LCBO Price Alert

Good find. Also a decent buy is the '03 Scavino (normale) Barolo has also been on sale for a while at $45 from about $55.

On using the term "LCBO bashing", I'm not sure that's a fair thing to say. Reporting that Bordeaux costing $100 at LCBO is badly priced when it costs $60 elsewhere is not "bashing" but simply stating a fact.

I remember another "inventory clearance" sale thread which recommended the Torbreck Struie at $45 sale prices as a good buy. Also, with every Vintages Release thread are posts recommending good value wines. I remember one thread a while ago recommending the Madrigal from California for $20 when the same costs $35 in the US. Whether good bargains or bad deals, people here report the facts.

It's just that it's much more the case that prices are higher at LCBO that it appears is "bashing"; but instead, good or bad, it's calling a spade a spade.

Stevey - I wasn't objecting to the LCBO-bashing. It's well-deserved, and I generally share in the sentiments expressed. And I am a definite Libertarian-minded supporter of Slan's opinion that the government should get the **** out of the beverage business and other places it doesn't belong.

I do, however, think that we could use a thread that focuses on any opportunities that can be found at the LCBO for a good buy.

P.S. - Good point about the 03 Scavino. I had forgotten about that one.

quote:

Originally posted by on the wine:
Given the popularity of the many LCBO-bashing threads that criticise them for charging too much and not letting us have enough high rating-point wines, I thought its time to stop sawing that same old log and take a different road.

So here's my first price alert...

2003 Azelia Barolo has been reduced from $53 to $42

It may not be your very best Barolo, but a good buy at the new price. Some stores don't seem to realise this has happened and their shelf stickers still reflect the original price, but you will get the lower price when you go to cash out.

Thanks for the heads up, good idea for a thread BTW.
The LCBO has this 90-91 point Barolo on sale as well, SEGHESIO BAROLO VIGNETO LA VILLA 2003
Was $55 now $43.00

2003 Italians aren't selling. HELLO!

I'm an unabashed basher.

quote:

Azelia Barolo

Review Wine-Searcher Pro and you'll find $42 is a good, not exceptional price. As stated before, 2003 Italians are not selling well.

quote:

Originally posted by Slan:
I'm an unabashed basher.

So I've heard - many times.

Here's a few more...picked up a few over the weekend.

2004 Chapoutier La Sizeranne $68.
1996 Royal Tokaji Aszu Nyulaszo 6 Puttonyos $80

Not bad at all. I was sorely tempted to pick up more than I could carry of the Chapoutier.

And since our out-of-town friends are dumping on 2003 Barolo, it reminds me that one of the more enjoyable wines I've had recently is...

2003 Corino Barolo @ $43

It was released through the in-store discovery program on March 15 and there's still some of it around. It's a very nicely blended (not single vineyard) Barolo for a decent price.

2006, M. Chapoutier, Invitare, Condrieu, $46.90.

Just picked up a half case of this. Nearly impossible to find Condrieu this good for this price.

quote:

Originally posted by on the wine:
Stevey - I wasn't objecting to the LCBO-bashing. It's well-deserved, and I generally share in the sentiments expressed. And I am a definite Libertarian-minded supporter of Slan's opinion that the government should get the **** out of the beverage business and other places it doesn't belong.

No sweat, agree that this would be a great thread to start because good deals are relatively rare at LCBO!

Here's another one of a very limited nature... was just at Summerhill after lunch today and see two bottles of '05 Beaucastel Hommage in the coolers. Probably a return from the May Classics. The $325 asking is a very good price but alas too rich for my blood and thus still there begging to be picked up.

quote:

Originally posted by Stevey:

quote:

Originally posted by on the wine:
Stevey - I wasn't objecting to the LCBO-bashing. It's well-deserved, and I generally share in the sentiments expressed. And I am a definite Libertarian-minded supporter of Slan's opinion that the government should get the **** out of the beverage business and other places it doesn't belong.

No sweat, agree that this would be a great thread to start because good deals are relatively rare at LCBO!

Here's another one of a very limited nature... was just at Summerhill after lunch today and see two bottles of '05 Beaucastel Hommage in the coolers. Probably a return from the May Classics. The $325 asking is a very good price but alas too rich for my blood and thus still there begging to be picked up.

They were just available at SAQ for $249 - might still be available

quote:

Originally posted by theweb:
They were just available at SAQ for $249 - might still be available

Wait a minute... wasn't this suppose to be an bash-free LCBO zone? ;-)

Seriously though $249 is a great price for this wine! It's selling $400+ in many places in the US.

I just bought a bottle of Heartland Director's Cut Shiraz for $27, reduced from $32. The first time I tried this wine I loved it, the second time, not so much. This third time should tell me if I stock up or not.

Another good one is the 2002 Langoa Barton on sale for a while now at $50. Not sure why it's not being picked up faster at this price point but it's one of the extremely rare cases where a Bordeaux is priced well at LCBO.

quote:

Originally posted by screwtop:
I just bought a bottle of Heartland Director's Cut Shiraz for $27, reduced from $32. The first time I tried this wine I loved it, the second time, not so much. This third time should tell me if I stock up or not.

$27 sounds like a very good price for that wine. I bought one bottle of the current release (@$32) and liked it as much as I did a couple of years ago. Do let us know how it went with the third bottle.

My wife and I liked the third bottle alot. So I'm going back for more today.

I already own quite a few of these that have been reduced in price, so I guess I'll have to fish out those receipts. Should be good for at least one bottle that will effectively be free

the 1996 Lanessan should be worth checking out for $35. A 12 year old Bordeaux with some legs at a decent price.

quote:

Originally posted by Stevey:
Another good one is the 2002 Langoa Barton on sale for a while now at $50. Not sure why it's not being picked up faster at this price point but it's one of the extremely rare cases where a Bordeaux is priced well at LCBO.

I noticed today that the $50 price for 02 Langoa-Barton is a price reduction (from ~$60). That's likely because nobody is buying wines from that vintage. I also noticed that the 04 is $60. So would you say that the 02 is a better value? (Has anyone tasted them?)

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Hide Post

quote:

the 1996 Lanessan should be worth checking out for $35. A 12 year old Bordeaux with some legs at a decent price.

The '96 Lanessan is a decent wine for a decent price. The '96 Duhart-Milon is an exceptional wine for a decent price (if you can find it).

quote:

Originally posted by DoktaP:

quote:

Hide Post

quote:

the 1996 Lanessan should be worth checking out for $35. A 12 year old Bordeaux with some legs at a decent price.

The '96 Lanessan is a decent wine for a decent price. The '96 Duhart-Milon is an exceptional wine for a decent price (if you can find it).

maybe so, but I was referring to something fairly readily available on LCBO shelves today

quote:

Originally posted by on the wine:
I noticed today that the $50 price for 02 Langoa-Barton is a price reduction (from ~$60). That's likely because nobody is buying wines from that vintage. I also noticed that the 04 is $60. So would you say that the 02 is a better value? (Has anyone tasted them?)

2002 was a good (not great) year and drinking window is probably at least 5 years away. For frame of reference, I think both the '02 and '04 Langoa Barton were rated 90 by RP.

Many are back filling 2001-2004 in response to high 2005 price. In the context of outrageous LCBO prices for bordeaux, I consider $50 for the Langoa Barton to be in the good value window but not $60.

Front street store Ch Pipeau Magnums 2000 for $99 and 2003 for $89. Not cheap but at least available in large quantities.

Can't believe how quickly the Royal Tokaji's and all the Krachers went from the Front street store....

I picked up a couple more bottles of 2003 Chapoutier Chante Alouette Hermitage Blanc which has been reduced to $60.75 from its original price of $75.

