Casa Todelano Tempranillo 2018
Casa Todelano Tempranillo 2018 Casa Todelano Tempranillo 2018
Casa Todelano Tempranillo 2018
Price: $8.30
Tastes Like:
Strawberry Jam, Raspberry Jam, Light Oak
Serve With:
BBQ, Tapas
Chuck’s Take
My impression was that it smelled artificial and manufactured. A one dimensional juicy, jammy red upfront, with an oak driven tannic finish. Not the value find I thought it might have been. However, if you love-love-love value reds, I’ve had waaaaay worse, roll the dice on a cheap-de-la-cheap weekday pizza wine if that’s your game.
Shop:
Rosehall Run Chardonnay 2019
Rosehall Run Chardonnay 2019 Rosehall Run Chardonnay 2019
Rosehall Run Chardonnay 2019
Price: $14.95
Tastes Like:
Yellow Pear, White Grapefruit, White Peach, Floral, Pineapple
Serve With:
Pasta Alfredo or Primavera, Lobster Roll
Chuck’s Take
Importantly un-oaked. This crisp and acidic chardonnay keeps your mouth watering for the next sip. If experience has led you to believe that all chardonnays are made into heavy, buttery, barrel aged viscous whites – this one will put un-oaked versions of this varietal back on your shopping list!
Prince Edward County is a newer winemaking region in Ontario that’s certainly growing in popularity. The region produces tends to specialize in Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. I bought this bottle directly from the winery in Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada.
Shop:
Paul Mas Réserve Marsanne 2019
Paul Mas Réserve Marsanne 2019 Paul Mas Réserve Marsanne 2019
Paul Mas Réserve Marsanne 2019
Price: $13.95
Tastes Like:
Peach, Apricot, Honey
Serve With:
Halibut, Alfredo Sauce, Scalloped Potatoes
Sean’s Take
If you’re interested in trying something besides your usual Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc this is well worth the price of admission. Really obvious stone fruit flavours, and a sort of raisin flavour. It vaguely tasted like Welch’s White Grape Juice for a moment. Lingers in your mouth for a while, really nice sweet/acid balance. There’s a lot happening in the glass at this price point.
Ontario readers: This is a limited release.
Shop:
Laura Hartwig Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Laura Hartwig Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 Laura Hartwig Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Laura Hartwig Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Price: $16.95
Tastes Like:
Blueberry, Plum, Cocoa
Serve With:
Wood Fired Pizza, Beef Stroganoff, Roasted Whole Chicken
Sean’s Take
This is a truly remarkable wine that costs less than $20. If this bottle was coming out of California they would charge double. It has loads of fruit flavour but is somehow balanced and bold simultaneously. As table wines go, it is technically very dry (2g sugar per litre) but has a surprising level of implied sweetness. The acid and tannins are matched perfectly to the sweetness for that Goldilocks just right glass.
It’s a perfect blend of three Bordeaux grapes, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. You can learn more about them on our About Wine Grapes page.
In the early 2000’s a version of this wine launched my search for the best inexpensive wines. I purchased more bottles than I care to admit (and have done so again). I have not seen this wine in 15 years and have never forgotten about it.
If you live in Ontario, Canada this wine is a limited release and is going fast, as in run don’t walk, fast. Click the shop link below to find it near you.
Please let us know if you love it as much as we do.
Shop:
Luccarelli Primitivo Puglia IGT
Luccarelli Primitivo Puglia IGT Luccarelli Primitivo Puglia IGT
Luccarelli Primitivo Puglia IGT
Price: $11.90
Tastes Like:
Dark red fruit, plum, spice, chocolate
Serve With:
Italian Food, Tomato Sauce, Pizza
Chuck’s Take
An easy drinking Italian red that’s great with dinner but also holds up to having a glass on its own. Dry, rich, round with medium tannins.
If you liked this one, you’ll love my similar top value Italian Red.
Sean’s Take
Some words and terms really get people going. For instance “moist” and “mouth feel” make my brain skip a beat. This wine has a really great mouth feel from start to finish. Very lush! (add “lush” to the above list)
Shop:
Adesso Merlot 2020
Adesso Merlot 2020 Adesso Merlot 2020
Adesso Merlot 2020
Price: $8.30
Tastes Like:
Red Berry, Red Plum, Light Oak, Light Vanilla
Serve With:
Pizza, Burgers, Hot Dogs
Chuck’s Take
This is a real non-descript middle of the road merlot. I do like merlot from time to time when it has some structure. Merlot isn’t in Italy’s wheelhouse. That’s fine, they have better things growing.
