIA 2023 $23.95
R+716266 SAN FELICE IL GRIGIO RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2021 $29.95
R+13496 FRESCOBALDI TENUTA PERANO RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2018 $34.95
R+747030 LA VITE LUCENTE TUSCANY 2023 $32.95
R+47033 SANTA MARIA VALPOLICELLA RIPASSO CLASSICO SUPERIORE 2021 $23.95
R+940965 BERONIA GRAN RESERVA SPAIN 2018 $37.95
HOLIDAY SPARKLING WINES RELEASED ON DEC 6....
CHAMPAGNE
100503 BOLLINGER BRUT ROSÉ CHAMPAGNE $149.95
45903 GONET SULCOVA CUVÉE GAÏA BLANC DE BLANCS BRUT GRAND CRU $106.95
45280 PHILIPPE GONET TER BLANC DE BLANCS EXTRA BRUT CHAMPAGNE $123.95
46637 DOM PÉRIGNON MURAKAMI LIMITED EDITION CHAMPAGNE 2015 $382.95
507889 VEUVE CLICQUOT EXTRA BRUT EXTRA OLD 5 CHAMPAGNE $115.95
SPARKLING WINE [BUT NO CAVA OR SEKT]
AUSTRALIA
43328 ZONTE'S FOOTSTEP CUVÉE CHOCOLATE MOUSSEUX SHIRAZ SPARKLING $24.95
AUSTRIA
47078 MARKUS HUBER SPARKLING WHITE $19.95
BRITISH COLUMBIA
46590 BLACK HILLS BRUT SPARKLING BC-VQA $55
ONTARIO
237198 CAVE SPRING BLANC DE BLANCS CSV ESTATE GROWN NATURAL BRUT $49.95
47776 TRIUS SHOWCASE BLANC DE NOIRS SPARKLING 55A 6 $58
ALSACE
44207 WILLM BRUT RÉSERVE CRÉMANT D'ALSACE $19.95
LOIRE
44208 JEAN-PAUL COUAMAIS VOUVRAY CUVÉE RÉSERVE BRUT SPARKLING $20.95
ITALY
47797 GIUSTI ASOLO EXTRA DRY PROSECCO SUPERIORE $21.95
FRIULI
16602 ALBINO ARMANI EXTRA DRY CONEGLIANO VALDOBBIADENE PROSECCO $22.95
VENETO
46058 BOTTEGA IL VINO DEI POETI BRUT VALDOBBIADENE PROSECCO $29.95
LUXEMBOURG
970970 BERNARD-MASSARD CUVÉE DE L'ÉCUSSON BRUT SPARKLING$21.95
NEW ZEALAND
280172 OYSTER BAY ROSÉ SPARKLING CUVÉE $23.95
LIMITED TIME OFFERS: Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO's Limited Time Offer selections...these are "better" value...on sale through January 4, 2026
LTO to JANUARY 4, 2026
R E D W I N ES
BANFI BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO
DOCG, Tuscany, Italy
378257 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $59.95
NOW $56.95 Save $3.00
BERONIA RESERVA
DOCa Rioja, Spain
CALVET RÉSERVE DES REMPARTS
SAINT-ÉMILION
AC, Bordeaux, France
31898 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $22.95
NOW $20.95 Save $2.00
CASA DI LUIGI PINOT NOIR KPM
Valle de Central, Chile, vegan
16586 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $15.40
NOW $14.40 Save $1.00
CASTELGIOCONDO
BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO
DOCG, Tuscany, Italy
650432 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $55.95
NOW $50.95 Save $5.00
CASTELLO DI NEIVE BARBARESCO
DOCG, Piedmont, Italy
160143 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $39.95
NOW $34.95 Save $5.00
CAVE SPRING PINOT NOIR
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario,
sustainable, vegan
417642 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $21.95
NOW $19.95 Save $2.00
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
CONCHA Y TORO WINEMAKER'S LOT 148
LAS PATAGUAS VINEYARD CARMENÈRE
Rapel Valley, Chile
30957 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $17.95
NOW $14.95 Save $3.00
E. GUIGAL CÔTES DU RHÔNE
AC, Rhône, France
259721 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $25.95
NOW $22.95 Save $3.00
FLAT ROCK PINOT NOIR
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, sustainable
1545 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $24.95
NOW $22.95 Save $2.00
G. MARQUIS THE SILVER LINE
PINOT NOIR
VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
258673 (D – 8 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00
KAIKEN ESTATE MALBEC
Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
58339 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $18.95
