WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR SEPTEMBER 17, 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 normally 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 normally not available
for re-tasting.
TOP VALUE WHITE WINES under $20 or so.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. EOS Chardonnay 2008 Central Coast: expect some elegance, burgundian
style. Notes of vanilla and cream although the back label does not
mention use of oak. 13.5% ABV. +955914, $18.95, QPR: 89.
2. Santa Ana La Mascota Chardonnay 2010 Mendoza: rich, ripe and full,
somewhat fleshy, some barrel aging. 14% ABV. +126870, $14.95, QPR: 89.
3. Mount Riley Sauvignon Blanc 2010 Marlborough: straight-forward NZ
savvy, good zesty finish, 13.5% ABV. +981670, $15.95, QPR: 89.
4. Spice Route Sauvignon Blanc 2010 WO Darling South Africa: impressive
body and concentration and zest for the price, twist top, 13.5% ABV.
+235895, $14.95, QPR: 90.
5. Joseph Cattin Gewurztraminer 2009 Alsace: off-dry in texture,
significant mouthfeel, nicely bitterish, Gold Medal winner. Phenomenal
price. +224626, $16.95, QPR: 90.
6. Terra d'Alter Reserva White 2010 Alentejano: partially fermented and
aged in oak, indigenous grapes plus viognier, all combine for a creamy,
vanilla tone. 13.5% ABV. +219212, $13.95, QPR: 89.
TOP VALUE RED WINES under $20 or so.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. A by Acacia Pinot Noir 2008 California: basic MVC but delicious –
with body, substance and flavours. 13.5% ABV. +118927, $16.95, QPR: 89.
2. Michel Torino Don David Reserve Malbec 2009 Cafayate Valley
Argentina: black juicy fruits, some tightness that needs opening up,
long food finish. +64998, $12.95, QPR: 89.
3. Jip Jip Rocks Shiraz 2009 Padthaway: full black flavours, minty,
several gold medals. +673897, $16.95, QPR: 89.
4. Thorn-Clarke Terra Barossa Shiraz/Cabernet/Petit Verdot 2008
Barossa: a powerful hit at 15% ABV, creamy oak, blessed by a high
Parker number. +684357, $14.95, QPR: 89.
5. Slowine Shiraz 2009 WO Overberg South Africa: engaging wine hits all
the notes of smoke, pepper, fruit, twist top, 14.5% ABV, and priced to
move. +96503, $13.95, QPR: 89.
6. Chateau Landonnet 2008 Bordeaux: one of your more modestly priced
Bordeaux, delicious fruit, long finish, 13% ABV. +243931, $13.95, QPR:
89.
7. Chateau Le Grand Moulin Cuvee Collection 2008 Premieres Cotes de
Blaye: needs time for tannins to resolve but it is all there, great
price, 13% ABV, Gold Medalist, great MVC. +245357, $15.95, QPR: 89.
8. Rivera Violante Nero di Troia 2008 Puglia: tasty, earthy and dark
cherries, good finish, 13.5% ABV. +583435, $15.95, QPR: 90.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. EOS Chardonnay 2008 Central Coast: expect some elegance, burgundian
style. Notes of vanilla and cream although the back label does not
mention use of oak. 13.5% ABV. +955914, $18.95, QPR: 89.
2. Santa Ana La Mascota Chardonnay 2010 Mendoza: rich, ripe and full,
somewhat fleshy, some barrel aging. 14% ABV. +126870, $14.95, QPR: 89.
3. Mount Riley Sauvignon Blanc 2010 Marlborough: straight-forward NZ
savvy, good zesty finish, 13.5% ABV. +981670, $15.95, QPR: 89.
4. Spice Route Sauvignon Blanc 2010 WO Darling South Africa: impressive
body and concentration and zest for the price, twist top, 13.5% ABV.
+235895, $14.95, QPR: 90.
5. Joseph Cattin Gewurztraminer 2009 Alsace: off-dry in texture,
significant mouthfeel, nicely bitterish, Gold Medal winner. Phenomenal
price. +224626, $16.95, QPR: 90.
6. Terra d'Alter Reserva White 2010 Alentejano: partially fermented and
aged in oak, indigenous grapes plus viognier, all combine for a creamy,
vanilla tone. 13.5% ABV. +219212, $13.95, QPR: 89.
TOP VALUE RED WINES under $20 or so.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. A by Acacia Pinot Noir 2008 California: basic MVC but delicious –
with body, substance and flavours. 13.5% ABV. +118927, $16.95, QPR: 89.
2. Michel Torino Don David Reserve Malbec 2009 Cafayate Valley
Argentina: black juicy fruits, some tightness that needs opening up,
long food finish. +64998, $12.95, QPR: 89.
3. Jip Jip Rocks Shiraz 2009 Padthaway: full black flavours, minty,
several gold medals. +673897, $16.95, QPR: 89.
4. Thorn-Clarke Terra Barossa Shiraz/Cabernet/Petit Verdot 2008
Barossa: a powerful hit at 15% ABV, creamy oak, blessed by a high
Parker number. +684357, $14.95, QPR: 89.
5. Slowine Shiraz 2009 WO Overberg South Africa: engaging wine hits all
the notes of smoke, pepper, fruit, twist top, 14.5% ABV, and priced to
move. +96503, $13.95, QPR: 89.
6. Chateau Landonnet 2008 Bordeaux: one of your more modestly priced
Bordeaux, delicious fruit, long finish, 13% ABV. +243931, $13.95, QPR:
89.
7. Chateau Le Grand Moulin Cuvee Collection 2008 Premieres Cotes de
Blaye: needs time for tannins to resolve but it is all there, great
price, 13% ABV, Gold Medalist, great MVC. +245357, $15.95, QPR: 89.
8. Rivera Violante Nero di Troia 2008 Puglia: tasty, earthy and dark
cherries, good finish, 13.5% ABV. +583435, $15.95, 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. J. Lohr October Night Chardonnay 2007 Arroyo Seco, +225375, $24.95
retail.
2. Kistler Les Noisetiers Chardonnay 2009 Sonoma Coast, +251223,
$64.95.
3. Clairaut Estate Chardonnay 2008 Margaret River, +246892, $39.95
4. Wolf Blass Premium Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 South
Australia, +321927, $22.95
5. Wynns Coonawarra Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, +84996, $24.95
6. Chateau Lacoste Borie 2008 Pauillac, +249011, $39.95
7. Chateau Pontet Chappaz 2008 Margaux, +243956, $39.95
8. Domaine Du Haut des Terres Blanches Chateauneuf du Pape 2007,
+177618, $37.95
9. LAN Gran Reserva 2003 Rioja, +928622, $26.95
retail.
2. Kistler Les Noisetiers Chardonnay 2009 Sonoma Coast, +251223,
$64.95.
3. Clairaut Estate Chardonnay 2008 Margaret River, +246892, $39.95
4. Wolf Blass Premium Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 South
Australia, +321927, $22.95
5. Wynns Coonawarra Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, +84996, $24.95
6. Chateau Lacoste Borie 2008 Pauillac, +249011, $39.95
7. Chateau Pontet Chappaz 2008 Margaux, +243956, $39.95
8. Domaine Du Haut des Terres Blanches Chateauneuf du Pape 2007,
+177618, $37.95
9. LAN Gran Reserva 2003 Rioja, +928622, $26.95
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