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1,353 replies

LCBO Price Alert

D darcyMember
quote:
Originally posted by imwithid:
These didn't seem to go so quickly at first. I bought two on Thursday with 27 still in stock. Someone must have grabbed a bunch. I'll be picking them up later this week to try over the weekend. I hope I don't end up regretting that I had not bought more.

I think that "someone" calls himself tannic bastard. Just a wild guess Wink
A amlMember
quote:
Originally posted by imwithid:
These didn't seem to go so quickly at first. I bought two on Thursday with 27 still in stock. Someone must have grabbed a bunch. I'll be picking them up later this week to try over the weekend. I hope I don't end up regretting that I had not bought more.


Overall, they did go quite quickly. There was well over 300 units when it was originally posted here. It dwindled down to just over 30 after about 48 hours and then stayed there until this announcement.
vintvintMember
quote:
Originally posted by Bigprovolone:
quote:
Originally posted by vijay:
Large format 2009 Beaucastel on VSO as of this morning.


Grabbed myself a mag and double mag this morning!


Looking forward to the offline in 2045 when that baby will be ready to open. Wheel me into the restaurant, pour some down my feeding tube and let's party!
B bigprovoloneMember
quote:
Originally posted by VinToronto:
quote:
Originally posted by Bigprovolone:
quote:
Originally posted by vijay:
Large format 2009 Beaucastel on VSO as of this morning.


Grabbed myself a mag and double mag this morning!


Looking forward to the offline in 2045 when that baby will be ready to open. Wheel me into the restaurant, pour some down my feeding tube and let's party!


Im sure we can all get a taste interveinusly (spelling challenged) Lol
mimikmimikMember
quote:
Originally posted by imwithid:
quote:
2009 Beaucastel


So the 1500 mL goes for $179 and the 3000 mL for $409? Did I miss something at the 3000 mL mark? I take it the $49 premium is the showcase value?


Larger formats are often more than twice the price, usually due to their scarcity and collector's demands. If you are buying just to drink, then buy 2 bottles of the 750ml.
K ksc02Member
quote:
Originally posted by Mimik:
quote:
Originally posted by imwithid:
quote:
2009 Beaucastel

So the 1500 mL goes for $179 and the 3000 mL for $409? Did I miss something at the 3000 mL mark? I take it the $49 premium is the showcase value?

Larger formats are often more than twice the price, usually due to their scarcity and collector's demands. If you are buying just to drink, then buy 2 bottles of the 750ml.

As Mimik states, Magnums typically cost more than just twice the price (reflecting 2 bottles content). This is due to more than 'collector demand' and scarcity, however. Fewer bottlings in this format typically make production costs higher (shorter runs, unique bottle & label requirements, etc).

These formats are sometimes considered 'collectable' for a couple of reasons and 'showcasing' is not typically the first for a serious collector. Wine worth aging will age better, over a longer period of time, in this format. Many owners & wine makers will tell you that this is the 'preferred format' for cellaring long term. So if this is your intention than this format is certainly something to consider if given the option. How much of a cost premium this is worth is up to you. For some wines you will find the cost demanded to be quite substantial.

Larger formats can be cosidered as well. However, above the magnum format size you are dealing with hand-cut corks and waxing. The potential of leakage/seeping issues is typically higher and the 'loss' of a corked or otherwise damaged wine greater. All things to consider with larger formats.
vintvintMember
quote:
Originally posted by KSC02:
quote:
Originally posted by Mimik:
quote:
Originally posted by imwithid:
quote:
2009 Beaucastel

So the 1500 mL goes for $179 and the 3000 mL for $409? Did I miss something at the 3000 mL mark? I take it the $49 premium is the showcase value?

Larger formats are often more than twice the price, usually due to their scarcity and collector's demands. If you are buying just to drink, then buy 2 bottles of the 750ml.

As Mimik states, Magnums typically cost more than just twice the price (reflecting 2 bottles content). This is due to more than 'collector demand' and scarcity, however. Fewer bottlings in this format typically make production costs higher (shorter runs, unique bottle & label requirements, etc).

These formats are sometimes considered 'collectable' for a couple of reasons and 'showcasing' is not typically the first for a serious collector. Wine worth aging will age better, over a longer period of time, in this format. Many owners & wine makers will tell you that this is the 'preferred format' for cellaring long term. So if this is your intention than this format is certainly something to consider if given the option. How much of a cost premium this is worth is up to you. For some wines you will find the cost demanded to be quite substantial.

