VINTAGES July 18, 2009 Releases: tasting notes

WORLD WINE WATCH (VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR JULY 18, 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.

 

TOP VALUE WHITE WINES under $20 or so.
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1. Cave Spring Chardonnay Musque 2007 VQA Beamsville Bench: light and
sort of musky, useful for summer patios. +246579, $15.95, QPR:90.
2. Flat Rock Cellars Riesling 2008 VQA Twenty Mile Bench: off-dry, long
fruity and citric finish, 9.5% ABV. +43281, $16.95, QPR: 90.
3. Santa Ana La Moscota Chardonnay 2008 Mendoza: lightly toasted wood,
fresh chardonnay tones, citrus and apples. 14% ABV. +126870, $15.95,
QPR: 90.
4. Kim Crawford Pinot Gris 2007 Marlborough: some body, leafiness,
length, good for first course food, or sip on summer patio. 13.5% ABV.
Twist top. +680983, $19.95, QPR: 90.
5. Domaene Gobelsburg Gruner Veltliner 2007 Kamptal: off-dry but with a
great finish, summery wine. Twist top. +965368, $14.95, QPR: 90.
6. Vinosia Essenza di Malvasia 2007 Salento: first course food wine,
upfront apricots and melons. +122341, $15.95, QPR: 90.
7. Gramona Gessami 2007 Penedes: tasty blend of muscats and sauvignon
blanc for length, multi-purpose sipper. +115782, $19.95, QPR: 90.

 

TOP VALUE RED WINES under $20 or so.
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1. Kim Crawford Hawkes Bay Merlot 2007: good blend with some obvious
franc showing, slightly leafy and herbal. 13.5% ABV. +680967, $19.95,
QPR: 90.
2. Kumkani Cradle Hill Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 Stellenbosch: very Euro
in style, earthy, black fruits. +107391, $19.95, QPR: 90.
3. Domaine de la Sauveuse Cuvee Carolle 2007: very expressive of the
region, good blend of syrah, cabernet sauvignon, Grenache, and
mourvedre. 13.5% ABV. Organic. +43174, $19.95, QPR: 90.
4. Domaine de Poujo Madiran 2005: Delivers rich complexity. Needs time
but don't pass up this value. +719674, $14.95, QPR: 90.
5. La Casa dell'Orco Aglianico 2005 Irpinia: deep, dense, delightful,
slightly bitter-sourish finish. Needs food. +123406, $15.95, QPR: 90.
6. Gladiator Primitivo di Manduria 2006: made for North Americans
watching the "Rome" DVD. 14% ABV, Zin-like, strong. +23119, $14.95,
QPR: 90.
7. Messapicus Riserva Salice Salentino 2005: tasty, cherries are
suggested, some mocha tones, longer than expected length. +121087,
$16.95, QPR: 90.
8. Tharru Cannonau di Sardegna 2006: herby, dry complexity, useful with
all manner of foods. +121053, $14.95, QPR: 90.
9. Can Bonastre Crianza 2006 Penedes: juicy, mostly merlot and cabernet
sauvignon with a touch of syrah. Ozzie anyone? +115733, $18.95, QPR:
90.

 

VALUE: "RESTAURANT READY" or "BRING YOUR OWN WINE BOTTLE" over $20
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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. Ravenswood Old Vine Zinfandel 2006 Lodi, +942599, $22.95 retail.
2. Chateau Cote Montpezat 2003 Cotes de Castillon, +045658, $21.95.
3. Terre da Vino Essenze Barolo 2004, +92460, $44.95.
4. Conde de Valdemar Reserva 2003 Rioja, +947309, $24.95.

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com