Aug 20, 2011: LCBO Vintages Release -- some tasting notes...

WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR AUGUST 20, 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.

 

TOP VALUE WHITE WINES under $20 or so.

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1. Chalone Monterey County Chardonnay 2009: woodsy, affordable, not as elegant as their regular chardonnay, nut priced to sell. 13.5% ABV. +80226, $16.95, QPR: 90.

2. Gold Ring Chardonnay 2009 Mendocino: crisp, slight hint of vanilla and wood tones, easy drinking. Organic. +239442, $16.95, QPR: 89.

3. Lafond SRH Chardonnay 2007 Santa Rita Hills Santa Barbara: nicely aged and matured, ripe and ready, well-integrated tropical fruit and wood tones. Finishes dry. +998641, $19.95, QPR: 90.

4. Brooks Amycas 2008 Oregon: decent priced aromatic white wine blend, crisp and floral from pinot gris and blanc, gewurz, chardonnay, muscat and riesling. 13.1% ABV. +239079, $16.95, QPR: 89.

5. Mil Piedras Viognier 2010 Mendoza: lightly aromatic, 13% ABV, lemons on crisp finish. +240168, $11.95, QPR: 89.

6. Fairhall Downs Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2009 Marlborough: 13.5% ABV. A rich, concentrated and lingering savvy. +990580, $17.95, QPR: 89.

7. Cave de Hoen Vieilles Vignes Pinot Gris 2009 Alsace: spicy, full-bodied, lingering finish. 12.5% ABV. Medium-dry. +224261, $17.95, QPR: 89.

8. Joseph Cattin pinot Blanc 2009 Alsace: Gold Medalist, orchard fruit, long lifted finish. 12% ABV. +224642, $13.95, QPR: 89.

9. Rene Mure Signature Gewurztraminer 2009 Alsace: off-dry on mid-palate, long lingering finish, whopping 14% ABV. +61218, $17.95, QPR: 90.

10. Muga Barrel Fermented White 2010 Rioja: rich, buttery without the toast, driven by new French oak barrels. Food wine. 13% ABV. +958736, $15.95, QPR: 90.

 

TOP VALUE RED WINES under $20 or so.

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1. Cristobal 1492 Oak Reserve Shiraz 2008 Mendoza: intense Euro style of syrah, 14% ABV, great price. +236133, $13.95, QPR: 89.

2. Chateau de Panigon Medoc: says "Bordeaux" to me, that hard-grained mix of cassis, plums and wood on the mid-palate. +230367, $16.95, QPR: 89.

3. Chateau Toumilon 2003 Graves: nicely aged, at its peak (prunes not plums), value lies in its age. +177030, $19.95, QPR: 89.

4. Domaine La Croix Belle Syrah 2009 IGT Cotes de Thongue: the south of France is discovering that you can make good wines OUTSIDE of AC rules. This wine has a great syrah hit, modest price, 13.5% ABV. A real winner, buy it all soonest. +160150, $12.95, QPR: 92+

5. Les Celettes 2009 Cotes du Rhone: great blend of mocha, red fruit, smoke, some caramel. Fab price for 13.5% ABV. +235010, $13.95, QPR: 90.

6. Villa Medoro Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2008: NA style and appeal of fleshy fruit. But a long finish for food. 13.5% ABV. +242321, $15.95, QPR: 89.  

7. Cantine Cipressi Rumen Molise Rosso 2007: blend of Monte d'Abruzzo and merlot, black fruit and herbs all the way, a bargain wine, 14% ABV, food or sip. +222646, $14.95, QPR: 89.

8. Mas Foraster Josep Foraster Crianca 2006 Conca de Barbera Spain: a nifty wine from the nether regions of Spain, NA style, nicely aged, very fruity and enjoyable, 13.5% ABV. +218321, $13.95.

 

 

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. Eberle Estate Chardonnay 2009 Paso Robles, +115964, $22.95 retail.

2. Jean Pabiot et Fils Domaine des Fines Caillottes Pouilly-Fume 2009, +695908, $22.95.

3. Southbrook Triomphe Cabernet/Merlot 2007 Niagara-on-the-Lake, +172080, $22.95.

4. Star Lane Astral Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 Santa Ynez Valley Santa Barbara, +239509, $49.95.

5. Pirramimma Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 McLaren Vale, +730374, $24.95.

6. Hegarty Chamans No. 1 Syrah/Carignan 2005 Minervois, +250605, $24.95

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