Dec 5/09 World Wine Watch LCBO Vintages Release Notes

WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR DECEMBER 5, 2009
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By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com.
"Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net Compendium" is guide to thousands
of news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and
spirits, at www.deantudor.com (since 1995). Creator of Canada's leading wine
satire site at http://fauxvoixvincuisine.blogspot.com. 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. Corked wines are not available for re-tasting.

 

TOP VALUE WHITE WINES under $20 or so.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Luigi Bosca Reserva Chardonnay 2008 Mendoza: fresh, balanced, good
fruit, wood tones, a bit of everything. +142836, $17.95, QPR: 90.
2. Tabali Reserva Especial Chardonnay 2007 Limari: excellent all round
for fruit and oak balance. +663005, $18.95, QPR: 90.
3. KWV Laborie Chardonnay 2008 Western Cape: fruity, little wood, good
apples, peaches and lemons. +146332, $13.95, QPR: 90.
4. Anne Boecklin Reserve Gewurztraminer 2007 Alsace: MVC nose, pears on
mid-palate, long lingering spicy finish. +141226, $19.95, QPR: 91.
5. Helfrich Pinot Gris 2008 Alsace: off-dry party wine, good price.
+141788, $13.95, QPR: 90.

6. Errazuriz Aconcagua Costa Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2008
Chile: good cool climate style, zesty grassy wine. +135426, $15.95,
QPR: 90.

TOP VALUE RED WINES under $20 or so.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Finca Flichman Paisaje de Barrancas 2006 Mendoza: good blend of
syrah, cabernet sauvignon and Malbec, more a food wine. +17129, $17.95,
QPR: 90.
2. Graffigna Grand Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 San Juan Argentina:
good spicy aromas, long fruit finish. +60202, $17.95, QPR: 90.
3. Carmen Nativa Single Vineyard Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
Maipo: organic wine, loaded with black fruit, dusty nose, some mint.
+975359, $19.95, QPR: 90.
4. The Musician by Majella Cabernet Shiraz 2007 Coonawarra: 78%
cabernet, 14.5% ABV, I'm tempted to say that it sings. Okay, it sings.
+142018, $19.95, QPR: 90.
5. X & Y Shiraz 2004 Margaret River: excellent length and well-aged,
North Rhone in style. +41194, $15.95, QPR: 92.
6. Landskroon Paul de Villiers Shiraz 2007 Paarl: delicious, and Euro-
style. +56432, $17.95, QPR: 90.
7. Chateau Coulonge 2005 Bordeaux: vibrant fruit in a Parkerized wine.
+138743, $15.95, QPR: 90.
8. Chateau Rocher Lideyre 2005 Cotes de Castillon: delicious Bordeaux,
ready now. +138867, $18.95, QPR: 90.
9. A. Jaume Domaine Grand Veneur Les Champauvins Cotes du Rhone-
Villages 2007: rich with some syrah spicing, balanced tones. +76331,
$19.95, QPR: 90.
10. Leone de Castris Villa Santera Primitivo di Manduria 2007: juicy,
almost American zinfandel in style. +730952, $16.95, QPR: 90.
11. Piccini Chianti Classico Riserva 2005: excellent classic style, MVC
all the way. +134791, $19.95, QPR: 90.
12. Catapereiro Vinho Tinto 2006 Ribatejano Portugal: delicious but
North American style, mocha and cherries, good for parties. +80358,
$14.95, QPR: 90.
13. Juan Gil Monastrell 2008 Jumilla: broad sweetness, good syle,
appealing for holidays. +13656, $15.95, QPR: 90.
14. Bod. Amador Garcia Penagudo Crianza 2005 Rioja: MVC for everyday
Rioja, black fruit and spice, Gold Medal level. +146480, $16.95, 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 these wines and bring to restaurants with corkage programs.

 

1. Le Clos Jordanne Village Reserve Chardonnay 2007 VQA Niagara,
+33936, $25 retail.
2. Cloudy Bay Chardonnay 2007 Marlborough, +359513, $37.95 retail.
3. Chateau Haut Selve 2007 Graves, +682369, $21.95 retail.
4. Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 Napa, +936039, $125.95 retail.
5. Veramonte Primus 2006 Colchagua, +712463, $24.95 retail.
6. Wolf Blass Gold Label Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 Coonawarra, +606939,
$27.95 retail.
7. Chateau Camensac 1995 Haut-Medoc 5e Cru Classe, +155564, $54.95.
8. Chateau Saint-Hilaire 2005 Medoc, +138651, $24.95.
9. Bodegas Ontanon Reserva 2004 Rioja, +725895, $24.95.

 

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