WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR DECEMBER 10, 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 normally available
for re-tasting from another bottle.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
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. Gray Monk Gewurztraminer 2009 VQA Okanagan: viscous, good body and
mouthfeel, tropical and orchard fruits, no Alsatian bitterness on
finish. +321588, $18.95, QPR: 89.
2. Chateau des Charmes Old Vines Riesling 2008 VQA Niagara-On-The-Lake:
classic sophisticated LHR, first course aperitif, Gold Medal at OWA.
+277228, $16.95, QPR: 91.
3. Konrad Sauvignon Blanc 2010 Marlborough: savvy of the month, MVC,
twist top, 13.5% ABV. +616243, $17.95, QPR: 89.
4. Anne Boecklin Pinot Gris Reserve 2008 Alsace: voluptuous gris,
smooth on palate, mouthfilling fruity succulence. Gold Medalist.
+106831, $18.95, QPR: 90.
5. I Stefanini Il Selese Soave 2010: citric tones and pear drops, 12.5%
ABV. +247932, $14.95, QPR: 89.
TOP VALUE RED WINES under $20 or so.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Maipe Reserve Malbec 2009 Mendoza: a big wine, 14% ABV – with fruit,
mocha, dense mouthfeel, long length. +247320, $17.95, QPR: 89.
2. Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 Apalta Vineyard Colchagua: a
bit hard now but very useful after another 6 months, 14.5% ABV.
+322586, $19.95, QPR: 89.
3. Maison Audebert & Fils Domaine du Grand Clos Bourgueil 2007:
wonderful herby cab franc, tasty and long finish, 12.5% ABV. Best with
food. +664789, $16.95, QPR: 89.
4. Chateau Rochecolombe Cotes du Rhone 2009: off-dry feel, 14.5% ABV
chunky that is 60% grenache and 40% syrah (which actually dominates),
fruity North American appeal. If you love this wine, call the agent –
his phone number is writ large on the back label. Tell him Dino sent
you. +255034, $14.95, QPR: 90.
5. Katogi & Strofilia Xinomavro 2005 Naoussa: another little gem from
the Naoussa region, pick it up while you can (ripe and rich, longer
fruit, mature red, value, 13 % ABV). +249615, $17.95, QPR: 89.
6. Campigli Vallone Pierina Terre Nere Rosso di Montalcino 2007: light
but nicely aged, 12.5% ABV, off-dry cherries, toast, underbrush and
strawbs. +249524, $17.95, QPR: 89.
7. Quinta da Veiga Casa das Mouras Reserva 2005 Douro: very nicely
aged, new style fruity and oak kissed, 14% ABV. Gold Medal. +244756,
$18.95, QPR: 90.
8. Inurrieta Cuatrocientos 131 Crianza 2007 Navarra: gutsy, full body
and depth, some NA appeal but more earthy than fleshy. 14.5% ABV.
+246710, $15.95, QPR: 90.
9. Ramon Ramos Monte Toro Roble 2008 Toro: juicy, Tempranillo character
shines through, 14.9% ABV. +247783, $14.95, QPR: 90.
10. Taron Reserva 2004 Rioja: hard to beat value – a mature Reserva
Rioja (14 months in US oak) – for under twenty dollars. 13.5% ABV.
Delicious for a seven year old Rioja. +246728, $19.95, QPR: 91.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Gray Monk Gewurztraminer 2009 VQA Okanagan: viscous, good body and
mouthfeel, tropical and orchard fruits, no Alsatian bitterness on
finish. +321588, $18.95, QPR: 89.
2. Chateau des Charmes Old Vines Riesling 2008 VQA Niagara-On-The-Lake:
classic sophisticated LHR, first course aperitif, Gold Medal at OWA.
+277228, $16.95, QPR: 91.
3. Konrad Sauvignon Blanc 2010 Marlborough: savvy of the month, MVC,
twist top, 13.5% ABV. +616243, $17.95, QPR: 89.
4. Anne Boecklin Pinot Gris Reserve 2008 Alsace: voluptuous gris,
smooth on palate, mouthfilling fruity succulence. Gold Medalist.
+106831, $18.95, QPR: 90.
5. I Stefanini Il Selese Soave 2010: citric tones and pear drops, 12.5%
ABV. +247932, $14.95, QPR: 89.
TOP VALUE RED WINES under $20 or so.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Maipe Reserve Malbec 2009 Mendoza: a big wine, 14% ABV – with fruit,
mocha, dense mouthfeel, long length. +247320, $17.95, QPR: 89.
2. Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 Apalta Vineyard Colchagua: a
bit hard now but very useful after another 6 months, 14.5% ABV.
+322586, $19.95, QPR: 89.
3. Maison Audebert & Fils Domaine du Grand Clos Bourgueil 2007:
wonderful herby cab franc, tasty and long finish, 12.5% ABV. Best with
food. +664789, $16.95, QPR: 89.
