The Event: California Winemakers on Tour (wineries owned by Foster's), May 28, 2008

The Time and Date: Wednesday, May 28, 2008  Noon to 6PM
The Event: California Winemakers on Tour (wineries owned by Foster's)
The Venue: Fermentations Cellar, Distillery District
The Target Audience: wine trade in the afternoon, consumers in the
evening.
The Availability/Catalogue: just about all wines are available, through
the LCBO or Consignment or as Private orders. Some of the vintage dates
were off, either because the wines were not available for tasting or
because a newer shipment was "on the water".
The Quote:
The Wines: There was a seminar beforehand, with six of seven winemakers
talking to their wines: California Cabernet Sauvignon of 2004. I did
not taste all the wines in the show:

 

**** Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Beringer Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, $39.75 +352583
Vintages
-Beringer Stanly Ranch Chardonnay 2005, $39.95 Private order – honeyed
-Beringer Alluvium Blanc 2006, $29.95 Private Order – oaky
-Beringer Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 1998, $550 for 3 Litres,
Private Order
-St. Clement Oroppas Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2001, $65 Private
order
-St. Clement Oroppas Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2002, $140 magnum
Private order (slightly better than the 2001)
-Chateau St. Jean Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, $110 magnum,
Private Order.
-Chateau St. Jean Cinq Cepages Cabernet Sauvignon 2000, $99 Private
order.
-Stags' Leap Winery Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2000, $70 Private
order
-Stags' Leap Winery Napa Valley Petite Syrah 1998, $49.95 Private order

 

***1/2 Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Beringer Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, $29.95, +552851 Private
Order
-St. Clement Napa Valley Merlot 2003, $85 for magnum, Private Order
-St. Clement Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2002, $110 for magnum,
Private Order.
-Chateau St. Jean Sonoma Chardonnay 2006 Sonoma County, $19.95 Private
Order
-Chateau St. Jean Belle Terre Chardonnay 2006, $24.95 Private order.
-Chateau St. Jean Sonoma County Merlot 2004, $35.95 +67926 Vintages
-Chateau St. Jean Cinq Cepages Cabernet Sauvignon 2001, $98.20 +710913
Vintages.
-Souverain Alexander Valley Syrah 2004, $19.95 +590323 Vintages – great
bargain
-Stags' Leap Winery Napa Valley Petite Syrah 2004, $49.95 +590356
Vintages
-Greg Norman Santa Barbara Chardonnay 2005, $21.95 Private order

 

*** Three Stars (85 – 87 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Beringer Third Century Chardonnay, $23.75 +47696 Vintages
-Beringer Napa Valley Chardonnay 2005, $27.90 +348342 General List
-Greg Norman Lake County Zinfandel 2005, $23.95 Private order

 

The Food: catered by Daniel et Daniel: dips, wraps, salsas.
The Downside: it seemed to be lightly attended once you factored in the
50 consumer guests of the Globe and Mail. Also, some wines were not
shown because they were held up at the airport; they will be covered
later.
The Upside: a chance at a vertical tasting of Cinq Cepages.
The Contact Person: angela.lyons@am.fostersgroup.com
The Effectiveness (numerical grade): 90.

 

 

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