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Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Oct 16, 2010: World Wine Watch for LCBO Vintages Release


WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR OCTOBER 16, 2010
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
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. Zolo Torrontes 2009 Mendoza: aromatic, racy, good finish, either
with food or on its own. +183913, $12.95, QPR: 89.
2. The Black Chook VMR 2008 McLaren Vale: delicious aromatic and floral
blend of viognier with marsanne and roussanne. A fruity pleaser with a
nice lemony finish. +186338, $16.95, QPR: 90.
3. Millton Riverpoint Vineyard Chardonnay 2008 Gisborne NZ: balanced,
oak-vanilla-apples-lemons, 12.5% ABV, twist top. +92486, $17.95, QPR:
89.
4. Tokara Sauvignon Blanc 2009 Western Cape: very good MVC consistency
and development, balanced, zest and fruit. +183954, $14.95, QPR: 90.
5. Chateau de Quincay Selection Tradition Sauvignon 2009 Touraine:
fabulous light and crisp character, but more for summer. Why release it 
now? +66183, $13.95, QPR: 90.
6. See Ya Later Ranch Chardonnay 2008 Okanagan: lots of aromas and
tropicality, oaked with a lean finish. 14% ABV. +126912, $19.95, QPR:
89.
 
TOP VALUE RED WINES under $20 or so.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Cabernet de los Andes Tizac Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 Fiambala
Argentina: good value as an organic wine, red fruit just jumps right
out. 13.9% ABV, +173369, $12.95, QPR: 91.
2. Estampa Estate Malbec/Petite Sirah 2009 Colchagua Chile: good blend
gives a different take on Malbec, value-driven, 14% ABV. +169938,
$12.95, QPR: 89.
3. Santa Alicia Gran Reserva de los Andes Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
Maipo: juicy, in French oak for a year, but heavy bottle. 14.5% ABV.
+60244, $18.95, QPR: 89.
4. Boekenhoutskloof Porcupine Ridge Syrah/Viognier 2007 Coastal Region
South Africa: smoked meat and bacon galore, a real winner at this
price, 14.5%. Buy a case. +79442, $17.95, QPR: 91.
5. Chateau Grand-Maison Cuvee Speciale 2006 Cotes de Bourg: smooth and
ready to flow, Merlot-based. Good price. +194217, $16.95, QPR: 89.
6. Chateau Moulin de Canhaut 2005 Medoc: very North American appeal,
black fruit grabs you, almost Rhonish. +190983, $19.95, QPR: 89.
7. Christian Moueix Saint-Emilion 2006: well-made, commercial
complexity, useful tones and flavours at this price. +979955, $19.95,
QPR: 90.
8. Remo Farina Ripasso Valpolicella Classico Superiore 2007: delicious
because my tasting sample was well-aged, a bit raisiny. +999946,
$15.95, QPR: 89.
9. Marques de Vitoria Crianza 2007 Rioja: off-dry texture, plush
Midweight, definite Rioja-style. +678045, $16.95, QPR: 90.
 
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.
 
1. Cuvaison Chardonnay 2008 Carneros Napa, +988261, $26.95 retail.
2. Paul Hobbs Chardonnay 2008 Russian River, +119073, $44.95.
3. Chateau de Cruzeau Blanc 2007 Pessac-Leognan, +966010, $24.95.
4. Jean-Max Roger Cuvee G.C. Sancerre 2008, +189126, $24.95.
5.  Cakebread Cellars Merlot 2006 Napa, +924159, $79.95.
6. Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 Alexander Valley Sonoma, +943472,
$89.95.
7. Charles Cimicky The Autograph Shiraz 2004 Barossa Valley, +27326,
$39.95.
8. Tokara Director's Reserve Red 2006 Stellenbosch, +183962, $26.95
9. Chateau de Lamarque 2004 Haut-Medoc, +194159, $28.95.
10. Chateau Reverdi 2006 Listrac-Medoc, +194209, $25.95.
11. Clos du Grand Puceau 2003 Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, +112904, $25.95.
 
Dean Tudor, Ryerson University Journalism Professor Emeritus
Treasurer, Wine Writers' Circle of Canada
Look it up and you'll remember it; screw it up and you'll never forget it.
Creator of Canada's award-winning wine satire site at http://fauxvoixvincuisine.blogspot.com

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