LCBO VINTAGES AUGUST 22, 2020 RELEASE - TOP PICKS
If you’re in Canada, and more specifically in Ontario, you undoubtedly know the LCBO. How can you not? With over 660 retail locations, the LCBO (Liquor Control Board of Ontario) is THE place to buy alcohol in Ontario. It also happens to be ubiquitous - every Ontario resident has undoubtedly seen the green LCBO sign at some point.
Even if you buy your liquor at the grocery store, chances are it’s coming from the LCBO’s wholesale division. The LCBO is one of the world’s largest buyers and retailers of alcohol, offering more than 28,000 products from over 80 countries to its customers. Yes, you read that right - I said 28,000!
As a wine lover, this is a real gift because you can get really great wines, at all price points, from the LCBO. And the stock keeps rotating constantly, so there’s always something new to explore and try.
Nowhere is this more prevalent than in the LCBO Vintages section. Vintages is the section of the LCBO where you can find incredible wines from all around the world, often at very reasonable price points. In fact, Vintages does a new release every two weeks - so there is never a shortage of new wine for wine lovers to try here in Ontario! :)
Are you wondering how you can find out more about all of this? It’s easy! All you need is the Vintages magazine, which you can get at any LCBO store, have mailed to your house or check out online (click here). It’s literally one of my favourite reads - I get pretty excited when it turns up in the mail (yes, I’m a wine geek and also a dinosaur who still uses snail mail, lol!). I love the Vintages magazine because it is always chock-full of great articles, features on types of wine or wine regions, and detailed product write-ups. It’d a true wine nerd’s dream come true!
Having said this, I recognize that as much as I love it, for others the whole thing can be overwhelming. New wines every two weeks, wines from all around the world, a magazine full of wine talk, varietals you’ve never heard of….and perhaps many people have already tuned out, or have decided to reach for some good old California Cab that they already know (not that there’s anything wrong with that, by the way!).
If this is you, let me help you by sharing a few of my favourite picks that are new in store!
Picking favourites is always tough because there are so many great choices…but I think a few still do stand out. Here’s what I think is interesting in the current Vintages release (August 22, 2020 release) and I think you should check out too!
NOTE: I haven’t tried all of these wines and I may not buy all of them because I can only buy and consume so much! I’m also not getting paid to recommend these wines - I’m recommending them because they look good to me. I’ve tried to indicate why below, and also share any major ratings the wines have received, in case that is of interest to a reader of this blog.
ANOTHER NOTE: Product availability will vary across LCBO locations, and not all products last very long. Be sure to use the product numbers noted to check availability of products you like, before you decide what you’re going to purchase! Also remember to check out online vs. in store shopping as product availability varies across LCBO’s various channels.
All photos below are courtesy of LCBO.com. Click here to visit the site directly.
TOP PICKS
Andrea Biasiotto Extra Dry Millesimato Prosecco 2018 $18.95
LCBO Product #: 516559I
If you like Prosecco, especially in a lighter approachable style, my guess is that you will like this. The wine notes indicate you can pair this with sushi or prosciutto, which makes it a complete winner in my books. I like the price point too. I think this wine would be a lovely addition to a brunch table and/or a great patio sipper as we enjoy the last stretch of summer. It doesn’t hurt that this wine seems to also be highly recommended by a famous wine reviewer who noted the wine was “simply among the best wines tasted this year”. Expect this wine to be light and fruity, with a touch of sweetness, and a nice degree of delicate finesse!
Salentein Reserve Malbec 2018
$17.95
LCBO Product #: 640854
I’m a Malbec lover. Period. I love Malbec, oh yes I do. I especially love Malbec from Argentina. Always easy to pair with food, especially steak and/or anything off the BBQ, Argentinian Malbec is a gift as far as I’m concerned. This particular example promises to be full of dark fruit and spice, and to be very approachable. I’ve yet to have a Malbec by this winemaker that I haven’t liked! And at this price - can you really go wrong?
By the way, Vintages featured this as their Wine of the Month too!!
ZaHa El Corte 2016
$24.95
LCBO Product #: 629972
As the colder weather approaches, we will surely be reaching for deeper and richer wines. This wine, hailing from Argentina, should hit the mark when this time comes. Made from a blend of 70% Malbec and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, this is a well reviewed wine that promises to be full of plum and spice notes, full-bodied and well structured.
I can tell you that ZaHa El Corte was literally all over every fine dining wine list when I was in Argentina (in fact this is where I was first introduced to this wine), and that’s a good enough reason for me to buy this wine! :)
Montes Alpha Chardonnay 2016
$19.95
LCBO Product #: 390203
I’ve been to the Montes winery in Chile, and not only is it stunning, but my visit also taught me that they take good winemaking very seriously here. Whenever I see Montes wine, I look twice! I think this will be a beautiful, buttery Chardonnay and it’s such an affordable price point for the varietal. Buy this, and pair it with poultry, fish in cream sauce or beautiful creamy cheeses.
