TRADE TASTING: Portfolio Tasting, October 9, 2008

 The Time and Date: Thursday, October 9, 2008  3 PM to 8 PM

The Event: Portfolio tasting of Portfolio Wines

The Venue: Artcore Gallery, The Distillery District

The Target Audience: wine media, private clients, restaurants.

The Availability/Catalogue: most items are here by consignment or at Vintages.

The Quote: "Everything we have is at www.portfoliowine.com, notes, ideas, etc."

The Wines: 36 wines were listed in the catalogue, although one was sold out. Prices are retail, Here are my rankings:

 

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

-Weingut Skoff Sauvignon Blanc Trockenbeerenauslese 2006 11% ABV $45 375 mL

-Bodegas Vina Vilano Crianza 2004 $20.95

-Mate Il Podere Falconaia di Ferenc Merlot Mantus 2004 $27.95 Vintages

-Cantine due Palme Ettamiano Primitivo del Salento 2004 Puglia $19.95

-Tenuta Sant' Isidoro Corithus IGT 2004 Lazio $16.95 (best value wine)

-Domaine de Grand Vallat [biodynamic] Merlot 2005 Cotes de Ventoux $17.95

-Giant Steps Chardonnay 2006 Yarra Valley $35

-Domaine Tour Saint Michel Chateauneuf du Pape Tour de Lion Prestige 2003 $45

-Chateu Vignol Entre-deux-Mers 2007 $16.95

-Champagne Louis de Sacy Brut Rose Grand Cru NV $71

 

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

-Weingut Skoff Sauvignon Blanc Hochshulz 2006 $29.95

-Weingut Skoff Sauvignon Blanc Obegg 2006 $29.95

-Celler Cercavins Guillamina 2006 (Gewurztraminer, Sauvignon Blanc, Verdejo) Spain $19.95

-Bodegas Vina Vilano Reserva 2003 $30.95

-Chateau Marquis de Vauban Cuvee du Roy 2003 Premieres Cotes de Blaye $24.95

-Agrilandia Fortulla 2005 Terreatico di Bibbona Italy (CS/CF 50/50) $45

-Ruggeri Prosecco Argeo $19.95 Dec. 2008 Vintages (tried with hot sausage)

-Ronchi San Giuseppe Tocai Friulano 2006 $18.95

-Rocche Costamagna Langhe Nebbiolo Roccardo 2005 $25.95

-Domaine des Peyregrandes Cuvee Marie Laurencie 2001 Faugeres $21.95

-Domaine de Grand Vallat [biodynamic] Viognier 2007 Cotes de Ventoux $25.95

-Domaine de Grand Vallat [biodynamic] GAIA 2004 Cotes de Ventoux $25.95

-Jarrah Ridge Marginata Classic (Chenin/Chardonnay 50/50) 2006 West Australia $17.95

-Innocent Bystander Pinot Gris 2007 Yarra Valley $20.95

-Champagne Louis de Sacy Brut Grand Cru NV $56

-Champagne Louis de Sacy Brut Grand Soir 2001 $85

 

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

-Rosell Mir Cava Can Guineu $20.95

-Bodegas Vina Vilano Tinto 2007 $17.95

-Azienda Marconi Bluviolet Lacrima di Morro d'Alba 2007 $19.95

-Rocche Costamagna Dolcetto d'Alba Murrae 2006 $19.95

-Rocche Costamagna Barbera d'Alba Rocche Annunziata 2005 $23.95

-Domaine de Grand Vallat [biodynamic] Rose Poline 2007 Cotes de Ventoux

$18.95

-Jarrah Ridge Merlot Bud Series 2005 West Australia $19.95

-Giant Steps Pinot Noir 2006 Sexton Vineyard Yarra Valley $35

 

The Food: Leo Baduria knows his food and what keeps people happy – he had home cooked goodies such as roast beef, pork adobo, charcuterie, artisanal cheeses and breads, farfalle, olives, pizza, roast potatoes, veggies, and more.

The Downside: the space was enormous and made us feel smaller than we were.

The Upside: no power blackout like last year, when it became a candlelight meal.

The Contact Person: wineportfolio@sympatico.ca

The Marketing Effectiveness (numerical grade): 90.

 

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com