We can all get a little crazy with our spending at this time of year, but fortunately the federal government has given us a two-month reprieve from taxes on certain items. That includes wine.

But allow TheLushLife.ca to make things even easier for you—40 of the very best sub-$25 values to be found at the LCBO, a handful of which are also on sale until January 5, making their cost savings strikingly impressive.

Once again for this annual list, the foremost expert on Niagara wine, Rick VanSickle, has been enlisted to provide eight of his personal local picks. In all, 10 of the 40 wines spotlighted below are Canadian.

The wine’s Ontario agent is listed in brackets before the rating, in case you want to order by the case.

(Note that all prices listed below include the 13% HST, so in-store prices will be cheaper until the tax break ends on February 15, 2025.)

SPARKLING

Benjamin Bridge Nova 7 2023 — Nova Scotia ($24.95)
Perennial quality from a decorated house of sparkling wines in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. Featuring a mere 7% of alcohol, Nova 7 is the winery’s best seller—a blend of seven grapes: Muscat, Ortega, Riesling, Geisenheim, l’Acadie, Vidal and Petite Pearl. There are aromas of peach, mango, citrus, apple, ginger and a touch of salinity, with a gentle but enduring fizz in the glass. Pair it up with scallops, oysters, crab, fried chicken, risotto—I could go on. And for those who don’t require ceremony in the opening of bottle of bubbly, you’ll appreciate the screw cap! There’s a lofty 50 g/L of residual sugar, but ample acidity contains most of that sweetness. (Lifford) 90 — Ted McIntyre

Villa Sandi Prosecco Il Fresco — Veneto, Italy ($17.45)
An ever-reliable affordable sparkling wine and a gold medal winner at this year’s Gilbert & Gaillard International Challenge. Look for notes of pear, peach and apple on the nose, and a zesty concentration of long-lasting bubbles. (Profile) 89 —Ted McIntyre

Tawse Limestone Spark! Organic Riesling 2021 — Twenty Mile Bench, Ontario ($24.95*)
Is there such a thing as a candied green apple? There’s also a variety of citrus notes and brioche to the nose, with a fine persistent mousse greeting the palate in this organic, traditional-method bubbly, aged on its lees for 18 months. It has an off-dry designation at 19 g/L sugar, but that’s deftly balanced by its ‘spark!’ of acidity. Mouth-watering stuff. Accolades include a platinum medal at the 2024 Decanter World Wine Awards and gold at the 2024 Ontario Wine Awards. *On sale for $17.95 until Jan. 5, 2025! (Tawse) 91 —Ted McIntyre

WHITE

Casa Santos Lima Portugal White Blend — Lisboa, Portugal ($10.65)
Looking for a simple, clean white wedding wine? Here’s a great pick. Sweet lemon and stone fruit. Not entirely dry, but refreshing while boasting a crazy quality-price ratio. 12% alc 6 g/L sugar. (Majestic) 87 —Ted McIntyre

Cono Sur Organic Chardonnay 2022 — Chile ($15.80)
With certified organic grapes (half of which are hand-picked) compiled from three different estate vineyards, this is impressive for the price. Six to 12 months of steel tank aging, but it’s such a good vintage that it tastes like it included some short-term neutral oak. Melon, tropical citrus, pear and honey notes, and a refreshing palate. Certified vegan. (AWSM) 89—Ted McIntyre

Ken Forrester Old Vine Reserve Chenin Blanc — Stellenbosch, South Africa ($18.95)
Year in and year out, this is a crazy sub-$20 value. From vines averaging around 40 years of age, this is a fine vintage of this medium-bodied white. It’s quite dry and lively, yet textured and long-finishing, with melon, peach, apple, pear, honey and caramel notes adding to the experience. Pair it up a spicy shellfish dish. 3 g/L of sugar. 13.5% alc. (Noble Estates) 90—Ted McIntyre