NOW $16.95 Save $2.00
KIM CRAWFORD PINOT NOIR New Zealand
626390 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $22.95
NOW $19.95 Save $3.00
LA MASCOTA CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Mendoza, Argentina
292110 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $16.95
NOW $14.95 Save $2.00
LUIGI BOSCA MALBEC
Mendoza, Argentina
452672 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00
MITOLO JESTER SHIRAZ
McLaren Vale, South Australia
659607 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $22.95
NOW $20.95 Save $2.00
MONTE ANTICO
IGT Toscana, Tuscany, Italy
69377 (D – 7 g/L) 750 ml $17.95
NOW $15.95 Save $2.00
MONTE ZOVO SA' SOLIN VALPOLICELLA
RIPASSO SUPERIORE
DOC, Veneto, Italy
650713 (D – 12 g/L) 750 ml $24.95
NOW $22.95 Save $2.00
MUGA RESERVA
DOCa Rioja, Spain
177345 (D – 3 g/L) 750 ml $28.95
NOW $24.95 Save $4.00
W H I T E W I N ES
BANFI PRINCIPESSA GAVIA GAVI
DOCG, Piedmont, Italy
250696 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $21.95
NOW $19.95 Save $2.00
BOLLINI PINOT GRIGIO
DOC Trentino, Italy
951319 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $17.95 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
FLAT ROCK TWISTED WHITE
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, sustainable
1578 (D – 15 g/L) 750 ml $18.95
NOW $15.95 Save $3.00
GARZÓN SINGLE VINEYARD ALBARIÑO
Maldonado, Uruguay
39017 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $40.95
NOW $35.95 Save $5.00
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
MOUNT RILEY SAUVIGNON BLANC
Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand,
sustainable
981670 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $18.00
NOW $16.00 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
OYSTER BAY SAUVIGNON BLANC
Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand
316570 (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 $19.95 Save $3.00
VINELAND ESTATES ELEVATION ST.
URBAN VINEYARD RIESLING
VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario
38117 (M – 34 g/L) 750 ml $22.95
NOW $19.95 Save $3.00
R E D W I N ES – CO N T ' D
OYSTER BAY PINOT NOIR
Marlborough, New Zealand
590414 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $21.95
NOW $18.95 Save $3.00
ROCCA DELLE MACÌE CHIANTI CLASSICO
DOCG, Tuscany, Italy
741769 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $21.95
NOW $19.45 Save $2.50
SAN FELICE CHIANTI CLASSICO
DOCG, Tuscany, Italy
282996 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $21.95
NOW $19.95 Save $2.00
SANTA CAROLINA RESERVA DE FAMILIA
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Maipo Valley, Chile
408658 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00
SELLA & MOSCA RISERVA
CANNONAU DI SARDEGNA
DOC, Sardinia, Italy
425488 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $16.95 Save $3.00
TEDESCHI AMARONE DELLA
VALPOLICELLA
DOCG, Veneto, Italy
433417 (D – 5 g/L) 750 ml $50.95
NOW $47.95 Save $3.00
TERRA VEGA CARMENÈRE KPM
Central Valley, Chile
354761 (D – 2 g/L) 750 ml $13.00
NOW $12.00 Save $1.00
THE FOREIGN AFFAIR THE CONSPIRACY
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
149237 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $16.95 Save $3.00
TOMMASI AMARONE DELLA
VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO
DOCG, Veneto, Italy
356220 (XD – 6 g/L) 750 ml $53.95
NOW $48.95 Save $5.00
TRIUS RED
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
303800 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $27.95
NOW $24.95 Save $3.00
UMBERTO CESARI LIANO
SANGIOVESE/CABERNET SAUVIGNON
IGT Rubicone, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
