WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR JANUARY 22, 2011
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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.
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1. Clos du Bois Sauvignon Blanc 2009 North Coast California: warm Cal
style, inviting, toned down grassiness, restaurant wine. +146258,
$17.95, QPR: 90.
2. Folie a Deux Menage a Trois Chardonnay 2008 California: rich Cal
style, finishes a bit clove-y, vanilla and butter side of oak. +158592,
$18.95, QPR: 90.
3. Vina Casablanca El Bosque Chardonnay 2008 Casablanca: baked apple
nose, some caramel, Burgundian, food-driven lemon taste, long finish.
+208389, $14.95, QPR: 91.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Clos du Bois Sauvignon Blanc 2009 North Coast California: warm Cal
style, inviting, toned down grassiness, restaurant wine. +146258,
$17.95, QPR: 90.
2. Folie a Deux Menage a Trois Chardonnay 2008 California: rich Cal
style, finishes a bit clove-y, vanilla and butter side of oak. +158592,
$18.95, QPR: 90.
3. Vina Casablanca El Bosque Chardonnay 2008 Casablanca: baked apple
nose, some caramel, Burgundian, food-driven lemon taste, long finish.
+208389, $14.95, QPR: 91.
TOP VALUE RED WINES under $20 or so.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Trentadue Old Patch Red 2006 North Coast California: 46% zinfandel,
35% petite sirah, 12% carignan, 5% sangiovese, 2% syrah. Best for BBQ
on your frozen patio/balcony. +686709, $15.95, QPR: 89.
2. Staccato Malbec/Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 Mendoza: organic, 60%
Malbec, dark fruit and spices, finishes best with food. +19660, $12.95,
QPR: 90.
3. Morande Reserva Pinot Noir 2008 Casablanca Valley: good pinot snap
and tartness, old world style MVC Burgundian. +59428, $14.95, QPR: 89.
4. Winery of Good Hope Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot 2009 WO Stellenbosch:
14% ABV. Mounds of fruit with sufficient finishing acid makes this a
swinger between sip and food. Great value. +8748, $11.95, QPR: 91.
5. Chateau de Nages Reserve 2009 Costieres de Nimes: gutsy and spicy,
red fruit, enlivened finish. Some garrigue. +427617, $14.95, QPR: 90.
6. Domaine de la Bastide Cuvee Les Figues Cotes du Rhone 2009: great
blend of syrah-grenache-carignan, North American appeal with juiciness,
but some refreshing tartness. +194852, $13.95, QPR: 90.
7. Cantine Nicosia Fondo Filara Nero d'Avola 2008 IGT Sicilia: berries
and mocha, plus herbs. Oaky with a lighter but sufficient acidic
finish. +207811, $15.95, QPR: 89.
8. Sartori L'Appassito Rosso 2008 IGT Veneto: wonderful intensity of
dried fruit and spices, good backbone for food. +193607, $18.95, QPR:
90.
9. Casa de Santar Red 2007 Dao: dark fruit, cedary, leafy, unfiltered,
long finish, 13.5% ABV. +190710, $14.95, QPR: 89.
10. Casa de Illana Tresdecinco 2004 Ribera del Jucar: North American
style blend of syrah, cab sauv ands merlot, fresh lumber notes, off-dry
on the palate, fruity finish. +190702, $15.95, QPR: 89.
11. Vinos Sin-Ley Traza Gra 2 2008 Rioja: 100% Graciano. Berry
flavours, spices which persist on the finish, good adequate body.
Unoaked. Where is Gra 1 (the cooler climate version)? +190819, $16.95,
QPR: 90.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Trentadue Old Patch Red 2006 North Coast California: 46% zinfandel,
35% petite sirah, 12% carignan, 5% sangiovese, 2% syrah. Best for BBQ
on your frozen patio/balcony. +686709, $15.95, QPR: 89.
2. Staccato Malbec/Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 Mendoza: organic, 60%
Malbec, dark fruit and spices, finishes best with food. +19660, $12.95,
QPR: 90.
3. Morande Reserva Pinot Noir 2008 Casablanca Valley: good pinot snap
and tartness, old world style MVC Burgundian. +59428, $14.95, QPR: 89.
4. Winery of Good Hope Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot 2009 WO Stellenbosch:
14% ABV. Mounds of fruit with sufficient finishing acid makes this a
swinger between sip and food. Great value. +8748, $11.95, QPR: 91.
5. Chateau de Nages Reserve 2009 Costieres de Nimes: gutsy and spicy,
red fruit, enlivened finish. Some garrigue. +427617, $14.95, QPR: 90.
6. Domaine de la Bastide Cuvee Les Figues Cotes du Rhone 2009: great
blend of syrah-grenache-carignan, North American appeal with juiciness,
but some refreshing tartness. +194852, $13.95, QPR: 90.
7. Cantine Nicosia Fondo Filara Nero d'Avola 2008 IGT Sicilia: berries
and mocha, plus herbs. Oaky with a lighter but sufficient acidic
finish. +207811, $15.95, QPR: 89.
8. Sartori L'Appassito Rosso 2008 IGT Veneto: wonderful intensity of
dried fruit and spices, good backbone for food. +193607, $18.95, QPR:
90.
9. Casa de Santar Red 2007 Dao: dark fruit, cedary, leafy, unfiltered,
long finish, 13.5% ABV. +190710, $14.95, QPR: 89.
10. Casa de Illana Tresdecinco 2004 Ribera del Jucar: North American
style blend of syrah, cab sauv ands merlot, fresh lumber notes, off-dry
on the palate, fruity finish. +190702, $15.95, QPR: 89.
11. Vinos Sin-Ley Traza Gra 2 2008 Rioja: 100% Graciano. Berry
flavours, spices which persist on the finish, good adequate body.
Unoaked. Where is Gra 1 (the cooler climate version)? +190819, $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.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
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. Cedrick Bardin Pouilly-Fume 2009, +202416, $21.95 retail.
2. Markus Molitor Riesling Spatlese 2008 QmP Haus Klostergerg, +189613,
$22.95.
3. Mission Hill SLC Merlot 2005 Okanagan, +68353, $34.95.
4. Clos du Bois Sonoma Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 Alexander Valley
Sonoma, +54080, $24.95.
5. M and D Phillips Earthquake Zinfandel 2007 Lodi, +59717, $39.95.
6. Clos du Calvaire Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2007, +728139, $36.95.
7. Perrin & Fils La Gille Gigondas 2007, +906073, $26.95.
8. Rocca Delle Macie Chianti Classico Riserva 2006, +930966, $21.95,
QPR: 90.
9. Burgo Viejo Gran Reserva 2000 Rioja, +190611, $21.95.
2. Markus Molitor Riesling Spatlese 2008 QmP Haus Klostergerg, +189613,
$22.95.
3. Mission Hill SLC Merlot 2005 Okanagan, +68353, $34.95.
4. Clos du Bois Sonoma Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 Alexander Valley
Sonoma, +54080, $24.95.
5. M and D Phillips Earthquake Zinfandel 2007 Lodi, +59717, $39.95.
6. Clos du Calvaire Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2007, +728139, $36.95.
7. Perrin & Fils La Gille Gigondas 2007, +906073, $26.95.
8. Rocca Delle Macie Chianti Classico Riserva 2006, +930966, $21.95,
QPR: 90.
9. Burgo Viejo Gran Reserva 2000 Rioja, +190611, $21.95.
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