Top Values at the LCBO (March 2017)

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

Steve Thurlow

Steve Thurlow

As usual, my focus this month is on value at the LCBO with nine wines joining my Top50 Best Values List, most due to deep discounts of as much as $5. You have just under 4 weeks to take advantage of these prices; so don’t hesitate.

I have updated my Top50 list and have selected twelve wines to highlight for you.

Among the wines in today’s report are:

• Nine wines heavily discounted; some by as much as $5.
• One 90 point and five 89 point wines.
• Six wines for less than $11.

The current promotional period runs until March 26th, 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. However, there are three delisted wines that will soon be all gone.

Top Value Reds

Montes Twins Malbec Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, Colchagua Valley, Chile ($8.95 was $12.95) New to Top50 Delisted – This is a ripe red blend of 50% malbec and 50% cabernet sauvignon. It is full-bodied but feels lighter due to soft acidity. Very fruity with a fine tannin finish. Good to very good length. Try with bbq meats. Around 2,000 bottles remain.

Piqueras Black Label Old Vines Garnacha 2014, Almansa, Spain ($9.95 was $11.95) New to Top50 – A stately, full-bodied, youthful Spanish red with lifted aromas of ripe blackberry fruit with white pepper, sweet basil and hints of oak spice. It is very juicy and seems light due to the vibrant acidity. It finishes dry with very good length. Try with a steak.

Montes Twins Malbec Cabernet Sauvignon 2014Piqueras Black Label Old Vines Garnacha 2014Big Bill Cabernet Sauvignon 2015Chateau Haut Langlade 2012

Big Bill Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, Western Cape, South Africa ($10.95 was $12.95) New to Top50 – This nicely structured pure cabernet with typical Cape minerality making it seem very fresh. The full-bodied palate is very smooth and finely balanced, with mild tannin and lovely lemony acidity, giving a zesty tang to the finish. Very good length. Try with a steak.

Chateau Haut Langlade 2012, Montagne Saint Emilion, France ($14.90 was $20.00) New to Top50 Delisted – This is a juicy red Bordeaux that’s soft and approachable upfront but some serious structure underneath. Lively red berry aromas and soft acidity grace the palate. Very good length. Try with roast beef. Around 500 bottles remain.

Chapoutier Marius 2015, Languedoc-Roussillon, France ($12.95 + 8 BAMs) Top50 March – This is a 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.

Trapiche Pure Malbec 2015 Mendoza Argentina ($12.95 was $15.95) Top50 March – This is a pristine unoaked malbec that is a pure, unstructured, complex red that is dry and did not need oak to be complete. It is very juicy, exuberantly youthful and fresh. Try with roast meats; would be great with a sauteed duck breast.

Chapoutier Marius 2015Trapiche Pure Malbec 2015Wolf Blass Yellow Label Shiraz 2015The Wolftrap Syrah Mourvedre Viognier 2015

Wolf Blass Yellow Label Shiraz 2015, South Australia ($14.00 was $17.00) New to Top50 – This is a lively midweight fresh, youthful shiraz that is well balanced with some fresh floral and menthol notes on the nose. The fruity palate is nicely balanced by some lemony acidity and licorice that tones down the ripe blackberry fruit. Good to very good length.

The Wolftrap Syrah Mourvedre Viognier 2015, Western Cape, South Africa ($14.00) New to Top50 – A well-made, well-priced red with a degree of elegance not often found in such an inexpensive wine.  It is medium to full-bodied with firm tannin which is evident mostly on the finish which has a nice firm feel. Very good to excellent length.  Try with grilled red meats.

Whites

Montes Twins Sauvignon Blanc Chardonnay Viognier 2015, Aconcagua Coast, Chile ($8.95 was $11.95) New to Top50 Delisted – A flavourful sauvignon-dominated white blend with a rich creamy palate. It finishes with a lingering fruity finish with cooked asparagus complexity. Very good length. Try with roast chicken or sauteed pork slices. Over 3,000 bottles remain.

Cono Sur Bicicleta Viognier 2016, Colchagua Valley, Chile ($10.00 was $11.00) Top50 March – Enjoy the lovely lifted floral aromas of orange blossom, peach and ripe pear fruit with some nutty and citrus tones. It is midweight and rich with a fine balance and very good length. Enjoy on its own or with mildly spicy Asian style cuisine.

Montes Twins Sauvignon Blanc Chardonnay Viognier 2015Cono Sur Bicicleta Viognier 2016Pelee Island Winery Lighthouse Riesling 2015Babich Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2016

Pelee Island Winery Lighthouse Riesling 2015, VQA Ontario ($10.95 was $12.45) New to Top50 – This is just off dry with a fragrant nose. The palate is very smooth and rich with fruit that is balanced by soft lemony acidity. Very good length with the fruit persisting well. Enjoy lightly chilled as an aperitif or match with seafood or cheesy sauces.

Babich Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2016, Marlborough, New Zealand ($13.95 was $15.95) New to Top50 – This is a very typical Marlborough sauvignon that is rich and creamy with just enough sweetness to match the mouthwatering acidity. Excellent length.


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

Steve's Top 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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