Larger formats can be cosidered as well. However, above the magnum format size you are dealing with hand-cut corks and waxing. The potential of leakage/seeping issues is typically higher and the 'loss' of a corked or otherwise damaged wine greater. All things to consider with larger formats.


Great post, KSC. I learn something new every time I check these boards. Thanks. Smile
V vijayMember
Muga Rioja Reserva is $4 off (down from $24) this week. I believe they are currently on the 2007 vintage. This might not be a great vintage for Rioja but given that this was the only wine to be made by Muga in 2007 it stands to reason that there is some excellent fruit that was diverted into their base blend. IWC gave it a 91.
W winecanuckMember
quote:
Originally posted by vijay:
Muga Rioja Reserva is $4 off (down from $24) this week. I believe they are currently on the 2007 vintage. This might not be a great vintage for Rioja but given that this was the only wine to be made by Muga in 2007 it stands to reason that there is some excellent fruit that was diverted into their base blend. IWC gave it a 91.


I too was eyeing that up but most reviewers I follow indicated the 2007 is a significant downgrade over the 2006.
D darcyMember
I don't buy Muga anymore. After a few blind Rioja tastings, Muga entries (with others at the same price points, across Crianza through Gran Reserva) were consistently last (or lowest quartile) across selections. I find the Muga wines less fruit and terroir complex (than, say, Lan) and overly oaked as compared with other Rioja. At the same time, on a pure price basis, at $20, it's still decent QPR.
Last edited by darcy
S steveyMember
OK, so there's one bottle left (because I took 2!) so act quickly!... but was perusing the Bayview store for any surprises and found something. In their temperature controlled units is a 2001 Jean Raphet Clos Vougeot Grand Cru for $111 (this is a store-specific sale). You won't find many 10+ years old Clos Vougeot Grand Crus for this price.

This was a Sept 2008 Classics release for $175 that went on bin sale for $139. Tasting notes from WS board members HERE.
A amlMember
quote:
Originally posted by Stevey:
OK, so there's one bottle left (because I took 2!) so act quickly!... but was perusing the Bayview store for any surprises and found something. In their temperature controlled units is a 2001 Jean Raphet Clos Vougeot Grand Cru for $111 (this is a store-specific sale). You won't find many 10+ years old Clos Vougeot Grand Crus for this price.

This was a Sept 2008 Classics release for $175 that went on bin sale for $139. Tasting notes from WS board members HERE.


I had this wine a few months back. Bought 2, drank one, returned the other. Either I had a bad bottle, or this wine was not very good. The experience rated about 88 points for me, which is not usually the goal when I'm spending $111. Huge disappointment. Hopefully yours shows better than mine did.
board-oboard-oMember
quote:
Originally posted by Stevey:
quote:
Originally posted by Board-O:
Stevey, you don't mean Gerard Raphet, do you? Gerard's Clos Vougeots are wonderful.


Other's can verify but Gerard is Jean's son I believe. Back in 2001, it was Jean's winery before Gerard later took over and changed to his name.


I didn't know that. Gerard's no youngster and we had a great visit with him this past August. It's probably the best winery visit we've ever had in Burgundy. Virtually everything we tasted was wonderful.

I've found a number of Burgundy wineries where the son has taken over the winemaking from the father, but in the others, the winery name didn't change.
S steveyMember
Board-O, did a quick search and found THIS excerpt from Parker's book that verifies it. Agree that it's unique situation that the son would change to his name.

aml, I popped one of the bottles of the Clos Vougeot and thought it was quite good, especially after some time and with decanting. It's still "young" for Burgundy so will store away the other bottle. To each his own.
A amlMember
quote:
Originally posted by Stevey:
aml, I popped one of the bottles of the Clos Vougeot and thought it was quite good, especially after some time and with decanting. It's still "young" for Burgundy so will store away the other bottle. To each his own.


I guess my bottle was off then. I popped and poured a few small glasses and was disappointed. I let the rest essentially slow ox in the bottle for about 3 hours and I did not notice much improvement. My bottle did not seem young, as it was quite tertiary and the acidity was way out of balance, even for Burgundy.
vintvintMember
quote:
Originally posted by Stevey:
quote:
Originally posted by VinToronto:
FWIW, HAWKES CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2004 is $29.95, down from its original $31.95 back in December 2009. Oddly, it seems to be selling in the US for about $40. The Can/US price differential caught my eye - not often seen on LCBO shelves.


