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Wednesday, June 20, 2012

WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR JUNE 23, 2012

WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR JUNE 23, 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 BUYS OF THE MONTH!!!
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1. Valle Andino Reserva Especial Syrah 2008 Colchagua: intense, gamey
almost brett-y, black fruit, smokey, syrah in the North Rhone style,
snap it all up at this price. +272682, $13.95, QPR: 93.
 
1. St-Nicolas Brut Crackling Strong Cider Quebec: very apple-y, very
strong intense flavours, 8.5% ABV, well-priced and should be well-
received this summer. +277442, $16.95, QPR: 91.
 
TOP VALUE WHITE WINES under $20 or so.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Nessa Albarino 2010 DO Rias Baixas: higher acid, best with food
instead of sipping. Exotic spicing and fruit, some eucalyptus. +282558,
$15.95, QPR: 89.
2. Lucien Albrecht Reserve Pinot Gris 2010 Alsace:  engaging, off-dry
tones of pear and citric, long finish, sip or with food. 13% ABV.
+281394, $17.95, QPR: 89.
3. Domaine de la Tourlaudiere Muscadet Sevre & Maine Sur Lie 2010
Loire: an affordable wine for fish, concentrated MVC for the melon
grape, stony tones, 12% ABV. +171694, $13.95, QPR: 89.
4. Terredora Loggia Della Serra Greco di Tufo 2010 Campania: mounds of
flavours, concentrated tropical tones, 13% ABV. +983197, $17.95, QPR:
89.
5. Michele Chiarlo Le Marne Gavi 2011 Piedmont: wonderful mouthfilling,
fruity, with finishing acid and stuffing for food, 12% ABV. +228528,
$14.95, QPR: 89.
 
TOP VALUE RED WINES under $20 or so.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Alta Vista Premium Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 Mendoza: juicy, North
American appeal, 15% ABV makes it big for summer and BBQ. +129957,
$14.95,  QPR: 90.
2. Santa Emma Reserve Merlot 2009 Maipo: again, juicy, North American
appeal, 13.5% ABV. +642538, $16.95, QPR: 89.
3. Le Gravillas Sablet 2010 Cotes du Rhone-Villages: great price for a
Gold medalist, lots of mocha, 14.5% ABV, longer length than most.
+78790, $14.95, QPR: 89.
4. Umberto Cesari Sangiovese di Romagna Riserva 2008: another wine for
North American markets (juicy, mocha, fruit, smoke, oak). 13% ABV.
+33399, $18.95, QPR: 89.
5. Monte Zovo Sa'Solin Ripasso Valpolicella 2009: ripasso of the month.
+650713, $17.95, QPR: 89.
6. Serrado Colheita 2008 Dao: value-priced, entry level, needs food.
13.5% ABV. +283192, $11.95, QPR: 89.
7. Langa Tradicion Centenaria Garnacha 2008 DO Calatayud Spain: lots of
oak, great dense flavours, mocha and plums, but not very garancha-like,
14% ABV. +194795, $13.95, 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. Southbrook Triomphe Chardonnay 2010 VQA NOTL Biodynamic, $21.95
retail.
2. Cambria Katherine's Vineyard Chardonnay 2008 Santa Maria Valley
Santa Barbara, +980490, $29.95.
3. Kendall-Jackson Grand Reserve Chardonnay 2009 Santa
Barbara/Monterey, +59576, $27.95.
4. Astrolabe Province Sauvignon Blanc 2011 Marlborough, +10421, $21.95.
5. Chateau Haut Bertinerie 2009 Cotes de Bordeaux Blaye Old Vines,
+422220, $23.95.
6. Maison Foucher La Vigne Aux Sandres Pouilly Fume 2010, +277350,
$20.95
7. Mahle Wind Gap Syrah 2007 Castelli Knight Ranch Russian River
Sonoma, +242776, $59.
8. Simi Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 Alexander Valley Sonoma, +25221,
$24.95.
9. Trinity Hill The Gimblett 2009 Hawkes Bay, +280263, $35.95.
10. Chateau Tronquoy-Lalande 2004 St-Estephe, +27984, $29.95.
11. Gemma Giblin Riserva Barolo 2005, +185025, $36.95.
12. Lamole di Lamole Vignetto di Campolungo Chianti Classico Riserva
2007, +231241, $36.95.
13. Mastrojanni San Pio 2008 IGT Toscana, +944603, $30.95.
14. Bodegas Olarra Cerro Anon Gran Reserva 2004, +190827, $24.50.
 

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