Top Values at the LCBO (October 2017)

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

Steve Thurlow

Steve Thurlow

The LCBO has many deep discounts this month so, along with two delists, eight wines joined my Top50 Best Values List. I have selected twelve wines to highlight for you off the new list, eight of which joined this month.

Among the wines in today’s report about the new Top50 there are:

  • Nine wines heavily discounted; one by $4.50
  • All 12 wines score 87 or more points
  • Seven wines for less than $12
  • Many wines with Bonus Air Miles

You have just under four weeks, until November 5th, to take advantage of these prices. Don’t hesitate, since delisted wines on the Top50 often move out quickly. Thanks to WineAlign’s inventory tracking, I can assure you that there were stocks available, when we published, of every wine that I highlight.

Top Value Reds

Aliança Bairrada Reserva 2015, Bairrada, Portugal ($8.95 + 5 BAMs) – The 2015 is a good vintage for this red wine from the Bairrada region in Portugal made from the grape baga. A fragrant nose leads to a lively, juicy palate with a fine balance and very good length. It finishes dry with firm tannin. Try with roast meats or creamy cheese like brie.…

Carmen Reserva Premier Carmenère 2016, Colchagua Valley, Chile ($10.55 was $12.55) New to Top50 – I love the fresh aromatic nose on this wine that leads to a pure fruity, vibrant palate that has the impression of lightness though it is full bodied. There is some complexity with spice, cedar and tobacco in the mix. Well balanced and juicy with good to very good length. Try with grilled meats.

Aliança Bairrada Reserva 2015Carmen Reserva Premier Carmenère 2016Cave Spring Cabernet Merlot 2014

Cave Spring Cabernet Merlot 2014, VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario ($12.45 was $16.95) New to Top50 – Delist – This is a midweight well balanced gently oaked red. The palate is rich and vibrant with a good depth of flavour. It is well balanced with nice grippy tannin with a long spicy finish. Very good length. Try with a steak. Over 1500 bottles remain.

Trapiche Broquel Malbec 2015 Mendoza, Argentina ($13.00 was $15.00) New to Top50 – This is an elegant complex fruity malbec with a fragrant nose. It’s almost full bodied, fairly dense, creamy and lively with a lemony tone to the palate. The finish is a dry with some firm tannin for grip. Very good focus and length. Try with roast duck or a juicy cut of lamb.

Trapiche Broquel Malbec 2015Beronia Elaboracion Especial Tempranillo 2014Thelema Mountain Red 2014

Beronia Elaboracion Especial Tempranillo 2014 ($13.95 was $16.95) New to Top50 – This is a midweight and very juicy red with a velvety smooth red berry fruit palate that’s finely balanced with very good length. Supple tannins and lemony acidity give structure for food. Very versatile. Try with meat and cheese dishes.

Thelema Mountain Red 2014, Western Cape, South Africa ($14.00 + 6 BAMs) – This fresh red blend of shiraz and five other grapes comes from high mountain vineyards above Stellenbosch. The fragrant nose leads to a very smooth palate that is quite dense and nicely balanced. Try with pizza or burgers.

Top Value Whites

Thr3 Monkeys White 2015 Hungary ($8.05 was $9.95) Delist – This is a rich sweetish white with an aromatic nose of peach, tangerine and melon fruit. It is midweight and very flavourful with the sweetness balanced by lemony acidity. Very good length. Chill well and enjoy on its own or with pastry nibbles. Over 1000 bottles remain.

Robertson Winery Chenin Blanc 2016, Robertson, South Africa ($8.25) New to Top50 – There is a lot going on for the money here. It is juicy and fruity and quite fat with a fine balance and good to very good length. Having a dozen on hand for casual dining with seafood and chicken would a great idea and it can be so easily delivered to your front door. This is an online exclusive offer. The wine is only available by the case of 12 for $99.00 at LCBO.com. This wine is not available in stores.

Thr3 Monkeys White 2015Robertson Winery Chenin Blanc 2016K W V The Vinecrafter Chenin Blanc 2016

K W V The Vinecrafter Chenin Blanc 2016 Western Cape South Africa ($8.45 was $9.95) New to Top50 – This is pure, fresh and clean on the palate with the fruit nicely balanced by soft lemony acidity. Good to very good length. An inexpensive versatile food white with seafood and white meats or mildly flavoured cheese.

Jacob’s Creek Chardonnay Reserve 2014, Adelaide Hills, Australia ($11.95 was $14.95) New to Top50 – This is a very classy chardonnay with a great marriage between oak and wine. The fragrant nose and smooth palate are very appealing. The palate is midweight and quite nervy with the fruit finely balanced. Quite elegant with good focus. Try with roast poultry, pork or veal.

Calmel & Joseph Villa Blanche Chardonnay 2015, France ($12.90 was $14.90) New to Top50 – A juicy mildly oaked chardonnay that is midweight with a good depth of flavour, quite rich with a smooth palate and very good length. It is dry on the finish. Chill lightly and try with roast chicken or pork.

Jacob's Creek Chardonnay Reserve 2014Calmel & Joseph Villa Blanche Chardonnay 2015Gnarly Head Chardonnay 2015

Gnarly Head Chardonnay 2015, California USA ($15.95 + 8 BAMs) – Enjoy the lovely fragrant nose that entices you to the midweight, vibrant and juicy palate with fine balancing acidity and a firm creamy palate. Very good to excellent length. Don’t overchill and enjoy with rich poultry dishes or baked ham maybe.


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

Steve's Top 50 Value WinesToday’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 30 days to see new reviews. Membership has its privileges; like first access to great value wines!


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