What’s New at LCBO in October

Between our VINTAGES Buyers’ Guide and Steve Thurlow’s top picks from the LCBO Wines, we have the whole store covered each and every month.

Gold Medal Winning New Values
by Steve Thurlow

Steve Thurlow

WineAlign has recently announced the results of the 10th Edition of the World Wine Awards of Canada. The name has changed over the years but the intent has always been the same – to assemble Canada’s leading palates and taste through hundreds of wines that sell somewhere in Canada for less than $50. In fact, the vast majority of this year’s entries were under $25. (You can read all about The World’s in David Lawrason’s recent article: It’s all about Value at the World Wine Awards of Canada)

I judged along with my colleagues from WineAlign when we spent a week together in late August tasting around a 1000 wines, so when I was compiling my list of What’s New at the LCBO this month, I was happy to see a few new wines here which won a Gold Value medal at the Awards.

The wines on the shelves at the LCBO are constantly changing and I am tasting the new ones all the time. Many wineries send us new wines in advance for us to review before they hit the shelves and we also taste the latest vintages of current listings. Many favourites are always there but the range and variety is gradually being updated.

I suggest you read on, pick a few that appeal, then sign in to WineAlign to check on inventory at your local LCBO which should be set up as your Favourite Store in Find Wine at WineAlign.

You can find our complete critic reviews by clicking on any of the wine names, bottle images or links highlighted. Paid subscribers to WineAlign see all critic reviews immediately. Non-paid users wait 60 days to see new reviews. Membership has its privileges; like first access to reviews of great value wines!

REDS

Porta 6 2012, V R Lisboa, Portugal ($12.35) – This is a bright lively fresh red blend of several indigenous Portuguese red grapes.  Pleasant and easy drinking with decent length. Try with burgers or pizza.

Santa Julia Reserva Malbec 2014, Mendoza ($12.95) – This is a rich malbec with a creamy texture that is well balanced and quite juicy with good length and  a long lingering very dry finish. Try with a rack of juicy ribs.

Kellermeister The Funk Wagon G S M 2011 South Australia ($16.20) – A lovely GSM blend with a complex nose and a lemony fruity finish that could easily have come from the Rhone Valley.

Ara Pathway Single Estate Pinot Noir 2013, Marlborough, New Zealand ($16.95 + 10BAMs) – Great value for a juicy fruity pinot with a very harmonious nose. Its dry, tightly knit and well balanced for food. Try with roast beef.

Luis Felipe Edwards Family Selection Gran Reserva Carmenere 2014 Colchagua Valley, Chile ($16.95) – There is a lot of complexity in this juicy structured cabernet with an elegant palate that shows a good depth of flavour with very good to excellent length.

Château Canteloup 2012, Médoc, Bordeaux, France ($19.65) – This has the presence and aromas of a top quality Bordeaux red. It has very traditional styling and though the structure is not that of the best, it is still very impressive for the money.

WHITES

Two Oceans Moscato 2015 Western Cape, South Africa ($9.95) – A fairly simple sweet white low in alcohol with a very aromatic nose. Chill well and enjoy on its own or with baked apple desserts.

Ara Pathway Single Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2014, Marlborough, New Zealand ($14.95) – A fresh mellow sauvignon that’s a little sweet but there is very good length and it makes for a good sipping wine.

Veuve Ambal Grande Cuvée Brut Crémant De Bourgogne, Burgundy, France ($17.95) – An elegant fresh clean bubbly for a great price. Smooth and lively with very good length. Try with pastry nibbles or creamy sauces.

Basa Blanco 2014 Rueda, Spain ($17.95) –  An elegant Spanish white from verdejo with delicate aromas and a juicy fruity palate that is well balanced with the fruit persisting well on the long finish. Very good length. Try with sautéed seafood.

Cheers!

Steve Thurlow

Top 20 Under $20
Top 50 Value Wines
World Wine Awards of Canada

Editors Note: You can find our complete critic reviews by clicking on any of the wine names, bottle images or links highlighted. Paid subscribers to WineAlign see all critic reviews immediately. Non-paid users wait 60 days to see new reviews. Membership has its privileges; like first access to great value wines!

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