By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com. My "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of wine news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits, has been at https://pages.pathcom.com/~dtudor since 1994. These notes for top wines available through LCBO Vintages New Releases (on a bi-weekly basis) can always be found at http://www.gothicepicures.blogspot.ca or at https://pages.pathcom.com/~dtudor No winery can buy their way into – or out of – my publications. Evaluations are a combined MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Rhone would taste like a Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace, above or below its price).
MAJOR THEME: High Scoring Wines
Top Wines UNDER $20
=================
ROSE+45075 TAWSE GROWERS BLEND ROSÉ 2024 VQA $18.95
ROSE+668426 VILLA AIX EN PROVENCE ROSÉ 2024 $19.95
ROSE+37664 CELLIER DES DAUPHINS VAL SOLEU ORGANIC ROSÉ 2024 RHONE $15.95
ROSE+707281 CHÂTEAU VAL-JOANIS ROSÉ 2024 RHONE $19.95
W+89011 FEATHERSTONE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 VQA $17.95
W+417774 DOMAINE QUEYLUS TRADITION CHARDONNAY 2021 VQA $33.70
W+33492 RED TRACTOR CHARDONNAY 2021 VQA $19.95
W+45017 LOUIS GUNTRUM KM482 RHEIN RIVER DRY RIESLING 2023 $19.95
W+44279 MONTE SCHIAVO RUVIANO VERDICCHIO DEI CASTELLI DI JESI CLASSICO
$16.95
W+44233 SANT'ANTONIO SCAIA GARGANEGA/CHARDONNAY 2023 VENETO $19.95
W+37725 CASTELLO D'ALBA WHITE 2023 PORTUGAL $14.95
W+45167 RUSTENBERG WILD FERMENT SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 SOUTH AFRICA $18.95
R+44588 ESCUDO ROJO GRAN RESERVA PINOT NOIR 2023 CHILE $17.95
R+43908 CHÂTEAU LE ROSE DE VITRAC 2022 BORDEAUX $17.95
R+43565 DOMAINE DE MUS CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2022 LANGUEDOC $16.95
R+36526 ORAPIENA RISERVA MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO $17.95
R+21155 LA MOTTE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2022 SOUTH AFRICA $19.95
R+23914 SAN ALEJANDRO EVODIA GARNACHA 2022 SPAIN $16.95
R+44358 ALTOS DE RIOJA ALTOS R TEMPRANILLO 2023 $15.95
Top Wines OVER $20
================
W+19482 PIERRE SPARR SOL CALCAIRE PINOT GRIS 2020 ALSACE $20.95
W+33260 PAPAGIANNAKOS ASSYRTIKO 2023 GREECE $26.95
W+942888 MICHELE CHIARLO NIVOLE MOSCATO D'ASTI 2024 PIEDMONT $20.95
W+733501 ALAIN GEOFFROY BEAUROY CHABLIS 1ER CRU 2023 $48.95
W+10421 ASTROLABE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 NEW ZEALAND $24.95
R+558528 CHÂTEAU DU CHATELARD CUVÉE LES ROCHES MORGON BEAUJOLAIS 2020
$21.95
R+650960 FAMILLE PERRIN PEYRE BLANCHE CAIRANNE CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES $21.95
R+261784 PAPALE LINEA ORO PRIMITIVO DI MANDURIA 2021 PUGLIA $26.95
R+438572 CASALE DEL BOSCO BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2019 $49.95
R+719294 TEDESCHI CAPITEL SAN ROCCO RIPASSO VALPOLICELLA SUPERIORE 2021 $23.95
LIMITED TIME OFFERS: Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO's Limited Time Offer selections...these are "better" value wines...on sale from Aug. 18 to Sept. 14, 2025.
W H I T E W I N ES & ROSE
TAWSE SPARK LIMESTONE RIDGE
ORGANIC BRUT SPARKLING RIESLING
VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment,
Ontario, traditional method
370361 (M – 19 g/L) 750 ml $24.95
NOW $22.95 Save $2.00
MALIVOIRE LADYBUG ROSÉ
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario,
sustainable, vegan
559088 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00
BANFI PRINCIPESSA GAVIA GAVI
DOCG, Piedmont, Italy
250696 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $21.95
NOW $19.95 Save $2.00
FERZO ABRUZZO PECORINO SUPERIORE
DOP, Abruzzo, Italy
573683 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $17.95
NOW $15.95 Save $2.00
FLAT ROCK TWISTED WHITE
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, sustainable
1578 (D – 15 g/L) 750 ml $17.95
NOW $15.95 Save $2.00
KIM CRAWFORD MARLBOROUGH SAUVIGNON BLANC
Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand
35386 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $21.95
NOW $18.95 Save $3.00
OYSTER BAY PINOT GRIGIO
Hawke's Bay, North Island, New Zealand
326090 (XD – 5 g/L) 750 ml $20.95
NOW $17.95 Save $3.00
PACO & LOLA ALBARIÑO
DO Rías Baixas, Spain
350041 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $23.95
NOW $21.95 Save $2.00
PIERRE SPARR GEWURZTRAMINER
AC Alsace, France
373373 (D – 16 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $17.95 Save $2.00
WAKEFIELD ESTATE LABEL
CHARDONNAY
Clare Valley/Limestone Coast,
South Australia
711556 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $17.95
NOW $15.95 Save $2.00
R E D W I N ES
CONCHA Y TORO MARQUES DE CASA
CONCHA CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Puente Alto, Chile
