WORLD WINE WATCH (VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR MARCH 28, 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.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
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.
TOP VALUE WHITE WINES
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Alamos Torrontes 2007 Argentina: excellent aperitif, finishes dry.
+81539, $13.95, QPR: 90.
2. Wits End Free Settler & The Convict Chardonnay/Viognier 2007 South
Australia: juicy, good viognier fruit, aperitif or sipper. +90928,
$13.95, QPR: 90.
3. Cathedral Cellar Sauvignon Blanc 2008 WO Western Cape: zesty, herby,
great price, 13% ABV. +662718, $11.95, QPR: 90.
4. Torre Varano Taburno Falanghina 2007 Campania: good solid fruit
flavours, ripe and refreshing, distinguished finish. +106351, $16.95,
QPR: 90.
TOP VALUE RED WINES
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Graffigna Centenario Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 San Juan Argentina:
soft, almost like merlot. +93716, $15.95, QPR: 90.
2. Piping Shrike Shiraz 2006 Barossa: juice, lots of shiraz flavours.
+48504, $18.95, QPR: 90.
3. Boekenhoutskloof The Wolftrap 2007 WO Western Cape: very serious
imitator of Northern Rhone. +626333, $13.95, QPR: 90.
4. Perrin & Fils Cairanne Peyre Blanche 2006 Cotes du Rhone Villages:
juicy elegance, brimming with some older flavours through aging.
+650960, $18.95, QPR: 90.
5. Quaderna Via Tempranillo Crianza 2005 Navarra: organic wine, very
good length, some forest floor. +115758, $18.95, QPR: 90.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Alamos Torrontes 2007 Argentina: excellent aperitif, finishes dry.
+81539, $13.95, QPR: 90.
2. Wits End Free Settler & The Convict Chardonnay/Viognier 2007 South
Australia: juicy, good viognier fruit, aperitif or sipper. +90928,
$13.95, QPR: 90.
3. Cathedral Cellar Sauvignon Blanc 2008 WO Western Cape: zesty, herby,
great price, 13% ABV. +662718, $11.95, QPR: 90.
4. Torre Varano Taburno Falanghina 2007 Campania: good solid fruit
flavours, ripe and refreshing, distinguished finish. +106351, $16.95,
QPR: 90.
TOP VALUE RED WINES
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Graffigna Centenario Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 San Juan Argentina:
soft, almost like merlot. +93716, $15.95, QPR: 90.
2. Piping Shrike Shiraz 2006 Barossa: juice, lots of shiraz flavours.
+48504, $18.95, QPR: 90.
3. Boekenhoutskloof The Wolftrap 2007 WO Western Cape: very serious
imitator of Northern Rhone. +626333, $13.95, QPR: 90.
4. Perrin & Fils Cairanne Peyre Blanche 2006 Cotes du Rhone Villages:
juicy elegance, brimming with some older flavours through aging.
+650960, $18.95, QPR: 90.
5. Quaderna Via Tempranillo Crianza 2005 Navarra: organic wine, very
good length, some forest floor. +115758, $18.95, QPR: 90.
VALUE: "RESTAURANT READY" or "BRING YOUR OWN WINE BOTTLE"
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
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. Clos du Val Chardonnay 2006 Carneros Napa, $29.95 retail.
2. Kim Crawford SP Spit Fire Sauvignon Blanc 2006 Marlborough, $24.95.
3. Chartron & Trebuchet Saint-Romaine Blanc 2006, $24.95.
4. Domaine Michel Caillot Meursault La Barre Dessus-Clos-Marguerite
2005, $59.95.
5. Domaine Serge Laloue Sancerre 2007, $23.95.
6. Botalcura La Porfia Grand Reserve Cabernet Franc 2005 Maule, $22.95.
7. Chateau Haut-Sarpe 2004 Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, $49.95.
8. Domaine des graves D'Ardonneau Cuvee Prestige 2004, $24.95.
9. Cuvee du Vatican Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2006, $37.95.
10. Sportoletti Assisi Rosso 2006, $21.95.
11. Campillo Reserva 2002 Rioja, $23.95.
12. Conde de Valdemar Gran Reserva 2001 Rioja, $39.95.
13. CUNE Vina Real Reserva 2001 Rioja, $32.95.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
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. Clos du Val Chardonnay 2006 Carneros Napa, $29.95 retail.
2. Kim Crawford SP Spit Fire Sauvignon Blanc 2006 Marlborough, $24.95.
3. Chartron & Trebuchet Saint-Romaine Blanc 2006, $24.95.
4. Domaine Michel Caillot Meursault La Barre Dessus-Clos-Marguerite
2005, $59.95.
5. Domaine Serge Laloue Sancerre 2007, $23.95.
6. Botalcura La Porfia Grand Reserve Cabernet Franc 2005 Maule, $22.95.
7. Chateau Haut-Sarpe 2004 Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, $49.95.
8. Domaine des graves D'Ardonneau Cuvee Prestige 2004, $24.95.
9. Cuvee du Vatican Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2006, $37.95.
10. Sportoletti Assisi Rosso 2006, $21.95.
11. Campillo Reserva 2002 Rioja, $23.95.
12. Conde de Valdemar Gran Reserva 2001 Rioja, $39.95.
13. CUNE Vina Real Reserva 2001 Rioja, $32.95.
Chimo! www.deantudor.com
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