WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR MAY 26 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. Finca Sophenia Reserve Viognier 2011 Mendoza: more citric and appley
than most viognier, 12% ABV, better with seafood and fish. +278267,
$16.95, QPR: 89.
2. Chateau Vignol Blanc 2010 Entre-Deux-Mers: satisfyingly friendly
food wine in zesty savvy mode, 12.5% ABV. +108522, $13.95, QPR: 89.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Finca Sophenia Reserve Viognier 2011 Mendoza: more citric and appley
than most viognier, 12% ABV, better with seafood and fish. +278267,
$16.95, QPR: 89.
2. Chateau Vignol Blanc 2010 Entre-Deux-Mers: satisfyingly friendly
food wine in zesty savvy mode, 12.5% ABV. +108522, $13.95, QPR: 89.
TOP VALUE RED WINES under $20 or so.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Ironstone Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 California: good value in a
California cabby, ready now, 13.5% ABV. +537597, $17.95, QPR: 90.
2. La Posta Pizzella Family Vineyard Malbec 2009 Uco Mendoza: god
Malbec intensity and MVC, twist top, 13.5% ABV. +166298, $15.95, QPR:
89.
3. Trivento Coleccion Fincas No. 2 Syrah 2007 Mendoza: juicy lucy, sip
or food, 14% ABV. Value. +269217, $16.95, QPR: 89.
4. Urraca Malbec 2008 Mendoza: good aging, 14.8% ABV blockbuster,
plumy, a big wine. +214379, $19.5, QPR: 89.
5. Small Gully Formula Robert's Shiraz 2006 South Australia: deep, dark
and delicious, well-aged, 15.9% over-the-top, but not a hot finish.
+142935, $19.95, PR: 90.
6. Les Hauts de Montfort Les Megalithes 2009 Minervois Unfiltered a
hidden gem, old grenache vines, ark fruit, 14.5% ABV needs food.
+279554, 13.95, QPR: 91.
7. Mas D'Auzieres Sympathie Pour Les Stones 2009 Coteaux du Languedoc:
I could make a crack about "Sympathy for the Devil" by the Rolling
Stones, since the Stones own a piece of South of France around the
corner. But I won't. It's 14% ABV syrah, with mocha and dark fruit
tones, long finish. +277046, $19.95, QPR: 90.
8. Umani Ronchi Montipagano Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2010: dark fruit,
light tang on the finish, 13% ABV, organic. +134585, $13.95, QPR: 89.
9. Di Majo Norante Ramitello 2009 Biferno Rosso Molise: 13.5% ABV, a
whopper of a wine that needs time. +973214, $15.95, QPR: 89.
10. Travaglini Nebbiolo 2010 Coste della Sesia Piedmont: juicy nebbiolo
flavours, aged 10 months in oak, 13% ABV. Value for nebbiolo lovers.
+30353, $17.95, QPR: 89.
11. Baglio di Pianetto Nero d'Avola 2009 IGT Sicilia: rich, ripe, over-
the-top dark fruit, 13.5% ABV. Sipper or food. +207423, $14.95, QPR:
89.
12. Vicchiomaggio Agostino Petri Chianti Classico Riserva 2008: good
value but needs more time. Fruit and finishing acid are there. 14% ABV.
+993360, $19.5, QPR: 89.
13. Azul Portugal Reserva 2007 VR Alentejano: off-dry on the palate,
North American appeal, 13.5% ABV. +276238, $15.95, QPR: 89.
14. Cunha Martins Reserva 2008 Dao: fatty + smokey = BBQ. 13% ABV.
+276188, $14.95, QPR: 89.
15. Monte Vilar Reserva 2008 VR Alentejano: soft. 14% ABV, North
American appeal like the Azul above. +276105, $15.95, QPR: 89.
16. Bod. Altanza Lealtanza Reserva 2005 Rioja: well-priced, MVC for a
Rioja, 13.5% BV, but still needs another year or so. +276097, $19.95,
QPR: 90.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Ironstone Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 California: good value in a
California cabby, ready now, 13.5% ABV. +537597, $17.95, QPR: 90.
2. La Posta Pizzella Family Vineyard Malbec 2009 Uco Mendoza: god
Malbec intensity and MVC, twist top, 13.5% ABV. +166298, $15.95, QPR:
89.
3. Trivento Coleccion Fincas No. 2 Syrah 2007 Mendoza: juicy lucy, sip
or food, 14% ABV. Value. +269217, $16.95, QPR: 89.
4. Urraca Malbec 2008 Mendoza: good aging, 14.8% ABV blockbuster,
plumy, a big wine. +214379, $19.5, QPR: 89.
5. Small Gully Formula Robert's Shiraz 2006 South Australia: deep, dark
and delicious, well-aged, 15.9% over-the-top, but not a hot finish.
+142935, $19.95, PR: 90.
