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Wednesday, June 3, 2009

TASTING: Vintages Releases of June 6, 2009

WORLD WINE WATCH (VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR JUNE 6 2009
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
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 under $20 or so.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Rosewood Estates Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc 2007 Niagara: higher acid
on mid-plate, savoury flavors on the back palate. +112169, $17.95, QPR:
90.
2. McManis Family Vineyards Viognier 2007 California: juicy finish,
long length, good with food. +658112, $21.95, QPR: 90.
3. Lacheteau Les Loges Vouvray 2007: good fruity finish, some orchard
fruit. +525105, $14.95, QPR: 91.
4. Frescobaldi Castello di Pomino 2008 Tuscany: fresh, non-wooded
texture of fruit, concentrated tones. +65086, $17.95, QPR: 90.
 
TOP VALUE RED WINES under $20 or so.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Calafate Reserva Malbec 2007 Patagonia: juice is full of smoke,
black fruit, needs a bit more time. +114702, $16.95, QPR: 90.
2. Terra Rosa Malbec 2004 Mendoza Old Vine: screwcap, very good
harmonious density, complex enough for meals. +93872, $20.95, QPR: 90.
3. Zolo Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 Mendoza: mounds of spices,
black fruit, dense concentration. +81927, $18.95, QPR: 90.
4. Fattoria Monte Chianti Rufina Riserva 2004: chianti balance of
classic fruit, leather and flowers all the way. +120972, $19.95, QPR:
90.
 
VALUE: "RESTAURANT READY" or "BRING YOUR OWN WINE BOTTLE" over $20
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
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. Mer Soleil Chardonnay 2006 Santa Lucia Highlands California Barrel
Fermented, +958975, $44.95 retail.
2. Rabl G. Gruner Veltliner 2006 Kamptal Austria, +117390, $29.95.
3. Domaine Chevallier Chablis 2006, +112227, $23.95.
4. Patrick Lesec Meursault 2005, +84533, $49.95.
5. Frog's Leap Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 Napa, +932400, $63.95.
6. Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells Merlot 2003 Columbia, +408864,
$23.95.
7. Peter Lehmann Mentor 2002 Barossa, +724336, $42.95.
8. Domaine d'Ardhuy Aux Clous Savigny-Les-Beaune 1er Cru 2006, +122515,
$39.95.
9. Chateau de Serame Reserve du Chateau Minervois 2006, +651125,
$22.95.
 
 

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