225086 (D – 11 g/L) 750 ml $29.95
NOW $23.95 Save $6.00
VIÑA TARAPACÁ GRAN RESERVA
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Valle del Maipo, Chile
18721 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $18.95
NOW $16.95 Save $2.00
ZENATO AMARONE DELLA
VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO
DOCG, Veneto, Italy
413179 (XD – 6 g/L) 750 ml $54.95
NOW $49.95 Save $5.00
FIZZ
BERNARD FOUQUET YSANCE BRUT
VOUVRAY SPARKLING
AP, Loire, France, traditional method
42396 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $18.95 Save $1.00
LOUIS ROEDERER COLLECTION
BRUT PREMIER CHAMPAGNE
AC, Champagne, France
268771 (D – 9 g/L) 750 ml $99.95
NOW $94.95 Save $5.00
LUC BELAIRE RARE ROSÉ SPARKLING
France
395384 (M – 26 g/L) 750 ml $42.95
NOW $37.95 Save $5.00
CAVE SPRING BLANC DE BLANCS
BRUT SPARKLING
VQA Niagara Escarpment, traditional method
213983 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $32.95
NOW $27.95 Save $5.00
CHATEAU DES CHARMES
BRUT SPARKLING
VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, traditional method
224766 (D – 12 g/L) 750 ml $32.95
NOW $29.95 Save $3.00
SANTA MARGHERITA BRUT
VALDOBBIADENE PROSECCO SUPERIORE
Veneto, Italy
46053 (D – 11 g/L) 750 ml $22.95
NOW $20.95 Save $2.00
TAWSE SPARK LIMESTONE RIDGE
ORGANIC BRUT SPARKLING RIESLING
VQA Twenty Mile Bench, traditional method
370361 (M – 19 g/L) 750 ml $24.95
NOW $21.95 Save $3.00
CHATEAU DES CHARMES
VIDAL ICEWINE
VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, estate bottled
413732 (S – 227 g/L) 375 ml $49.95
NOW $46.95 Save $3.00
INNISKILLIN VIDAL ICEWINE
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, with gift box
388306 (S – 233 g/L) 375 ml $54.95
NOW $46.95 Save $8.00
LAKEVIEW CELLARS VIDAL ICEWINE
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
522672 (S – 196 g/L) 200 ml $24.95
NOW $22.95 Save $2.00
MAGNOTTA VIDAL ICEWINE
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
587154 (S – 202 g/L) 375 ml $34.95
NOW $31.45 Save $3.50
REIF ESTATE VIDAL ICEWINE
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
544791 (S – 254 g/L) 200 ml $24.95
NOW $22.95 Save $2.00
KIM CRAWFORD ROSÉ
Hawke's Bay, North Island, New Zealand
650325 (XD – 7 g/L) 750 ml $20.95
NOW $17.95 Save $3.00
TAYLOR FLADGATE
10-YEAR-OLD TAWNY PORT
DOP, Portugal
121749 (S – 110 g/L) 750 ml $38.95
NOW $34.95 Save $4.00
December 20, 2025
FOR MORE LTO 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 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
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 • Premium wine for the holidays/Ribera del Duero
TOP Wines UNDER $20 [most are $19.95] for release.
=================
W+311456 ZONTE'S FOOTSTEP EXCALIBUR SAUVIGNON BLANC AUSTRALIA 2024 $19.95
W+672345 HENRI BOURGEOIS PETIT BOURGEOIS SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 $19.95
W+391847 THIERRY DELAUNAY TOURAINE SAUVIGNON BLANC LOIRE 2024 $17.95
W+27182 DOMAINE HATZIMICHALIS ALEPOTRYPA VINEYARD ASSYRTIKO GREECE 2024 $19.95
W+40432 VIEIL ARMAND ORIGINE RIESLING ALSACE 2022 $18.95
R+462515 THE LANE SHIRAZ 2021 AUSTRALIA $19.95
R+276956 HALOS DE JUPITER CÔTES DU RHÔNE 2023 $18.95
R+297317 XAVIER VIGNON CÔTES DU RHÔNE 2022 $19.95
R+47671 GARAGE OLD VINES CABERNET SAUVIGNON CHILE 2022 $19.95
R+60244 SANTA ALICIA GRAN RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON CHILE 2022 $18.95
R+123489 CHÂTEAU HAUCHAT FRONSAC BORDEAUX 2022 $19.95
R+143099 MAS DES BRESSADES TRADITION RHONE 2023 $19.95
R+999946 FARINA VALPOLICELLA RIPASSO CLASSICO SUPERIORE 2022 $19.95
R+44665 VALPARAÍSO ROBLE 2023 $17.95
TOP Wines OVER $20 for release.
