Oct 29/09 Event: Halpern Enterprises Portfolio Wine Tasting.

The Time and Date: Thursday, October 29, 2009  2:30PM to 7 PM
The Event: Halpern Enterprises Portfolio Wine Tasting.
The Venue: Allstream Centre (Automotive Building, CNE)
The Target Audience: clients, wine trade, guests.
The Availability/Catalogue: all of the wines are available through a
variety of distribution channels. The catalogue was a model: arranged
alphabetically by producer, with names of representatives and
winemakers attending the show, a brief history of the winery, and full
tasting notes on the wines, along with prices.
The Quote/Background: Halpern puts on a biennial portfolio wine tasting
in support of its Grand Cru Culinary Wine Festival (www.grandcru.ca)
which ran from October 29 through 31 this year. The Festival is in
support of The Toronto General and Western Hospital Foundation.
The Wines: of course, I did not try every wine.

 

**** Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Antinori Bramito Chardonnay 2008, $22.50 – bargain priced Umbrian wine
-Antinori Badia a Passignano 2005, $43.85
-Castello di Ama L'Apparita [merlot] 2006 Tuscany, $233.25
-M. Chapoutier Hermitage La Sizeranne 2004, $68.25
-Champagne Drappier Grande Sendree 2002, $83.35
-Champagne Gosset Grand Rose Brut NV, $86.80
-Henri Boillot Puligny Montrachet 1er Cru Les Pucelles 2007, $148.40
-Hugel Riesling Jubilee 2007 Alsace, $60.85
-Hugel Pinot Gris Jubilee 2005 Alsace, $49.25
-P. Jaboulet Hermitage La Chapelle 2005, $268.20
-L'Aventure Cote a Cote 2007 Paso Robles, $102.55
-L'Aventure Optimus 2007 Paso Robles, $70
-Vega Sicilia Valbuena 2004 Ribera del Duero, $187.45
-Winesmith Surly Chenin Blanc 2005, $13 – "best buy"
-Winesmith Planet Pluto Meritage 2005, $21.95 – "best buy red"

 

***1/2 Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Aldo Conterno Chardonnay Bussia d'Or 2005, $58.75
-Aldo Conterno Barolo 2004, $120.90
-Antinori Tignanello 2006, $99.95
-Biondi Santi Tenuta Greppo Brunello di Montalcino 2004, $170.90
-Burge Family G3 Shiraz/Mourvedre/Grenache 2007 Barossa, $49
-M. Chapoutier Chante Alouette Hermitage Blanc 2003, $60.95
-Ch. D'Esclans Rose 2007, $43.10
-Cliff Lede Poetry 2006 Napa, $193.60
-Cliff Lede Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 Stags Leap, $69.50
-Domaine Carneros Vintage 2005 Brut, $32.70
-Domaine Carneros Cuvee de la Pompadour Rose NV, $45.80
-Domaine de Montille Chateau de Puligny-Montrachet Meursault Villages
2006, $70.75
-Champagne Drappier Carte d'Or Brut, $46.95
-Domaine Dujac Vosne Romanee Les Malconsorts 2007, $164.15
-Faiveley Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru Les Cazetieres 2007, $88.90
-Faiveley Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru Les Porets St. Georges, $83.45
-Gaja Pieve Santa Restituta Brunello di Montalcino Rennina, $98.75
-Gaja Ca'Marcanda Magari IGT, $76
-Champagne Gosset Excellence Brut NV, $56.25
-Henri Boillot Puligny Montrachet 1er Cru Clos de la Mouchere 2007,
$130.45
-P. Jaboulet Hermitage Chevalier de Sterimberg 2006, $109.15
-Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 Sonoma, $67.95
-Silver Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley 2005, $88.60
-Silver Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2005, $141.20
-Tenuta di Biserno Biserno 2007 Tuscany, $166.60
-Tenuta di Biserno Il Pino di Biserno 2006 Tuscany, $68.90
-Tenuta di Biserno Coronato 2006 Tuscany, $63.40
-Tenuta di Trinoro Cupole di Trinoro Tuscany IGT 2007, $48.55
-Terredora Taurasi Campore 2003 Campania, $45.65
-Vega Sicilia Pintia 2006 Ribera del Duero, $66.15
-Vega Sicilia Alion 2005 Ribera del Duero, $80.80
-Weingut Heitlinger Spicy Stone Pinot Gris Dry 2008 Baden, $16.15
-Winesmith Crucible Meritage 2004 Napa, $129.40

 

*** Three Stars (85 – 87 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Poggio Salvi Rosso di Montalcino 2007, $35.35
-Poggio Salvi Brunello di Montalcino 2004, $76.95
-Castello di Ama Al Poggio Chardonnay 2008 Tuscany, $40.75
-Chalk Hill Chardonnay 2006 Sonoma, $39.35
-Chalk Hill Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, $49.65
-Fuligni Brunello di Montalcino 2004, $74.05
-Fumanelli Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2005, $72.35
-Isole e Olena Uvaggio Coste della Sesia Rosso Piedmont, $43.65
-P. Jaboulet Crozes Hermitage Domaine de Thalbert 2006, $52.75
-Jordan Chardonnay 2006 Sonoma, $43
-Planeta Chardonnay 2007 Sicily, $44.10
-Planeta Santa Cecilia 2006 Sicily, $44.10
-Remoissenet Beaune 1er Cru Greves 2007, $59.75
-Tenuta Sette Ponti Oreno 2006, $76.60
-Tenuta Sette Ponti Orma 2006, $71.65
-Winesmith Cheapskate Meritage NV, $15
-Winesmith Second Fiddle 2005, $70

 

The Food: quality imported and local cheeses, breads, bottled water.
The Downside: the time flew by, and I was unable to taste all the wines
I wanted to.
The Upside: there were a lot of expensive and quality wines to sample.
The Contact Person: todd@halpernwine.com
The Marketing Effectiveness (numerical grade): 91.

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com