Saw this on the shelf at one of the satellite stores and recalled your posting. Definitely needs air; dranked over 2 days and was clearly better on day 2 - dense blackcurrent with hard but well integrated tannins, as good as other California cabs at twice it's price at least. Good structure and weight, this can be stored for another 5 years easy.

Excellent for $40 nevermind $30 at LCBO. Went back and cleaned the store of its remaining bottles. Thanks for the tip VinToronto!


Oddly, Hawkes Cab is back on the shelves. Oddly because the price has gone up ($30 to $40) and the vintage has gone down (2004 to 2003). I doubt it's worth $40 but I got one to test drive.
BP Beta PMember
Trolling one of my local stores recently, I saw markdowns on '07 Stolpman Hillside Sryrah (down to $40 from an original release price of $64), and '05 Yacochuya, (reduced to $40 from $49.95), among other wines.

As indicated by others, you can periodically find unofficial markdowns ( i.e. not listed on the website) where a specific store is trying to unload stock from old releases.
BP Beta PMember
quote:
Originally posted by Stevey:
Beta, if you're going to report a price alert of item(s) from a specific store, it would help if you name the store.


Point taken Stevey. Woodview store in Burlington, Thursday. I bought a few. There was one of the Yakochuya left, and a handful of the Stolpman. However, I have seen similar markdowns elsewhere in Burlington, Oakville, and Hamilton, so the situation is not unique to that store. These were released months ago and I would expect markdowns in any store with remaining quantity.
K ksc02Member
quote:
Originally posted by vijay:
Ugly price alert:
I was wondering when the 2009 vintage ports would start rolling through, and there are some in today's VSO all in the $130 range. Wasn't 2007 Dow and Warre for $90? Checking wine searcher these bottles seem to be going for $90 in the US. #wtflcbo

Interesting that LCBO is charging so much for Port in this market. I had a Port discussion with the SAQ not so long ago and they were remarking how the Port market has been in a steady decline for some years now. It's quite predictably cyclical, in fact, according to them.

Why should the LCBO be shoring up pricing if the market overall is in decline?
K ksc02Member
No bubble, w+a. According to the person I spoke with (who is in a position to know in detail), Port is quite cyclic. Through the years it developed a pretty consistant pattern. Since 2000, the market has slowly, steadily, declined. SAQ is fully confident it will cycle back, but not in the near term. In fact, this pertains to many of the sweet wines in general. I believe you'll find similar with Sauternes and other 'stickies'. Even, dare I say, the Reisling family of wines in a similar, albeit lesser, degree. But the trend is there.

I had an email from HDH a few days back. Of many items they were offering, one was '77 Taylor. A great Port from a great vintage. $130. Just a few years ago, if you could find under $155 you thought you'd found a screaming deal.

This should be sweet music to the ears of g-man and bman Smile
W wine+artMember
A 12 year ( and counting) downturn, wow.

I'm wondering if there may be more to it. Of all the major Port people I know, most are over 60, and I know very few Port buyers/lovers under 35. The under 35 crowd I see at work and at trade tastings are major wine buys, but not Port.

I wonder if the U.K. still consumes a lot of Port?

I have been to six European countries in the last 18 months. I have noticed a lot less young people drinking wine in general than I did 10, 15 or 25 years ago.

I know shops here in Dallas had major Port inventory 10 - 25 years ago. Now it is hard to even find a shop that has serious inventories.

Got me...
V vincentricMember
quote:
Originally posted by KSC02:
quote:
Originally posted by vijay:
Ugly price alert:
I was wondering when the 2009 vintage ports would start rolling through, and there are some in today's VSO all in the $130 range. Wasn't 2007 Dow and Warre for $90? Checking wine searcher these bottles seem to be going for $90 in the US. #wtflcbo

Interesting that LCBO is charging so much for Port in this market. I had a Port discussion with the SAQ not so long ago and they were remarking how the Port market has been in a steady decline for some years now. It's quite predictably cyclical, in fact, according to them.

Why should the LCBO be shoring up pricing if the market overall is in decline?


