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Monday, June 6, 2011

June 11/11: LCBO Vintages Release -- some notes

WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR JUNE 11, 2011
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
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. Lakeview Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2009 Niagara: great MVC (greens
such as grass, asparagus, gooseberry) for an Ontario savvy. Gold Medal
winner. +226027, $17.95, QPR: 90.
2. Vineland Estates Chenin Blanc 2008 Niagara Escarpment: spices and
aromatics reminiscent of the Loire, terrific value with an off-dry
finish, 11.7% ABV. Sipper. +227033, $17, QPR: 90
3. Napa Ridge Chardonnay 2009 Napa: MVC California chardonnay (slightly
off-dry, ripe orchard fruit, more toast than smoke, bracing
tropicality). +213678, $19.95, QPR: 89.
4. Famiglia Bianchi Chardonnay 2010 Mendoza: light body but 14.5% ABV,
easy finish, great price, MVC for a barrel-fermented chardonnay. +1461,
$12.95, QPR: 90.
5. Braided River Sauvignon Blanc 2010 Marlborough: herby NZ MVC savvy
with body and finishing acid, 13% ABV. +214585, $15.95, QPR: 90.
6. Domaine des Malandes Chablis 2009: classic and easy, simple,
uncomplicated Chablis with MVC (minerality, apple, and lemon). +111658,
$18.95, QPR: 89.
7. Godo Bianco 2009 IGT Bianco Veronese: interesting, caught my
palate's attention, slightly off-dry, useful with food or sipping.
+214353, $14.95, QPR: 89.
 
TOP VALUE RED WINES under $20 or so.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Emiliana Novas Limited Selection Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot 2008
Maipo: incredible value for an organic wine, with alcohol (14.5%),
finishing acid on the length, ripe and fruity style of cabby MVC, some
plumminess from the merry merlot. With food or sipping. Load up at this
price – buy it all!! +685792, $14.95, QPR: 93.
2. Thelema Shiraz 2006 WO Stellenbosch: good balance, Rhonish MVC tones
(black fruit, mocha). +146431, $19.95, QPR: 89.
3. Chateau Begadanet 2005 Medoc: maturing nicely, lots of underbrush
and wood, fruit on the mid-palate. +138875, $17.95, QPR: 90.
4. Clos de Verdots Merlot 2009 Bergerac: slight Bordeaux complexity,
affordable, Gold Medal winner, 14% ABV. +219436, $15.95, QPR: 90.
5. Apollonio Terragnolo Negroamaro 2004 IGT Salento Rosso: MVC Salento
(deep brooding flavours, some olives and smoked meat), long length,
ready to roll with 14.5% ABV. +211821, $17.95, QPR: 90.
6. Zeni Costalago 2008 IGT Rosso Veronese: North American appeal of
cherries and chocolate, becoming mocha on the finish. 14% ABV, useful
sipper as well as with food. +220848, $14.95, QPR: 89.
7. Conde de Valdemar Reserva 2004 Rioja: MVC for Rioja, some coconut
from the US oak, age and price is great. 13.5% ABV. +947309, $18.95,
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. Dutton Estate Dutton Palms Vineyard Chardonnay 2008 Russian River
Valley, +234856, $54.95 retail.
2. Jacques Bourguignon Chablis 1er Cru 2009, +208033, $25.95.
3. Beringer Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 Napa, +149955,
$99.55.
4. Bonny Doon Vineyard Le Cigare Volant 2006 California, +975847,
$39.95.
5. La Crema Pinot Noir 2009 Russian River, +906404, $44.95
6. Ladera Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 Howell Mountain Napa, +234005, $79.95
7. Domaine du Haut des Terres Blanches Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2007,
+177618, $37.95.
8. Pasquale Pelissero Bricco San Giuliano Barbaresco 2007, +214551,
$27.95.
9. Castello di Gabbiano Chianti Classico Riserva 2007, +216309, $22.95.
10. Giacomo Montresor Amarone della Valpolicella 2006, +204826, $53.95.
11. Remo Farina Monte Fante Riserva Amarone della Valpolicella Classico
2004, +63636, $62.95.
 

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