I've seen some stores start to clear inventory with 30% discounts again recently. (They stopped doing this before the Christmas season.) Some of the wines I have picked up over the past week are:

2004 Tawse Chardonnay Robyn's Block @$33 (reg $48)
2004 Ch Grand Puy Lacoste @$48 (reg $69)
2004 Ch Bellegrave @$31 (reg $45)
2004 Bouchard Volnay Caillerets @$43 (reg $62)
2005 Vincent Sauvestre Corton-Marechandes @$40 (reg $58)
2004 Vasse Felix Heytsbury Cabernet Sauvignon @$40 (reg $58) - I actually only paid $25 for this due to a pricing error
2004 Burge Family Olive Hill @$30 (reg $44)
2001 Quercetto La Corte @$49 (reg $59)

quote:

Originally posted by on the wine:
I picked up a couple more bottles of 2003 Chapoutier Chante Alouette Hermitage Blanc which has been reduced to $60.75 from its original price of $75.

Thank-you for pointing that out. I backed the truck up today.

It was a buy at $75, in my opinion. A steal at $60! Really, really great stuff.

quote:

Originally posted by on the wine:
2004 Tawse Chardonnay Robyn's Block @$33 (reg $48)

Thanks for the heads up! This is one of the very few local wines that I like. I picked up a few bottles this afternoon.

Which stores have them on sale? I was in Sherwood Forrest this afternoon and they knew nothing about it. They scanned the Volnay and the Heytsbury and the regular prices came up.

Would love to pick some up. Thanks.

Hello

does anyone have the web site for the entire list of markdowns??

Here was url for the Jan 2008 Markdowns as an example - but I can;t remember where I got it from ...

http://www.freewebs.com/winething7/

Some of these markdowns are done at the store level. I bought the Tawse and several others at the Dupont St store.

Has anyone been to the learance / outlet centre in Toronto just south of the 401. I've been there a couple of times but pricings have been only okay.

I went there once about 4 years ago. Waste of time.

However, if you want to hear another reason why the LCBO should be privatised, ask someone why the clearance centre is located at Rexdale Blvd instead of Ajax as originally planned.

quote:

Originally posted by WineDaddy:
Which stores have them on sale? I was in Sherwood Forrest this afternoon and they knew nothing about it. They scanned the Volnay and the Heytsbury and the regular prices came up.

Would love to pick some up. Thanks.

I second that question... in both Vintages.com and LCBO.com there is nothing showing these special prices.
I'm looking mainly for the 2004 Ch Grand Puy Lacoste @$48.
Any advice... Advanced thanks, Gaby.

The Grand Puy Lacoste was one of the in-store markdowns I referred to above. It would not show up on their search pages.

quote:

Originally posted by on the wine:
I went there once about 4 years ago. Waste of time.

However, if you want to hear another reason why the LCBO should be privatised, ask someone why the clearance centre is located at Rexdale Blvd instead of Ajax as originally planned.

Okay I give up...why is it in Rexdale? BTW TIA!

Unfortunately I have to give up too! I was told the story a couple of years ago, but now I can't remember the sordid details any more. However, it did have the usual wretched plot involving some kind of personal monetary gain by one of our politicians. Are you surprised? (naturally, what else would you expect?)

Meanwhile, speaking of monetary gain, I found another in-store markdown...

2004 Ch Beausejour Duffau @ $48 (reg $69)

quote:

Originally posted by on the wine:
Unfortunately I have to give up too! I was told the story a couple of years ago, but now I can't remember the sordid details any more. However, it did have the usual wretched plot involving some kind of personal monetary gain by one of our politicians. Are you surprised? (naturally, what else would you expect?)
Meanwhile, speaking of monetary gain, I found another in-store markdown...

2004 Ch Beausejour Duffau @ $48 (reg $69)

Thanks for that! No surprises here on lining someone's wallet a bit.....

BTW, sorry to ask but I'm ssuming that the in-store discounts are in the DuPont Street Store?

Thanks again.

quote:

it did have the usual wretched plot involving some kind of personal monetary gain by one of our politicians

I'd be surprised if that was true, but I would not be surprised if it was put there for votes or some other political benefit. In fact, I'd be surprised if it wasn't....

quote:

Originally posted by GPCi:

quote:

Originally posted by WineDaddy:
Which stores have them on sale? I was in Sherwood Forrest this afternoon and they knew nothing about it. They scanned the Volnay and the Heytsbury and the regular prices came up.

Would love to pick some up. Thanks.

I second that question... in both Vintages.com and LCBO.com there is nothing showing these special prices.
I'm looking mainly for the 2004 Ch Grand Puy Lacoste @$48.
Any advice... Advanced thanks, Gaby.

They have 8 bottles at the First Canadian Place store, but they're all scanning at $65.

quote:

Originally posted by bman:

quote:

it did have the usual wretched plot involving some kind of personal monetary gain by one of our politicians

I'd be surprised if that was true, but I would not be surprised if it was put there for votes or some other political benefit. In fact, I'd be surprised if it wasn't....

I'm with bman on this one.

quote:

Originally posted by TheEngineer:

quote:

Originally posted by on the wine:
Unfortunately I have to give up too! I was told the story a couple of years ago, but now I can't remember the sordid details any more. However, it did have the usual wretched plot involving some kind of personal monetary gain by one of our politicians. Are you surprised? (naturally, what else would you expect?)
Meanwhile, speaking of monetary gain, I found another in-store markdown...

2004 Ch Beausejour Duffau @ $48 (reg $69)

Thanks for that! No surprises here on lining someone's wallet a bit.....

BTW, sorry to ask but I'm ssuming that the in-store discounts are in the DuPont Street Store?

Thanks again.

Lately that's where I have been finding many of the most recent markdowns.

quote:

Originally posted by Slan:

quote:

Originally posted by bman:

quote:

it did have the usual wretched plot involving some kind of personal monetary gain by one of our politicians

I'd be surprised if that was true, but I would not be surprised if it was put there for votes or some other political benefit. In fact, I'd be surprised if it wasn't....

I'm with bman on this one.

Your belief in the honesty of our politicians is touching. However, the story I was told did involve some money being made from either the sale or leasing of land/retail facilities. I can assure you there were no votes obtained by moving the store to the vicinity of Rexdale Blvd and the 401.

quote:

Originally posted by Bill@IA:

quote:

Originally posted by on the wine:
I picked up a couple more bottles of 2003 Chapoutier Chante Alouette Hermitage Blanc which has been reduced to $60.75 from its original price of $75.

Thank-you for pointing that out. I backed the truck up today.

They appear to only have three left so back up soon

It appears Dominus has arrived as well...there was a dozen or so case out in the back that I could see...no prices yet though.

A magnum of the 2003 Alion in the Queen's Quay store for $160 (or $180 I can't remember) OWC.

quote:

Originally posted by TheEngineer:

quote:

Originally posted by Bill@IA:

quote:

Originally posted by on the wine:
I picked up a couple more bottles of 2003 Chapoutier Chante Alouette Hermitage Blanc which has been reduced to $60.75 from its original price of $75.

Thank-you for pointing that out. I backed the truck up today.

They appear to only have three left so back up soon

It appears Dominus has arrived as well...there was a dozen or so case out in the back that I could see...no prices yet though.

A magnum of the 2003 Alion in the Queen's Quay store for $160 (or $180 I can't remember) OWC.

Which store did you see this at?

quote:

I can assure you there were no votes obtained by moving the store to the vicinity of Rexdale Blvd and the 401.

Maybe not directly, but if someone made money or realized some other benefit because of it, I bet the politician responsible expected to see some downstream electoral gain: influence over other voters, campaign contributions, whatever.

quote:

Originally posted by maverickdrinker:

quote:

Originally posted by TheEngineer:

quote:

Originally posted by Bill@IA:

quote:

Originally posted by on the wine:
I picked up a couple more bottles of 2003 Chapoutier Chante Alouette Hermitage Blanc which has been reduced to $60.75 from its original price of $75.

Thank-you for pointing that out. I backed the truck up today.

They appear to only have three left so back up soon

It appears Dominus has arrived as well...there was a dozen or so case out in the back that I could see...no prices yet though.

