Oct 2, 2010: WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR release

WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR OCTOBER 2, 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.

 

TOP VALUE WHITE WINES under $20 or so.
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1. Reif Estate Gewurztraminer 2008 VQA Niagara River: engaging, MVC all
the way, lovely bitterish finish. +127985, $14.95, QPR: 90.
2. Familia Zuccardi Santa Julia Reserva Chardonnay 2009 Mendoza:
lightly oaked, excellent consistency of balance and fruit, a food wine.
+932368, $12.95, QPR: 90.
3. Peter Lehmann Layers White 2009 Adelaide: a Conundrum-type blend,
ripe and full, off-dry, great value. +167171, $17.95, QPR: 90.
4. Torres Gran Vina Sol Chardonnay 2008 Penedes: bright, engaging, with
some vanilla and tropicality. 15% parellada lends some character.
+171660, $14.95, QPR: 90.

 

TOP VALUE RED WINES under $20 or so.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Michel Torino Don David Malbec Reserve 2008 Cafayate Valley: dense,
chunky, coffee and chocolate, good fruit set, long length. +64998,
$12.95, QPR: 90.
2. Trapiche Broquel Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 Mendoza: from older vines,
some dust, MVC for the cabernet, big body. +17202, $15.95, QPR: 90.
3. Katnook Founder's Block Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 Coonawarra: dense
fruit, but that Coonawarra elegance shows through. +660332, $17.95,
QPR: 90.
4. Sandalford Margaret River Cabernet/Merlot 2008: delicious, upfront
fruit, good Bordeaux-like intensity (4 grape varieties used). +191080,
$19.95, QPR: 90.
5. Chateau Le Peyrat 2006 Cotes de Castillon: good merlot Bordeaux, MVC
all the way, tastes like Bordeaux. +171090, $14.95, QPR: 90.
6. D'Angelo Aglianico del Vulture 2006: dep, dark, dense and complex,
needs open time to develop its flavours. +971689, $18.95, QPR: 89.
7. Rocca dei Mori Salice Salentino 2006: full, aromatic, mocha tones,
14% ABV. +180257, $14.95, QPR: 89.
8. Allegrini Corte Giara Ripasso Valpolicella 2008: ripe and plummy,
with some jam and tar notes, best with stuffed roasted meats. +83964,
$16.95, QPR: 89.
9. Bod. Neo El Arte de Vivir 2007 Ribero del Duero: dense,
overextracted, lots of fruit and tannins, long long finish, from older
vines. 13% ABV. Excellent value, buy it all. +137679, $13.95, QPR: 92.

 

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
should buy these wines to bring to restaurants with corkage programs.

 

1. Ferrari-Carano Chardonnay 2008 Sonoma, +295055, $29.95 retail.
2. La Crema Chardonnay 2008 Sonoma Coast, +962886, $29.95 retail.
3. Frogmore Creek Chardonnay 2006 Tasmania, +186379, $23.95 retail.
4. Domaine Philippe Colim Chassage-Montrachet 2007, +187617, $42.95.
5. Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 Napa, +222877, $79.95 retail.
6. Shafer Vineyards Merlot 2007 Napa, +356262, $59.95 retail.
7. Domaine Poulleau Pere et Fils Les Mondes Rondes 2007 Cote de Beaune,
+69518, $23.95.
8. Domaine de la Cote de l'Ange Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2007, +74856,
$37.95.
9. Poggio Bonelli Chianti Classico Riserva 2006, +180067, $28.95.
10. Giuseppe Quintarelli Valpolicella Classico Superiore 2001, +986117,
$84.95 retail.
11. Medrano Irazu Gran Reserva 2001 Rioja, +182493, $27.95 retail.

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com AND http://gothicepicures.blogspot.com