Hidden Bench Estate Organic Riesling 2020 — Beamsville, Ontario ($25) 
The estate Riesling from this top winery in Niagara is a blend of all three Hidden Bench vineyards. The nose shows gushing lime, nectarine, white pear and yellow apple notes. It’s juicy, bright and carries a mineral edge on the palate to go with lime/citrus, green apples, peach tart, a touch of sweetness and a feisty, lifted finish keeping it all in balance. Can cellar to 2029. (Mark Anthony Group) 92 —Rick VanSickle

King and Victoria Riesling 2019 — Lincoln, Ontario ($25)
Made from 15-year-old vines grown in the home vineyard on the Twenty Mile Bench, this Riesling is classic Bench with a fresh, saline nose of lemon-lime, green apple, pear and nectarine. It’s dry and fresh with stony minerality, some fleshy notes, citrus, ripe pear, subtle savoury notes and a bright, lip-smacking-good finish. Can cellar 7+ years. (King and Victoria Winery) 92 —Rick VanSickle

LeftField Sauvignon Blanc 2023 — New Zealand ($16.95)
A contender for the most underpriced wine on this list, this distinctive Sauvignon Blanc is the offspring of multiple regions in New Zealand including Waipara, Hawke’s Bay, Nelson and Martinborough. A short period of aging on its lees has added another dimension to this aromatic white, with its punchy lemongrass and tropical fruit notes. Not your typical NZ Sauvignon Blanc here. 12.5% alc. and 5 g/L of sugar. (Dandurand) 91 —Ted McIntyre

Liebling Riesling 2022 ($22) — Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario ($22)
These Riesling grapes from Liebling were born in the Lingard Vineyard on the St. David’s Bench from vines planted in 2006 by the Oppenlaender vineyard team. Aging was in stainless steel. The fresh nose shows a lovely melange of white peach, lime, candied citrus, pear, jasmine and stony minerality. There is a subtle note of sweetness on the palate with a juicy array of peach, apple, citrus and wet stones that’s all nicely balanced by the racy acidity through the bright finish. A joyous Riesling for everyday sipping. (Liebling) 90 —Rick VanSickle

Marynissen Hanck Vineyard Heritage Collection Riesling 2022 — Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario ($22.95) 
Another Riesling crafted with low alcohol and high RS (25 g/L) using arrested fermentation, the intentional act of stopping an active fermentation before dryness. The nose is clean and lifted with notes of lime, grapefruit, some ginger spice, apple, peach and stony minerality. There’s honey goodness on the palate, with ripe peach, saline minerality, yellow apple, bergamot and juicy acidity on the finish keeping the sweet notes in balance. Can cellar 5+ years. (Michael Andrew Brands) 90 —Rick VanSickle

Radford Dale Vinum Chenin Blanc 2022 — Stellenbosch, South Africa ($19.95)
A focus of Radford Dale’s Vinum series is “to offer a major value proposition, as many of the details are similar to that of our premium Terroir range.” The core barrel component of this wine is from a non-irrigated site planted in 1969. Those long-rooted vines produce great complexity, while hot sunny days are moderated by cool ocean breezes, assuring freshness. But, aged six months in oak, this is still a rich white wine, offering ginger-laced peach, pear, lemon and melon with a matchstick flint and minerality adding character. A bonus is that this winery’s increasing focus on sustainable business practices sees all Vinum wines bottled in eco-friendly, lightweight glass (396 g) with recyclable screw caps. (Nicholas Pearce Wines) 91 —Ted McIntyre

The Ned Sauvignon Blanc 2022 — Malborough, New Zealand ($14.85)
A grossly underpriced NZ Sauvignon Blanc! I remember my first time tasting this, feeling as though I needed to look over my shoulder, wondering, “Does anyone else know about this?” There’s that zip of acidity you want in a Sauvignon Blanc, but it’s not just a citrus slap—there are tropical notes and more of a medium-bodied texture, with grassy and mineral notes lasting through its lengthy finish. Pair it up with a goat cheese salad. 13% alc. and 4 g/L sugar. (AWSM) 90 —Ted McIntyre