A magnum of the 2003 Alion in the Queen's Quay store for $160 (or $180 I can't remember) OWC.

Which store did you see this at?

Both the Chante Alouette and the Dominus were at the DuPont street (spadina) store. The Dominus was stacked up in the back storage area ......enroute to the washroom in the back.

The 2003 Alion was at the Queen's Quay large stand alone store (not the one in the mall with Loblaws). It is standing in the rear just before you get into the newly constructed vintages area. There are a couple of Champagne and australian mags along side it.

Was at the Bayview store this afternoon and found the 2003 Charles Melton Shiraz. Charles Melton is a solid producer and their shiraz is very good QPR at $25. If you like Aussie shiraz, this is one is a definite try.

Rather than a price alert this should be a warning!!! Stay away!!!


$69 for 2003 Banfi BdM.


Cheers

Yeah, I saw that. Absolutely ridiculous. Not to mention the 2002 is still on most shelves and the price increase also affects that vintage!

Ch. La Grange at $45, regular $55.


Cheers

mp

Yesterday I bought 04 Cedro do Noval @19 at the Lansdowne St LCBO in Peterborough.

I also saw that 04 Chateau Desmirail has been reduced from $44 to $36 system-wide. I have the impression that this wine is not so good but can't find much said about it - except for one negative write-up on Cellartracker. Has anyone else tried it?

quote:

Originally posted by Greg H:
Hello

does anyone have the web site for the entire list of markdowns??

Here was url for the Jan 2008 Markdowns as an example - but I can;t remember where I got it from ...

http://www.freewebs.com/winething7/

Hi - the link is a prior Markdown -- a more recent link is www.freewebs.com/winething8
that became effective May 12, 2008.

The most common question a customer asks me when they see something on sale is: "what's wrong with it?"

Of the 150 products that went on Markdown, I'd say only 50 skus fell into the 'deal' category and these had a red 'PICK' note in the margins.

Many of the 'Picks' were sold in a matter of days so I'd not waste time trying to find them. Future Markdowns will be noted and a link will be noted when the time comes at www.freewebs.com/nickswine

Click on #32318 to see what I mean by 'good deals' ...

CHEERS

Apologies for bringing up an old thread but just want to say I was at Bayview Village LCBO and found the 2004 Chateau Saint Paul CdP on sale for $28 from $35. This is a pretty good price from a decent CdP producer.

Picked one up and the wine is very much a CdP, a bit on the sweet end of the spectrum with not great but sufficient complexity to make it worthwhile. Medium body, easy drinking and excellent fruit balanced by just enough tannins, good value for $28. Not much left. This will go fast.

quote:

Originally posted by Stevey:
Apologies for bringing up an old thread but just want to say I was at Bayview Village LCBO and found the 2004 Chateau Saint Paul CdP on sale for $28 from $35. This is a pretty good price from a decent CdP producer.

Picked one up and the wine is very much a CdP, a bit on the sweet end of the spectrum with not great but sufficient complexity to make it worthwhile. Medium body, easy drinking and excellent fruit balanced by just enough tannins, good value for $28. Not much left. This will go fast.

It's been quite a while since I have seen a CdP at this price level. It pulls it into my daily-drinker window, so I picked up the last 2 bottles this morning. Thanks for the info.

The Dupont St LCBO is doing a whole bunch of markdowns (-30%) today in their Vintages section. I just purchased...

NV Legras Brut Blancs de Blancs $32
2006 Michel Picard Puligny-Montrachet $36
2005 Beaurenard CdP $30
2006 Clos Calvaire CdP $23
2000 Batasiolo Barolo Boscareto $43
2005 Giuseppe Campagnola Amarone $32
2004 Yalumba Signature $31
2005 Bouchard Signature Marconnets $34
2006 Chateau Mirausse Le Grand Penchant $13 (probably the best value of the bunch)

One more I remember seeing (although I did not buy) was the 2004 Covenant @$34.

And I missed out on the 2004 Guidalberto @$49 which someone scooped before I got there.

The Covenant @ $34 is what the price should've been in the fist place instead of the ridiculous $49 that LCBO started with. The Guidalberto is good at $49. This is the 2nd wine of Sassicaia, so it's got good lineage.

Continuing with the QPR theme, the '05 Esporao Reserva is one of the better wines I've had from Portugal and appears to be just silently release. I originally found out about this at Chiado (a Portuguese restaurant) when I had the '04 vintage and loved it. The '05 has the acidic umph to go with hearty meals with a deep blackberry taste and just enough tannins to give it some depth and backbone. I'm buying more.

I found this wine available at 3 locations I visited the past week (Summerhill, Queen's Quay and Leaside). Good value, IMHO, for about $25.

The Esporao is now a Vintages Essentials product. Expect to see a lot of it on the shelves moving forward.

I found some of these in Markham (Bullock Dr.) but some are also available elsewhere:
2002 Poesia (38463) was $58, now $49
2003 Altair (38430) was $63, now $53.90 (I pick one up)
2003 Delheim Grand Reserve (35394) was $36, now $29.90
2004 Castagna Genesis Syrah (53298) was $95, now $79.90
2004 Boisrenard CDP (964585) was $72, now $59.80
2004 Alain Voge Cornas Vieilles Vignes (8177) was $64, now $54.90
There was also some Burgundy but I don't remember which.

quote:

Originally posted by Stevey:
The Covenant @ $34 is what the price should've been in the fist place ...

I find that this is often the case with the LCBO sales. But you can't bring everything in from out of the country and expect to get away without paying duty for all of it, so their sales just restore order to the pricing at LCBO (sometimes).

Yeah, agree 100% and it would be a waste of my 1.5L duty free room on the Covenent. But I still remember not too long ago when LCBO prices on Aussie wines were pretty good and you can get good deals.

Those days are long long gone and sometimes the prices are really hard to swallow. For example, from the Oct 11th Aussie release catalogue...

'05 Penfolds RWT: LCBO=$134; US=$80-85
'06 Torbreck Juveniles: LCBO=$30; US=$16-17

These are not wines I'd bring in from the US, but there's no way I'll submit to being ripped off buying from LCBO at those prices.

quote:

Originally posted by Stevey:
Yeah, agree 100% and it would be a waste of my 1.5L duty free room on the Covenent. But I still remember not too long ago when LCBO prices on Aussie wines were pretty good and you can get good deals.

Those days are long long gone and sometimes the prices are really hard to swallow. For example, from the Oct 11th Aussie release catalogue...

'05 Penfolds RWT: LCBO=$134; US=$80-85
'06 Torbreck Juveniles: LCBO=$30; US=$16-17

These are not wines I'd bring in from the US, but there's no way I'll submit to being ripped off buying from LCBO at those prices.

Aussies are being dumped in the US now, whereas a few years ago importers were making a killing.

I think it is still generally true that we pay over 100% in total markups/taxes. This means that our pricing will never even come close to anything being offered on low margins in the US.

Any time we 'seem' to get competitive pricing it is actually an illusion... we're still being fleeced, but for various reasons (usually scarcity) the free market elsewhere is marking product up by more than 100%. DRC anyone?

The website is not showing these wines as marked down. I just checked the following: Beaurenard, Batasiolo Boscareto, Yalumba Signature (website shows 2003, FYI). Guess it must be local PCs' whims, but even then I thought they were restricted to 15% reductions, max?

quote:

Originally posted by bman:
The website is not showing these wines as marked down. I just checked the following: Beaurenard, Batasiolo Boscareto, Yalumba Signature (website shows 2003, FYI). Guess it must be local PCs' whims, but even then I thought they were restricted to 15% reductions, max?

The in-store Vintages PCs are allowed to go to -30%. There are some conditions, but any store that really wants to can meet or get around these conditions. And they can go to -20% with almost no conditions at all.

That said, I am finding that more and more stores are cutting back on the discount levels. Don't know why, unless they like having old inventory hanging around. The Laird St store has had 3 375s of 03 Maculan Acininobili sittintg on the sales shelf marked down from $79 to $63 for months now. They may still be there when they knock the store down...

