We all want to drink wines with 90+ scores. We just don’t want to have to pay through the nose for the privilege, nor do the required research to unearth these hidden treasures. As for the latter part, I’m happy to do the research for you. For if you do enough sifting, there are golden nuggets to be found.

That’s what this annual “Best Values at the LCBO” list is all about—showcasing quality bottles that are easy on the pocketbook, but not always the most heavily marketed.

In the past, this list has featured an $18 ceiling, but as with the rest of the world, there has been some inflation in the wine trade. As a result, we’ve now moved from 36 Wines Under $18 to 40 Under $20. That has made the distillation of this list much, much more difficult. Whittling it down from more than 125 finalists to 40 was a painstaking process. (Watch for another post later this month on honourable mentions to this Best Value list.)

And to make sure we have the local market covered, I have once again benefitted from a few entries from Rick VanSickle, who knows the Niagara wines market better than anyone.

The wine’s agent has been included in italics at the end of each entry.

So without further ado, here is the 2022 edition of TheLushLife.ca’s Best Value list.

 

SPARKLING

Bottega Il Vino dei Poeti Prosecco 2021 — Veneto, Italy ($16.95) 
A silver medallist at the 2020 Decanter World Wine Awards. Expect a bouquet of Granny Smith Apple, pear, peach and cream soda on the nose and nothing but goodness inside the glass. Featuring tight bubbles without being overly frothy, and dry but with just a faint hint of sweetness from the 13 g/L of residual sugar, it holds together effortlessly through to a clean finish. This is a regular in my fridge—for celebrations, cocktails, meals or just sipping on the patio. (Noble Estates) 88+

Gran Passione Prosecco DOC — Veneto, Italy ($16)
Pear, minerality and yeast on the nose. Fine, persistent (but not obtrusively effervescent) bubbles in the glass, and with an unusually clean and smooth delivery and extended finish for this price point. The sugar content (14 g/L) pushes it just out of the driest (Brut) classification, according to Italian Prosecco standards, and into the curiously termed “extra dry” category. All said, this is pretty sophisticated for a Prosecco, particularly given its affordability. (The Case for Wine) 90

 

WHITE

Flat Rock Cellars Twisted 2020 — Niagara Peninsula, Ontario ($17.95)
This is the white version in the Twisted family of Flat Rock wines. It’s a proprietary blend of Riesling (72%), Gewurztraminer (17%) and the rest Chardonnay. The nose is firmly in the Riesling camp, with bright, fresh lime, grapefruit and crisp apple and a lovely floral and pear component. It’s quite robust on the palate with fleshy grapefruit, lychee, a touch of ginger and lime zing on the finish. 89 — Rick VanSickle, Wines in Niagara

Ken Forrester 2021 Old Vines Reserve Chenin Blanc — Stellenbosch, South Africa ($17.95)
I have long been a fan of this wine—many wine critics have. And now there’s even more notoriety for this 100% Chenin Blanc, which earned a Best in Show honour as one of the Top 50 wines at this year’s Decanter World Wine Awards. “This pale gold, pure, fine-fruited wine hints at honey, spring flowers, pear and quince in its focused, almost lacy aromas, while the palate is graceful and shapely, deftly balanced, and with a stony residuum that suggests deep-rooted old vines,” Decanter notes. While the aromas are alluring (“lemon meringue” also comes to mind), the midweight texture of this wine really opens up its food-pairing flexibility. Yet there’s sufficient acidity to keep it from being flabby. Pair it up with chicken, turkey, spicy foods and shellfish. (Noble Estates) 92 

LeftField Sauvignon Blanc 2021 — Nelson, New Zealand ($18)
Blended from Sauvignon Blanc grapes from multiple regions in New Zealand allows LeftField to concoct something a little different. The result is a balanced and expressive wine rich in notes of lemongrass, grapefruit and herbs. When the fridge chill subsides, the passionfruit, citrus and herbal aromas also unveil themselves on both the nose and the mouthwatering yet soft palate. A lot here for $18. (Philippe Dandurand Wines) 91

Leyda Garuma Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2020 — Leyda Valley, Chile ($17.95)
I love this cool-climate ‘greener’ style of Sauvignon Blanc, with herbs, wet grass and tomato leaf all interjected into the mix of citrus fruits, moderated with a mineral strain that is consistent from the first sip through to the finish. (The garuma, incidentally, is a small seagull found right along the Chilean coastline—so you get an idea of how close this vineyard is to the Pacific.) Ten percent of the wine has been barrel-aged to “support the texture and aromatic complexity,” says winemaker Viviana Navarrete. The winery recommends pairing it with artichokes, goat’s cheese or sun-dried tomatoes. 13.5% alc. (Philippe Dandurand Wines) 90

