WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR JULY 10, 2010
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By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com.
Creator of Canada's award-winning wine satire site at http://fauxvoixvincuisine.blogspot.com. My
"Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net Compendium" is a guide to
thousands of news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers
and spirits, at www.deantudor.com since 1995. 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.
Creator of Canada's award-winning wine satire site at http://fauxvoixvincuisine.blogspot.com. My
"Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net Compendium" is a guide to
thousands of news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers
and spirits, at www.deantudor.com since 1995. 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. Santa Barbara Winery Chardonnay 2008: all-purpose chard that shouts
California. 13.8% ABV. +989152, $17.95, QPR: 90.
2. Simonsig Sunbird Sauvignon Blanc 2009 Western Cape: herby
complexity, 13% ABV, twist top and value. +354746, $12.95, QPR: 90.
3. Helfrich Gewurztraminer 2008 Alsace: typical MVC, good body, low
bitterish finish. +169748, $17.95, QPR: 90.
4. Domaine de la Pouvraie Vouvray 2008: off-dry on mid-palate,
lingering honeyed tones. Great price for quality chenin blanc. +169706,
$14.95, QPR: 90.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Santa Barbara Winery Chardonnay 2008: all-purpose chard that shouts
California. 13.8% ABV. +989152, $17.95, QPR: 90.
2. Simonsig Sunbird Sauvignon Blanc 2009 Western Cape: herby
complexity, 13% ABV, twist top and value. +354746, $12.95, QPR: 90.
3. Helfrich Gewurztraminer 2008 Alsace: typical MVC, good body, low
bitterish finish. +169748, $17.95, QPR: 90.
4. Domaine de la Pouvraie Vouvray 2008: off-dry on mid-palate,
lingering honeyed tones. Great price for quality chenin blanc. +169706,
$14.95, QPR: 90.
TOP VALUE RED WINES under $20 or so.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. J. Lohr Los Osos Merlot 2007 Paso Robles: wood is evident, good
concentration of fruit, soft finish. +27516, $19.95, QPR: 89.
2. Sheeps Back Old Vine Shiraz 2003 Barossa Valley: an older shiraz
treat from Oz, 14.3% ABV, stewed plums and rich. +165902, $19.95, QPR:
90.
3. Temple Bruer Enoomah Bore Shiraz/Cabernet 2007 South Australia: 14%
ABV, organic, vegan friendly (only bentonite used in filtering).
+165894, $15.95, QPR: 90.
4. Boekenhoutskloof The Wolftrap Syrah/Mourvedre/Viognier 2009 Western
Cape: delicious blend, 2/3 syrah, 14.5% ABV, comes together nicely for
BBQ. +626333, $13.95, QPR: 90.
5. Chateau Le Monteil D'Arsac Portraits 2006 Haut-Medoc: typical MVC,
best of the lot being released today, lay down a few. +171132, $17.95,
QPR: 90.
6. Balma Venise Beaumes de Venise 2008: another delicious blend, this
time 60% Grenache, rest syrah, yet more syrah in taste and tone. 14%
ABV. The LCBO tasting note errs in referencing Shiraz instead of Syrah.
+652206, $13.95, QPR: 90.
7. Chateau Mas Neuf Tradition Rouge Costieres de Nimes 2008: yet
another delicious blend, this time 45% syrah, 25% Grenache, 15%
mourvedre, and 15% carignan. Value priced BBQ. +177097, $13.95, QPR:
90.
8. Di Majo Norante Sangiovese 2008 IGT Terra Degli Osci Molise: all of
the sangiovese tones are there, great quality at this price level.
+591974, $12.95, QPR: 90.
9. Terre di Giumara Nero D'Avola 2007 Sicily: a sure winner, given the
price. Needs more time to resolve some tart tannins. +174722, $11.95,
QPR: 89.
10. Rocca Delle Macie Chianti Riserva 2006: it seems like the LCBO is
working hard to find quality values. With two years in large oak, this
blend of sangiovese-cabernet-merlot should appeal because of its
typical MVC. +111641, $15, QPR: 89.
