Ontario Vintages Releases January 10, 2009

WORLD WINE WATCH (VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR JANUARY 10, 2009
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By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing <deantudor@deantudor.com>
Always at www.deantudor.com since 1995. Also visit my "Wines, Beers and
Spirits of the Net Compendium", a guide to thousands of news items and
RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits.
My tastings are based on MVC (Modal Varietal Character); ratings are
QPR (Quality-to-Price Ratio). Prices are LCBO retail. Only my top rated
wines are here. NOTE: The LCBO does NOT put out all of the wines of the
release for wine writers or product consultants. Also, some defective
or corked wines are not available for re-tasting.

 

WHITE WINES
^^^^^^^^^^^
1.Lockwood Vineyard Chardonnay 2006 Monterey: bright sunshine from
California, longer finish. +673731, $18.95, QPR: 90.
2.Catena Alamos Chardonnay 2007 Mendoza: good blend of flavours, ripe
and full, modest vanilla and toast, some cream. +801571, $13.95, QPR:
90.
3.D'Arenberg The Stump Jump White 2007 McLaren Vale/Adelaide Hills:
twist top, excellent blend for aperitif or party or first course.
+922203, $14.95, QPR: 90.
4.Sileni Cellar Selection Pinot Gris 2008 Hawke's Bay: juicy, great for
Asiatic food, 14% ABV, hot finish. Twist top. +32292, $15.95, QPR: 90.
5.Henri de Villamont Bourgogne Chardonnay 2006: some creaminess, good
texture at this price level. +525121, $19.95, QPR: 90.
6.Villa Tonino Inzolia 2007 Sicilia: great finish to upfront fruit, can
compete with food. +100552, $13.95, QPR: 90.

 

RED WINES
^^^^^^^^^
1.Konzelmann Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2006 Niagara: good Euro-based
style, aged ok. +112946, $13.70, QPR: 90.
2.Malivoire Gamay 2006 Niagara: highly evolved aromatics of black
fruit. +591313, $17, QPR: 90.
3.Clos de Bois Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 North Coast: always a good buy,
balance is here, all purpose red. +181685, $18.95, QPR: 90.
4.Santa Julia Malbec Reserva 2005 Mendoza: very Euro, good background
and breeding, food needed. +665026, $13.95, QPR: 90.
5.Baron Philippe de Rothschild Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 Maipo:
very well concentrated flavours, but still Euro in style. +32151,
$14.95, QPR: 90.
6.Chilensis Reserva Carmenere 2006 Maule: 14%ABV, some herbs dominate,
lovely mouthfeel and texture. +657981, $11.95, QPR: 92.
7.Sandalford Protégé Shiraz 2005 Margaret River: good wood and aging,
but it all up. Barrel fermentation, twist top. Classic. +80671, $17.95,
QPR: 93.
8.Viljoensdrift River Grandeur Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 Robertson: soft
but good Euro style backbone from South Africa. +79483, $15.95, QPR:
90.
9.Chateau Larroque 2005 Bordeaux: almost ready, classic MVC. +92536,
$17.95, QPR: 90.
10.Terre Domini Valpolicella Ripasso La Vigilia 2006: good depth and
mouth-filling berry tones. +103606, $18.95, QPR: 90.
11.Albada Vinas Viejas Garnacha Tinto 2005 Catatayud Spain: low
yielding old vines, powerful aromas and flavours. +93005, $15.95, QPR:
90.
12.Salinas Mo Monastrell 2006 Alicante: with some cabernet, syrah, and
Grenache, full and ripe. +95133, $16.95, QPR: 90.

 

VALUE: "RESTAURANT READY" or "BRING YOUR OWN WINE BOTTLE"
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Restaurants should consider offering these FINE VALUE wines at a $10
markup over retail; the wines are ready to enjoy right now. Consumers
could buy and bring to those restaurants with corkage programs.
1.Merryvale Chardonnay 2005 Carneros, +76026, $47.95.
2.Domiane Patrick Miolane Chassagne-Montrachet La Caniere 2006, +91199,
$46.95.
3.Mark West Pinot Noir 2005 California, +83329, $23.95.
4.Dornier Donatus 2004 Stellenbosch, +606020, $24.95.
5.Chateau L'Escart Cuvee Prestige 2001 Bordeaux Superieur, +91363,
$22.95.
6.Due Torri Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2005, +724740, $36.95.
7.N Sentido 2005 Ribera del Duero, +82081, $25.95.

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com