M. Chapoutier Belleruche 2021 Côtes-du-Rhône White — Rhône, France ($17.55)
Ripe pear, melon, apricot, Granny Smith apple, lemon rind… ya, there’s no shortage to tingle the senses. It inches into the medium-bodied category in the mouth, but with very good acidity and a paltry 2g/L of residual sugar. I love the balance of acidity and rounded flavours, and there’s enough substance to handle spicy foods. (Philippe Dandurand Wines) 89 

Marisco The King’s Favour Sauvignon Blanc 2020 — Marlborough, New Zealand ($19.95)
The label suggests something dramatic. It’s misleading. This is, in fact, a gentler, less nervy Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc that favours subtlety over succulence. Asparagus, gooseberry, kiwi, a little vegetal and herbaceous, with less of that traditional ripping citrus acidity you may have come to expect from the region. The texture is smooth, the finish rounded. If you love the citric splash of most Marlborough Sauv Blancs, this might not be for you. If you’re looking for something mellower, give it a try. (Authentic Wines & Spirit Merchants) 90

Marisco The Ned Sauvignon Blanc 2021 — Marlborough, New Zealand ($17.40)
As sure as the sun will come up tomorrow, Marisco Vineyards’ The Ned will be on this annual list. Dry at just 4 g/L, this well-priced wine boasts the traditional Marlborough Sauv Blanc citrus characteristics, but with passionfruit and herbs helping to take the edge off and soften the slap of acidity. The result is a lush, medium-bodied wine awash in food-pairing flexibility. (Authentic Wines & Spirit Merchants) 90

Mezzacorona Pinot Grigio 2021 — Trentino, Italy ($14.95)
Here’s a PG with universal appeal from a striking part of the world—growing along the Adige Valley amid the Italian Alps. The 2021 vintage was very good for white wines in the region, and this one provides evidence. Very dry (4g/L of residual sugar), crisp and well textured, it holds together nicely through to an above-average finish. It’s accompanied by subtle citrus and green apple notes. Very well made wine for the price. Mezzacorona suggests pairing it with appetizers, soups, pasta, white meats and fish. (Woodman Wines & Spirits) 88+ 

Nieto Senetiner 2019 Semillon — Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina ($15.95)
I feel a little cruel including this one on the list since it is virtually out of stock, but it’s worth keeping an eye out for when it comes back into circulation at the LCBO. Grown in the northern Uco Valley at an altitude of more than 4,000 feet, 30% of this wine is aged in barrels for 10 months. There’s just 2 g/L of residual sugar, but both the nose and the palate do not suggest that dry a nature. Imbued with notes of lemon, orange, honey, smoke and spice, it is rich and textured in the mouth, but with enough acidity to keep this complex wine in tune. Poultry and shellfish will make for good pairings. If you’re a fan of creamy, lush whites, and of trying something a little different, this is a beauty of a bargain. (Sylvestre Wines & Spirits) 90 

Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc 2021 — Marlborough, New Zealand ($20)
Another year, another Best Value award for this Marlborough, N.Z. standard. Boasting vibrant citrus notes and pushing into the medium-bodied range, this Sauv Blanc is blended from both Marlborough’s warm Wairau Valley (known for its ripe tropical and citrus fruits) and cooler Awatere Valley (lemongrass, herbs and jalapeño peppers). The combination is savoury as usual. Pair it up with cheeses, salads, white meats, patio drinking…any excuse will do. (Philippe Dandurand Wines) 90 

Wente Morning Fog Chardonnay 2020 — Central Coast, California ($19.95)
The morning coastal fog pushed by Pacific wind streams into the bowl of the San Francisco Bay gives this wine its name, and is also responsible for the acidity and minerality that balances the vanilla, butter and oak derived from its six months of barrel aging. Another six months of aging takes place in steel, allowing some crisp melon, green apple and citrus fruit to play their part. They charge $18 US for this at the winery, so getting it for under $20 in Canadian dollars is quite a deal. (Authentic Wines & Spirit Merchants) 90