93 points - James Suckling.
Bodega Garzon Reserva Albarino 2019
$22.95
LCBO Product #: 646802
Bodega Garzon is an Uruguayan winery, which in and of itself makes it super interesting to me because wine from Uruguay is not part of the everyday mainstream here in Canada. Beyond this somewhat shallow reason, it is also worth noting that Garzon is a serious winery making seriously good wine! I also love a good albarino, and while this one is not from Spain, I expect it will be very nice. It should be very aromatic and fruity but dry, and should pair well with seafood...or be fine just on it’s own!
92 points - James Suckling.
Procella Tumbarumba Chardonnay 2018
$21.95
Product #15140
It might be because I used to live in Australia, or the description for this wine is just written that well in the Vintages magazine, but I’m liking this wine. I think it’s going to be an interesting expression of Chardonnay from Down Under, a place you might not think of right away when thinking you want to grab a Chardonnay. I really like this price point too.
I would be willing to bring this out at a dinner party with a nice platter of cheese, nuts, crackers and jam!
95 points - winecompanion.com.au
Boschendal 1685 Chardonnay
$15.95
Product #367698
$15.95?!! Yes, you read that right!
While South African wine typically represents great value, I think this will be especially special given the price point. Boschendal has been making wines since 1685, so they know what they are doing and they are committed to sustainability in their beautiful property.
Want to have something interesting, without breaking the bank and also support the South African wine industry (which really can use our support right now)? Grab this bottle and pair it with grilled or roasted chicken. I doubt you’ll regret your decision :)
Almenkerk Wine Estate Syrah 2014
$17.95
Product #15780
Have you had a lot of Syrah? It’s a bold and spicy varietal that can be amazing with certain foods. This one is from South Africa, from where some really great examples of Syrah come.
I like this example’s description in the Vintages magazine and I particularly like the price point. Full bodied, this should be excellent with stewed dark meat or grilled beef. It’ll also be welcome on cooler fall nights. At this price, you can’t really go wrong.
91 points - Decanter.com
Domaine Laroche Vielles Vignes Les Vaillons Chablis 1er Cru 2018 $39.95
Product #991893
If you’ve not had a lot of Chablis, but want to try it…or try more, I think this wine would be a good choice. I personally don’t love Chablis but I’m fascinated by how much other wine lovers do love it, and I’m always looking for opportunities to learn what their love affair is about. At this price point, I don’t mind dipping my toes in and giving some more Chablis a go.
I also feel this price is especially approachable for a premier cru and Les Vaillons is a noteworthy premier cru, well known for producing wines that are full of minerality and freshness, and are easy to drink young.
According to the Vintages magazine, the drinking window for this wine is 2020-2028, which also makes it a good choice for those who are looking to build their cellar.
91 points - vinous.com
Chateau Fombrauge 2016
$68.95
Product #14461
Chateau Fombrauge is located in Saint-Emilion, and is a Grand Cru Classe, which is a recognized tier in the Saint-Emilion classification system. I like this price point for a classified Bordeaux wine and I also like the description of this wine and the fact that it is well rated by Wine Enthusiast magazine. Primarily Merlot based with a small amount of Cabernet Franc as well, it will drink well for several years to come.
This should be a perfect gift for the serious wine lover or Bordeaux fan in your life. It’s also a great wine for building your own cellar too!
94 points - Wine Enthusiast
Chateau Grand Ormeau 2016
$35.95
Product #14784
New to Vintages, I think this is an exciting wine. It’s a Bordeaux blend from the Right Bank, from a winery that is just a stone's throw away from some very big names in Bordeaux but is situated in Lalande-de-Pomerol, which is a less prestigious village so you can usually get excellent value from wines from here!!
This wine is meant to be aged. If you buy it, put it away for several years...or buy several bottles and drink them for a few years to come! The drinking window for this wine according to one famous wine reviewer is 2021 - 2040. What an amazing price point for a wine that will age nicely for years to come!
91-93 points - robertparker.com
Arnoux Pere & Fils Les Beaumonts Chorey-Les-Beaune 2017
$41.95
Product #557785
Burgundy that’s not breaking the bank! Need I say more? Sign me up! :)
Though not from a high-profile village, this wine is still from a recognized AOC village and should be very good value. If you need more convincing, it might help to know that this wine was awarded 95 points at the Decanter World Wine Awards.
Buy this one if you want to try Burgundy Pinot Noir, or if you’re looking to understand Burgundy, across its entire range, better.
And there you have it! I hope you enjoyed this run down of the August 22 LCBO Vintages release and get a chance to try one or two of these wines! If you do, be sure to let me know what you think!
Cheers and good health to you!