TASTING: LCBO Vintages Aug 15 Release: some notes...

WORLD WINE WATCH (VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR AUGUST 15, 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. Creekside Estate Laura White 2007 Niagara: very aromatic blend of
sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, pinot gris, viognier and riesling. Sipper.
+121764, 17.95, QPR: 90.
2. Stratus Wildass White 2006 Niagara: another very aromatic blend but
with semillon and gewürztraminer replacing Laura's pinot gris. A bit
spicier with more depth, but also an earlier vintage at a higher price.
More a first course wine than a sipper. +85100, $19.95, QPR: 90.
3. Stonechurch Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 2007 Niagara-on-the-Lake:
nicely integrated wood tones, but not buttery or creamy, good value.
+121772, $16.95, QPR: 90.
4. Liberty School Chardonnay 2006 Central Coast California: a
restaurant wine, very engaging, useful forwardness. Spot on. +960120,
$15.95, QPR: 90.
5. Lapostolle Casa Chardonnay 2008 Casablanca: balanced and integrated,
a bit of everything here, apples, limes, melons, oak. 14% ABV. Good
price for a mid-weight. +396986, $14.95, QPR: 90
6. Zilzie Chardonnay 2007 Victoria: nothing is better than a Gold Medal
heavily-oaked wine, but done in a Euro style. 14.5% ABV. +108027,
$17.95, QPR: 94.
7. Domaine Francis Fichet Macon-Villages 2007: pretty decent mid-weight
wine with a chardonnay hit on the long finish. +127399, $16.95, QPR: 90

 

TOP VALUE RED WINES under $20 or so.
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1. Finca Flichman Reserva Malbec 2007 Mendoza: soft vanilla tones
despite the 14% ABV, oak aged of course. +746727, $12.95, QPR: 91.
2. Emiliana Natura Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 Chile: juicy organic wine,
touches of oak and butter. +61069, $15.95, QPR: 90.
3. Montgras Reserva Carmenere 2008 Colchagua: 14.5% ABV, but not a hot
finish. Dark fruit and mocha tones. Excellent value. +960542, $12.95,
QPR: 91.
4. Barossa Valley Estate E Minor Shiraz 2007: black fruit and depth,
good zest and Euro style +71043, $17.95, QPR: 90.
5. Chateau Courriere-Rongieras 2005 Lussac Saint-Emilion: great
mouthfeel, North American merlot softness appeal. +125492, $18.95, QPR:
91.
6. Chateau Haut-Canteloup 2003 Medoc: black fruit merlot dominates in
this over-the-top ripe wine. +125534, $17.95, QPR: 90.
7. Coppi Peucetico Primitivo 2001 Puglia: a nicely aged wine, dry
bouquet, subtle finish. Great price. +724674, $13.95, QPR: 90.
8. Finca Sobreno Crianza 2005 Toro: almost ready to drink, dense
development of flavours. Woodsy. +40360, $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.Nicolas Potel Montagny Blanc 1er Cru 2007, +127431, $24.95 retail
2. Chateau de Sancerre Sancerre 2007, +340893, $25.95 retail.
3. Domaine Carneros Estate Pinot Noir 2006, +101816, $34.95 retail.
4. Montes Alpha Syrah 2007 Colchagua Chile, +612, $22.95 retail.
5. Barossa Valley Estate Ebenezer Shiraz 2004, +971705, $39.95.

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com