Saw about 10 bottles of 2005 Château Fleur Cardinale at Summerhill yesterday at futures price of $57. This is selling in the US for $80+ today. You'll never find a RP=95 score Bordeaux at LCBO again for under $60.

Update Oct 20: They're all gone!

I bought a couple of bottles of Hess Winery Allomi 2004 cab yesterday for $24.70 each (a fair price). I like this wine even though it's gotten mixed reviews. I wonder if there are any more around.

When I first bought them a year ago I think I paid $32, then they were reissued at 30 and change. Thanks for the offer; I'll open the two I bought and get back to you.

quote:

Originally posted by Stevey:
Saw about 10 bottles of 2005 Château Fleur Cardinale at Summerhill yesterday at futures price of $57. This is selling in the US for $80+ today. You'll never find a RP=95 score Bordeaux at LCBO again for under $60.

Update Oct 20: They're all gone!

Thanks for those 3 bottles Stevey, just picked them up!

Mezzo Litro
Tried the Allomi last night and still like it so I'll buy or trade for your two. hgerhard@sympatico. ca

Found some 2001 Les Gartieux de Pichon Lalande on sale today for $30, down $5 left over from its release price in March. Seems like that's currently the going price in the US.

quote:

Originally posted by nicos:

quote:

Originally posted by Stevey:
Another good one is the 2002 Langoa Barton on sale for a while now at $50. Not sure why it's not being picked up faster at this price point but it's one of the extremely rare cases where a Bordeaux is priced well at LCBO.

How about the deal for the 2005 Montirius Le Clos - now marked down to $22.95 -- for full info, please click here: http://www.freewebs.com/winething9/2005%20Montirius%20V...yras%20Le%20Clos.doc

Still some around at various stores.

I just noticed that 2007 Huet Haut Lieu Sec has been dropped from $31 to $25. I don't recall this being in any of the sale lists. Not many left so I'm going to pick up a few today.

Looks like more wines have been reduced to clear. E.g., the Schubert Pinot Noir recommended by nicos in a previous thread has been reduced to $32 from $38.

Another that caught my eye is the 2002 Bon Pasteur Pomerol reduced from $69 to $66. The $3 off was what caught my eye. Why even bother?

quote:

Originally posted by Stevey:
Looks like more wines have been reduced to clear. E.g., the Schubert Pinot Noir recommended by nicos in a previous thread has been reduced to $32 from $38.

Another that caught my eye is the 2002 Bon Pasteur Pomerol reduced from $69 to $66. The $3 off was what caught my eye. Why even bother?

I find this sale interesting.... The 1500mL bottle of the 2007 Little Penguin Chardonnay is selling for $12.95 -- while the 750mL bottle of the same product is still $10.95 . Seems to be a deal if you like Chardonnay.

BTW I took as much of the Le Clos as possible and moved it lickity split.... at $22.95 a proverbial deal.

Wait till you see the next round of De-List for Sale coming soon... Am working on a 'good' version to be posted that offers as much detail as possible regarding press received for each wine being marked down.

CHEERS
Nick
www.freewebs.com/nickswine

Here's the March 2nd delist product list:

LCBO No Description Size (ML) New Old Diff.
42077 GEVREY-CHAMBERTIN CHEMIN DE LA JUSTICE 2006 750 45.65 55.95 -10.3
61085 OMAKA SPRINGS ESTATES FALVEYS PINOT NOIR 2006 750 20.15 23.95 -3.8
62547 LEASINGHAM BIN 56 CABERNET/MALBEC 2005 750 24.6 29.95 -5.35
68916 TURKEY FLAT ROSÉ 2007 750 17.6 20.95 -3.35
71159 BÖTZINGER PINOT GRIS KABINETT DRY 2007 750 13.8 16.95 -3.15
71191 DOMAINE SORIN TERRA AMATA CÔTES DE PROVENCE ROSÉ 2007 750 14.65 16.95 -2.3
72850 MORNINGTON ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2005 750 18.85 22.95 -4.1
72868 SKILLOGALEE SPARKLING RIESLING 750 20 23.95 -3.95
72892 LINDA DOMAS WINES SHOT BULL SHIRAZ 2004 750 18.75 21.95 -3.2
73403 AMPELEIA 2004 750 31.15 37.95 -6.8
74351 FIREBIRD LEGEND PINOT GRIGIO 2007 750 10.6 9.95 0.65
75994 THOMAS FOGARTY PINOT NOIR 2006 750 24.8 29.95 -5.15
76265 AMAYNA CHARDONNAY 2006 750 20.1 23.95 -3.85
76539 DOMAINE MADELOC CUVÉE MAGNECA 2004 750 29.2 35.95 -6.75
78857 LA FERME DU MONT CÔTES CAPELAN CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2005 750 37.35 45.95 -8.6
79061 DOMAINE FONTANEL MAURY VIN DOUX NATUREL ROUGE 2004 750 24.3 28.95 -4.65
82230 S. GIORGIO AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO 2003 750 45.15 39.95 5.2
82321 TERRABIANCA PIANO DEL CIPRESSO 2004 750 31.25 37.95 -6.7
82479 LES FRÈRES GAMBIER BOURGUEIL LE PIGEONNIER 2005 750 18.35 21.95 -3.6
82495 POL ROGER BRUT ROSÉ CHAMPAGNE 2000 750 77.15 94.95 -17.8
84434 DUVERGEY-TABOUREAU PULIGNY-MONTRACHET 2006 750 43.7 53.95 -10.25
84459 DUVERGEY-TABOUREAU POMMARD 2006 750 32.6 39.95 -7.35
84517 VINCENT SAUVESTRE SAVIGNY-LES-BEAUNE PREMIER CRU LES TALMETTES 2006 750 28.5 34.95 -6.45
84566 ANTONIN RODET SANTENAY CLOS ROUSSEAU 2005 750 26.15 31.95 -5.8
84608 RAPHAËL DUBOIS NUITS-SAINT-GEORGES 2006 750 43.6 53.95 -10.35
84905 RAPHAËL DUBOIS CÔTE DE NUITS-VILLAGES LES MONTS DE BONCOURTS 2006 750 26.2 31.95 -5.75
86454 CHÂTEAU CANTREGIL 2001 750 46.35 56.95 -10.6
87130 PAUL MISSET VOSNE-ROMANÉE LES BARREAUX 2002 750 55.6 67.95 -12.35
87163 CHÂTEAU DE LA CRÉE CHASSAGNE-MONTRACHET MORGEOT 2006 750 65.4 79.95 -14.55
87247 OSBORNE FINO QUINTA SHERRY 375 7.35 8.95 -1.6
87288 DOMAINE DE COURTEILLAC 2005 750 22 26.95 -4.95
89458 ABRIGO GIOVANNI BARBARESCO BASARIN 2004 750 32.9 39.95 -7.05
90746 GARVEY MANZANILLA JUNCAL 750 14 15.95 -1.95
90829 DOMAINE ERIC & JOEL DURAND CORNAS EMPREINTES 2005 750 40.8 49.95 -9.15
564278 PENFOLDS RWT SHIRAZ 2005 750 107.6 133.95 -26.35
589812 PÉREZ CRUZ RESERVA SYRAH 2006 750 20.8 24.95 -4.15
597880 PALACIOS REMONDO PROPIEDAD 2005 750 35.1 29.95 5.15
669671 CLOS DU MARQUIS 2004 750 57.4 70.95 -13.55
695049 ANGOVE'S NINE VINES GRENACHE/SHIRAZ ROSÉ 2008 750 10.35 11.95 -1.6
930255 LENZ MOSER BEERENAUSLESE PRESTIGE 2006 375 14.1 16.95 -2.85
938225 KATNOOK ESTATE SHIRAZ 2004 750 24.8 29.95 -5.15
968123 WOLF BLASS PLATINUM LABEL SHIRAZ 2005 750 91.75 113.95 -22.2
975359 VIÑA CARMEN NATIVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2005 750 16.8 19.95 -3.15

Nothing stands out as being a must buy. What's the difference between a delist and a bin end?

