Thursday, October 13, 2011

WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR OCTOBER 15, 2011

WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR OCTOBER 15, 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 normally available
for re-tasting from another bottle.
 
TOP VALUE WHITE WINES under $20 or so.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Jackson-Triggs Okanagan Estate Sunrock Vineyard Chardonnay 2008 VQA:
has the usual suspects (vanilla, toast, caramel, undertones of peach),
a knockout wine with a lovely persistent aftertaste. +249516, $17.95,
QPR: 90.
2. Morande Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2010 Casablanca: juicy but balanced
fruit, good quaffer at this price (good with food too), 13.5% ABV.
+252346, $12.95, QPR: 90.
3. Kumeu River Village Chardonnay 2008 New Zealand: elegant, value,
tastes like an expensive Burgundy. +247171, $18.95, QPR: 89.
4. Graham Beck Sauvignon Blanc 2010 WO Coastal Region: another value
wine, herby but bold finish. +948620, $13.95, QPR: 89.
5. Pierre Sparr Reserve Gewurztraminer 2009 Alsace: good price for a
terrific MVC wine, classic all the way. +747600, $17.95, QPR: 90.
6. Case Ibidini Insolia 2010 IGT Sicilia: good balance and
concentration, modest alcohol of 12%, thickly coast the palate, citric
finish for food. +211839, $19.95, QPR: 89.
7. Maculan Pinot Grigio 2010 IGT Veneto: another useful, slightly thick
winner, 12.5% ABV. +734921, $13.95, QPR: 89.
 
TOP VALUE RED WINES under $20 or so.
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1. Korta Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 Lontue Valley: cabby MVC from
Chile, good finish, 14.5% ABV. +236034, $13.95, QPR: 89.
2. Montes Limited Selection Cabernet Sauvignon/Carmenere 2010 Apalta
Vineyard Colchagua Valley: absolutely delicious with 30% tamed
carmenere, 14.5% ABV. +16071, $14.95, QPR: 89.
3. SXS Step Two Shiraz 2008 South Australia: a crafty juicy blend with
Euro-style flavours, 13.9% ABV. +246645, $14.95, QPR: 90.
4. Cathedral Cellar Merlot 2008 WO Western Cape: an excellent value
wine – ripe, red, rosy fruit, some small herbs on the nose, best with
food. +522219, $14.95, QPR: 89.
5. Girolamo Vendemmia Tardiva Primitivo 2008 IGT Salento: late
harvested Primitivo produced in a rich, NA style of zinfandel. 15% ABV
and priced to go! +224667, $14.95, QPR: 91.
6. Scopetani Chianti Riserva 2007: fine value for an aged Chianti, done
up in typical style. +164814, $14.95, QPR: 89.
7. Vinea Corvina 2007 IGT Veronese: another Italian dye-no-mite priced
value wine! 13.5% ABV. Corvina is the most exciting of the three grape
varieties used in Valpolicella production.
 
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. Catena Alta Chardonnay  2009 Estate Lots Mendoza, +959973, $39.95
retail.
2. Andre & Edmond Figeat Les Chaumiennes Pouilly-Fume 2010, +196659,
$21.95.
3. Le Clos Jordanne Le Clos Jordanne Vineyard Pinot Noir 2009 VQA
Twenty Mile Bench, +33902, $45.
4. Peju Merlot 2006 Napa Valley, +147322, $44.95.
5. Durigutti Reserva Malbec 2006 Mendoza, +246082, $26.95.
6. Riglos Gran Corte 2007 Mendoza, +243501, $37.95.
7. Pirramimma Petit Verdot 2007 McLaren Vale, +986752, $26.95.
8. Tenuta di Nozzole La Forra Chianti Classico Riserva 2007, +177279,
$29.95.
9. Farina Le Pezze Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2007, +171587,
$32.95.
 

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