Top Values at the LCBO (July 2018)
Your Guide to Best Values, Limited Time Offers & Bonus Air Miles selections at the LCBO
Discounts by the Dozen
by Steve Thurlow
Steve Thurlow
Thirteen wines joined the Top 50 list this month, two of them being new listings at LCBO that jumped straight onto the list. Seven wines on the list are being discounted; one by $2.80. So there is much for me to write about in July.
I have selected twelve wines to highlight from my Top50 Best Values List .
Among the wines in today’s report about the Top50 :
- All 12 wines joined the Top50 this month.
- Two fresh lively whites from Gascony in SW France, that are brand new to the LCBO.
- 11 wines score 87 or more points.
- Some big discounts, the biggest is $2.80
- One VINTAGES Essential
The current promotional period runs until July 22nd 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.
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Top Value Reds
Grão Vasco 2016, Dao, Portugal ($8.65) New to Top50 – 2016 is a lot better than recent vintages with an appealing red berry fruit nose and a soft juicy palate. Expect aromas of black plum and raspberry fruit with some floral and mild spice tones. It is well balanced with lovely mouthwatering acidity and just enough tannin for some grip on the finish. Very good length.
Argento Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2014, Mendoza, Argentina ($11.75 was $14.25) New to Top50 – An elegant approachable fruity ripe cabernet with an appealing nose. It’s full bodied and finely balanced with a long lingering finish on which the fruit persists well. Excellent length. Try with roast game or a grilled steak.
Cono Sur Sparkling Pinot Noir Rose, Bio Bio Valley, Chile ($12.00 was $14.00) New to Top50 – This is a beige pink sparkling rose made from pinot noir with aromas of red berries and apple with a delicate creamy dry palate of bruised apple with a sweet core and delicate berry flavours. Soft lemony acidity for balance. Very good length with everlasting fine bubbles. Chill well and try with roast chicken or enjoy on its own as aperitif.
Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, Colchagua Valley, Chile ($19.95) New to Top50, VINTAGES Essential – This is an intense fruity fragrant cabernet that is full bodied with velvety tannins and lots of fine balancing acidity making it seem lighter. There is some elegance. Expect a dry mildly tannic finish. Very good to excellent length. Try with a steak. Best 2018 to 2024.
Top Value Whites
Pasqua Soave 2017 (1500ml) Italy ($14.75 was $16.75) New to Top50 – This is an inexpensive and consistently well made Soave that shows delicate aromas with a clean, fresh and lively palate and a good depth of flavour. It is dry with just enough fruit sweetness to give some richness to the palate. Try with creamy pasta sauces, seafood or mildly flavoured poultry.
La Petite Hitaire Blanc 2017, Cotes Du Gascogne, France ($8.95 was $9.95) New to Top50, New to LCBO – This white grape blend is a lively fresh pure wine. Expect delicate aromas of pear and melon fruit with some fresh herbal notes and a hint of ginger. The palate is well balanced with vibrant acidity that might be a little tart on the finish without food. I suggest creamy goats cheese or oysters on the half shell. Very good length.
Two Oceans Sauvignon Blanc 2017, Western Cape, South Africa ($9.35 was $10.35) New to Top50 – 2017 is the best vintage I can recall with good varietal character for such an inexpensive wine. The nose has a mild rosemary tone to the apple and melon fruit with some hay notes. It is juicy and well flavoured with a good acidic structure though maybe a tad sweet. Good length. Chill well and enjoy with roast chicken.
Jean Claude Mas Origines Martinolles St. Hilaire Chardonnay 2016, Pays d’Oc, France ($10.45 was $13.25) New to Top50, Delisted – This rich chardonnay from the Midi shows aromas of baked apple and pineapple fruit with honey and mild oak spice. The palate is very smooth with the oak nicely integrated. Good focus and very good length. Chill lightly and try with rich poultry. (Delisted wines move quickly, so use our ‘Find this Wine‘ button before heading to the store.)
Volo Biou Sauvignon Blanc 2016, Cotes Du Gascogne, France ($10.95) New to Top50, New to LCBO – There is a lot of flavour to be enjoyed here. Lemony acidity balances the melon and green apple flavours with a creamy firm finish. The nose is typical of warm climate sauvignon with white peach and lemon notes plus some dried herbal notes and a hint of nutmeg spice. Chill only slightly and enjoy with cheese and creamy pasta dishes or roast poultry. Very good length.
Argento Seleccion Chardonnay 2017, Mendoza, Argentina ($10.95) New to Top50 – This consistently one of the best values in chardonnay at the LCBO and the 2017 is one of the best vintages I can recall. It has a touch of elegance and is well balanced for food with a nose that shows aromas of baked apple, peach with melba toast and floral notes. The palate is midweight and creamy with the oak nicely integrated. Very good length.
Emiliana Adobe Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2017, Casablanca Valley, Chile ($11.00 was $13.00) New to Top50 – This is a delicate, creamy, dry sauvignon with an appealing nose that is midweight and finely balanced with a lingering rich finish. Very good length. Quite charming. Enjoy with mildly flavoured chicken, pork and veal dishes.
Mascota Vineyards O P I Chardonnay 2017 Argentina ($11.35) New to Top50 – This is a delicately flavoured elegant chardonnay which has just a touch of oak for added complexity and structure. The palate is midweight and very smooth with a mineral tone to fruit. Very good length with a fine dry finish. Try with rich seafood dishes.
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 30 days to see new reviews. Membership has its privileges; like first access to great value wines!