Continuing with the theme of this thread, Summerhill has about half dozen bottles of 2001 Leoville Barton for about $78 which is a good price for this wine and 2001 was a good vintage.

I loved the PÉREZ CRUZ RESERVA SYRAH and was thinking of stocking up, guess I should do that now.

I threw the wines into a wish list on cellar tracker ...if anyone cares to see what other cellar tracker users rate these as ( I have many WS rating but I think they are private only for the user who set up ?? )

http://www.cellartracker.com/l...&iUserOverride=48750

doh ...edit --updated name on tagged list to March 2 (was in as May 2 )

Greg
ps - missed two wines #72850 & 86454 -- they are not in Cellar Tracker DB ( or I was blind ) and not have time to add

ps - only have one wine in cellar on list ..:-( 2005 Domaine de Courteillac that WS rated as 90 ...at $26 was Ok --gee I guess at $22 not bad for a poor man's Bordeaux ??

There are 100 more wines that went on sale today at Vintages web store. The one I noticed was 06 Ch Beaucastel Blanc VV @$109.

quote:

Originally posted by on the wine:
There are 100 more wines that went on sale today at Vintages web store. The one I noticed was 06 Ch Beaucastel Blanc VV @$109.

Some interesting stuff, yes.
However the Beaucastel VV, IMO, is the big deal.
At the equivilant of $85US, this is just a hands down good deal.
212 bottles in stock.
They won't last long.

BTW:
How long has the LCBO been publishing Squire's TN's for several of their wines!?
I just noticed these in the lastest Vintages Bin End sale website.

quote:

Originally posted by KSC02:
BTW:
How long has the LCBO been publishing Squire's TN's for several of their wines!?
I just noticed these in the lastest Vintages Bin End sale website.

Probably ever since he got on the WA payroll covering Portugal and I think Greece as well.

As well, LCBO has been known to publish practically anyone's notes as long as it's associated with a high score to push sales.

quote:

Originally posted by Stevey:
As well, LCBO has been known to publish practically anyone's notes as long as it's associated with a high score to push sales.

Pushing the ethical limit, IMHO.

quote:

Originally posted by KSC02:

quote:

Originally posted by Stevey:
As well, LCBO has been known to publish practically anyone's notes as long as it's associated with a high score to push sales.

Pushing the ethical limit, IMHO.

That's right. A lot of posters on this forum are careful to respect the rights of wine reviewers who earn their living by publishing, but the LCBO and some other retailers seem to have no compunction about trampling over other people's property.

I just got some of the 2004 Maculan Fratta, looks like a good deal at $49.

quote:

Originally posted by KSC02:

quote:

Originally posted by on the wine:
There are 100 more wines that went on sale today at Vintages web store. The one I noticed was 06 Ch Beaucastel Blanc VV @$109.

Some interesting stuff, yes.
However the Beaucastel VV, IMO, is the big deal.
At the equivilant of $85US, this is just a hands down good deal.
212 bottles in stock.
They won't last long.

A $109 white wine? I think this might still be there at Christmas. Not everyone has your bad spending habits you know. But you ( and OTW ) did manage to talk me into a few.

It's worth $139. It's a steal at $109. I think I posted a note on it or at least made comments.

quote:

Originally posted by futronic:
It's worth $139. It's a steal at $109. I think I posted a note on it or at least made comments.

Agreed. Release price in the US was $182 per according to the WS rating.

WS (or WA) release price doesn't mean anything either.

Youi can find the 06 Vielle Vignes around for about $115 US

quote:

Originally posted by futronic:
It's worth $139. It's a steal at $109. I think I posted a note on it or at least made comments.

I remember reading your comments. But at $139 I didn't even give it a second glance especially since (I believe?) it was a Classics item and I had already ordered more than I should. I don't think anyone has mentioned the RP 98 score either. But the buzz around here, plus the price reduction, plus the Parker 98 pushed me over the edge!! Still lots left.

quote:

Originally posted by WineDaddy:

quote:

Originally posted by on the wine:
There are 100 more wines that went on sale today at Vintages web store. The one I noticed was 06 Ch Beaucastel Blanc VV @$109.

A $109 white wine? I think this might still be there at Christmas. Not everyone has your bad spending habits you know. But you ( and OTW ) did manage to talk me into a few.

I prefer to think of my 'bad spending habits' as 'the ability to determine good buying opportunities'

I prefer to think of my 'bad spending habits' as 'the ability to determine good buying opportunities' [/QUOTE]

Well put. Well put.

2005 Les Hauts de Pontet marked down 30% from $69 to $48 at Dupont St LCBO

Just a rough guess but I'd say 70% of my Vintages' purchases over the last six months have been sale/markdown/binend products. I like this new Vintages marketing strategy.

The sad thing is that the majority of the "sale" prices should have been the original cost.

I just assumed that once a wine went on CLEAROUT - that it would stay on clearout .. hmm .. guess I was wrong. This was a Dec 2008 clearout.

2004 Castello Vicchiomaggio Ripa delle More Toscana IGT LCBO # 983775 was $38.95 - then $10 off -- I see they have put to back to $38.95.

Just opened one of 2 in cellar I got on sale - NICE! but not as nice at $38.

Greg

Maybe there's a new vintage coming through the system. If the CSPC is the same (highly likely), they just end up adjusting the price, and not always the vintage. The crappy thing is that it means all the existing product goes up in price also.

I've heard from a little bird that the LCBO is particularly overweight on champagne, so watch in the future for a big champagne sale (I hope).

Sweet. I hope they're significant price drops on good stuff.

As my long-serving friend and LCBO store manager shared with me last week, "the warehouse is so incredibly overstocked right now, and there's more wine coming this way. Hold off for a bit; prices will drop, they have to."

I can't see there not being quarterly fire-sales, at the very least. And yes, those sales prices should have been the regular prices. The LCBO is greedy and this is much needed comeuppance.

quote:

Originally posted by tannic bastard:
I've heard from a little bird that the LCBO is particularly overweight on champagne, so watch in the future for a big champagne sale (I hope).

Funny, I blogged about that this week. In France, 2009 Q1 sales were down 29% over last yr; in foreign markets, off by more than 40%. You could ham-and-egg that the LCBO is off up to around 40%, too.

I'm looking forward to Champagne houses getting a big kick in the teeth. In the last 5ish years, they've created a price bubble just like Bordeaux. Time for the small gods to come back down to earth.

quote:

Originally posted by Darcy Kelley:
And yes, those sales prices should have been the regular prices. The LCBO is greedy and this is much needed comeuppance.

I couldn't agree more. There have been some baffling price hikes in recent months. One example previously noted by others: what gives with the $60 price tags on Ridge Geyserville and Lytton Springs when past vintages were priced at $40-45. Another is Chateau Musar for $80!! through the online site. Past pricing was approx. $50.
Start unrealistically high and then manufacture excitement by a "sale" of wine that in actual fact is still overpriced.
But, as we all know it's the only show in town, so they'll get our money sooner or later.

A little bird told me that beginning April 25 a number of "price adjustments" will take place (mostly from Sept. and Nov. 08 Classics):
RIVERA CASTEL DEL MONTE NERO DI TROIA PUER APULIAE 2004 was $43 now $34
CHÂTEAU CLOS DE SARPE 1999 was $76 now $59
MITOLO G.A.M. SHIRAZ 2006 (mag) was$130 now $100
MOCCAGATTA BARBARESCO BRIC BALIN 2004 was $75 now $59
CHÂTEAU SMITH-HAUT-LAFITTE ROUGE 2001 was $135 now $99
CLOS DE L'ORATOIRE 2003 was $100 now $79
CHÂTEAU PONTET CANET 1999 (mag) was $219 now $169
WARRE'S VINTAGE PORT 1994 was $115 now $89
QUINTA DE RORIZ VINTAGE PORT 2005 was $65 now $52
PENFOLDS YATTARNA CHARDONNAY 2005 was $99 now $75
TWO HANDS LILY'S GARDEN SHIRAZ 2006 was $66 now $50
and many more...