Villa Maria Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc 2023 — Malborough, New Zealand ($19.95*)
A standard bearer of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. Green apple, citrus, passionflower, pineapple and fresh-cut grass. It smells like spring and flows like a summer stream. *On sale for $14.70 until Jan. 5, 2025. (Dandurand) 91 —Ted McIntyre

Villa Maria Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2023 — Wairau Valley, Malborough, New Zealand ($19.95*)
The Reserve version of Villa Maria’s Sauvignon Blanc is supposed to be a $24.95 bottle of wine, but it has been released at $19.95 due to a change in freight rate when the product arrived in Ontario in November, and the agency is passing along the temporary savings to LCBO customers. That’s a big savings for this serious Sauvignon Banc, which is now priced at $17.40 until February 15! There’s a wumpf of passionfruit, lemon-lime, herbs and even a hint of blackcurrants. “A cooler than average start to the growing season resulted in thick skins carrying the building blocks of what would become intense aromas and rich texture,” notes Director of Winegrowing Patrick Materman. The wine was also carefully monitored for four months on its yeast lees to build texture and palate weight. 13.5% alc. 6 g/L sugar. (Dandurand) 92 —Ted McIntyre

Vineland Estates Elevation St. Urban Vineyard Riesling 2023 — Vineland, Ontario ($23)
One of Niagara’s benchmark Rieslings made in an off-dry style, the Elevation rarely disappoints—both with its profile and attractive price. The 2023 is another fine example of Bench Riesling with its exuberant nose of gushing lime, stony minerality, white peach, ginger notes, lemon zest and crisp apple. It’s juicy and balanced on the palate with notes of peach, honeycomb, zippy lime, quince, ginger and stony/saline minerality with that yin-yang thing of sweet/tartness that builds in intensity through the vibrant finish. Can cellar through 2034. (Vineland Estate) 94 —Rick VanSickle

Wente Morning Fog Chardonnay 2023 — Livermore Valley, California ($21.15)
Full disclosure—I tend not to go gaga over oaked chardonnays—but this one is an exception. This is a best-seller at Wente, the longest continuously family-owned and operated vineyard in the U.S., dating to 1883. It’s named for the morning coastal fog pushed by Pacific wind streams into the bowl of the San Francisco Bay, a daily phenomenon that moderates the climate to help produce well-balanced chardonnays. There’s 5% gewürztraminer in the mix, which adds a little texture, but not sweetness, as there’s only 3 g/L of sugar. There’s the expected toasted oak, vanilla and butter notes of a barrel-aged chardonnay, but a large portion of this wine only saw steel, preserving its freshness and playing down the oak influence. Look for Granny Smith apple, ripe citrus and honey on the nose, with a minerality and silky mouthfeel rounding out the finish. 13.5% alc. (AWSM) 90 —Ted McIntyre

ROSÉ

Gérard Bertrand Côte des Roses Rosé 2023 — Languedoc, France ($21.95*)
This blend of Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah is as fine a rosé as you can gift someone at this price. Beauty, of course, is in the eye of the beholder, but this bottle design—the winning result of a competition for Parisian design school students—will catch the eye of everyone. Turn the bottle upside down to discover the rose-top design molded into the base. From bottom to top, the bottle tapers to its unique glass cap, with a minimalist label leaving all the attention for the bottle and its pale salmon-pink contents. Of course, it’s what inside that counts most, and that begins with an aromatic nose of strawberry, cherry, redcurrant, cotton candy and a touch of citrus. The palate is elegant, and at just 2 g/L, it will also appeal to the sugar-conscious consumer. A perfect marriage for salmon dishes. *This is on sale for $15.70 until January 5, 2025, if you can still find it. (FWM) 90 —Ted McIntyre