The lcbo's mission is to make money for the provincial government, not to provide competitive service or pricing. http://www.thestar.com/news/ca...gambling-for-funding

It is nothing new that the Ontario government is using the LCBO as a cash cow. The only thing that seems to have changed is in degree. As actual government services continue to take cuts, McGuilty pushes for more money from the LCBO. The only comfort seems to be that, as some have pointed out here, pricing on some Italians and high demand are priced ok vis U.S. pricing. However - I recently picked up 2007 Renato Ratti Barolo Conca for $35 USD ($70 LCBO) and 2008 Saffredi for $45 USD (2007 is $100 at LCBO), 2006 Saffredi was $109 at LCBO, $60 at TCWC.
otwotwMember
Some markdowns at the Laird St Vintages...

2008 Frescobaldi Lamaione $63.95 - 15.95 = $47.80
2008 Ch D'Aiguilhe $39.00 - 9.70 = $29.30

1999 Les Ormes de Pez $65.00 - 16.20 = $48.80
2007 Les ormes de Pez $44.00 - 10.95 = $33.05
2008 Ch de Pez $44.00 - 10.95 = $33.05

2007 Langoa Barton $72.00 - 15.80 = $56.20
2008 Les Hauts de Smith $36.95 - 6.85 = $30.10

2007 Ch Guiraud (375ml) $39.00 - 8.55 = $30.45
2007 Ch Rieussec (375ml) $66.00 - 14.50 = $51.50

There's also the 08 Frescobaldi Mormoreto which has been marked down to $50 system-wide.
otwotwMember
quote:
Originally posted by 7smcb:
Thanks very much for the heads up on the Laird discounts. There seemed a lot marked down. Is this a store that regularly marks down on its own? Is there any sort of pattern to when they delist?

No pattern. They just happen every so often, so you have to keep your eye out.
S steveyMember
quote:
Originally posted by on the wine:
quote:
Originally posted by 7smcb:
Thanks very much for the heads up on the Laird discounts. There seemed a lot marked down. Is this a store that regularly marks down on its own? Is there any sort of pattern to when they delist?

No pattern. They just happen every so often, so you have to keep your eye out.


It happens when they run out of shelf space which happens not infrequently at the Laird store due to its small size relative to sales volume. The other store in similar circumstance where you might find such local clearance prices is the Dupont/Spadina store. BOth serve higher end neighbourhoods, so there are frequently good (but slowly moving) wines to be had.
V vijayMember
I was actually just at the Weston and 401 store last night. In addition to carrying numerous items from system wide markdowns, they had a few private label products on consignment nothing to really get you guys running over there though. To give an example:

I bought two bottles of 2009 Craggy Range Syrah for $23.75 each.
CT is a bit of a mess with this wine, so here are two entries for it:
https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=1191298
https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=1277148
I'm pretty sure they are the same wine.

I am assuming that the wine came from Lifford although the "Block 14" is missing from the label.
http://www.liffordwine.com/our_wines/wine.php?id=2451

Anyway, they have about 3-4 cases of the stuff.
vintvintMember
Not a price alert, but something I pass along when I find it: a decent pinot noir for under $25. MACROSTIE PINOT NOIR 2007
VINTAGES 674911. IMO one of thoise rare new world pinots with typical bright cherry fruit and a nice food-friendly zing of acidity but also possessing that hint of shtank that might fool one into thinking it was a villages from Burgundy.
Added bonus: also available in half bottles which I find handy to have around for those (admittedly rare) nights when you just know you're not going through 750ml.
BP Beta PMember
quote:
Originally posted by VinT:
Not a price alert, but something I pass along when I find it: a decent pinot noir for under $25. MACROSTIE PINOT NOIR 2007
VINTAGES 674911. IMO one of thoise rare new world pinots with typical bright cherry fruit and a nice food-friendly zing of acidity but also possessing that hint of shtank that might fool one into thinking it was a villages from Burgundy.
Added bonus: also available in half bottles which I find handy to have around for those (admittedly rare) nights when you just know you're not going through 750ml.


