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Tuesday, January 31, 2012

WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR FEBRUARY 4, 2012

WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR FEBRUARY 4, 2012
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com.
Creator of Canada's award-winning wine satire site at
http://fauxvoixvincuisine.blogspot.com. My Internet compendium
"Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net" is a guide to thousands of news
items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits, at
www.deantudor.com since 1994. 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 a re-tasting.
 
TOP VALUE WHITE WINES under $20 or so.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Gran Lurton Corte Friulano 2010 Uco Valley Mendoza: wonderful
aromatic complexity, partial BF for Sauvignon Vert, Pinot Gris,
Chardonnay and Torrontes varieties. +66829, $19.95, QPR: 90.
2. Vieil Armand Medaille Gewurztraminer 2009 Alsace: 13% ABV, dynamite
MVC, whirling world of lychee, peach, citrus, and some bittering.
+260158, $16.95, QPR: 91.
 
TOP VALUE RED WINES under $20 or so.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Albino Armani Egle Ripasso Valpolicella Superiore 2008: "Ripasso of
the month". +247916, $15.95, QPR: 89.
2. Maculan Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 IGT Veneto: a lighter Bordeaux-like
style, good value at this price. +987701, $14.95, QPR: 90.
3. Maetierra Dominum Quatro Pagos Reserva 2005 Rioja: delicious, albeit
sweet tones, not drying out, 14% ABV, "Reserva" not noted on front
label. +246660, $19.95, QPR: 89
4. Columbia Crest Grand states Merlot 2007 Columbia Valley Washington
State: smoke and toast dominate, fruit after mid-palate. Yummy. 13.5%
ABV. +263418, $15.95, QPR: 91.
5. Crios de Susana Balbo Malbec 2010 Mendoza: dense, 13.5% BV, but good
finishing acid for food pairing. +162529, $13.5, QPR: 89.
6. La Posta Angel Paulucci Vineyard Malbec 2008 Mendoza: ripe and
juicy, long finish, food or sipper. 13.9% BV. +75515, $15.95, QPR: 89.
7. Jip Jip Rocks Shiraz/Cabernet 2009 Padthaway: dense and chunky, some
mint showing, 14.5% BV. +186114, $16.95, QPR: 89.
8. Tapestry BG & V Shiraz 2009 McLaren Vale: twist top, rich and fruit,
14% ABV. +247155, $17.95, QPR: 89.
9. Chateau Haut-Canteloup 2009 Blaye: dynamite MVC Bordeaux, 13% ABV,
delivers flavour and value, ready now. +64747, $13.95, QPR: 93.
10. Chateau Piron 2008 Montagne St-Emilion: juicy, affordable, 12.5%
ABV. +176982, $16.95, QPR: 89.
11. Perrin Nature Cotes du Rhone 2010: very good finish and development
for this organic wine. +948059, 16.95, QPR: 90.
12. L'Excellence du Chateau Bladinieres 2008 Cahors: delicious wood
aging, 13% ABV. Gold Medal. +264671, $16.95, 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. Antolini Moropio Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 2006, +247957,
$34.95 retail.
2. Stratus Chardonnay 2008 VQA NOTL, +267856, $42.20.
3. Landmark Damaris Reserve Chardonnay 2008 Flocchini & Sangiacomo
Vyds, Sonoma, +356519, $45.95.
4. Domaine Jean Collet & Fils Vaillons Chablis 1er Cru 008, +650804,
$28.95.
5. Domaine Fouassier Les Grands Groux Sancere 2009, +267948, $24.95.
6. Mission Hill Reserve Merlot 2008 VQA Okanagan, +553313, $25.95
7. Beaulieu Vineyard Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet
Sauvignon 2007 Napa, +80218, $89.95.
8. Dry Creek Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 Sonoma, +642207, $24.95.
9. Francis Coppola Diamond Collection Blue Label Merlot 2008
California, +595686, 24.95.
10. Kilikanoon Testament Shiraz 2007 Barossa, +50047, $39.95.
11. Loacker Corte Pavone Brunello di Montalcino 2005, +237263, $49.95.

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