Yealands 2021 Sauvignon Blanc — Marlborough, New Zealand ($18.50)
From the earliest harvest on record, this wine is a combination of Sauvignon Blanc grapes picked from Yealands’ Awatere and Wairau Valley vineyards. Lime and grapefruit lead the citrus charge, with pineapple notes adding to the bouquet. Some tropical flavours come into play on the refreshing, mineral palate. It’s crisp, but not with an overpowering acidity. Pair it up with seafood or chicken. (Noble Estates) 90 

Zenato Pinot Grigio 2021 — Veneto, Italy ($17.95)
A very expressive nose for a Pinot Grigio—apple blossoms, green apples, pears. On the palate it offers the expected bright acidity, but with its body straddling between light- and medium-bodied. There’s a wet stone sort of minerality to the clean, smooth finish. Great aperitif wine. (The Case for Wine) 88+ 

Zenato San Benedetto Laguna — Veneto, Italy ($19.95)
Certain areas of the world grow certain grapes (and make their accompanying wines) better than anywhere else on earth. That’s the case  with this Trebbiano di Lugana, which thrives on the southern coast of Lake Garda in Veneto in northeastern Italy. It also thrives in the hands of Zenato. And 2020 is another very good vintage. Harvested from vines that average between 25 and 30 years of age, it’s a bit more than medium-bodied. It teases at the start—an almost pinot grigio-like mineral/apple/melon on the nose. But then it explodes onto the palate and drenches you in crisp, rounded flavours ranging from pineapple to mango and apple. The delivery is silky, but still with a bright acidity. Zenato recommends pairing it with appetizers, fish and cold dishes. I suggest a seafood ravioli. But you can even pour it with charcuterie. (The Case for Wine) 91 

 

ROSÉ

Kacaba Summer Series Rebecca Rosé 2021 — Vineland, Ontario ($20) 
This 100% Gamay rosé shows a bright magenta hue in the glass with a lively nose of summer watermelon, plums, strawberry tart and candy floss. It’s juicy and ripe, but made in a bone-dry style, with a basket of strawberries, watermelon, subtle citrus and cherries, and a fresh, vibrant finish. Delicious rosé! 92 — Rick VanSickle, Wines in Niagara

Lorgeril L’Orangeraie Rosé 2021 — South of France ($11.45)
This blend of 50% Cinsault, 20% Merlot, 15% Grenache and 15% packs a bigger punch than you’d expect given its shy, pale salmon-pink hue, much less its supermarket-bargain price tag. The bouquet delivers orange peel and strawberry, while the very dry palate (just 2 g/L of residual sugar) is lightly tart, with a surprisingly good finish. If you like lots of fruit in your rosé, this might not be for you. But if you enjoy a little subdued elegance, give it a whirl. (Vinexx) 88

Malivoire 2020 Ladybug Rosé —Niagara Peninsula, Ontario ($17.95)
A bronze medal winner at the 2021 Canadian Wine Awards, Malivoire’s Ladybug always seems to knows just how far to fly to achieve universal appeal from casual wine drinkers and critics alike. Strawberry, cherry and melon on the nose. Dry in the mouth (just 5 g/L of residual sugar), but with a fruity tinge to its lush but even-keeled palate. (The 2021 vintage, which the LCBO is changing over to, is drier still at 3g/L.) I’m also a big fan of the simple yet elegant label printing on the glass bottle. Sip on its own, or try it with spicy pizza for an atypical pairing. (Noble Estates) 89

Muga Rosé 2021 — Rioja, Spain ($16.95)
Built from Rioja appellation grapes (60% Garnacha, 40% Viura), it’s a striking strawberry-watermelon-apricot—in its appearance, on the nose and in the mouth—with added notes of rose petals. There is an easygoing acidity and a lovely mouthfeel it owes, at least in part, to 16 weeks spent on the lees after fermentation. Dry, smooth and ideal with glazed salmon, Thai food and salads or on its own. (Vinexx) 89 

 

 

RED

 13th Street 2020 Gamay Noir — Niagara Peninsula ($19.95) (On sale for $17.95 until Oct. 9)
While it can be hard to find value in big-bodied reds in Ontario, given the difficulty that winemakers in this province encounter in ripening such grapes, the lesser-weighted Gamay can excel in this climate. But this is a powerful version of that—a dark berry blend, leading with black sour cherry and raspberry, and with both a spicy pepper note and a strain of minerality to tie it into a nice, neat, mouthwatering package. 2020 was a superb vintage for ripening red grapes, and this wine seems to have taken advantage. A great pairing for goat cheese-oriented hors d’hoeuvres. 90 