Ooooooooooooooooooooooooh, that sounds promising, especially the Two Hands and the ports. Of course, it will be that many more bottles I'll have to schlep down to the store to get refunds on. I'm already up to nearly a case, with nearly $50 of total refunds due. Just the Two Hands alone should double that.

Some of those are going to be very hard to find. For example, the product search on LCBO's web site said there are zero bottles of the Clos de L'Oratoire out there.

Still, the 1994 Warre's is the only wine I would buy more of. The $89 price is slightly lower than what I paid. I'd buy the Moccagatta Bric Balin, but $59 is still not such a great price. Same for some of the others.

The original soft release of the 2004 Bric Balin was $63, then it was released the same week in Classics for $75.

Figure that math. Wait a sec, don't. It's not supposed to make any sense anyway.

quote:

Originally posted by futronic:
It's not supposed to make any sense anyway.

I think that comment belongs on the 'What does LCBO stand for' thread!

True! Unfortunately I need to tweak it a bit to make it fit the acronym.

What the...Can this be accurate? The bin end sale that begins Saturday is only available at the Rideau Vintages outlet in Ottawa?

Earlier this week, I noticed that they seem that have most of the inventory.

quote:

Originally posted by screwtop:
What the...Can this be accurate? The bin end sale that begins Saturday is only available at the Rideau Vintages outlet in Ottawa?

Sale prices apply everywhere - if you can find the wine you want!

quote:

Originally posted by futronic:
The sad thing is that the majority of the "sale" prices should have been the original cost.

The bordeaux are still expensive even at sale price. E.g., 2 I'm interested in, the '01 Guiraud is about $70 US (LCBO "sale" = $115) and the '05 Canon-la-Gaffelière $130 US (LCBO "sale" = $185).

Luckily there's no inventory of these anyway except in Ottawa.

On Champagne, the LCBO is so stuffed with inventory it has enough to last through all of 2009 without ordering any new product. I've seen only a couple deals on champers, but I'm banking on further price reductions.

An agent I chatted with last week believes the LCBO will sit on most of the 2005 Bordeaux it still has, and re-release them 3-5 yrs from now, when markets recover and people go back to paying inflated prices for claret (I'm sure that will happen).

You're far more likely to see deals on Bordeaux from less-trumpeted years like '99, '02 and '04. As for the so-called "sales" on some '05s, yes, the LCBO prices are usually higher, forex adjusted, than the average regular US selling price. When I see that, I don't buy.

quote:

Originally posted by Darcy Kelley:
An agent I chatted with last week believes the LCBO will sit on most of the 2005 Bordeaux it still has, and re-release them 3-5 yrs from now, when markets recover and people go back to paying inflated prices for claret (I'm sure that will happen).

I'm sure you're right about the demand for high-priced vintages bouncing back. In fact, I'm not really sure there has been much decrease in buying among the big spenders in TO and Ottawa.

But it seems ironic that the LCBO may be doing an about-face on their goal of keeping inventories down to a bare minimum.

Stevey, the LCBO has 1 P&L but the Vintages P&L does roll up into the larger LCBO P&L. If you're Tom Wilson, who has a shitty record at best the last 2 years (declining volume and dollar sales), you are decidedly concerned about the Vintages financials. The costs of carrying over higher-end '05 clarets is marginal compared to discounting them by 25-40% right now, booking the sale at a lower strike price vs. carrying over the inventory as an asset on the balance sheet, and selling in the near future for a substantially higher price. It is naive to assume Vintages financial performance is not under the microscope (internally and externally) and merely sucked up into the LCBO's larger financials.

I only saw the consolidated P&L view and do not know results for Vintages only but according to their latest published Annual Report, results are improving year-to-year so I'm not sure where the "shitty records" are. I don't know who Tom Wilson is either but LCBO is not a normal business as the only game in town, so any reductions in sales volume of higher end products can be attributed to the economy and not to any loss in market share to which management may be responsible. And if Tom is concerned about his financials today then holding inventory for a few years isn't going to help his financials now and if you say he's been getting "shitty" results already, then he could be fired long before the '05's are back on the shelves in a few years, not helping him at all.

In other words, I just don't see how holding onto any '05 clarets can be of any help. It's a risk that even if prices do go up in a few years, how much higher into the stratosphere can LCBO mark up their bordeaux? Are we going to see $500 for the '05 Leoville Barton in a few years? Is there a price ceiling that above which the public will simply refused to pay? I don't know but I know, for me, the ceiling has already been reached.

But if the agent has inside information, then I guess he knows better.

quote:

Originally posted by Stevey:
I only saw the consolidated P&L view and do not know results for Vintages only but according to their latest published Annual Report, results are improving year-to-year so I'm not sure where the "shitty records" are. I don't know who Tom Wilson is either but LCBO is not a normal business as the only game in town, so any reductions in sales volume of higher end products can be attributed to the economy and not to any loss in market share to which management may be responsible. And if Tom is concerned about his financials today then holding inventory for a few years isn't going to help his financials now and if you say he's been getting "shitty" results already, then he could be fired long before the '05's are back on the shelves in a few years, not helping him at all.

In other words, I just don't see how holding onto any '05 clarets can be of any help. It's a risk that even if prices do go up in a few years, how much higher into the stratosphere can LCBO mark up their bordeaux? Are we going to see $500 for the '05 Leoville Barton in a few years? Is there a price ceiling that above which the public will simply refused to pay? I don't know but I know, for me, the ceiling has already been reached.

But if the agent has inside information, then I guess he knows better.

I have to agree with Darcy. If the LCBO lowers the price significantly across the board for their 2005 bordeaux's they have to write down the whole value of them. That's a big paper loss. As you so rightly said, as the LCBO is the only game in town, they don't have to mark-to-market their assets/inventory against any other companies (they are the market...)so they can afford to sit on those '05's as they "appreciate in value" or sit on them as they "ride through this economic downturn".

I think we also overstate the importance of this to the LCBO. Fine wine is important to us, but to the LCCBO, on the balance sheet of a few BILLION, the inventory of 2005 bordeaux is propbably less than $10-15 million or so.

quote:

Originally posted by Rob_Sutherland:

quote:

Originally posted by Stevey:
I only saw the consolidated P&L view and do not know results for Vintages only but according to their latest published Annual Report, results are improving year-to-year so I'm not sure where the "shitty records" are. I don't know who Tom Wilson is either but LCBO is not a normal business as the only game in town, so any reductions in sales volume of higher end products can be attributed to the economy and not to any loss in market share to which management may be responsible. And if Tom is concerned about his financials today then holding inventory for a few years isn't going to help his financials now and if you say he's been getting "shitty" results already, then he could be fired long before the '05's are back on the shelves in a few years, not helping him at all.

In other words, I just don't see how holding onto any '05 clarets can be of any help. It's a risk that even if prices do go up in a few years, how much higher into the stratosphere can LCBO mark up their bordeaux? Are we going to see $500 for the '05 Leoville Barton in a few years? Is there a price ceiling that above which the public will simply refused to pay? I don't know but I know, for me, the ceiling has already been reached.

But if the agent has inside information, then I guess he knows better.

I have to agree with Darcy. If the LCBO lowers the price significantly across the board for their 2005 bordeaux's they have to write down the whole value of them. That's a big paper loss. As you so rightly said, as the LCBO is the only game in town, they don't have to mark-to-market their assets/inventory against any other companies (they are the market...)so they can afford to sit on those '05's as they "appreciate in value" or sit on them as they "ride through this economic downturn".

I think we also overstate the importance of this to the LCBO. Fine wine is important to us, but to the LCCBO, on the balance sheet of a few BILLION, the inventory of 2005 bordeaux is propbably less than $10-15 million or so.

