March 2025 LCBO Vintages Picks

March was a busy month...no better way than to drown out the noise from the week with a nice glass of wine though, right?

So We Did Not Hit Last Month's Goal...

And somehow we find ourselves here practically the last day of the month left wondering where March went and why I couldn't pump out a simple blog post with the wines I was trying to get my hands on for March 2025. Pretty sad, really...though I will try to lean on the excuse of March getting away from me -- it has been a busy month and between work and stuff around the house, I haven't just put in the time to get something published. So here we are, March 30th, trying to make sure I have all the bottle images, etc. ready to go!

One Bottle In, One Bottle Out

March was tricky too! Not sure if you noticed but there were THREE Vintages releases from the LCBO this month! This means a release literally YESTERDAY -- how do you contend with that? Simple, friends, we decide that March 29th is REALLY close enough to be April, and that will just have to be good enough (of course, now that means three releases in April...you can see how this has already back-fired).

As if that wasn't enough to contend with, I'm SUPPOSED to be following a 'One-In, One-Out' strategy that my lovely wife suggested so that things didn't get out of hand. We stopped a week or so and counted...and either I'm doing REALLY poorly at counting, or we're not drinking enough wine (or I'm really good at counting and we're drinking too much...which one is it???)

I added a bottle to the list of picks this month -- I'm hoping to try and keep it to 4-5 each month as getting through 6+ bottles in a month (even with the family now pitching in to help polish off a bottle once a week) is A LOT to ask (especially considering we're new to this), not to mention it's a bit "fun" for the wallet (anyone else excited for nicer weather and more wine-tours? Yup...count me in!)

March also saw me dip into some 'Bordeaux Futures' and some 'Vintages Cellar Online' ordering...and we'll save those for another day. As far as I'm concerned, if they're not here yet and I haven't paid for them yet, we can deal with those later.

Making Better Informed Decisions

The end of February and into March I spent a lot of time playing around with Python and trying to get a better understanding of where the LCBO's product inventory was. Considering the whole tariff situation going on right now, and the fact I REALLY do not enjoy the LCBO's search capabilities (thank you for auto-substituting words for me when you think I'm looking for something else), I had to come up with a better way to find things that was I looking for. This was especially true when checking out posts from @torontovino (check them out on Instagram -- LOVE having posts from an LCBO Product Consultant) this month and having to go hunting for a bottle or two that just wouldn't come up in search.

More to come on this in a future post -- I've put some Python code into a GitHub repository which I may or may not open up depending on how much scrutiny I want (I am by no means a proficient coder and much like wine, when I get stuck, it's off to ChatGPT/Claude.ai I go!)

What's Going On With Non-Ontario Canadian Wines?

One thing that I thought WAS seeminly positive about the whole tariff uncertainty was at least (what I thought was) certainty that we would open up better trade between Canadian provinces and start to see more product flow from B.C. wineries. I spent a little bit of energy trying to connect and understand what there was out there that we don't get exposure to here in Ontario. For what it's worth, I do enjoy the fact that in many LCBO stores, the empty shelves where there used to be American product have largely had their place filled with Canadian product, but there's only so much to go around. Keep supporting Ontario wineries where you can (there is some great 'fly-under-the-radar' product out there that I think most people likely haven't heard of) but I'm also excited to explore the west-coast (and other parts of the country, I suppose...)

Looking at Shipping from Other Provinces...Again

I also spent a little more time looking at whether or not it made sense to keep buying from the LCBO or whether it made sense to look at other online retailers that ship to Ontario as an alternative. Say what you will about the LCBO, but in many cases, other Canadian retailers to the west of us seem to do better on selection and in some cases price. I started a blog article looking at a comparison between buying from the LCBO and BSW in Alberta...and then I learned about Zyn...and now there's a new wine tax going into effect in Alberta April 1st...let's see if we can do some fun analysis to show when/where it makes sense (and spend a little time talking about any potential pitfalls...)

That's enough rambling out of me -- here's what you came to see!

🍷 My March 2025 Vintages 'Picks' 🍷

Tenuta San Guido Le Difese (2022)

This was one of the first bottles that was recommended to me as part of my little AI wine adventure, and boy was I excited to have it pop up in the Vintages release for March.

The 2022 Le Difese is plump, juicy and expressive, all of which make it a fine choice for drinking now and over the next handful of years. Crushed flowers, succulent red cherry fruit, mint, spice and blood orange all race across the palate. This exuberant yet mid-weight coastal Tuscan red is a total pleasure bomb. The 2022 is an especially fine edition. It benefits from a warm year - which can be a positive for entry-level wines - earlier bottling and selection. Le Difese is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (both estate and non-estate sites) and Sangiovese, all purchased. Drinking window: 2024-2032. Score - 92.

• Antonio Galloni, vinous.com via LCBO.com

Sons of Eden Kennedy Grenache-Shiraz-Mourvedre (2022)

A beautifully bright, spacey and detailed blend of 56/25/19% grenache/shiraz/mourvédre with a snappy minerally line, chewy, powdered granite tannins and loads of bright red berry raspberry and red plummy fruit. Spicy, too, with a gentle floral facet, gingerbread notes and a really easy-drinking vibe. I like it a lot. Drink from: 2024. Drink by: 2032. Special Value. Score - 93.

• Dave Brookes, winecompanion.com.au via LCBO.com

Banfi Magna Cum Laude (2021)

Tightly knit and supple, delivering black currant, blackberry, violet and graphite aromas and flavors. This harmonious red shows a well-integrated structure, with terrific energy and length. Though approachable now, this should really hit its stride in a year or two. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sangiovese and Syrah. Drink now through 2040. Highly Recommended. Score - 95.

• Bruce Sanderson, winespectator.com via LCBO.com

Niepoort Vertente Tinto Douro (2020)

The 2020 Tinto Vertente combines Tinta Roriz, Touriga Franca and others from the DOC Douro and was aged 18 months in French oak barrels. Garnet in color, it offers aromas of ripe plum and blackberry fruit, along with wild herbs and an oaky layer. Dry, rich and juicy, it offers firm tannins as the palate lingers on its dark fruit tones. Drinking window: 2024-2036. Score - 92.

• Joaquín Hidalgo, vinous.com via LCBO.com

Chateau Saint Roch Chimeres Grenache-Carignan-Syrah Cotes-du-Roussillon Villages (2022)

*Such a dense, packed and generous red blend of grenache, carignan and syrah. The nose shows notes of blackberries, cassis, roasted meat, dark chocolate, dried thyme, bay leaves and baking spices. Full-bodied with creamy tannins. Compact with generous berry character and plenty of spices toward the long and focused finish. Drink or hold through 2029+. Score - 92.

• jamessuckling.com via LCBO.com

LAN Gran Reserva Rioja (2017)

Elegant and aromatic, with detailed hints of star anise, dried thyme and mocha winding through the core of ripe black cherry and boysenberry fruit. Fine-grained tannins are well-meshed and lightly chalky in texture, emerging to firm the focused finish. Tempranillo and Graciano. Drink now through 2030. Smart Buys. Score - 92.

• Alison Napjus, winespectator.com via LCBO.com

Looking Ahead to April

Three releases (just because it says 'March 29' on it doesn't make it March...and I'm sticking to that) plus some exciting things coming in the Vintages Cellar release (both Gaja and Solaia bottles this month???) should make for an interesting April. Hit me up on Instagram or Bluesky and let me know if I missed any March bottles, or tell me what you're looking forward in the April releases. Should I start picking a 'Wine of the Month' or sharing what I'm keeping in the cellar for a few more years?