E. Guigal Côtes du Rhône Rosé 2022 — Rhône, France ($21.95)
One international wine region that continues to offer up great value is Rhône, France. Although a very dry rosé at just 2 g/L of sugar, it doesn’t scrimp on character. A blend of Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah, it offers a nose of strawberry, redcurrant and watermelon, but the spectrum turns to raspberry, cherry and a touch of pink grapefruit on the palate. It’s round and elegant, with good length to the finish. It says 14.5% alc. on the label, although the LCBO lists it as 13.5%. I’m inclined to agree with the LCBO, given how there was no hint of higher alcoholic content throughout my tasting experience. But even at 13.5%, you might want to be careful here, as this is delightfully drinkable, whether on its own or paired with salads, salmon, poultry, etc. (Vinexx) 91 —Ted McIntyre

RED

Beronia Elaboración 2022 — Rioja, Spain ($18.95)
This wine has never left TheLushLife.ca’s Best Value list. Hovering between medium- and full-bodied, it’s a lush, toasty Tempranillo jammed with dark cherry, strawberry and ripe blackberry fruit, seemingly stirred with rose petals and drizzled in oak-infused spice, vanilla and dark chocolate. 14% alc. Just 2 g/L of sugar. (Woodman) 90 —Ted McIntyre

Cap Royal 2020 — Bordeaux, France ($18.95)
Here’s a delicious, juicy medium+ bodied blend of 70% Merlot / 30% Cabernet Sauvignon. A nose of blackberry and blackcurrant, augmented with wet leaves and cola. On the palate, it is guided by fine, silky tannins and unmuddled by oak. A 2020 Bordeaux is hard to find at this price. The extra time in the bottle has served it well. A great pairing for dark chocolate. (Noble Estates) 90 —Ted McIntyre

Casa Santos Lima Confidencial Reserva Red 2020 — Lisboa, Portugal ($15.95)
There are at least 10 grapes in this secret recipe, and compliments to the chef yet again. Featuring six months of partial aging in 250-litre barriques of French and Portuguese oak, this is a standout for the price, and always a great blind-taster to see how much your guests think this wine costs. Plum and dark wild berries on the nose. Additional notes of chocolate, earth and white pepper complement the mix. I would love it to be a touch drier on the palate, but both the 10 g/L of sugar and 13.5% alc. are fairly buried in a harmonious balance of acidity. Hard to imagine any red wine fans at your party who don’t appreciate this wine. (Majestic) 89 —Ted McIntyre

Catena Malbec 2022 — Mendoza, Argentina ($22.95)
Catena’s wines are a special assemblage of high mountain estate vineyards made by fourth-generation vintner Laura Catena. This was an exceptional vintage for the winery—“the best year I have lived through,” according to chief winemaker Alejandro Vigil. Blended from three different vineyards, this is a medium+ bodied Malbec, with earthy black cherry, plum jam and oak on the nose. In the mouth its juicy and smooth. There’s spice here too, but more reserved without the peppery slap that often comes with Malbec. (Noble) 90 —Ted McIntyre

Colomé Estate Malbec 2021 — Calchaquí Valley, Argentina ($24.95)
Swiss-born Napa Valley legend Donald Hess passed away last year, but this wine has his fingerprints all over it. A pioneer in producing high-elevation premium wines, Donald and wife Ursula purchased Colomé in northern Argentina in 2001, that country’s oldest winery, dating to 1831. This wine is carefully concocted with grapes from vineyards at four different altitudes. That includes “Altura Máxima”—at 10,200 feet, one of the highest vineyards in the world—the grapes of which provide floral and mineral notes while adding fine-grained tannins and bright acidity. Higher altitudes also offer much more sun and produce a thicker-skinned grape. The result here is a robust, full-bodied mix of ripe dark fruits, spices and earth. The alcohol is high (15.2%) while the residual sugar is extremely low (2 g/L), but there’s precious little evidence of either extreme. This is a finely balanced, sophisticated, plush Malbec. Get one while you can, as LCBO stock is getting low. (Lifford) 92 —Ted McIntyre 