================
W+276980 TAHBILK MUSEUM RELEASE MARSANNE AUSTRALIA 2018 $24.95
W+416321 TAWSE ROBYN'S BLOCK CHARDONNAY VQA 2022 $46.95
W+47156 MONTES OUTER LIMITS ALBARIÑO CHILE 2024 $24.95
W+45279 ALBERT BICHOT SECRET DE FAMILLE BOURGOGNE CÔTE D'OR $44.95
W+466144 J.MOREAU & FILS GLORIE DE CHABLIS 2024 $31.95
W+241117 DOMAINE LES VIEUX MURS POUILLY-FUISSÉ 2023
$45.95
W+22851 LOVEBLOCK SAUVIGNON BLANC NEW ZEALAND 2024 $24.95
W+22850 SUNDAY SAIL SAUVIGNON BLANC NEW ZEALAND 2023 $20.95
R+316984 VERSADO RESERVA MALBEC 2020 ARGENTINA $69.95
R+79798 SUSANA BALBO SIGNATURE MALBEC ARGENINA 2023 $22.95
R+84996 WYNNS COONAWARRA ESTATE BLACK LABEL CABERNET SAUVIGNON AUSTRALIA 2022 $44.95
R+390872 WOLF BLASS GREY LABEL SHIRAZ AUSTRALIA 2023
$34.95
R+427500 WESTCOTT ESTATE PINOT NOIR VQA 2021 $31.95
R+48247 REDSTONE REDSTONE VINEYARD MERLOT VQA 2020 $40.95
R+36167 PEREZ CRUZ PIEDRA SECA CABERNET SAUVIGNON CHILE 2023 $22.95
R+57901 MONTGRAS INTRIGA CABERNET SAUVIGNON CHILE 2021 $23.95
R+268052 P. FERRAUD & FILS DOMAINE FERRAUD LES CHARMES MORGON 2022 $26.95
R+399725 MARCHESI DI BAROLO DEL COMUNE BAROLO 2019
$85.95
R+13644 SAN BIAGIO SORANO BAROLO 2016 $59.95
R+261784 PAPALE LINEA ORO PRIMITIVO DI MANDURIA PUGLIA 2021 $28.95
R+46057 VARVAGLIONE SUSUMANIELLO PUGLIA 2023 $23.95
R+716266 SAN FELICE IL GRIGIO RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2021 $29.95
R+13496 FRESCOBALDI TENUTA PERANO RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2018 $34.95
R+747030 LA VITE LUCENTE TUSCANY 2023 $32.95
R+47033 SANTA MARIA VALPOLICELLA RIPASSO CLASSICO SUPERIORE 2021 $23.95
R+940965 BERONIA GRAN RESERVA SPAIN 2018 $37.95
HOLIDAY SPARKLING WINES RELEASED ON DEC 6....
CHAMPAGNE
100503 BOLLINGER BRUT ROSÉ CHAMPAGNE $149.95
45903 GONET SULCOVA CUVÉE GAÏA BLANC DE BLANCS BRUT GRAND CRU $106.95
45280 PHILIPPE GONET TER BLANC DE BLANCS EXTRA BRUT CHAMPAGNE $123.95
46637 DOM PÉRIGNON MURAKAMI LIMITED EDITION CHAMPAGNE 2015 $382.95
507889 VEUVE CLICQUOT EXTRA BRUT EXTRA OLD 5 CHAMPAGNE $115.95
SPARKLING WINE [BUT NO CAVA OR SEKT]
AUSTRALIA
43328 ZONTE'S FOOTSTEP CUVÉE CHOCOLATE MOUSSEUX SHIRAZ SPARKLING $24.95
AUSTRIA
47078 MARKUS HUBER SPARKLING WHITE $19.95
BRITISH COLUMBIA
46590 BLACK HILLS BRUT SPARKLING BC-VQA $55
ONTARIO
237198 CAVE SPRING BLANC DE BLANCS CSV ESTATE GROWN NATURAL BRUT $49.95
47776 TRIUS SHOWCASE BLANC DE NOIRS SPARKLING 55A 6 $58
ALSACE
44207 WILLM BRUT RÉSERVE CRÉMANT D'ALSACE $19.95
LOIRE
44208 JEAN-PAUL COUAMAIS VOUVRAY CUVÉE RÉSERVE BRUT SPARKLING $20.95
ITALY
47797 GIUSTI ASOLO EXTRA DRY PROSECCO SUPERIORE $21.95
FRIULI
16602 ALBINO ARMANI EXTRA DRY CONEGLIANO VALDOBBIADENE PROSECCO $22.95
VENETO
46058 BOTTEGA IL VINO DEI POETI BRUT VALDOBBIADENE PROSECCO $29.95
LUXEMBOURG
970970 BERNARD-MASSARD CUVÉE DE L'ÉCUSSON BRUT SPARKLING$21.95
NEW ZEALAND
280172 OYSTER BAY ROSÉ SPARKLING CUVÉE $23.95
LIMITED TIME OFFERS: Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO's Limited Time Offer selections...these are "better" value...on sale through January 4, 2026
LTO to JANUARY 4, 2026
R E D W I N ES
BANFI BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO
DOCG, Tuscany, Italy
378257 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $59.95
NOW $56.95 Save $3.00
BERONIA RESERVA
DOCa Rioja, Spain
CALVET RÉSERVE DES REMPARTS
SAINT-ÉMILION
AC, Bordeaux, France
31898 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $22.95
NOW $20.95 Save $2.00
CASA DI LUIGI PINOT NOIR KPM
