Of course one of the problems with all of us chiming in from all over the map is that of distribution. There are SO many producers and outside each nation's truly gigantic wineries and/or the vanity labels, good luck with Nevyn finding something that's in every store in my area and vice versa.

 

not to mention palate variation

 

Yep, as I noted a few posts above.

You're the wine guy -- literally. My approach when recommending across likely totally dissimilar distribution capabilities is to have folks key on regions/AOC/AVAs. Instead of this specific vintner/winemaker for a Rhone blend, look to Vacqueyras or Gigondas, for instance. If you've had luck with middle Russian River Pinots, find others. All houses won't of course tag the base, but isn't that the whole idea behind non-site-specific terroir, it's kinda a filtering agent?

 

Indeed. If I drove 2 hours to Toronto I might be able to find one year of Jordan. I can get Silver Oak (mentioned upthread) locally if I want to shell out 130-180 CDN a bottle (and I don't).


The one edge I do have though is the LCBO has a pretty decent online search. So if I find some bargain names/vintages to look out for I can check for them without schlepping around (woohoo for government monopolies).

Searching the store I am at most frequently, the California reds in my price range would be

• J. Lohr Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 (blend)
• Jeunesse Cabernet Sauvignon KPM
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No idea if anyone would have tried any of them. I'm guessing these are probably only 10-15 dollar bottles in the states.


Asking mainly about the California's because I figure that is a best chance for someone knowing the winery. With internationals in my price range I absolutely agree that its folly looking for a match in what is available.

 

that's a pretty pedestrian listing, though price does influence it. Those are 98% big label, commercial wines with gigantic production and likewise distribution...which explains why they are in the LCBO.

There is one exception: the Austin Hope Syrah. While not a world-beater, it is a solid bottling of Paso Robles Syrah...actually sells for about $50US
I know how this came to be in LCBO as the former Director Sales that company is an old friend of mine. He made it a point to get their wines into Canada and also onto the airlines for awhile (AA IIRC). Looks like they have become a legacy brand for the LCBO.

 

region is as a good a starting point as you can get; at least it offers the promise of flavor differential via terroir. Price being a determining factor though as the less expensive wines are pretty heavily manipulated in the cellar and any semblance of terroir goes out the window in favor of "house style".
Once a region of choice is specified, then you can begin the process of selecting producer/winemaker style that is favorable

 

Thanks! Pretty much what I was expecting to hear. Nice that there is one half decent find in there. I'll make it a point to give it a shot as I'm a sucker for Syrah anyway. But this is mostly affected by my budget. LCBO does have a lot more California stuff, but it doesn't really make sense for me to dig deeper for bottles at home unless its a wine I already know I love for a special occasion. But on my next Vegas dining splurge maybe I'll discover one or two more to keep an eye out for.

 

Nev, seems a little counterproductive to experiment off an overpriced Vegas wine list than at the local bottle shop.

 

I'm ready for Christmas! I got a free magnum of Chateauneuf du paper for being a good Eurostar. customer!

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From pure dollars and cents probably. But from pure dollars and cents 60 USD a la carte for steak is a little counterproductive too. Vacation lends a sense of occasion, which makes it easier to splurge.

And I will still experiment at home, but more with the wines which are reasonable value here, and within a budget.