6. Les Hauts de Montfort Les Megalithes 2009 Minervois Unfiltered a
hidden gem, old grenache vines, ark fruit, 14.5% ABV needs food.
+279554, 13.95, QPR: 91.
7. Mas D'Auzieres Sympathie Pour Les Stones 2009 Coteaux du Languedoc:
I could make a crack about "Sympathy for the Devil" by the Rolling
Stones, since the Stones own a piece of South of France around the
corner. But I won't. It's 14% ABV syrah, with mocha and dark fruit
tones, long finish. +277046, $19.95, QPR: 90.
8. Umani Ronchi Montipagano Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2010: dark fruit,
light tang on the finish, 13% ABV, organic. +134585, $13.95, QPR: 89.
9. Di Majo Norante Ramitello 2009 Biferno Rosso Molise: 13.5% ABV, a
whopper of a wine that needs time. +973214, $15.95, QPR: 89.
10. Travaglini Nebbiolo 2010 Coste della Sesia Piedmont: juicy nebbiolo
flavours, aged 10 months in oak, 13% ABV. Value for nebbiolo lovers.
+30353, $17.95, QPR: 89.
11. Baglio di Pianetto Nero d'Avola 2009 IGT Sicilia: rich, ripe, over-
the-top dark fruit, 13.5% ABV. Sipper or food. +207423, $14.95, QPR:
89.
12. Vicchiomaggio Agostino Petri Chianti Classico Riserva 2008: good
value but needs more time. Fruit and finishing acid are there. 14% ABV.
+993360, $19.5, QPR: 89.
13. Azul Portugal Reserva 2007 VR Alentejano: off-dry on the palate,
North American appeal, 13.5% ABV. +276238, $15.95, QPR: 89.
14. Cunha Martins Reserva 2008 Dao: fatty + smokey = BBQ. 13% ABV.
+276188, $14.95, QPR: 89.
15. Monte Vilar Reserva 2008 VR Alentejano: soft. 14% ABV, North
American appeal like the Azul above. +276105, $15.95, QPR: 89.
16. Bod. Altanza Lealtanza Reserva 2005 Rioja: well-priced, MVC for a
Rioja, 13.5% BV, but still needs another year or so. +276097, $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. Cave Spring CSV Riesling 2008 VQA Beamsville Bench, +566026, $29.95
retail.
2. Closson Chase K.J.Watson Vineyard Chardonnay 2009 VQA Niagara River
Unfiltered, +230912, $34.95.
3. Mount Eden Vineyards Chardonnay 2009 Edna Valley, +17988, $25.95.
4. Robert Mondavi To Kalon Estate Reserve Fume Blanc 2009 Napa,
+147488, $44.95.
5. Domaine Pabiot Les Vieilles Terres Pouilly-Fume 2010, +65979,
$21.95.
6. Folie a Deux Zinfandel 2008 Amador, +147231, $24.95.
7. Rubicon Estate Cask Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 Rutherford Napa, +29553,
$74.95.
8. Chateau Pipeau 2008 St-Emilion Grand Cru, +138131, $29.
9. Chateau Tire Pe La Cote 2008 Bordeaux, +137364, $25.
10. Domaine des Tilleuls Clos Village Gevrey-Chambertin 2009, +264994,
$49.95.
11. Antinori Pian Delle Vigne Brunello di Montalcino 2006, +651141,
$59.95.
12. Castello di Ama Chianti Classico 2007, +39768, $33.95.
13. Ruffino Ducale Oro Chianti Classico Riserva 2006, +353201, $43.95.
14. Coto de Imaz Gran Reserva 2001 Rioja, +976811, $29.95.
retail.
2. Closson Chase K.J.Watson Vineyard Chardonnay 2009 VQA Niagara River
Unfiltered, +230912, $34.95.
3. Mount Eden Vineyards Chardonnay 2009 Edna Valley, +17988, $25.95.
4. Robert Mondavi To Kalon Estate Reserve Fume Blanc 2009 Napa,
+147488, $44.95.
5. Domaine Pabiot Les Vieilles Terres Pouilly-Fume 2010, +65979,
$21.95.
6. Folie a Deux Zinfandel 2008 Amador, +147231, $24.95.
7. Rubicon Estate Cask Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 Rutherford Napa, +29553,
$74.95.
8. Chateau Pipeau 2008 St-Emilion Grand Cru, +138131, $29.
9. Chateau Tire Pe La Cote 2008 Bordeaux, +137364, $25.
10. Domaine des Tilleuls Clos Village Gevrey-Chambertin 2009, +264994,
$49.95.
11. Antinori Pian Delle Vigne Brunello di Montalcino 2006, +651141,
$59.95.
12. Castello di Ama Chianti Classico 2007, +39768, $33.95.
13. Ruffino Ducale Oro Chianti Classico Riserva 2006, +353201, $43.95.
14. Coto de Imaz Gran Reserva 2001 Rioja, +976811, $29.95.
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