I think you are right....it is easy to miss the fact that VINTAGES sales account for such a small protion of the overall P&L of the LCBO. Having said that, I would love to see them sell the 05's off below futures prices.......I can see it already. All of us line up with our reciepts to get our money back and buy it at the cheaper price.

This latest online exclusive has to be the biggest rip-off in LCBO history.

$200 for a mag of Fontalloro! Even at the extremely overpriced Ontario retail of $70/750ml that's a HUGE premium for a mag... I can still buy this in the states for $42/bottle or $88/mag! The Galatrona is the same... $375 for a mag when I believe the '04 sold for about $100/bottle last year. Are these mag's made out of gold???? Is the wine better in a mag????

I totally hear you.....is it me or is the selection getting increasingly worse with every online release.....I wonder who the wizards are sourcing and selecting the LCBO's wines......

Gee -- a sales only at ONE store ... hmmm ... Rideau & King Edward is a nice store -- but --no transfers ..?

first wine I look at ...HITCHING POST ST. RITA'S EARTH PINOT NOIR 2005 ...need some more Pinot & Like Lafond & Sanford from area .. gee ...at WS rating of 76 points .... you better drop that price just a bot more ..:-(

Greg

It makes me sad seeing all the cheap vintage port on winebid.com that we can't order here in Ontario =S

quote:

Originally posted by Wayne1979:
It makes me sad seeing all the cheap vintage port on winebid.com that we can't order here in Ontario =S

I totally hear you....I am a 1977 baby and have had to source all of my birthyear port form the states....

http://www.vintageassessments....t/vintages_90427.pdf

Nothing really caught my eye on the whole list. And 20% off really isn't a sale. It probably brings some of the wines close to US retail prices, at best.

Greg H, the LCBO never transfers wine unless it's at the full retail price. When you have no real competition, you don't have to make the effort.

quote:

Originally posted by Dave Canada:
I totally hear you....I am a 1977 baby and have had to source all of my birthyear port form the states....

Such a pain. I need to find someone in the states that comes to Toronto now and then.

How did you go about getting your ports ?

quote:

Originally posted by Darcy Kelley:
Nothing really caught my eye on the whole list. And 20% off really isn't a sale. It probably brings some of the wines close to US retail prices, at best.

Greg H, the LCBO never transfers wine unless it's at the full retail price. When you have no real competition, you don't have to make the effort.

IMO the wines which are worth buying are:

RIESLING SPÄTLESE 2007 Wehlener Sonnenuhr (Wegeler) $27.60
BAROLO LA VILLA 2004 (Seghesio) $52.65
BAROLO GINESTRA 2004 (Paolo Conterno) $51.05

I think both the Seghesio and Wegeler are a little below US pricing. Paolo Conterno isn't imported to the US.

quote:

Originally posted by Dave Canada:

quote:

Originally posted by Wayne1979:
It makes me sad seeing all the cheap vintage port on winebid.com that we can't order here in Ontario =S

I totally hear you....I am a 1977 baby and have had to source all of my birthyear port form the states....

Last year i bought a 1977 Smith Woodhouse 1.5L at LCBO @ $391.70. Don't know whether it worth or not.

quote:

Last year i bought a 1977 Smith Woodhouse 1.5L at LCBO @ $391.70. Don't know whether it worth or not.

I would say no, except of course that we in Ontario have no options unless we can buy in the US or elsewhere while travelling. Vintage ports, like bordeaux, is massively over-priced in Ontario, like twice as much as the average price in the US. That said, sometimes the prices are closer and I have bought many bottles here.

Welcome, BTW!

LCBO leaves us no choice if we don't travel. Like Bordeaux Future, did any one ever see the price on shelves is lower then the future release? 2007?

Maybe we should immigrate to the states.

I was just in the Queens Quay store and couldn't believe how packed the shelves were!!

I can just imagine how full the warehouse must be. They must be moving as much inventory to the stores as possible to make room.

Nice to see you can pick up decent bottles on sale as well (Roncaglie 2004 Barbaresco).

Cheers

MP

The 2007 Fontanafredda Barbera is back on the LCBO shelves. This wine supposedly sold out in December, but it appears as though the LCBO only sold out of the sale price bottles since it's back at regular price.

It's a Vintages Essentials product now. I don't think it's worth $15.95 a bottle, personally. $12.95, that's a different story.

For anyone interested, someone returned a couple bottles each of 2001 Yalumba The Signature and 2004 Haan Shiraz Prestige to the St. Lawrence Market LCBO. There is also a full case of 2001 Clarendon Hills Grenache which is an ISD for this Saturday's release.

There are $10 discounts on 06 Beaucastel, 06 Vieux Telegraphe and 06 Dead Arms.

2006 Henri & Gilles Remoriquet Nuits St. Georges

I bought this wine for $30 in the August 29 bin-end sale - the cheapest NSG I have ever purchased. It's also surprisingly good - on par with many others at twice the price.

2006 Clos Des Papes is still available for $99 at classics. I struck out on the 05 and assume I will strike out on the 07. I noticed 07 is selling for $120 + in the US on futures. Take tax out $99 is essentially $87 ish... CT rates it pretty well.. anyone have any thoughts ? Anyone tried it ?

2005 Lamaione reduced until Oct 11th.

TENUTA DI CASTELGIOCONDO LAMAIONE 2005
Italy | Marchesi de'Frescobaldi
VINTAGES 978411 | 750 mL | WAS: $ 59.95 | NOW: $ 49.95 | SAVE: $ 10.00

Hi

think that --#97576 -- 2003 Domaine Cazes Côtes du Roussillon Villages Alter de Cazes -- at $16.55 is a very nice value.

Appreciate knowing if your bottles showing a weak cork? And day#2 is better than day#1.

WS gives it a 90 and CT is close - could get spoiled at $17 - drank two at the old (higher( price - have more now.

Greg

I'm starting to think about Christmas wine-giving.

I have two categories of wine recipients. There are those who are interested in wine and I have no difficulties finding wine gifts for them. The other (larger) category are those people who drink wines but aren't especially involved with their wine choices. These are the ones I have a harder time with. I usually try to put together a selection with one sparkling, a basic red & white, and a dessert wine. The pails they sell at the LCBO make a good base for wrapping up 4 bottles as a gift.

This year I am at a bit of a loss to find a sparkling wine and a dessert wine. There are lots of options around, but I can't think of any real QPRs in those two categories. The issue is that I try to find wines which are not on everybody's standby list (e.g. Segura Viudas) but I'd rather find something that might be a little new for the recipients.

Any suggestions?

I urge you to buy every last bottle of this .

quote:

Originally posted by tannic bastard:
I urge you to buy every last bottle of this .

Cava, eh...is there a barfing emoticon? just kidding, i see cellartracker rates this ok. i think i prefer prosecco but maybe will get one, never can have too much bubbly stuff around.

quote:

Originally posted by on the wine:
I'm starting to think about Christmas wine-giving.

I have two categories of wine recipients. There are those who are interested in wine and I have no difficulties finding wine gifts for them. The other (larger) category are those people who drink wines but aren't especially involved with their wine choices. These are the ones I have a harder time with. I usually try to put together a selection with one sparkling, a basic red & white, and a dessert wine. The pails they sell at the LCBO make a good base for wrapping up 4 bottles as a gift.

This year I am at a bit of a loss to find a sparkling wine and a dessert wine. There are lots of options around, but I can't think of any real QPRs in those two categories. The issue is that I try to find wines which are not on everybody's standby list (e.g. Segura Viudas) but I'd rather find something that might be a little new for the recipients.

Any suggestions?

Not sure what your budget is but the Yalumba Museum Reserve Muscat is delicious, has an attractive bottle and there is still plenty around at about $25. Both the Stratus Icewines (red and Reisling) are nice but are pricier at $39.