Beronia Elaboración Especial Tempranillo 2020 — Rioja, Spain ($17.45)
Here’s a distinctive wine that I don’t think has ever missed this annual list—and 2020 was a very good vintage for the region of Rioja. Aromas of oak-infused toast, roasted coffee and chocolate accompany rich, dark red fruit (black cherries and prunes), while the rich palate borders on full-bodied. For a Tempranillo, the tannins are soft and the texture quite elegant for the price. Pair it up with a roast or a smoked meat sandwich. (Woodman Wines & Spirits) 90 

Butinages Red — Rhône, France ($16.95)
Even for people who could care less what kind of soil their favourite wine was grown in, Château des Nages’ Costières de Nîmes appellation is rather intriguing. Grown in the Rhône Valley’s most southern vineyard, descending to where the Rhône River meets the Mediterranean Sea, it benefits from the moderating effect of sea breezes, preserving freshness and purity of fruit, with full maturity almost guaranteed. Situated in the heart of a Natura 2000 zone (an ecological network of protected areas of the European Union), this scenic, deeply rooted vineyard is organically farmed under the eye of acclaimed head winemaker Michel Gassier. The top layer of its terroir is made up of stony deposits from the Rhône called “Gres”, ranging from five to 25 metres in depth. Below are red iron-rich clay beds that retain water and help the vineyards in times of drought. Butinages (which translates to “gather nectar”) hails from the winery’s younger vineyards, but receives virtually the same attention as its other wines. A blend of 60% Syrah, 20% Grenache and 20% Mourvèdre, it’s unoaked, so the focus is on the purity of fruit. Violets, herbs, blackberries and raspberries carry the load on the nose. On the palate, the tannins are barely more than lightweight, with more dark red fruit and a hint of pepper working their way into this medium-bodied blend. It’s ideal with Mediterranean cuisine, grilled meats and roasted chicken, the winery suggests, but it’s also a safe crowd-pleasing red to casually sip on. (Profile Wine Group) 89 

Confidencial Reserva 2017 — Lisboa, Portugal ($14.95)
Well, first off, you’ll notice the “2017” vintage on the label, which explains some of the depth of this wine, despite its low cost. Composed from a blend of at least 10 grape varieties, the result is a crowd-pleasing medium- to-full-bodied red. There are hints of the oak aging on the nose, with notes of cedar chest, dark fruit and a touch of eucalyptus. The texture is suprisingly smooth, and the finish longer than you would anticipate at this price point, with a hint of sweetness keeping it out of the truly dry category (its sugar content is 11g/L). This would be a fun wine to blind taste if you want to trick your friends into believing you’re serving them a $25+ bottle. It is probably at its peak right now, so drink away! (Majestic Wine Cellars) 89 

Cono Sur Bicicleta Pinot Noir 2020 — Central Valley, Chile ($12.50)
There’s some telltale gameyness here that I love from Pinots. Edging close to the midweight category, this is such a smooth and authentic Pinot for this absurdly low price. Raspberry/cherry blend in the aromas and taste. Soft tannins and a fairly rounded palate help it hold together quite well through the finish. Few places—or wineries—on earth can produce this kind of quality at this price point. (Authentic Wines & Spirit Merchants) 89

El Esteco Don David Reserve Malbec 2020 — Calchaqui Valley, Argentina ($17.50)
Grown at an altitude of about 5,500 feet in Argentina’s prolific Calchaqui Valley, this is my favourite vintage yet of this reliably great value. Look for an aromatic nose of ripe blackberries, cedar chips, plum jam and dark chocolate. There’s just enough oak and tannin to deftly balance with that dense fruit. Medium+ in body, it has six years of aging potential, but, seriously, why wait? (Philippe Dandurand Wines) 90

Fantini Casale Vecchio Montepulciano D’Abruzo (Lot 23) Organic — Abruzzo, Italy ($9.95) 
So impossibly good for the price. Medium in body, this has an almost Cabernet-like nose—herbs, alcohol and a mesh of dark red fruit and blackberry aromas, with autumn forest floor notes wafting up from deep in the glass. Smooth tannins, solid finish. Bring on the red meat! (Profile Wine Group) 88+

