WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR MARCH 17, 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.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
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. Henry of Pelham Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 2010 VQA Short Hills
Bench: rich and ripe, wood integration produces creaminess in finish, a
great Ontario chardonnay, 13.5% ABV. +268343, $19.95, QPR: 91.
2. Simi Chardonnay 2009 Sonoma County: deep concentrated flavours of
butterscotch and toast, a restaurant wine in the US. 13.5% ABV.
+673806, $19.95, QPR: 90.
3. Las Perdices Torrontes 2010 Lujan de Cuyo Mendoza: classic aromatic
and off-dry flavours, MVC all the way, affordable. +267823, $12.95, QP:
89.
4 Lawson's Dry Hills Sauvignon Blanc 2010 Marlborough: typical kiwi
savvy, but with a slightly different tang of fruit on the finish.
+214460, $17.95, QPR: 89.
5. Oak Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2009 WO Elgin South Africa: no oak here,
but textbook style kiwi-like savvy, affordable, twist top, 13% ABV.
+263947, $15.95, QPR: 89.
6. Domaine Christophe Camu Chablis 2009: orchard frit, long finish,
best unoaked chardonnays are usually from Chablis, 12% ABV. Affordable.
+268532, $18.95.
7. Leira Albarino 2010 DO Rias Baixas: good price for such an aromatic
wine from the albarino variety. +115816, $16.95, QPR: 89.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Henry of Pelham Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 2010 VQA Short Hills
Bench: rich and ripe, wood integration produces creaminess in finish, a
great Ontario chardonnay, 13.5% ABV. +268343, $19.95, QPR: 91.
2. Simi Chardonnay 2009 Sonoma County: deep concentrated flavours of
butterscotch and toast, a restaurant wine in the US. 13.5% ABV.
+673806, $19.95, QPR: 90.
3. Las Perdices Torrontes 2010 Lujan de Cuyo Mendoza: classic aromatic
and off-dry flavours, MVC all the way, affordable. +267823, $12.95, QP:
89.
4 Lawson's Dry Hills Sauvignon Blanc 2010 Marlborough: typical kiwi
savvy, but with a slightly different tang of fruit on the finish.
+214460, $17.95, QPR: 89.
5. Oak Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2009 WO Elgin South Africa: no oak here,
but textbook style kiwi-like savvy, affordable, twist top, 13% ABV.
+263947, $15.95, QPR: 89.
6. Domaine Christophe Camu Chablis 2009: orchard frit, long finish,
best unoaked chardonnays are usually from Chablis, 12% ABV. Affordable.
+268532, $18.95.
7. Leira Albarino 2010 DO Rias Baixas: good price for such an aromatic
wine from the albarino variety. +115816, $16.95, QPR: 89.
TOP VALUE RED WINES under $20 or so.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Villa Mt. Eden Antique Vines Grande Reserve Zinfandel 2007: with no
standards for the words "Old Vines", Villa Mt. Eden has moved on to
"Antique Vines", with pre-Columbian plantings. Lots of mocha and smoke,
good development. 14.5% ABV. +256719, $19.95, QPR: 89.
2. Manos Negras Malbec 2007 Uco Valley Mendoza: fruit driven style,
plenty of cherries, longer length. +271205, $14.5, QPR: 89.
3. Chateau Le Peyrat 2009 Cotes de Bordeaux Castillon: very pleasing,
soft merlot tones, spices, longer engaging finish. 14.5% ABV. +171090,
$14.95, QPR: 90.
4. Maz d'Auzieres Les Eclats 2009 Coteaux du Languedoc: well-worth
tasting with a complex finish, about 70% syrah, 13.5% ABV. +271742,
$16.95, QPR: 89.
5. Valle Reale Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2007: good character, palate is
mouth filling, long Italianate finish. 13.5% ABV. +216408, $17.95, QPR:
89.
6. Piccini Chianti Classico Riserva 2007: a hidden treasure of dried
fruit and figs. +134791, $18.95, QPR: 90.
7. Campolargo Vinha do Putto 2009 Barraida: North American appeal,
juicy, off-dry but with a lingering finish. +267971, $13.95, QPR: 89.
8. Quinta Nova Pomares 2009 Douro: juicy and surprisingly ready now,
good tannins for food. +214007, $16.95, QPR: 89.
9. Bodega del Abad Dom Bueno Crianza 2001 Bierzo: aging very nicely,
thank you, well-respected wine at 14% ABV, and a fab price. +244699,
$14.95, QPR: 89.
10. Bod. Olarra Cerro Anon Reserva 2005 Rioja: outstanding wine at an
outstanding price. 14% ABV. +114306, $18.95, QPR: 91.