Valle de Central, Chile, vegan
16586 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $15.40
NOW $14.40 Save $1.00
CASTELGIOCONDO
BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO
DOCG, Tuscany, Italy
650432 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $55.95
NOW $50.95 Save $5.00
CASTELLO DI NEIVE BARBARESCO
DOCG, Piedmont, Italy
160143 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $39.95
NOW $34.95 Save $5.00
CAVE SPRING PINOT NOIR
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario,
sustainable, vegan
417642 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $21.95
NOW $19.95 Save $2.00
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
CONCHA Y TORO WINEMAKER'S LOT 148
LAS PATAGUAS VINEYARD CARMENÈRE
Rapel Valley, Chile
30957 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $17.95
NOW $14.95 Save $3.00
E. GUIGAL CÔTES DU RHÔNE
AC, Rhône, France
259721 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $25.95
NOW $22.95 Save $3.00
FLAT ROCK PINOT NOIR
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, sustainable
1545 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $24.95
NOW $22.95 Save $2.00
G. MARQUIS THE SILVER LINE
PINOT NOIR
VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
258673 (D – 8 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00
KAIKEN ESTATE MALBEC
Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
58339 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $18.95
NOW $16.95 Save $2.00
KIM CRAWFORD PINOT NOIR New Zealand
626390 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $22.95
NOW $19.95 Save $3.00
LA MASCOTA CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Mendoza, Argentina
292110 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $16.95
NOW $14.95 Save $2.00
LUIGI BOSCA MALBEC
Mendoza, Argentina
452672 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00
MITOLO JESTER SHIRAZ
McLaren Vale, South Australia
659607 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $22.95
NOW $20.95 Save $2.00
MONTE ANTICO
IGT Toscana, Tuscany, Italy
69377 (D – 7 g/L) 750 ml $17.95
NOW $15.95 Save $2.00
MONTE ZOVO SA' SOLIN VALPOLICELLA
RIPASSO SUPERIORE
DOC, Veneto, Italy
650713 (D – 12 g/L) 750 ml $24.95
NOW $22.95 Save $2.00
MUGA RESERVA
DOCa Rioja, Spain
177345 (D – 3 g/L) 750 ml $28.95
NOW $24.95 Save $4.00
W H I T E W I N ES
BANFI PRINCIPESSA GAVIA GAVI
DOCG, Piedmont, Italy
250696 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $21.95
NOW $19.95 Save $2.00
BOLLINI PINOT GRIGIO
DOC Trentino, Italy
951319 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $17.95 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
FLAT ROCK TWISTED WHITE
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, sustainable
1578 (D – 15 g/L) 750 ml $18.95
NOW $15.95 Save $3.00
GARZÓN SINGLE VINEYARD ALBARIÑO
Maldonado, Uruguay
39017 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $40.95
NOW $35.95 Save $5.00
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
MOUNT RILEY SAUVIGNON BLANC
Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand,
sustainable
981670 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $18.00
NOW $16.00 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
OYSTER BAY SAUVIGNON BLANC
Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand
316570 (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 $19.95 Save $3.00
VINELAND ESTATES ELEVATION ST.
