The Event: Wine Writers' Circle of Canada monthly tasting, this time California over $18 (Feb 20, 2009)

The Time and Date: Friday, February 20, 12PM to 3PM

The Event: Wine Writers' Circle of Canada monthly tasting.

The Venue: LCBO, Scrivener Square

The Target Audience: WWCC members.

The Availability/Catalogue: most of the 55 wines are at the LCBO or via Consignment.

The Quote/Background: the call this month was for California wines over $18. The agents provided availability data plus sell/tech sheets.

The Wines:

 

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

- Paul Dolan Vineyards, Zinfandel  2006,  63% Mendocino County, 37% Amador County,  Vintages Feb 28/09  #46342  $21.95

-J. Lohr Riverstone Chardonnay  2007  Arroyo Seco Region, Monterey County,  13.5% Alc   Gen List #258699  $20.75

-J.Lohr   Cabernet Sauvignon  2005  Hilltop Vineyard  Paso Robles  San Luis Obispo County  14.9% Alc   Vintages  Jan/09  #686584 $39.95

-Don Sabastiani & Sons,  Smoking Loon  Cabernet Sauvignon  2006 California  13.5% Alc  General List  #55517  $20.55

-Chalone Vineyard  Chardonnay  2005  Chalone Appellation  14.2%

Alc LCBO #80226  Vintages avail now  $36.95

-Chalone Vineyard  Pinot Noir  2006  Chalone  Appellation  14.7% Alc  LCBO  #710145  Vintages now avail  $36.95

-Arrowood Chardonnay Reserve 2005 Unfiltered Sonoma $49.95 +64543

 

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

-Qupe,  Marsanne  2007  88% Marsanne, 12% Roussanne  Santa Ynez Valley  12.5% Alc   Vintages, avail now,   #32417    $29.95

-Folie a Deux Winery,  Menage a Trois,  White  2007   Chardonnay, Muscato, Chenin blanc,  13.5% Alc   Vintages Feb 28/09 release,  #665166  $19.95  200 cases of 12

-Tin Barn Vineyards  Zinfandel  2005  Dalrady Vineyard  Napa Valley 15.5% Alc  Vintages  Nov/08  #682997  $36.95

-Napa Cellars  Sauvignon Blanc  2007  Napa Valley  14.3% Alc $19.95

-Napa Cellars  Cabernet Sauvignon  2006  Napa Valley  14.5% Alc $23.95

-Gallo Family Vineyards  Chardonnay  2005  Laguna Vineyard  Russian River Valley  14.5% Alc   Vintages  #544981  $29.95

-Edmeades Vineyards Zinfandel  2006  Mendocino County  15.5% Alc   No other info. (Diamond Estates)

-Chalone Vineyard  Cabernet Sauvignon  2006  Monterey County  13.5% Alc

LCBO #104190  Vintages now avail  $18.95

-Arrowood Syrah 2002 Sonoma Beau Melange $29.95 +64550

 

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

-Wente Vineyards, Zinfandel  2006  Beyer Ranch  Livermore Valley  14.5% Alc    General List  #66118  $17.95

-Rodney Strong Estate Vineyards,  Pinot Noir  2007,  Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, 14.4% Alc    Vintages Essential  #954834  $24.95

-Mumm Napa   Brut Prestige   Methode Traditionnelle  NV  13% Alc   General List  #265678  $27.95 

-Hartford Court,  Pinot Noir  2006  Land's Edge Vineyards  Sonoma Coast  14.4% Alc   Vintages Jan 31/09  #919712  $40.95

-Clay Station Vineyard  Viognier  2007  Lodi  $13.5% Alc  Consignment #25411  $22.78 Select Wine Merchants

-337 Wine Cellars,   337 Cabernet Sauvignon  2006  Lodi  14.5% Alc   

Consignment Licensee  $19.99 Retail $20.79 Select Wine Merchants

-Scott Family Estate Chardonnay  2006  Monterey Dijon Clone  14.5%

Alc  $22.90 (Majestic Wine Cellars)

 

The Contact Person: sdarby@rogers.com

The Marketing Effectiveness (numerical grade): 90.

 

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com