Cono Sur Organic Red Blend 2022 — Colchagua, Chile ($15.80)
There’s a murky nose to this organic combination of 47% Cabernet Sauvignon / 32% Carménère / 21% Syrah. Cedar, black olives, leather, forest floor, menthol and forest berries greet the nose in no uncertain terms. Black cherry and black plum follow on the palate, supported by tannins in the soft-to-medium range. Nice acidity to this medium+ bodied red, with a rich finish. 13% alc. and a mere 2 g/L of residual sugar, although it doesn’t seem that dry, concluding with a long, rich finish. Not for everyone, but an intriguing wine. (AWSM) 89 —Ted McIntyre

Fantini Casale Vecchio Lot 23 Organic Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2022 — Abruzzo, Italy ($11.45)
Here’s an unapologetically robust organic creation. Midweight, it oozes aromas of blackcurrant, blackberry, plum, licorice, herbs, leather and smoke, with a much longer finish than anyone would anticipate at this price. 14% alc. 7 g/L sugar. (Profile) 88+ —Ted McIntyre

Fantini Sangiovese 2023 — Puglia, Italy ($11.45)
Juicy, juicy and more juicy. Strawberry, cherry, raspberry, pepper. Light tannins. Dangerously drinkable on its own or with burgers, pizza, etc. A good quality/low-priced red if you’re thinking about a wedding or banquet wine. 12.5% alc., 9 g/L sugar. (Profile) 87 —Ted McIntyre

Featherstone Red Tail Merlot 2021 — Vineland, Ontario ($19.95) 
A ridiculously affordable price for a Merlot this good. The wine is aged in 100% fine French oak barrels (25% new) from Tonnellerie Sirgue Nuits Saint Georges for 10 months. There is an intriguing, perfumed note on the nose with dark cherries, black raspberries, cassis, integrated spices and subtle earthy accents. It’s rich with some tannic structure and weight on the palate followed by juicy red berries, anise, cassis and elegant spice notes through a long, lifted finish. You can age this for 5+ years, and you’ll feel pretty damn happy you paid only $20 a bottle. (Featherstone) 92 —Rick VanSickle

Foreign Affair Conspiracy 2020 — Niagara, Ontario ($21.95*)
Here’s a hot tip for you: This is a stunning wine for the price, a wine you can have on hand for guests, and it won’t break the bank. It’s a Vintages Essential at the LCBO. This is a Ripasso-style red wine that is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot from the warm, excellent 2020 vintage. It has a gorgeous nose of black cherries, cassis, kirsch, black currants and integrated spice notes. It’s structured on the palate with firm tannins and is saturated in dark berries, kirsch, plums, anise and rich spice notes, all leading to a vibrant, long and lifted finish. *On sale for $16.95 until Jan. 5, 2025 (Corby) 93 —Rick VanSickle 

Garzon Reserva Tannat 2022 — Uruguay ($23.95)
This is the sort of grape you don’t want to meet in a dark alley—tough, brawny and thick-skinned. Fortunately, Garzon, not far from the Atlantic coast and serious about its organic practices, knows how to buff out all the rough edges. There’s still no shortage of tannic grip, but also finesse, with notes of blackberry, raspberry, blueberry, tobacco and cocoa and enough acidity to balance the scale. Pair it with lamb. 14.7% alc, 5 g/L sugar. (Mark Anthony Group) 91 —Ted McIntyre

LAN Crianza 2022 — Rioja, Spain ($18.95)
This 97% Tempranillo is a regular on this best-value list, and 2022 was a very good vintage—with a hot and dry winter followed by a very dry summer, making for exceptional ripening. Aged 14 months in a hybrid of French oak bases and American oak staves, and then another nine months in the bottle prior to release, it features potent notes of strawberries and cherries with hints of cinnamon and vanilla. It’s savoury in the mouth, with smooth tannins for a Tempranillo. Pair it up with a smoked meat sandwich. (Profile) 89—Ted McIntyre 