337238 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $22.95
NOW $19.95 Save $3.00
KAIKEN ESTATE MALBEC
Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina
58339 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $18.95
NOW $17.95 Save $1.00
LAN CRIANZA
DOCa Rioja, Spain
166538 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $18.95
NOW $16.95 Save $2.00
MONASTERIO DE LAS VIÑAS
GRAN RESERVA
DOP Cariñena, Spain
82024 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $21.95
NOW $19.95 Save $2.00
MONASTERIO DE LAS VIÑAS RESERVA
DO Cariñena, Spain
166579 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $16.95
NOW $15.45 Save $1.50
ROCCA DELLE MACÌE RISERVA CHIANTI
DOCG, Tuscany, Italy
111641 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $16.95
NOW $14.95 Save $2.00
UMBERTO CESARI LIANO
SANGIOVESE/CABERNET SAUVIGNON
IGT Rubicone, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
225086 (D – 11 g/L) 750 ml $29.95
NOW $24.95 Save $5.00
VIGNERONS DE BUXY BUISSONNIER
CÔTE CHALONNAISE PINOT NOIR
AC, Burgundy, France
28284 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $23.95
NOW $21.95 Save $2.00
ZONTE'S FOOTSTEP
CHOCOLATE FACTORY SHIRAZ
Vegan, McLaren Vale, South Australia
396481 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $19.95
NOW $18.95 Save $1.00
FOR MORE SELECTIONS, GO TO -- https://www.lcbo.com/en/products#t=clp-products&sort=relevancy&layout=card&f:@lcbo_current_offer=[On%20Sale]
** Some New Wines I Tasted Over the Past Season ---
REPORT ON REDISCOVER AUSTRALIA - THE NORTH AMERICAN ROADSHOW MAY 2025
The Date and Time: 10AM - 2:30PM May 6, 2025
The Event: Rediscover Australia: North America Roadshow
The Venue: Waterworks Food Hall, Brant Street
The Target Audience: wine trade
The Availability/Catalogue: there was a trade tasting booklet (with agents, prices,and ABV) listing some 27 producer tables with 175+ wines.
The Quote/Background: the seminar's theme was a blend of history, evolution and revolution with a tasting of 9 examples. The focus was on the importance of old vines, farming practices, and new styles for a changing world.
The Wines: with 175+ wines from over 15 wine regions I could not taste them all with time restraints. Indeed, I spent some time looking through the book and circling what I did want to taste in the way of Chardonnay and Fizz.
**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Bird in Hand Two in the Bush Adelaide Hills Chardonnay 2024 $17.95 Case for Wine
-Glenlofty Estate Pyrenees Chardonnay 2020 $35 Heritage Cellars
-Blue Pyrenees Estate Midnight Cuvee Pyrenees Chardonnay 2022 $42 Heritage
-Brown Family Devil's Corner Tasmania Chardonnay 2024 $26.95 Select
-Innocent Bystander Yarra Valley Chardonnay 2024 $21.95 Select
-Haselgrove Wines H by Haselgrove South Australia Chardonnay 2023 $25 Airen
-Hollick Estate The Bard Coonawarra Chardonnay 2024 $16.95 Rogers & Co
-Hill Smith Murdoch Hill Adelaide Hills Chardonnay 2024 $43.95 Living Vine
-House of Arras A By Arras Premium Cuvee Rose NV$40 Insider wines
-House of Arras E.J. Carr Late Disgorged 2008 $230 Insider Wines [my fave of the day]
-Hugh Hamilton Wines The Scallwag McLaren Vale Chardonnay 2023 $22.95 Case for Wine
-Giant Steps Yarra Valley Chardonnay 2023 $49.95 Select
-Giant Steps Sexton Yarra Valley Chardonnay 2023 $89.95 Select
-Yangarra Estate McLaren Vale Rousanne 2023 $39.95 Select
-Xanadu Margaret River Chardonnay 2023 $38.95 Noble Estates
***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (87 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Blue Pyrenees Estate White Field Blend Pyrenees Viognier Rousanne Marsanne 2023
$37 Heritage Cellars
-d'Arenberg The Hermit Crab McLaren Vale Viognier Marsanne 2023 $17.95 Churchill
-d'Arenberg The Olive Grove McLaren Vale Adelaide Hills Chardonnay 2022 $17.95 Churchill
-Sister's Run Sunday Slippers McLaren Vale Chardonnay 2023 $19.95 Nicholas Pearce
-Mitolo Jester McLaren Vale Vermentino 2024 $25 Nobles Estates
-Mitolo Small Batch Perduto McLaren Vale Pecorino 2024 $42 Noble Estates
-Penfolds Koonunga Hill South Australia Chardonnay 2023 $18.60 Mark Anthony
The Food: catered by the Food Dudes -- tuna tataki (first rate), mushroom flatbread, Italian deli sliders, a cheese board and a meat board.
The Downside: so many wines and such a short time to try what I did want to taste -- overwhelming. The small space made for congestion.
The Upside: this was the first major Australian wine tasting trade show in Toronto in some years.
The Contact Person: annie.dingwall@wineaustralia.com
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 89
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