WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR JUNE 9, 2012

WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR JUNE 9, 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.

 

** BEST WINE OF THE MONTH *UNDER* $20

 

--Emiliana Signos de Origen La Vinilla
Chardonnay/Viognier/Marsanne/Roussanne 2010 Casablanca: succulent,
delicious, drinking well, toasty oak, rounded fruit, sip or with food.
Gold Medalist. 14.5% ABV. Organic. +63909, $19.95, QPR: 92.

 

** BEST WINE OF THE MONTH *OVER* $20

 

--Domaine de Fussiacus Vieilles Vignes Pouilly-Fuisse 2009, +276444,
$23.95 – oak-aged!
 
TOP VALUE WHITE WINES under $20 or so.
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1. Mike Weir Sauvignon Blanc 2010 VQA Niagara: a kiwi-styled savvy,
brimming with herbal zest and lemons. +686972, $14.95, QPR: 90.
2. Alamos Chardonnay 2001 Mendoza: MVC oak, citrus, apples, vanilla,
long finish. Good value at this price. 13.5% ABV. +801571, $13.95, QPR:
90.
3. Concha y Toro Trio Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2011 Chile: zesty finish,
citrus tones, lingering finish. +678656, $13.95, QPR: 89.
4. D'Arenberg The Hermit Cab Viognier/Marsanne 2010 McLaren Vale:
nutty, spicy, long finish, viognier MVC. 13.1% ABV. Gold Medalist.
+662775, $17.95, QPR: 89.
5. Jean Geiler Reserve Particuliere Gewurztraminer 2010 Alsace: lovely
typical spicy tones, off-dry in taste, some lingering bitterness. 13%.
+106864, $17.95, QPR: 90.
6. Les Piliers Viognier 2010 [Midi]: pretty fair viognier style with
orchard fruit plus some condensed milk tones. +669531, $15.95, QPR: 89.

 

TOP VALUE RED WINES under $20 or so.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Foncalieu Reserve du Sud Languedoc 2009: great nose, lots of
garrigue from the region, BBQ all the way. 14% ABV. +272443, 15.95,
QPR: 90.
2. Chateau Ste. Michelle Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 Columbia Valley:
excellent MVC for cabernet, ripe fruit off-set by administrative spinal
structure. +269357, $19.95, QPR: 89.
3. Casas Patronales Reserva Privada Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 Maule:
plumy, Bordeaux-style, needs food. Gold Medalist. 14.5%. +274134,
$16.95, QPR: 90.
4. Maycas del Limari Reserva Especial Syrah 2008 Limari Chile:
brilliant North Rhone-style syrah. Upfront spiciness with black
berries. 14.5% ABV. +269423, $19.95, QPR: 89.
5. Bellingham Merlot With A Dash of Malbec 2009 WO Coastal Region South
Africa: excellent body and structure, food wine, long finish. 14% ABV.
+129718, $14.95, QPR: 89.
6. Chateau Fourcas-Dumont 2001 Listrac-Medoc: not yet ready but a great
price for a ten-year old plus wine. 13% ABV. +280016, $19.95, QPR: 90.
7. Henri de Villamont Prestige Pinot Noir Bourgogne 2009: light but MVC
is there, approachable and value. 12.5% ABV. +084616, $17.95, QPR: 89.
8. Valpantena Torre del Falasco Ripasso Valpolicella 2009: "LCBO
Ripasso of the month". +642421, $16.95, QPR: 89.
9. Finca Antigua Crianza 2008 La Mancha: a very good blend that is
developing well, 14$ ABV. +981613, $15.95, QPR: 89.
10. Ardal Crianza 2005 Ribera del Duero: good food wine from the
region, well-aged, 14% ABV, and well-priced. +167601, $16.95, QPR: 90.

 

VALUE: "RESTAURANT READY" or "BRING YOUR OWN WINE BOTTLE" over $20
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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. Coyote's Run Black Paw Vineyard Chardonnay 2010 VQA Four Mile Creek,
+49775, $21.95 retail.
2. Grgich Hills Fume Blanc Dry Sauvignon Blanc 2010 Napa, +346296,
$29.95.
3. Simi Russian River Valley Reserve Chardonnay 2009, +200881, $31.95.
4. Van Ruiten Old Vine Zinfandel 2009 Lodi, +58685, $23.95.
5. Cono Sur Limited Edition 20 Barrels Chardonnay 2008 Casablanca,
+127498, $24.95.
6. Altair Sideral 2007 Rapel, +660837, $26.95.
7. Oveja Negra The Lost Barrel Maule, +273979, $24.95.
8. Paul Cluver Chardonnay 2010 WO Elgin South Africa, +277939, $21.95.
9. Fernandez de Pierola Reserva 2004 Rioja, +270579, $25.95
10. Chateau Le Conseiller 2008 [Bordeaux], +135731, $25.

 

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com