Monte Zovo Sa’ Solin Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore 2021 — Veneto, Italy ($24.95)
A very good year for this Ripasso. A Corvina-dominant Valpolicella blend, with Corvinone and Rondinella accounting for a little less than half the contents, this fragrant red is first fermented then later poured over the leftover skins and stems of Amarone-making, then refermented for 15 days before receiving 18 months of oak aging. The lush-textured results convey aromas that hover between red and dark fruit spectrum—cherries, cranberries, Sultana raisons and blackcurrants, with clove, cedar, chocolate and bread notes. There’s additionally an element of prune added on the palate. A respectable 14% alc. and 11 g/L of sugar for a Ripasso. A great pairing for a charcuterie board. (Dionysus) 91 —Ted McIntyre

MontGras Antu Single Vineyard Carménère 2022 — Cachapoal Valley, Chile ($19.95)
This full-bodied aromatic red arrives with a neck full of gold medals. It’s an intense violet in colour, with aromas dominated by black fruit and sour black cherry, along with cedar, eucalypt and chocolate. There are the spicy notes you’d typically associate with Carménère, but with a more balanced taste and silky mouthfeel than is typical for the grape. A good match for curry dishes. (Charton Hobbs) 91 —Ted McIntyre

Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 — Colchagua Valley, Chile ($22.95*)
There’s a 90% Cabernet/10% Merlot mix in this full-bodied, firm-tannin red. Aromas of blackberry, cranberry, cherry and strawberry meld with cassis, cigar box, leather and caramel. Decant it for at least 30 minutes to let it breathe and stretch its legs. There’s enough structure here to cellar for up to a decade. 14.5% alc. 4 g/L sugar. *On sale for $18.35 until Jan. 5, 2025. (Profile) 90 —Ted McIntyre

Morande Vitus Unica Carménère 2021 — Maipo Valley, Chile ($18.95) 
I tend to like the herbaceous/vegetal character of Carménère in general, and I’m a longtime fan of Morande’s version. And this is a particularly good vintage. Dark red fruit, pepper and bell pepper, with some medicinal, eucalyptus notes hiding further in the glass. On the palate, it’s medium+ in body, as a silky, spicy, tart cherry drapes the palate. A moderate 13.5% alc. and dry with only about 3 g/L of residual sugar. (Majestic) 90 —Ted McIntyre

Peninsula Ridge Beal Vineyard Reserve Merlot 2020 — Lincoln, Ontario ($22)
This beguiling, nicely aged estate Merlot was aged up to 18 months in first- and second-fill French and American barrels. It’s a treat to see this smartly priced top Merlot from the near-perfect 2020 vintage in Niagara in Vintages stores. It’s a great opportunity to see how well this grape performs in perfect conditions on the Beamsville Bench. It starts with an inviting nose of dark cherries, cassis, purple plums, toasted vanilla bean and integrated spice notes. It’s rich, generous and loaded with earthy red berries on the palate with anise, black currants, grippy tannins, dark chocolate, spice box and a long, spirited finish. It’s drinking quite well now but can age gracefully for another three years. Great value. (Michael Andrew) 93 —Rick VanSickle

Peter Lehmann The Barossan Shiraz 2021 — Barossa Valley, Australia ($21.95)
This has become a go-to shiraz for me. The fruit is always ripe, dark and dense—cherry/raspberry/plum/blackberry—with distinct notes of mocha and cedar. It’s a plush red wine, with an abv. of 14.9%, although it doesn’t come anywhere near that hot on the nose, while flowing elegantly across the palate with its smooth, medium tannins. The screwcap makes it an easy party opener. From an aesthetic standpoint, the silhouette of legendary Aussie winemaker Peter Lehmann, who passed away in 2013, appears on every bottle in the winery’s portfolio, but I love the classy textural treatment it’s given on The Barossan label. (Dandurand) 91 —Ted McIntyre