URBAN VINEYARD RIESLING
VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario
38117 (M – 34 g/L) 750 ml $22.95
NOW $19.95 Save $3.00
R E D W I N ES – CO N T ' D
OYSTER BAY PINOT NOIR
Marlborough, New Zealand
590414 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $21.95
NOW $18.95 Save $3.00
ROCCA DELLE MACÌE CHIANTI CLASSICO
DOCG, Tuscany, Italy
741769 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $21.95
NOW $19.45 Save $2.50
SAN FELICE CHIANTI CLASSICO
DOCG, Tuscany, Italy
282996 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $21.95
NOW $19.95 Save $2.00
SANTA CAROLINA RESERVA DE FAMILIA
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Maipo Valley, Chile
408658 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00
SELLA & MOSCA RISERVA
CANNONAU DI SARDEGNA
DOC, Sardinia, Italy
425488 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $16.95 Save $3.00
TEDESCHI AMARONE DELLA
VALPOLICELLA
DOCG, Veneto, Italy
433417 (D – 5 g/L) 750 ml $50.95
NOW $47.95 Save $3.00
TERRA VEGA CARMENÈRE KPM
Central Valley, Chile
354761 (D – 2 g/L) 750 ml $13.00
NOW $12.00 Save $1.00
THE FOREIGN AFFAIR THE CONSPIRACY
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
149237 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $16.95 Save $3.00
TOMMASI AMARONE DELLA
VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO
DOCG, Veneto, Italy
356220 (XD – 6 g/L) 750 ml $53.95
NOW $48.95 Save $5.00
TRIUS RED
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
303800 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $27.95
NOW $24.95 Save $3.00
UMBERTO CESARI LIANO
SANGIOVESE/CABERNET SAUVIGNON
IGT Rubicone, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
225086 (D – 11 g/L) 750 ml $29.95
NOW $23.95 Save $6.00
VIÑA TARAPACÁ GRAN RESERVA
CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Valle del Maipo, Chile
18721 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $18.95
NOW $16.95 Save $2.00
ZENATO AMARONE DELLA
VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO
DOCG, Veneto, Italy
413179 (XD – 6 g/L) 750 ml $54.95
NOW $49.95 Save $5.00
FIZZ
BERNARD FOUQUET YSANCE BRUT
VOUVRAY SPARKLING
AP, Loire, France, traditional method
42396 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $18.95 Save $1.00
LOUIS ROEDERER COLLECTION
BRUT PREMIER CHAMPAGNE
AC, Champagne, France
268771 (D – 9 g/L) 750 ml $99.95
NOW $94.95 Save $5.00
LUC BELAIRE RARE ROSÉ SPARKLING
France
395384 (M – 26 g/L) 750 ml $42.95
NOW $37.95 Save $5.00
CAVE SPRING BLANC DE BLANCS
BRUT SPARKLING
VQA Niagara Escarpment, traditional method
213983 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $32.95
NOW $27.95 Save $5.00
CHATEAU DES CHARMES
BRUT SPARKLING
VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, traditional method
224766 (D – 12 g/L) 750 ml $32.95
NOW $29.95 Save $3.00
SANTA MARGHERITA BRUT
VALDOBBIADENE PROSECCO SUPERIORE
Veneto, Italy
46053 (D – 11 g/L) 750 ml $22.95
NOW $20.95 Save $2.00
TAWSE SPARK LIMESTONE RIDGE
ORGANIC BRUT SPARKLING RIESLING
VQA Twenty Mile Bench, traditional method
370361 (M – 19 g/L) 750 ml $24.95
NOW $21.95 Save $3.00
CHATEAU DES CHARMES
VIDAL ICEWINE
VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, estate bottled
413732 (S – 227 g/L) 375 ml $49.95
NOW $46.95 Save $3.00
INNISKILLIN VIDAL ICEWINE
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, with gift box
388306 (S – 233 g/L) 375 ml $54.95
NOW $46.95 Save $8.00
LAKEVIEW CELLARS VIDAL ICEWINE
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
522672 (S – 196 g/L) 200 ml $24.95
NOW $22.95 Save $2.00
MAGNOTTA VIDAL ICEWINE
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
587154 (S – 202 g/L) 375 ml $34.95
NOW $31.45 Save $3.50
REIF ESTATE VIDAL ICEWINE
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
544791 (S – 254 g/L) 200 ml $24.95
NOW $22.95 Save $2.00
KIM CRAWFORD ROSÉ
Hawke's Bay, North Island, New Zealand
650325 (XD – 7 g/L) 750 ml $20.95
NOW $17.95 Save $3.00
TAYLOR FLADGATE
10-YEAR-OLD TAWNY PORT
DOP, Portugal
121749 (S – 110 g/L) 750 ml $38.95
NOW $34.95 Save $4.00
December 20, 2025
FOR MORE LTO 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 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
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