I found a store that had a case of 24 2005 Ch Suau on sale for $14. Not a great sauternes, but certainly a good QPR and one that most people will enjoy.

For the sparkling wine, all I can think of noe is the Roederer Estate that is in the Dec 5 Vintages release ($28). But I keep thinking that I should bre able to find something of equal quality for closer to $20.

otw,

Go for the Nino Franco Prosecco di Valdobbiadene at $18.95 for sparkling wine.

quote:

Originally posted by futronic:
otw,

Go for the Nino Franco Prosecco di Valdobbiadene at $18.95 for sparkling wine.

That's a possibility. Have you tried this year's blend?

I've gone through more than a half case already. Tasty. Maybe a shade behind last year, but it's still the best Prosecco we get on the LCBO shelves.

The Weston Road LCBO store is selling:

2005 Jacques-Frédéric Mugnier Nuits St. Georges Clos de la Maréchale @$72.50

which is a pretty decent price for this wine/vintage. The 2006 vintage in on the shelf at Summerhill for $93.

It should be time for the semiannual bin end sale. Anyone heard anything?

quote:

Originally posted by on the wine:
It should be time for the semiannual bin end sale. Anyone heard anything?

You mean this one starting Feb 27?

http://www.vintages.com/sales/...wines_en.html?binend

That initial list is awful! Maybe there will be something else of interest in the full list.

That will be an easy copy and paste on to the next bin ends sale for somebody at the Monopoly.

Let’s hope it gets better than that.

Calling nicos... where are you?! It'd be good if someone can post the complete list before the 22nd.

The LCBO's latest Classics catalogue had a number of Brunello di Montalcinos listed, all at very affordable prices.

Based just on the teaser list they put out, there's one wine that I will be getting more of and that's the 2004 Paleo Rosso. I bought 6 at the original $99 price and will turn that into at least a case at the sale price if I can.

quote:

Originally posted by on the wine:
Based just on the teaser list they put out, there's one wine that I will be getting more of and that's the 2004 Paleo Rosso. I bought 6 at the original $99 price and will turn that into at least a case at the sale price if I can.

I haven't had Paleo Rosso before, but am a big fan of Cab Franc - when it's ripe & done well. Do you tend to pick up any heat, or taste the alcohol, in the Paleo Rosso?

quote:

Originally posted by Darcy Kelley:

quote:

Originally posted by on the wine:
Based just on the teaser list they put out, there's one wine that I will be getting more of and that's the 2004 Paleo Rosso. I bought 6 at the original $99 price and will turn that into at least a case at the sale price if I can.

I haven't had Paleo Rosso before, but am a big fan of Cab Franc - when it's ripe & done well. Do you tend to pick up any heat, or taste the alcohol, in the Paleo Rosso?

The long growing period and often hot climate that you get in Tuscany ripens the fruit so that you don't get the vegetal flavours that so often come with cab franc, but I've never noticed the alcohol. (I just looked at the bottle and see it is posted at 13%)

I haven't quite tried all the vintages since they changed to 100% cab franc in 2001 (I've never even seen any 2002), but the 2001 and 2004 vintages are my favourite vintages. The 01 is very ripe and expressive, while the 04 has more structure and flavour depth. The price we are being offered here in Ontario compares favourably with the price in Italy (55-59 Euro) and is better than the US price.

The full sale list is up at vintages.com now. Other than the Paleo and a couple of Alsatian dessert wines, I don't see much to get me out of my easy chair.

I perked up when I saw 2003 Cerretalto on the list, but searching for inventory showed nothing available.

quote:

Originally posted by on the wine:
I perked up when I saw 2003 Cerretalto on the list, but searching for inventory showed nothing available.

The JJ Prum reisling is also at zero inventory. I am convinced that half the reason they do this is to get around their exchange policy for those who don't have a receipt - mark down bottles with no inventory for anyone else who's bought it already to get squeezed on the exchange.

The double mag of the 05 Beaucastel seems like a good buy, to bad the inventory check is zero.

Great idea from the monopoly, lets have a bin end sale on bins that are empty.

The Clonakilla Shiraz/Viognier 2006 is excellent. The sale price makes it easier to stomach. I already have six that I purchased at a price lower than the sale though!

cain five 2004 is has lower price that states(never see that happened before)

and hill of grace 2001 is nice, but u can't which store have it~

The LCBO search engine shows no quantities of 03 Casanova di Neri Cerretalto available anywhere. However, at least some stores are being shipped cases of this wine prior o the sale.

Lesson is that you shouldn't assume that search engine is always correct. It might pay to ask at your local store.

quote:

Originally posted by on the wine:
The LCBO search engine shows no quantities of 03 Casanova di Neri Cerretalto available anywhere. However, at least some stores are being shipped cases of this wine prior o the sale.

Lesson is that you shouldn't assume that search engine is always correct. It might pay to ask at your local store.

right, i'll ask the people in the store, since they have a different search engine

There's another factor at play, too. The main warehouse may have product sequestered for the sale that has not yet been delivered to a retail location.

As it's been explained to me, when wine is received at a store, the quantity is then activated in the LCBO inventory system. So, store X might have a 1-case allocation but is showing quantity 0 now. When store X gets those bottles this Thurs or Fri, then that quantity would be updated to show 12. So, really, you have to check Friday evening to know what store has what physical quantity of a wine.

quote:

Originally posted by Yuka:
right, i'll ask the people in the store, since they have a different search engine

It's not about the search engine but the inventory system. The search engine is just a query tool. And while store staff may use a different search engine, they're querying the same inventory system, so they're seeing the same data as you. That's my understanding anyway.

quote:

Originally posted by Darcy Kelley:
There's another factor at play, too. The main warehouse may have product sequestered for the sale that has not yet been delivered to a retail location.

As it's been explained to me, when wine is received at a store, the quantity is then activated in the LCBO inventory system. So, store X might have a 1-case allocation but is showing quantity 0 now. When store X gets those bottles this Thurs or Fri, then that quantity would be updated to show 12. So, really, you have to check Friday evening to know what store has what physical quantity of a wine.

Someone from the inside might know better but my understanding the LCBO # is set up centrally but it's up to the individual stores to enter their own inventory they receive into the system. So it's totally dependent on store staff and in some cases it's missed entirely either because they forgot or the LCBO # wasn't set up or was cancelled centrally. For example, the Atrium store had the 2005 Flaccianello on the shelves for probably 2 months but it was never shown in the inventory system.

Looks like Summerhill and Queens Quay have received shipments of product that were not showing up earlier in the week.

Hi
Here are the links for Burgundy clearouts in ascending value from $28 thru $$80 ( stopped there ) - I see one or two - any additional pointers welcomed - looking for the funk-barnyard type and have only had a couple of Burg's which have been middle of cherry pop-funky continuum

Greg

http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=629654
http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=601567
http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=201156
http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=496442
http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=200890
http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=518624
http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=661038
http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=412443
http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=332881
http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=717049
http://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=616751

ps - was interesting to see LOUIS JADOT SANTENAY ROUGE CLOS DE MALTE 2005 9( CT # 412443 ) shows a street price of $25 - vs - clearout price of $60 - most of the others seemed much closer than this example

FWIW, the Queens Quay store has 2005 Caymus SS for $139 per bottle. The last time it was released here it was more like $155+

quote:

Originally posted by theweb:
FWIW, the Queens Quay store has 2005 Caymus SS for $139 per bottle. The last time it was released here it was more like $155+

Probably the residual from the catologue Caymus release a month or so back.

How was it, by the way?

quote:

Originally posted by WEc:

quote:

Originally posted by theweb:
FWIW, the Queens Quay store has 2005 Caymus SS for $139 per bottle. The last time it was released here it was more like $155+

Probably the residual from the catologue Caymus release a month or so back.

How was it, by the way?

There were so many wines being poured last night that I was a bit overwhelmed. I do recall the Cliff Lede stealing the show over the Caymus. I'll be doing them both again tonite so I'll have a better idea how it is showing.