4. Chateau Rochecolombe Cotes du Rhone 2009: off-dry feel, 14.5% ABV
chunky that is 60% grenache and 40% syrah (which actually dominates),
fruity North American appeal. If you love this wine, call the agent –
his phone number is writ large on the back label. Tell him Dino sent
you. +255034, $14.95, QPR: 90.
5. Katogi & Strofilia Xinomavro 2005 Naoussa: another little gem from
the Naoussa region, pick it up while you can (ripe and rich, longer
fruit, mature red, value, 13 % ABV). +249615, $17.95, QPR: 89.
6. Campigli Vallone Pierina Terre Nere Rosso di Montalcino 2007: light
but nicely aged, 12.5% ABV, off-dry cherries, toast, underbrush and
strawbs. +249524, $17.95, QPR: 89.
7. Quinta da Veiga Casa das Mouras Reserva 2005 Douro: very nicely
aged, new style fruity and oak kissed, 14% ABV. Gold Medal. +244756,
$18.95, QPR: 90.
8. Inurrieta Cuatrocientos 131 Crianza 2007 Navarra: gutsy, full body
and depth, some NA appeal but more earthy than fleshy. 14.5% ABV.
+246710, $15.95, QPR: 90.
9. Ramon Ramos Monte Toro Roble 2008 Toro: juicy, Tempranillo character
shines through, 14.9% ABV. +247783, $14.95, QPR: 90.
10. Taron Reserva 2004 Rioja: hard to beat value – a mature Reserva
Rioja (14 months in US oak) – for under twenty dollars. 13.5% ABV.
Delicious for a seven year old Rioja. +246728, $19.95, QPR: 91.
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. Robert Young Chardonnay 2007 Alexander Valley Sonoma, +670430,
$49.95 retail.
2. Shafer Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay 2009 Carneros Napa, +45583,
$59.95.
3. Cave de Turckheim Brand Riesling 2008 Alsace Grand Cru, +21303,
$24.95.
4. Maison Roche de Bellene Montagny 1er cru 2009, +233593, $24.95.
5. Roux Pere et Fils Meursault Blagny 1er cru 2009, +241141, $56.95.
6. Markus Molitor Urziger Wurzgarten Riesling Spatlese 2008 QmP Mosel,
+249706, $24.95.
7. Le Clos Jordanne Talon Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir 2009 VQA Vinemount
Ridge, +143545, $40.
8. Beringer Napa Valley Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, +91058,
$39.95.
9. Dominio del Plata Susana Balbo Signature Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
Mendoza, +260919, $22.95.
10. Boekenhoutskloof The Chocolate Block 2009 Western Cape, +129353,
$39.95.
11. Chateau Lyonnat Emotion 2008 Lussac Saint-Emilion, +243774, $21.95.
12. Chateau Rousseau de Sipian 2006 Medoc, +246637, $22.95.
13. Dom. Chanson Beaune Teurons 1er cru 2008, +84426, $43.95.
14. Mayard Clos du Calvaire Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2009, +728139, $34.95.
15. San Felice Il Grigio Chianti Classico Riserva 2007, +716266, $26.95
16. San Guido Le Difese 2009 IGT Toscana, +147876, $26.95
17. Tenuta Sette Ponti Grognolo 2008 IGT Toscana, +717636, $33.95.
$49.95 retail.
2. Shafer Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay 2009 Carneros Napa, +45583,
$59.95.
3. Cave de Turckheim Brand Riesling 2008 Alsace Grand Cru, +21303,
$24.95.
4. Maison Roche de Bellene Montagny 1er cru 2009, +233593, $24.95.
5. Roux Pere et Fils Meursault Blagny 1er cru 2009, +241141, $56.95.
6. Markus Molitor Urziger Wurzgarten Riesling Spatlese 2008 QmP Mosel,
+249706, $24.95.
7. Le Clos Jordanne Talon Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir 2009 VQA Vinemount
Ridge, +143545, $40.
8. Beringer Napa Valley Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, +91058,
$39.95.
9. Dominio del Plata Susana Balbo Signature Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
Mendoza, +260919, $22.95.
10. Boekenhoutskloof The Chocolate Block 2009 Western Cape, +129353,
$39.95.
11. Chateau Lyonnat Emotion 2008 Lussac Saint-Emilion, +243774, $21.95.
12. Chateau Rousseau de Sipian 2006 Medoc, +246637, $22.95.
13. Dom. Chanson Beaune Teurons 1er cru 2008, +84426, $43.95.
14. Mayard Clos du Calvaire Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2009, +728139, $34.95.
15. San Felice Il Grigio Chianti Classico Riserva 2007, +716266, $26.95
16. San Guido Le Difese 2009 IGT Toscana, +147876, $26.95
17. Tenuta Sette Ponti Grognolo 2008 IGT Toscana, +717636, $33.95.
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