Featherstone Red Tail Merlot 2020 — Niagara Peninsula, Ontario ($19.95, Vintages Nov. 5) 
It’s hard not to get too excited about a Niagara red at this price point that is this good and will improve further with aging. It’s the only wine in the Featherstone portfolio that sees French oak. It’s a young wine and quite closed on the nose until you let it breathe. Then the cherry kirsch, black raspberries, crème de cassis and integrated spice notes begin to emerge. The palate shows the full range of ripe, complex and concentrated red berries, cassis, cocoa and earth, with smooth tannic structure and elegant spice notes on a long and vibrant finish. A lovely wine that will age nicely for five to seven years. 92 — Rick VanSickle, Wines in Niagara

Lopez de Haro Crianza 2019 — Rioja, Spain ($16.95)
Just released at the LCBO on Sept. 10, this blend of Tempranillo, Grenache and Graciano has spent 18 months in oak, and the past year in the bottle. That’s a good deal of refining for its value pricing. Medium+ in body with midweight tannins, there are plenty of oaky notes (including some tobacco, vanilla and anise), but mostly a rich mix of balsamic-glazed red and dark fruits. 14% alc. (WineOnline Marketing Company) 89

Luccarelli Primitivo 2021 — Puglia, Italy ($11.95)
Here’s a 100% Primitivo (known as Zinfandel on this side of the ocean), with notes fresh, ripe, slightly sweet dark fruit (blackberry, black cherry, plum), with secondary notes of vanilla and dark chocolate, and a little eucalyptus. Medium-bodied with soft tannins. This is crazy good for $11.95. (Noble Estates) 88+ 

M. Chapoutier Belleruche Côtes-du-Rhone Red 2020 — Rhône, France ($17.05)
Here’s a flavourful, smooth, midweight blend of Grenache and Syrah. These grapes are grown in pebbly clay soil that stores up heat on a daily basis, then releases it after night falls, and that has no doubt imparted some of the energy this wine possesses. There’s six months of aging in concrete and stainless steel—no oak is necessary. It’s easy on the tannins and packed with juicy raspberry, blackcurrants and allspice. Pair it up with lamb. (Philippe Dandurand Wines) 90

M. Chapoutier Les Vignes de Bila Haut Côtes du Roussillon Villages 2020 — Midi, France ($15.95)
Here’s another from the same winery—long one of my go-to reds in the value department. This might be my favourite vintage to date of this Syrah/Grenache/Carignan blend from the slopes of the Agly Valley in the south of France. It’s a fleshy, ripe black cherry and blackberry—both in colour and on the nose—with some meatiness and a dusting of pepper and herbs (likely from the Syrah). On the palate it’s silky and structured, while the 14% alc. is thoroughly integrated. On the back side of the bottle, I’ve always admired that Michel Chapoutier includes braille printing on all of his labels—something he began in 1993 after learning that a blind musician friend always needed to bring someone to read the labels whenever he went shopping for wine. (Philippe Dandurand Wines) 90

Monte Antico 2017 — Tuscany, Italy ($16.95)
It seems a little nuts that you can buy a 2017 wine from quality Tuscan vines—one that has been aged a year in oak and multiple years since in the bottle—for $16.95. A blend of 85% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Merlot, Monte Antico (Italian for “ancient mountain”) is a can’t-miss wine for guests, with a bouquet of cherries and raspberries, along with supporting notes of leather, vanilla and tobacco. Its food-friendly, medium-bodied nature makes it an easy pairing for a cheese tray, hamburgers, pizza, pasta, risotto…ya, it’s a long list. (Woodman Wines & Spirits) 88

Montes Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 — Central Valley, Chile ($13.10)
Ripe cherry, plum and blackcurrant notes, with chocolate, vanilla and smoked oak to back it all up. The integration of tannins and balance in this almost full-bodied red impresses for this ridiculously low price. It might be my favourite edition of this wine to date. (Profile Wine Group) 88+

MontGras Antu Carménère Montes Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 — Peumo, Chacapoal Valley, Chile ($18.95)
I’m a sucker for a decent Carménère, and this one, hailing from prime Carménère-growing region of Peumo in Chile’s Chacapoal Valley, is somewhat beyond decent. Bordering on full-bodied, it’s a silky, dark garnet-red stream of rich, ripe blackberries and black plums. Not quite as vegetal as most Carménères, it’s more about the dark fruit, although dark chocolate and a dusting of spice add to the formula. The alcohol (14.5%) and oak are both well integrated. There’s some Canadian content here too, as MontGras co-founder and current president and winemaker Hernán Gras was a former senior winemaker with Bright’s in Niagara. Certified sustainable and organic, Gras’ 2019 vintage of this Carménère is very hard to find at the moment, but worth searching for. (Charton Hobbs) 91 