11. Bodegas La Crianza 2005 Rioja: good price for some Rioja MVC, light
enough for summer. +166538, $15.95, QPR: 89.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. J. Lohr Los Osos Merlot 2007 Paso Robles: wood is evident, good
concentration of fruit, soft finish. +27516, $19.95, QPR: 89.
2. Sheeps Back Old Vine Shiraz 2003 Barossa Valley: an older shiraz
treat from Oz, 14.3% ABV, stewed plums and rich. +165902, $19.95, QPR:
90.
3. Temple Bruer Enoomah Bore Shiraz/Cabernet 2007 South Australia: 14%
ABV, organic, vegan friendly (only bentonite used in filtering).
+165894, $15.95, QPR: 90.
4. Boekenhoutskloof The Wolftrap Syrah/Mourvedre/Viognier 2009 Western
Cape: delicious blend, 2/3 syrah, 14.5% ABV, comes together nicely for
BBQ. +626333, $13.95, QPR: 90.
5. Chateau Le Monteil D'Arsac Portraits 2006 Haut-Medoc: typical MVC,
best of the lot being released today, lay down a few. +171132, $17.95,
QPR: 90.
6. Balma Venise Beaumes de Venise 2008: another delicious blend, this
time 60% Grenache, rest syrah, yet more syrah in taste and tone. 14%
ABV. The LCBO tasting note errs in referencing Shiraz instead of Syrah.
+652206, $13.95, QPR: 90.
7. Chateau Mas Neuf Tradition Rouge Costieres de Nimes 2008: yet
another delicious blend, this time 45% syrah, 25% Grenache, 15%
mourvedre, and 15% carignan. Value priced BBQ. +177097, $13.95, QPR:
90.
8. Di Majo Norante Sangiovese 2008 IGT Terra Degli Osci Molise: all of
the sangiovese tones are there, great quality at this price level.
+591974, $12.95, QPR: 90.
9. Terre di Giumara Nero D'Avola 2007 Sicily: a sure winner, given the
price. Needs more time to resolve some tart tannins. +174722, $11.95,
QPR: 89.
10. Rocca Delle Macie Chianti Riserva 2006: it seems like the LCBO is
working hard to find quality values. With two years in large oak, this
blend of sangiovese-cabernet-merlot should appeal because of its
typical MVC. +111641, $15, QPR: 89.
11. Bodegas La Crianza 2005 Rioja: good price for some Rioja MVC, light
enough for summer. +166538, $15.95, QPR: 89.
VALUE: "RESTAURANT READY" or "BRING YOUR OWN WINE BOTTLE" over $20
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Restaurants should consider offering these FINE VALUE wines at a $10
markup over retail; the wines are READY to enjoy right NOW. Consumers
should buy these wines to bring to restaurants with corkage programs.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Restaurants should consider offering these FINE VALUE wines at a $10
markup over retail; the wines are READY to enjoy right NOW. Consumers
should buy these wines to bring to restaurants with corkage programs.
1. Artesa Chardonnay 2007 Carneros, +657585, $21.95 retail.
2. Beringer Private Reserve Chardonnay 2007 Napa, +26682, $44.95
3. Domaine des Malandes Vieilles Vignes Montmains Chablis Premier Cru
2007, +16626, $26.95.
4. Roland Tissier et Fils Sancerre 2008, +108514, $21.95.
5. Phelps Creek Becky's Cuvee Pinot Noir 2007 Columbia Gorge Oregon,
+181438, $26.95.
6. Hollick Coonawarra Red 2005, +165936, $22.95.
2. Beringer Private Reserve Chardonnay 2007 Napa, +26682, $44.95
3. Domaine des Malandes Vieilles Vignes Montmains Chablis Premier Cru
2007, +16626, $26.95.
4. Roland Tissier et Fils Sancerre 2008, +108514, $21.95.
5. Phelps Creek Becky's Cuvee Pinot Noir 2007 Columbia Gorge Oregon,
+181438, $26.95.
6. Hollick Coonawarra Red 2005, +165936, $22.95.
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