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Wednesday, August 29, 2012

WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR SEPTEMBER 1, 2012


WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR SEPTEMBER 1, 2012
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
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 RELEASE *UNDER* $20
 
Monasterio de las Vinas Reserva 2006 Carinena Spain: like a southern
Rhone, but a blend of Tempranillo, carignan and grenache (GTC?). Barrel
aging emphasizes spices. Black fruit dominates. Bargain priced.
+166579, $13.95, QPR: 90.
 
======>>>> ** BEST WINE OF THE RELEASE *OVER* $20
 
Merry Edwards Pinot Noir 2009 Russian River Valley Meredith Vineyard,
+656868, $64.95.
 
TOP VALUE WHITE WINES under $20 or so.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Mike Weir Riesling 2010 VQA Niagara: off-dry taste and tones, very
nicely made, well-rounded, 12% ABV, MVC. +229286, $14.95, QPR: 89.
2. Andre Blanck & Ses Fils Rosenbourg Pinot Blanc 2011 Alsace:
affordable summery wine (only a few weeks left!), minerals and some
lean and green tones. 12.5% ABV. +626606, $13.95, QPR: 89.
3. Joseph Cattin Gewurztraminer 2010 Alsace: lots of Gewurz MVC playing
around, with flowers, spices, and that famous finish. Gold Medalist.
+224626, $16.95, QPR: 90.
4. Antonin Rodet Chateau de Mercey Chardonnay Bourgogne 2009: basic and
affordable white burgundy for under a double sawbuck, MVC, 13% ABV.
+278978, $19.95, QPR: 89.
5. Donatien Bahuaud Les Grands Mortiers Vouvray 2011: a medium off-dry
chenin blanc from the Loire, 12% ABV, with some forest floor complexity
and orchard notes. +140889, $15.95, QPR: 89.
6. Pedro Escudero Fuente Elvira Verdejo 2010 Rueda: a quality summer
sipper, 13.5% ABV, orchard fruit and citrus tones. Sip or with first
course food. +218313, $14.95, QPR: 89.
 
TOP VALUE RED WINES under $20 or so.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. McManis Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 California: juicy Cal feel, BBQ,
good depth to the finish, 13.5% ABV. +212126, $19.95, QPR: 89.
2. Vina Maipo Gran Devocion Carmenere/Syrah 2009 Maule Valley:
absolutely delicious fresh fruity wine, with many berry tones. 14.5%
ABV. +274100, $16.95, QPR: 90.
3. Vina Tarapaca Gran Reserva Carmenere 2010 Maipo: many herbs in this
big wine, 14$ ABV. +57513, $16.95, QPR: 89.
4. John Hancock Trinity Hill Syrah 2010 Hawkes Bay: excellent North
Rhone style wine, with a whiff of brett, plus, chocolate, black fruit,
14% ABV. Gold medalist. 194274, $20.95, QPR: 90.
5. Chateau La Gorce 2008 Medoc: excellent MVC example of a quality
Bordeaux at a decent price, 13.5% ABV. Gold Medalist. +280057, $16.95,
QPR: 89.
6. Chateau Cesseras Rouge 2008 Minervois la Liviniere: cabernet franc
with a long herby finish, 13% ABV. Lip-smacking. +690570, $19.95, QPR:
89.
7. Jean-Luc Baldes Triguedina La Chapelle du Clos Malbec Cahors 2008:
good depth to the long finish, lots of ed fruit and mocha tones. 13.5%
ABV. +27653, $16.95, QPR: 89.
8. Giordano Maestri Italiani Nebbiolo d'Alba 2009: great nebbiolo MVC,
lay down for a year or two, 13.5% ABV. Like a lighter Barolo. +159483,
$16.95, QPR: 89.
9. Sampietrana Vigna della Monache Riserva Salice Salentino 2006
Puglia: fruity, plummy, mocha, 13.5% ABV. Concentrated tones. +247908,
$15.95, QPR: 89.
10. Legon Crianza 2008 Ribera del Duero: MVC delicious, with great
North American appeal. Strongly wooded, 13.5% ABV. +276089, $15.95,
QPR: 89.
11. Bod. Patrocinio Senorio de Unuela Reserva 2007 Rioja: a good price
for a nicely aged Rioja at the reserve level. 14.5% ABV. +172536,
$17.95, QPR: 89.
 
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.
 
1. Marimar Estate La Masia Don Miguel Vineyard Chardonnay 2008 Russian
River Valley, +270090, $25.95 retail.
2. Treana Marsanne/Viognier 2009 Central Coast, +11247, $29.95
3. Seguinot-Bordet Vaillons Chablis 1er Cru 2010, +289389, $29.95.
4. Jean Pabiot Domaine des Fines Caillottes Pouilly-Fume 2010, +695908,
$21.5.
5. Lailey Pinot Noir 2010 Niagara VQA, +591404, $24.95
6. Farina Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 2008, +995910, $34.95.
7. Starry Night Old Vine Zinfandel 2007 Russian River Valley, +293332,
$32.95.
8. Masi Bossi Fedrigotti Fojaneghe Rosso 2008 IGT Vigneti delle
Dolomiti Alto Adige, +279109, $29.95.
9. Rivera Il Falcone Riserva 2007 Castel del Monte Puglia, +177295,
$22.95.
10. Castello di Bossi C. Berardenga Chianti Classico 2009, +994608,
$22.95.
 

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