Viña Tarapacá Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 — Maipo Valley, Chile ($18.95)
A product of the solid 2022 vintage from the Maipo Valley, this Grand Reserva Cabernet underwent 12 months of oak aging, with 20% of the wine held back in stainless steel to retain its freshness. It’s a powerful red, with blackcurrant, blackberry, blueberry and plum fruit, with additional notes of leather, cloves, herbs and tobacco. There’s lots more earthy dark fruit on the tongue, framed by medium tannins. 14% alc. 3 g/L sugar. (Dandurand) 91 —Ted McIntyre 

Wakefield Estate Shiraz 2022 — Limestone Coast / Clare Valley, Australia ($19.95)
That telltale After Eight dinner mint and mocha hovers above red currant, plum, prune and cherry fruit in this fleshy Shiraz. It’s savoury in the mouth, with more of that minty red fruit. A good vintage for this reliable red. (Profile) 90 —Ted McIntyre

Xavier Vignon Côtes du Rhône 2020 — ($18.95)
There’s not much info on the back label but plenty packed into the good-looking bottle of this Syrah-dominant Côte du Rhône blend, with 10% Mourvèdre and 10% Grenache in supporting roles. The fruit is blackberry-forward, with cocoa and earth. This one will get your saliva flowing. The 14.5% alc. is a little hot, so serve it below room temperature. Such a reliable crowd-pleaser for under $20! (Noble) 90 —Ted McIntyre

9 WINES TO WATCH FOR IN 2025
(current prices listed)

Not all the best-value wines are always in stock. Here are nine that likely would have made the TOP 40 list, but that you’ll have to watch for in 2025.

Auntsfield Estate Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2024 — Malborough, New Zealand ($22.95)
Very complex for a Sauvignon Blanc. An absolute stunner at this price. Sadly, you’ll have to wait until May 24 for its release, but it’s worth sticking in your daytimer so you don’t miss it. (DB Wines)

Garzon Reserva Albariño ($23.95)
Lush, floral, refreshing. A superior white wine. Watch for its release in April. (Mark Anthony Group)

Pesquié Édition 1912m Ventoux 2022 — Rhône, France ($17.95)
A juicy yet complex unoaked blend of Grenache and Syrah. Watch for this in mid-February. (The Vine Agency)

ZEMA Estate Cabernet 2019 —Coonawarra, Australia ($23.75)
So rare to get a release from a country like Australia that has been maturing this long in the bottle, and for under $25! (Heritage Cellars)

Domaine de la Madone Le Perreon Beaujolais 2023 — Beaujolais, France ($19.95)
Subtle, juicy but elegant for a Beaujolais—especially one for $20! (MCO Wines)

Kir-Yianni Naoussa Cuvée Villages Xinomavro 2020 — Macedonia, Greece ($17.95)
Pinot/Gamay-like in its weight and texture. Bold and tangy on your palate. (Kolonaki Group)

Peter Lehmann The Barossan Cabernet Sauvignon — Barossa Valley. South Australia ($20.95)
Like its Barossan Shiraz brother, this is classy and complex. But you’ll have to wait until July for the 2022 vintage to be released, unless its Ontario agent, Philippe Dandurand, still has a few around.

Curvos Loureiro Vinho Verde 2023 — Vino Verde, Portugal ($13.95)
Arriving at the LCBO on January 18, this is punchy and floral with lime, Granny Smith apple and herbs on the nose and the slightest of carbonation on the palate. (FWM)

Bonny Doon Le Cigare Volant 2022 — Central Coast, California ($21.95)
Watch for this one on January 4. A joyful, juicy, expressive and spicy Southern Rhône-styled but California-grown blend of Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault and Petite Syrah. (FWM)