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Tuesday, February 14, 2012

WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR FEBRUARY 18, 2012

WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR FEBRUARY 18, 2012
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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 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. Creekside Laura's White 2009 VQA Niagara: InterVin Silver medal, the
blend has a little smoke in it, adds complexity. +121764, $18.95, QPR:
89.
2. Tawse Sketches of Niagara Chardonnay 2009 VQA: well-developed
Ontario wine, better than a second label. 13% ABV, twist top. +89037,
$19.95, QPR: 89.
3. Lander-Jenkins Spirit Hawk Chardonnay 2009 California: very good
balance of sweeter side of oak (vanilla, cloves) plus the muscat
enhancer. Sip before a meal. 13.5% ABV. +162651, $18.95, QPR: 90.
4. Mount Riley Sauvignon Blanc 2011 Marlborough South Island: really a
grassy and herby savvy, great for food. Fresh. 13% ABV. +981670,
$16.95, QPR: 90.
5. Morgenhof Sauvignon Blanc 2010 WO Simonsberg-Stellenbosch: just a
step below the Mount Riley, not as grassy, more full bodied. 13.5% ABV.
+18507, $16.95, QPR: 89.
6. Domaine Francois Schwach Muscat 2008 Alsace: dry finish, higher
acid, 12.5% ABV. +261644, $15.95, QPR: 89.
7. Maison Francois Martenot Cuvee Prestige Chardonnay Bourgogne 2009:
MVC but medium body, a bit of everything (vague memories of burgundy,
etc.). 12.5% ABV. +159095, $15.95, QPR: 89.
8. Valminor Albarino 2010 Rias Baixas: delicious, aromatic orchard
fruit and longer length, twist top, 12.5% ABV. +266924, $15.95, QPR:
89.
 
TOP VALUE RED WINES under $20 or so.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. F. Lurton Hacienda Araucano Reserva Syrah 2009 Lolol Valley: very
good syrah tones, pure, twist top, 14% ABV. +269209, $14.95, QPR: 89.
2. Santa Rita Medalla Real Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 Maipo:
lots of black fruit showing, aged in new French oak for over 14 months,
14.5% ABV. Hard to believe that it is selling here under $20. +275594,
$19.95, QPR: 92.
3. Saronsberg Art Space Shiraz/Mourvedre 2009 WO Coastal Region South
Africa: off-dry mouth-feel, 14.5% ABV. Good MVC. +263590, $14.95, QPR:
89.
4. Chateau de Montmal Fitou 2009: red fruit driven, spices, long
length, some anise, 13.5% ABV. +265447, $17.95, QPR: 89.
5. Chateau Saint-Roch Chimeres 2009 Cotes du Roussillon-Villages: dark
fruit, lovely texture on mid-palate, long lingering finish. 14.5% ABV,
Gold Medal. +119354, 18.95, PR: 90.
6. Poderi Chuerra Jerzu Riserva Cannonau di Sardegna 2007: nicely aged,
affordable, good depth, black fruit, thick flavours, mouth coating,
food wine. 13.5% ABV. +270272, $15.95, QPR: 90.
7. Azul Portugal 2008 Ribatejo: dark fruit, North American appeal, 14%
ABV. +266890, $13.95, QPR: 89.
8. Terra d'Alter Reserva 2008 VR Alentejano: good oakiness, very
continental but with smoke and coconut, 14.5% ABV. +266916, $14.95,
QPR: 89.
9. Beronia Reserva 2006 Rioja: woody, well-aged complexity, delicious
with food, 14% ABV. +50203, $19.95, 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. 13th Street Old Vines Riesling 2010 VQA Creek Shores, +272617, $23.95
retail.
2. La Crema Chardonnay 2009 Sonoma Coast, +962886, $28.95.
3. Bachelder Oregon Chardonnay 2009 Willamette Valley, +273334, $36.95.
4. Signorello Vieilles Vignes Chardonnay 2008 Napa Valley BF, +742692,
$51.95.
5. 7 Deadly Zins Old Vine Zinfandel 2009 Lodi, +59311, $24.95.
6. Clos du Val Zinfandel 2009 Napa, +590216, $23.95.
7. Champy Beaune Vieilles-Vignes 2008, +726406, $28.95.
8. Cuvee du Vatican Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2009, +719120, $37.95.
9. Rocca delle Macie Tenuta Sant'Alfonso Chianti Classico 2007,
+942094, $21.95.