The Event: Select Client Tasting of Vinexx Portfolio.

The Time and Date: Wednesday, April 16, 2008  3PM to 8PM

The Event: Select Client Tasting of Vinexx Portfolio.

The Venue: Metropolitan Hotel, Chestnut Street

The Target Audience: clients, wine media.

The Availability/Catalogue: all wines are at the LCBO, but a few were on Consignment. Some private orders were shown, such as the Calera Chardonnay 2006 Mount Harlan ($29.50), the Arcadian Gary's Pinot Noir Monterey 2001 ($71), and the Calera Pinot Noir Petite Cuvee 2006 ($36).

The Quote: "We have joined forces with the Torion Trading Company whose portfolio enhances and complements ours."

The Wines:

 

**** Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Jean Paul Paquet Chateau de Chaintre 2005 Burgundy ($15.95)

-Canyon Oaks Chardonnay 2006 Central Valley California ($13.39 Consignment)

-Chateau des Charmes Chardonnay Musque 2006 VQA NOTL ($16.95)

-Voyager Estates Cabernet-Merlot 2003 Margaret River ($32.95)

-Mas de Bressades Cabernet Syrah 2006 Costieres de Nimes ($18.95, June Vintages)

-Mount Eden Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 Santa Cruz Mountains ($48.75) – my fave of the show

 

***1/2 Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Chateau des Charmes Brut NV VQA NOTL ($22.95)

-Les Domaines La Chablisienne Chablis 2004 Vieilles Vignes ($21.80)

-Tinhorn Creek Merlot 2004 Okanagan ($19.95)

-Graham Beck Dual Varietal (Shiraz/CabSauv) 2005 South Africa ($15.85)

-White Oak Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 Napa ($32.95)

-Chateau des Charmes Eqquleus 2005 VQA NOTL ($40)

-Chateau Bournac 2003 Bordeaux ($25.90)

-Bodegas Muga Reserva 2004 Riojaq ($23.95)

 

*** Three Stars (85 – 87 in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Graham Beck Brut Rose 2005 South Africa ($21.95)

-Hugh Hamilton Unoaked Chardonnay 2007 McLaren Vale ($13.95)

-Errazuriz Ovalle Panul Sauvignon Blanc 2006 Lontue Chile (oak aged; $14.45 consignment)

-Sherwood Estates Riesling 2007 New Zealand ($17.95)

-Cline Cellars Syrah 2006 Sonoma ($12.85)

-E. Guigal Cotes du Rhone 2004 ($16.20)

-Errazuriz Ovalle Panul Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 Reserve Colchagua ($14.45)

-Hugh Hamilton Ratbag Merlot 2005 McLaren Vale ($17.95)

-Chateau des Charmes Cabernet-Merlot 2004 VQA NOTL ($19.95) – declassified Eqquleus.

 

The Food: great buffet of baked brie; blue cheese and mandarins; crudités and dips; sushi rolls; Mediterranean tarts; lamb lollipops.

The Downside: there was plenty of room, but attendance was on the low side.

The Upside: the food was excellent, and went well with the wine.

The Contact Person: jdesautels@vinexx.com

The Effectiveness (numerical grade): 92.

 

www.deantudor.com.