Shop:
LCBO | Wine Searcher
Bouchard AF Heritage Du Conseiller Pinot Noir 2020
Bouchard AF Heritage Du Conseiller Pinot Noir 2020 Bouchard AF Heritage Du Conseiller Pinot Noir 2020
Bouchard AF Heritage Du Conseiller Pinot Noir 2020
Price: $13.80
Tastes Like:
Cherry, Rhubarb, Floral
Serve With:
Turkey, Grilled Vegetables, Couscous
Sean’s Take
If you love Cherry Pie you’re going to love this wine. It’s interesting when an old school wine region (France) makes a new world style wine. You often end up with a one note wonder, like this cherry blaster. It did earn 3 stars because it’s a very well made wine that is fresh and juicy.
Shop:
Angels Gate Unoaked Chardonnay 2020
Angels Gate Unoaked Chardonnay 2020 Angels Gate Unoaked Chardonnay 2020
Angels Gate Unoaked Chardonnay 2020
Price: $14.95
Tastes Like:
Cantaloupe, Melon, Green Apple
Serve With:
Apple Pie, Charcuterie, Shepard’s Pie
Sean’s Take
Unoaked Chardonnay from cooler climates like Ontario are really interesting as they can vary greatly in fruit flavours. This gem is bursting with apples and melons, slightly tart and very refreshing. There was a hint of white pepper in there, but it disappeared after the wine warmed up. Great with or without food.
Shop:
Bread & Butter Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Bread & Butter Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 Bread & Butter Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Bread & Butter Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Price: $18.95
Tastes Like:
Black Cherry, Chocolate, Raspberry
Serve With:
Grilled Meats, Lasagna, Stews
Chuck’s Take
Incoming…
Sean’s Take
Need a recommendation on bringing a bottle of wine to a dinner party? Look no further, this is the one.
If you want to taste the a nearly perfect text book definition of Cabernet Sauvignon get a bottle of this wine. I’m going throw out some traditional wine language then translate it. The wine is clean, correct, and integrated. Terrific mouth feel. Translated, no unexpected or unusual flavours. All the smells and tastes are working together. No lingering heat or flavours in the mouth.
I had to dock it a star because I found it a bit light in terms of weight. But, to the people who find Cabs overwhelming, this is a feature, not a bug.
Our earlier Bread & Butter Pinot Noir review was also a strong 4/5. We’re keeping our eye on this winery.
Shop:
White Blend Portugal 2020
White Blend Portugal 2020 White Blend Portugal 2020
White Blend Portugal 2020
Price: $8.80
Tastes Like:
Apricot, Peach, Lemon
Serve With:
Garden Salad, Fajitas, Rice & Beans
Sean’s Take
We don’t know what variety of grapes is in this blend, but we do know it’s really good. The wine is light and crisp, very easy sipping wine. There is something tropical but also familiar about the flavours. I settled on peach, but you might get pineapple. Would definitely buy again.
Chuck’s Take
Besides it being an amazing value find – this wine is well balanced, has a nice crisp acidity and ends with a slightly tart finish which I enjoyed. Notes of: pear, white grapefruit & light mineral content.
Shop:
LCBO | Wine Searcher
Domaine de Rochebin Mâcon-Azé Chardonnay 2019
Domaine de Rochebin Mâcon-Azé Chardonnay 2019 Domaine de Rochebin Mâcon-Azé Chardonnay 2019
Domaine de Rochebin Mâcon-Azé Chardonnay 2019
Price: $18.95
Tastes Like:
Pear, Honey, Melon
Serve With:
Buckwheat Salad, Vegetable Soup, Pasta with Cream Sauce
Sean’s Take
Great with or without food. I was sipping this on a rainy lazy Sunday afternoon. The winemaker did a really good job balancing the acid. A bit on the pricey side for what you get, but a good wine overall.
One of our top Chardonnays from France set s a very high bar for quality and value.
Shop:
Buried Cane Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Buried Cane Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 Buried Cane Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Buried Cane Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Price: $19.95
Tastes Like:
Currant, Black Cherry, Violet
Serve With:
Roast Beef, Collard Greens, Roast Vegetable Pasta
Sean’s Take
Expectations were high going in to this one. It’s a well known label from a wine growing super power, Columbia Valley in Washington State. The initial tasting has me wanting more. A bit thin, a bit simple, a bit tannic. Fast forward a couple of hours and the wine changed, a lot. Nice subtle flavours, smooth, great with the meat pasta I served it with. A great wine, just didn’t totally deliver it’s potential.