..or one of those (even less rare) nights when you know 750 ml. won't be quite enough. Big Grin

Thanks for the heads up on this.
otwotwMember
There has been another round of 25% markdowns yesterday at the Laird St store. Products on the shelf as of earlier this afternoon were:

NV Heidsieck Blue Top Brut Champagne $37.50
2004 San Filippo Le Lucere Brunello $37.50
2009 Vincent Girardin Santenay Les Gravieres $24.00
2009 Guigal Gigondas $22.30
2009 Pascal Marchand Gevrey-Chambertin $39.50
2006 Sociondo Mallet $48.75
2008 La Dominique $48.00
otwotwMember
+1 Save me a seat on that campaign bus!

I assume by now everyone is aware that there is an unadvertised Vintages delist going on. It started on Oct 1 and got more seriously ramped up on the 15th.

My purchases have been:

1 x 2007 Paul Hobbs Cuvee Augustina Richard Dinner Chardonnay
1 x 2009 Peter Michael Chardonnay Ma Belle-Fille
1 x 2009 Peter Chardonnay La Carriere
2 x 2008 Philip Togni Cabernet Sauvignon (double markdown)
2 x 2006 Clarendon Hills Grenache Onkaparinga
2 x 2007 Saffredi
2 x 1994 Warre's VP
B brucehayesMember
quote:
Originally posted by on the wine:
+1 Save me a seat on that campaign bus!

I assume by now everyone is aware that there is an unadvertised Vintages delist going on. It started on Oct 1 and got more seriously ramped up on the 15th.

My purchases have been:

1 x 2007 Paul Hobbs Cuvee Augustina Richard Dinner Chardonnay
1 x 2009 Peter Michael Chardonnay Ma Belle-Fille
1 x 2009 Peter Chardonnay La Carriere
2 x 2008 Philip Togni Cabernet Sauvignon (double markdown)
2 x 2006 Clarendon Hills Grenache Onkaparinga
2 x 2007 Saffredi
2 x 1994 Warre's VP


And, naturally, there is no mention of this sale on the Vintages web site!
bmanbmanMember
This sale is a very rare and welcome deal in many cases, especially for California wines, which is even more rare and welcome that for many others. I've bought several that are selling for nearly or sometimes less than the US average on Winesearcher, for example:

-l'Avion
-Reininger Ash Hollow syrah
-Ravenswood Belloni zin
-Parable shiraz
-Testament shiraz
-Onkaparinga grenache

And even ports!
B brucehayesMember
quote:
Originally posted by bman:
This sale is a very rare and welcome deal in many cases, especially for California wines, which is even more rare and welcome that for many others. I've bought several that are selling for nearly or sometimes less than the US average on Winesearcher, for example:

-l'Avion
-Reininger Ash Hollow syrah
-Ravenswood Belloni zin
-Parable shiraz
-Testament shiraz
-Onkaparinga grenache

And even ports!


Thanks for the tip on the Ash Hollow. I picked up three.
vintvintMember
Tried the Ash Hollow last night. Great northern Rhone-ish nose of iodine, black olives and game meat. But the Rhone comparison ends there, IMO, as I found the Ash Hollow heavier and more viscous than most N. Rhones I've tried. All in all though, great QPR at $28. I will let the other bottles I have sleep for a few years as I'd like to see how this might develop.
B brucehayesMember
quote:
Originally posted by VinT:
Tried the Ash Hollow last night. Great northern Rhone-ish nose of iodine, black olives and game meat. But the Rhone comparison ends there, IMO, as I found the Ash Hollow heavier and more viscous than most N. Rhones I've tried. All in all though, great QPR at $28. I will let the other bottles I have sleep for a few years as I'd like to see how this might develop.


Thanks for the info.
A amlMember
quote:
Originally posted by VinT:
Tried the Ash Hollow last night. Great northern Rhone-ish nose of iodine, black olives and game meat. But the Rhone comparison ends there, IMO, as I found the Ash Hollow heavier and more viscous than most N. Rhones I've tried. All in all though, great QPR at $28. I will let the other bottles I have sleep for a few years as I'd like to see how this might develop.


How was the acid profile? I can deal with viscosity, as long as there is complimentary acidity.
otwotwMember
quote:
Originally posted by VinT:
AML, if you're looking for a wine to pair with food, this probably isn't the best choice. This wine is food.

Edit: Upon reflection, that comment wasn't fair. It would go fantastically well with grilled dead cow or smoky BBQ ribs.

I'm not sure about the incinerated cow, but smoked ribs or grilled horsemeat should pair well with this wine.

Steak tartare (horse or cow) might work as well.
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