WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR JANUARY 9, 2010
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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.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
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. Stoney Ridge Dim Vineyard Riesling 2008 VQA Creek Shores: fleshy and
flashy, good acid, but does not taste Medium Dry as Vintages indicates.
+161208, $14, QPR: 90
2. Stonehedge Chardonnay 2007 California: good MVC value for the
dollar, 13.9% ABV. +544841, $12.95, QPR: 91.
3. Anakena Single Vineyard Viognier 2009 Rapel: dry peach tones,
excellent price. +45138, $12.95, QPR: 90.
4. Tabali Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2008 Limari: herbs and minerals,
13.5% ABV. +662999, $12.95, QPR: 90.
5. Cathedral Cellar Sauvignon Blanc 2008 WO Western Cape: very
extenuated MVC at this price level, herby plus. +662718, $11.95, QPR:
91.
6. Bestheim Reserve Vieilles Vignes Riesling 2008 Alsace: intense MVC
from Riesling, medium body. +141176, $14.95, QPR: 90.
7. Chateau Coulange Blanc 2008 Bordeaux Sec: tart and grassy, food
needed, very good value, 100% sauvignon blanc. +138750, $13.95, QPR:
90.
8. Roux Pere & Fils Les Murelles Chardonnay Bourgogne 2008: only
lightly oaked, useful value at this price level. +156455, $13.95, QPR:
90.
9. Domaine de la Seigneurie des Tourelles Saumur Blanc 2008: baked
fruit and some candied tones, but dry, good as aperitif. +141879,
$12.95, QPR: 90.
10. Michel Gassier Les Piliers Viognier 2008 Pays D'Oc: delicious cream
and fruit, apricot and oranges. +669531, $16.95, QPR: 90.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Stoney Ridge Dim Vineyard Riesling 2008 VQA Creek Shores: fleshy and
flashy, good acid, but does not taste Medium Dry as Vintages indicates.
+161208, $14, QPR: 90
2. Stonehedge Chardonnay 2007 California: good MVC value for the
dollar, 13.9% ABV. +544841, $12.95, QPR: 91.
3. Anakena Single Vineyard Viognier 2009 Rapel: dry peach tones,
excellent price. +45138, $12.95, QPR: 90.
4. Tabali Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2008 Limari: herbs and minerals,
13.5% ABV. +662999, $12.95, QPR: 90.
5. Cathedral Cellar Sauvignon Blanc 2008 WO Western Cape: very
extenuated MVC at this price level, herby plus. +662718, $11.95, QPR:
91.
6. Bestheim Reserve Vieilles Vignes Riesling 2008 Alsace: intense MVC
from Riesling, medium body. +141176, $14.95, QPR: 90.
7. Chateau Coulange Blanc 2008 Bordeaux Sec: tart and grassy, food
needed, very good value, 100% sauvignon blanc. +138750, $13.95, QPR:
90.
8. Roux Pere & Fils Les Murelles Chardonnay Bourgogne 2008: only
lightly oaked, useful value at this price level. +156455, $13.95, QPR:
90.
9. Domaine de la Seigneurie des Tourelles Saumur Blanc 2008: baked
fruit and some candied tones, but dry, good as aperitif. +141879,
$12.95, QPR: 90.
10. Michel Gassier Les Piliers Viognier 2008 Pays D'Oc: delicious cream
and fruit, apricot and oranges. +669531, $16.95, QPR: 90.
TOP VALUE RED WINES under $20 or so.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Loredona Pinot Noir 2006 Monterey: dynamite wine, good pinot noir
tones, but Californian and priced well. +57620, $18.95, QPR: 90.
2. Paso Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 Paso Robles: label says "bold
character derived from stubborn patience". 13.5% ABV. +161141, $19.95,
QPR: 90.
3. Concha y Toro Trivento Reserve Syrah 2008 Mendoza: definitely
Rhonish, value. Sip or with food. +663112, $12.95, QPR: 90.
4. Montgras Quatro 2007 Colchagua: excellent Bordeaux-blend plus syrah
with engaging black fruit component. +50641, $15.95, QPR: 90.
5. Santa Carolina Barrica Selection Petit Verdot 2007 Rapel: good tones
of saddles and chocolate. +7484, $14.95, QPR: 90
5. Vina Maipo Reserva Carmenere 2008 Rapel: weedy and best with food.
+7663047, $12.95, QPR: 90.
6. Alkoomi Shiraz 2007 Frankland River: definite Euro-style wine.
+138560, $14.95, QPR: 90.
7. Lindemans Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 Coonawarra: twist top,
good MVC, value at this price. +141994, $14.95, QPR: 90.
8. Chateau Arnaud Jouan Cuvee Prestige 2005 Premieres Cotes de
Bordeaux: delicious, good wood aging, mid-Atlantic tastes. +138859,
$14.95, QPR: 90.
9. Chateau Belle-Garde 2007 Bordeaux: typical Bordeaux MVC, value at
this price level. +142372, $13.95, QPR: 90.
10. Albert Bichot Vieilles Vignes Pinot Noir Bourgogne 2007: you cannot
beat this value for its Burgundian MVC. +43331, $16.95, QPR: 90.
11. Domaine Combebelle Saint-Chinian 2007 Midi: very Rhonish, priced
well. +149658, $11.95, QPR: 90
12. Rouges des Karantes 2007 Coteaux du Languedoc: very ripe, warm and
inviting, mid-Atlantic style G-S-M. +143651, $16.95, QPR: 90.
13. Cave de Tain Queen of Syrah Cool Climate Syrah 2007 Vin de Pays des
Collines Rhodaniennes: a rarity here, from the North Rhone, only 12%
ABV, meant for syrah lovers. +155283, $11.95, QPR: 90.
14. Chateau Armandiere La Fee Violine Malbec Cahors 2005: very
pleasant, earthy, ready soon. Fleshy and tang on the finish. +147967,
$12.95, QPR: 90.
15. Rui Jose Xavier Soares Mimo 2005 Douro: 30 year old vines, some
depth and character, best with food. +147918, $17.95, QPR: 90.
16. Quinta do Roncao Reserva 2006 Douro: good North American style,
full body, tastes off-dry. +147942, $13.95, QPR: 90.
17. Juan Gil Gos Monastrell 2008 Jumilla: juicy North American style,
enjoyable. +94888, $12.95, QPR: 90.
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