Top Values at the LCBO (November 2016)

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

Steve Thurlow

Bargain hunting time continues at the LCBO this month with eight wines on my Top50 Best Values List being there because the LCBO has delisted them; some are now almost half price. At these prices, these wines will soon all be gone; so don’t hesitate. Also four wines joined the list as a result of discounts for the current period.

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

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

Ten wines heavily discounted; some by more than 40%.
Three 89 point wines that are new to Top50.
One 91 point wine at $3 off.
Nine wines for less than $10.

The current promotional period runs until November 27th, 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 60 days to see new reviews. Membership has its privileges; like first access to great value wines!

Reds

K W V Paarl Cape Ruby, South Africa ($7.65 was $9.85) NewtoTop50 Delisted – An everyday sipping ruby “port style” wine. The nose shows prune and raisin fruit with some floral and mocha hints. It is medium sweet well balanced with decent length. Try with blue cheese, semi-sweet dark chocolate or dried fruit and nuts. Over 2400 bottles left.

Torres Santa Digna Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, Central Valley, Chile ($8.95 was $15.10) NewtoTop50 Delisted – 2013 is one of the best vintages yet of this well balanced easy going Chilean cabernet. The nose is very appealing with ripe cassis with herbal tones, mint and barely noticeable oak spice. It is medium to full bodied, soft with sweetish fruit but there is lots of acidity for balance. Over 2700 bottles remain.

Luccarelli Negroamaro 2015, Puglia, Italy ($8.95) NewtoTop50 – This is a classic Puglia negroamaro that is an almost opaque purple with a sweet fruit entry, well balanced palate with a long lingering finish that is almost dry. Chill a little and try with sweet juicy ribs. Very drinkable.

Casillero Del Diablo Devil’s Collection Red 2014 Rapel Valley Chile ($12.95 was $14.95) NewtoTop50 – This is a lovely smoky structured red blend of cabernet, carmenere and syrah which is full bodied and vibrant with soft mature tannin giving a fine structure and the promise of future complexity. It still very youthful. Good length.

Dona Paula Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, Lujan De Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina ($13.95 was $16.95) NewtoTop50 – This is a flavourful fruity cabernet with a lovely structure of vibrant acidity and soft tannin. They make wonderful cabernet in Mendoza and this is a good well priced example. So much noise about malbec means we often forget their cabernets!

Firestone Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, Santa Ynez Valley, California ($17.10 was $20.10) –Top50November – This is seriously very good cabernet for less than $18 from California. It is an elegant cool climate cabernet sauvignon from the Santa Ynez Valley that is perfectly ripe with none of greenness that often mars underripe cabernet. Moreover it is not sweet and is well structured for food. Try with prime rib.

Whites

Lindeman’s Bin 90 Moscato, Australia. ($6.45 was $11.00) Top50November, 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. Over 800 bottles left.

Cape Bay Chardonnay Chenin Blanc 2015 Western Cape, South Africa ($6.45 was $10.95) NewtoTop50, Delisted – A nice juicy white blend from the Cape with a harmonious nose. It is midweight finely balanced with very good length. Chill lightly and try with fish and chips. Over 2300 bottles left.

McWilliam’s Hanwood Estate Chardonnay 2015, Southeastern Australia ($8.00 was $14.10) NewtoTop50, Delisted – This is typical Aussie chardonnay that’s fullbodied rich and creamy with lots of flavour and an oaky finish. Very good length. Try with creamy pasta sauces. Over 3200 bottles left.

Alpine Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2015, Marlborough, New Zealand ($8.95 was $15.10) NewtoTop50, Delisted – This is a classic Marlborough sauvignon with aromas of passionfruit and melon plus grass and lime citrus. Midweight and crisp but with enough sweetness to balance the racy acidity. Try with creamy pasta sauces. Over 1700 bottles remain.

Trapiche Extravaganza White Blend 2015 Mendoza, Argentina ($8.95 was $14.95) Top50November – Delisted – This blend of the native torrontes grape with 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 6800 bottles remain.

Santa Carolina Sauvignon Blanc Reserva 2015, Leyda Valley, Chile ($9.95 was $11.95) NewtoTop50 – This wine comes from the Leyda Valley which is now recognized as one of the best places for this variety in Chile. This is a complex ripe sauvignon with a nose of passion fruit with peppermint, lavender, lemon and white pepper with a hint of celery.

Jacob’s Creek Chardonnay Reserve 2014, Adelaide Hills, South Australia ($11.95 was $14.95) NewtoTop50 – This chardonnay sourced from the relatively cool Adelaide Hills gets better with each vintage. The 2014 is a very classy chardonnay, lightly oaked with a palate that is midweight and quite nervy with the fruit finely balanced. Quite elegant with good focus. Try with roast poultry, pork or veal.

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!