11. Senorio del Aguila Gran Reserva 2001 Carinena: another 2001 wine
for your consideration, delicious complexity, still needs time to open
up and flower. Some oak resolved vanilla. 13.5% ABV. +269530, $19.95,
QPR: 90.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Villa Mt. Eden Antique Vines Grande Reserve Zinfandel 2007: with no
standards for the words "Old Vines", Villa Mt. Eden has moved on to
"Antique Vines", with pre-Columbian plantings. Lots of mocha and smoke,
good development. 14.5% ABV. +256719, $19.95, QPR: 89.
2. Manos Negras Malbec 2007 Uco Valley Mendoza: fruit driven style,
plenty of cherries, longer length. +271205, $14.5, QPR: 89.
3. Chateau Le Peyrat 2009 Cotes de Bordeaux Castillon: very pleasing,
soft merlot tones, spices, longer engaging finish. 14.5% ABV. +171090,
$14.95, QPR: 90.
4. Maz d'Auzieres Les Eclats 2009 Coteaux du Languedoc: well-worth
tasting with a complex finish, about 70% syrah, 13.5% ABV. +271742,
$16.95, QPR: 89.
5. Valle Reale Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2007: good character, palate is
mouth filling, long Italianate finish. 13.5% ABV. +216408, $17.95, QPR:
89.
6. Piccini Chianti Classico Riserva 2007: a hidden treasure of dried
fruit and figs. +134791, $18.95, QPR: 90.
7. Campolargo Vinha do Putto 2009 Barraida: North American appeal,
juicy, off-dry but with a lingering finish. +267971, $13.95, QPR: 89.
8. Quinta Nova Pomares 2009 Douro: juicy and surprisingly ready now,
good tannins for food. +214007, $16.95, QPR: 89.
9. Bodega del Abad Dom Bueno Crianza 2001 Bierzo: aging very nicely,
thank you, well-respected wine at 14% ABV, and a fab price. +244699,
$14.95, QPR: 89.
10. Bod. Olarra Cerro Anon Reserva 2005 Rioja: outstanding wine at an
outstanding price. 14% ABV. +114306, $18.95, QPR: 91.
11. Senorio del Aguila Gran Reserva 2001 Carinena: another 2001 wine
for your consideration, delicious complexity, still needs time to open
up and flower. Some oak resolved vanilla. 13.5% ABV. +269530, $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.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
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. Flat Rock The Rusty Shed Chardonnay 2010 VQA Twenty Mile Bench,
+1552, $24.95 retail.
2. Rodney Strong Chardonnay 2009 Sonoma County, +226936, $20.95.
3. Domaine Chanson Savigny-Les-Beaune Hauts Marconnets 1er Cru 2009,
+265033, $32.95.
4. Domaine Rodet Chateau de Mercey Mercurey 2009, +265058, $22.95.
5. Hidden Bench Estate Pinot Noir 2009 VQA Beamsville Bench, +274753,
$38.20.
6. Geyser Peak Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 Alexander Valley Sonoma County,
+343467, $21.95.
7. Treana Red 2008 Paso Robles, +11221, $39.95.
8. Yalumba Shiraz/Viognier 2008 Eden Valley South Australia, +524926,
$21.95.
9. Yalumba The Menzies Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 Coonawarra, +473645,
$53.95.
10. Chateau Tour Baladoz 2006 St. Emilion Grand Cru, +244087, $28.95.
11, Marchese Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva 2007, +512384, $29.95.
12. Mocali Brunello di Montalcino 2006, +64956, $43.95.
13. Baron de Ley Gran Reserva 2001 Rioja, +642496, $29.95.
+1552, $24.95 retail.
2. Rodney Strong Chardonnay 2009 Sonoma County, +226936, $20.95.
3. Domaine Chanson Savigny-Les-Beaune Hauts Marconnets 1er Cru 2009,
+265033, $32.95.
4. Domaine Rodet Chateau de Mercey Mercurey 2009, +265058, $22.95.
5. Hidden Bench Estate Pinot Noir 2009 VQA Beamsville Bench, +274753,
$38.20.
6. Geyser Peak Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 Alexander Valley Sonoma County,
+343467, $21.95.
7. Treana Red 2008 Paso Robles, +11221, $39.95.
8. Yalumba Shiraz/Viognier 2008 Eden Valley South Australia, +524926,
$21.95.
9. Yalumba The Menzies Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 Coonawarra, +473645,
$53.95.
10. Chateau Tour Baladoz 2006 St. Emilion Grand Cru, +244087, $28.95.
11, Marchese Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva 2007, +512384, $29.95.
12. Mocali Brunello di Montalcino 2006, +64956, $43.95.
13. Baron de Ley Gran Reserva 2001 Rioja, +642496, $29.95.
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