Morandé Gran Reserva Carmenère 2019 — Maipo Valley, Chile ($16.95)
Chilean wine generally offers exceptional value, and here’s a prime example. The fruit is ripe and dark—blackcurrant and prune. But it’s the non-fruit notes and flavours that make the Carménère grape distinct—vegetal, green pepper and twiggy with an herbal waft of damp forest floor. It’s been aged 14 months in huge 4,000 litre French foudres. The size of these casks keeps the oak-imparted flavours to a minimum, while still adding body and complexity to the wine. This 2019 edition was included among the “Best of Maipo Andes Valley” by noted Chilean wine guide Descorchados. The alcohol registers at 14.5%, but it’s well concealed. (Majestic Wine Cellars) 90

Sutherland Pinot Noir 2019 — Elgin Valley, South Africa ($19.95) (Currently on clearance for $16.75 in Vintages)
You won’t find many Pinot Noirs at this price. Hailing from the Elgin Valley, 70 kms southeast of Cape Town, South Africa, this is a cool-climate-styled Pinot, grown just 9 kms from the Atlantic Ocean at heights of 450 to 800 feet above sea level. That said, there’s not the tart bite one might expect from such conditions. Red fruit (strawberry, raspberry and cherry) is quite evident on the perfumed nose, with earthy forest-floor overtones in support. Bright acidity and smooth tannins keep everything in harmony. Great vintage for this wine. Pair it with salmon. (Epic Wines & Spirits) 90

Wakefield Estate Shiraz 2019 — South Australia ($19.95)
Sourced from grapes picked in the Limestone Coast and Clare Valley, this is pretty close to a full-bodied Shiraz, with a chalky baking chocolate and mocha dusted over dark fruit—plum jam, blackberries and stewed cherries and baking spice. Plushly knit. Serve slightly chilled. (Profile Wine Group) 90+

 

 

OTHER

Taylor Fladgate Late Bottled Vintage Port —Douro, Portugal ($19.95) (On sale for $17.45 until Oct. 9)
Taylor Fladgate was established 330 years ago, so, you know, big surprise that they do port like few others can! And they are pioneers of this particular style: While vintage ports typically receive 20-24 months of aging prior to bottling, LBV (Late Bottled Vintage) remains in wood for four to six years. The end result is vintage quality, but ready to drink straight out of the bottle. And to offer this quality under the $20 mark is a little insane. Furthermore, this was a particularly good vintage. The early-ripening 2017 crop showed “high sugar levels which led to longer fermentations and very effective colour extraction,” Taylor Fladgate notes. A blend of multiple top-notch port wines from the harvest, this is a powerful concoction, with aromas of blackcurrant jam, raspberries and black cherries pouring out of the glass. Medium+ tannins add structure and some cedar spice, but the syrupy smooth flow of rich fruit is unencumbered in this multidimensional port. An added attraction is that it should have a good two months of shelf life once opened—perhaps longer—provided it’s stored in a cool, dark place. 20% alc. 135 g/L of residual sugar. Store it upright and serve it slightly chilled (16C). Pair it up with blue cheese, goat cheese or chocolate mousse. (Sylvestre Wines & Spirits) 92

Taylor Fladgate First Estate Reserve Port 2017 —Douro, Portugal ($19.05)
Yes, another sterling port under the $20 mark from the hallowed house of Taylor Fladgate. As with its Late Bottled Vintage port, Taylor’s has already done the required aging (three to four years) by the time its First Estate Reserve hits the shelves. That means no further aging or decanting is required—just open the bottle and pour. As opposed to most ports you’ve likely sampled, this is a fresher, more fruit-forward and less sweet version—albeit, one that is still full-bodied and silky rich. It’s packed with blackcurrant, black cherry and plum notes and flavours, with deep forest floor herbs and licorice accompanying the medley. 20% alc. and 104 g/L of residual sugar. A great after-dinner drink, or pair it with soft cheeses or chocolate desserts. As the winery notes, “this wine will remain in good condition for several weeks once the bottle is first opened.” Serve slightly chilled—16-18C. Superb value. (Sylvestre Wines & Spirits) 91