THRILLING BOTTLES THAT COST LESS THAN $15
You have better things to do than roam the aisles of the LCBO looking for a thrilling wine for about $15, so I did the legwork for you. I shortlisted, tasted and retasted dozens of bottles to find you five of the most deeply undervalued General List wines
2015 La Vieille Ferme White, Cotes du Luberon, France (LCBO 263640, $10.95 till March 26, reg. $12.45 in stores and online) This French white with its understated complexity and stylishly lean structure gives me a small thrill every time I taste it. Its lifted lemon-andy-ellow-plum core seems to unfurl slowly with allusions of white flowers, wet stones, sea salt, lilac and marzipan. Then, as the silky fruit recedes, hints of salted almonds linger. What’s more, it’s reliable year in, year out. Pairs perfectly with fish, seafood or a nibble of mild cheese.
Score: 92 2013 Small Talk Faux Pas Riesling Sauvignon Blanc, VQA Niagaraon-the-Lake (LCBO 343384, $12.95 in stores and online) Sprightly scents of lemon-lime sorbet lead to a quick lick of fresh apricot, green apple, sweet peach and kiwi fruit — all mouthwateringly fresh and dry. The ripe, clean flavour and fruit-forward nature of this local drop makes it an easy cocktail alternative, but definitely enhances Thai-inspired dishes such as chicken skewers in a peanut sauce or spicy noodles.
Score: 91+ 2015 Trivento Fair Trade Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina (LCBO 160994, $11.95 in stores and online) Expect a sleek attack of ripe crushed berries that quickly fans out to reveal precise, layered flavours — raspberry, blueberry, cherry, sage, bay leaf, lavender and cedar. The texture is succulent yet delicate — quite refined. In short, this red wine is a steal and offers the best value of all General List Malbecs listed today. Snap a bottle or two up and pour it with a simply prepared pot roast to let the wine shine.
Score: 92 2015 Marius by Michel Chapoutier, Grenache- Syrah, Languedoc, France (LCBO 470096, $12.95, available in stores and online) I recommended this wine in October, retasted it for this piece and it’s still showing beautifully — a polished, elegant, juicy expression of berries, dried herbs, flowers and earth. Michel Chapoutier, best known for his celebrated Maison M. Chapoutier winery in the Rhone, makes this southern France gem as a tribute to his great grandfather Marius, who said, “A good wine is a wine you want to taste again.” Here’s to that. Drink it with everything.
Score: 94 2014 Columbia Crest Grand Estates Cabernet Sauvignon, Washington State (LCBO 460154, $14.95 till March 31, reg. $17.95 in stores and online) The 2013 vintage of this Washington wonder was outstanding — I scored it 92 in my October column. But the 2014 now on shelves is even better, largely because that year was one of the warmest vintages in decades. Terrific ripeness at the core with rich flavours of dark berries and black plums, dark chocolate, toasted hazelnuts, coffee and more. Very long, rich and brawny style of Cabernet that seriously overdelivers. Pour it with grilled steak for a real treat.
Score: 94