Top Values at the LCBO (October 2016)

Your Guide to Best Values, Limited Time Offers & Bonus Air Miles selections at the LCBO
by Steve Thurlow

Steve Thurlow

It is bargain hunting time since the LCBO has delisted many wines recently; many are now almost half price. At these prices, these wines will soon be gone; so don’t hesitate. As as a result of the delists and discounts for the current period many new wines joined my Top 50 Best Values List this month. The list also includes two wines that are brand new to the LCBO.

I have updated my Top50 list and have selected twelve wines to highlight for you off the new list, all of which joined the list this month.

Among the twelve wines in today’s report there are:

• Five wines discounted by around 40%
• Two wines that are brand new listings with scores of 89 and 90
• One 90 point wine at $3 off
• Five wines for less than $10

The current promotional period runs until November 6th, so don’t hesitate. Thanks to WineAlign’s inventory tracking, I can assure you that there were stocks available, when we published, of every wine that I highlight.

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 30 days to see new reviews. Membership has its privileges; like first access to great value wines!

Reds & Rose

Astica Malbec Rosé 2015 Mendoza Argentina ($6.95 was $7.95) Delisted – A very pale beige pink rosé with delicate aromas that are very enticing. The palate is dry and lightweight with the fruit well balanced by firm acidity. Decent length. Fairly simple but a great price. Over 1600 bottles remain.

Uprising Shiraz Rosé 2015, S E Australia ($7.95 was $14.00) Delisted – This rich fruity full bodied rosé is really a lightweight red. It is almost dry with nice clean lines and some tannin notes for firmness. This is quite a serious wine for fine dining with cold roast meats and cheese or rich seafood. Over 3000 bottles remain.

Spier Signature Merlot 2014 Western Cape, South Africa ($10.45 was $12.95) – This seems to be an unoaked merlot. In fact, it spent some time in old barrels which has made it very smooth on the palate with lively lemony red berry fruit and fine grippy tannin. It is midweight dry and well structured with very good length. Try it a little chilled with bbq meats.

Robert Mondavi Private Selection Pinot Noir 2014 ($11.45 was $18.95) Delisted – This midweight, juicy, almost dry pinot has been at the LCBO for many years. I am saddened that it will no longer be in our stores. It is a steal at this price. Over 2700 bottles remain. Grab an armful before it’s all gone.

Chapoutier Marius 2015, Languedoc-Roussillon, France ($12.95 + 8BAMs) New to LCBO – This is blend of grenache and syrah from Rhone masters Chapoutier. It feels southern French but is quite modern in style with pure ripe fruit. Very good length.

Santa Carolina Merlot Reserva 2015, Colchagua Valley, Chile ($12.95) – This is a lovely merlot which shows well the softness, gentleness and fruit freshness of this grape. It is full bodied and well structured with a nice soft tannin for grip and plenty of vibrant acidity to keep it lively.

Montecillo Crianza 2010, Rioja, Spain ($13.10 was $15.10) – This is an easy-to-drink modern Rioja crianza with fresh berry aromas. It is midweight and lively with ripe berry fruit yet structured with firm tannins appearing on the finish. Very classy. Try with roast lamb or beef casserole.

Santa Carolina Reserva De Familia Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, Maipo Valley, Chile ($15.95 was $18.95) VINTAGES Essentials – This is a classic, elegant, youthful cabernet. It’s very full bodied, dense, and powerful, with considerable tannin. It will benefit from an hour or two in a decanter. It has a rich nose of blackberry and cassis fruit with the minty and herbal complexity often found in this region plus a touch of dark chocolate.

Trapiche Pure Black Malbec 2015, Mendoza, Argentina ($15.95) New to Top50 – This is an unoaked opaque purple red wine with fresh pure fruit aromas of blackberry and blueberry with lemon and floral notes. It is full bodied with excellent length. Try with a steak.

Whites

Lindeman’s Bin 90 Moscato, Australia ($6.45 was $11.00) Delisted – This lively Moscato is clean with fragrant aromas of rose, orange zest and tropical fruit salad, and though it is quite sweet, it is very well balanced with tart, lemony acidity. Drink icy cold with brunch waffles or fruit desserts or sip on its own.

Veramonte Sauvignon Blanc 2014 Casablanca Valley, Chile ($6.95 was $12.95) Delisted – A creamy ripe sauvignon with delicate aromas. It’s midweight and quite rich with some fruit sweetness and very good length. Not much complexity, but it is very drinkable, well balanced and well priced. Try with creamy pasta sauces. Over 4800 bottles remain

Trapiche Extravaganza White Blend 2015 Mendoza, Argentina ($8.95 was $14.95) Delisted – This blend of the native torrontes grape and chardonnay is very appealing with lifted tropical fruit aromas and a rich creamy palate. Chill just a little and try with roast pork or veal with a fruity sauce. Over 7000 bottles remain.

How does a wine get selected for the Top Value Report:

Today’s report pulls best buys from Steve’s Top 50 which is a standing WineAlign list based on quality/price ratio of the 1600 or so wines in LCBO Wines and the VINTAGES Essentials Collection.

There are three ways that a wine gets into this monthly report of wines that are always in the stores either on the LCBO “General List” or the VINTAGES Essential Collection. (You can access these lists under the Wine tab on WineAlign.)

• On Sale (LTO’s or Limited Time Offers): Every four weeks the LCBO discounts around 200 wines I have looked through the current batch and have highlighted some of my favourites that offer better value at present…. so stock up now.

• Bonus Air Miles (BAM’s): If you collect Air Miles then you will be getting Bonus Air Miles on another 150 or so wines…a few of these have a special appeal for a while.

• Steve’s Top 50: Wines that have moved onto my Top 50 Best Values this month. This is on an-on going WineAlign selection that mathematically calculates value by comparing the price and rating of all the wines on the LCBO General List. The Top 50 changes all the time, so remember to check before shopping.

I will be back next month with more news on value arrivals to Essentials and the LCBO.

Cheers!

Steve Thurlow

Top 50 Value Wines
Wines on Limited Time Offer
Wines with Bonus Air Miles

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!