April 27/12: Paxton Vineyards, McLaren Vale, tasting report

 The Date and Time: Friday April 27, 2012 4:30 PM to 7 PM
The Event: Tasting of new Paxton Vineyards wines from McLaren Vale. The
Venue: Fine Wine Reserve
The Target Audience: media, sommeliers, clients
The Availability/Catalogue: through The Living Vine, Ontario's unique
source for totally organic, biodynamic and sustainable wines – that's
all they sell.
The Quote/Background: David Paxton came for the showing. His son
Michael is the winemaker. These are biodynamic wines or are "in
conversion". The company makes 11 different wines, including pinot gris
and Tempranillo (not shown today).
The Wines:

**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Paxton MV Shiraz 2010 McLaren Vale, $19.95
-Paxton Jones Block Shiraz 2009 McLaren Vale, $34.95

***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price
Rating terms):
-Paxton Cabernet/Shiraz "The Guesser" 2010 McLaren Vale, $16.95
-Paxton AAA Shiraz Grenache 2010 McLaren Vale, $21.95
-Paxton Quandong Farm Shiraz 2010 McLaren Vale, $29.95

*** GOOD -- Three Stars (85 – 87 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Paxton Thomas Block Chardonnay 2010 McLaren Vale, $24.95

The Food: gourmet upscale cheeses (Chevre Noir, Epoises, Mimolette)
plus pates and breads.
The Downside: I had already exposed myself to some 140 wines at the
weekly LCBO media tasting.
The Upside: it was Friday night.
The Contact Person: mark@thelivingvine.ca
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade):
88.

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com AND http://gothicepicures.blogspot.com