Stem Annual Family of Wines Gala, Oct 1/12 -- report

 The Date and Time: Monday, October 1, 2012  3Pm to 8PM

The Event: 7^th Annual Family of Wines Gala Tasting of the STEM Wine Group

The Venue: Shangri-La Hotel

The Target Audience: wine media, wine trade, private clients.

The Availability/Catalogue: everything is here or will be via consignment and private orders. The catalogue was a model of efficiency, with a quick section on how to use the guide. All prices were given, as well as the terms. The wines were listed by region and producer, in table order. Helpful cards were placed at each table, with more details about each wine. This really saved me a lot of time, and I am sure the patrons appreciated it.

The Quote/Background: Partners Robert Tome and Tony Macchione have assembled a good portfolio of wines, specializing in sought after wines from Piedmont, Tuscany, Umbria, and other regions of Italy. There are also a select few wines from other European countries plus the New World. Twenty-three owners or export directors came from abroad for this event. Stem will be launching its new website this Fall: stemwinegroup.com

The Wines: I did not try all the wines, there were over 135 of them.

Prices are retail, but due to a strong Canadian currency, they are also lower than last year, in general.

 

**** Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):

 

-Boroli Barolo 2004 Cerequio, $87.99.

-Gaja Sito Moresco 2010, $53.99

-Zyme Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2004, $135.99

-Villabella Passito del Fiordilej 2008, $24.99 (375 mL)

-Tenuta Il Palagio Sister Moon IGT 2009 Tuscany, $54.99

-Villa a Sesta Chianti Classico Riserva Sorleone 2008, $48.99

-La Fattoria de Magliano Poggio Bestiale IGT 2008, $45.99

-Valdicava Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Madonna del Piano 2005,

$134.99

-Valdicava Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Madonna del Piano 2006,

$169.99

-Valdicava Brunello di Montalcino 2007, $139.99

-Valdicava Brunello di Montalcino 2005, $104.99

-Arnaldo Caprai Montefalco Rosso 2009 Umbria, $19.99

-Masciarelli Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2005 Villa Gemma, $74.99

-Feudi di San Gregorio Serpico Aglianico 2007, $79.99

-Andeluna Chardonnay Reserve 2009 Mendoza, $23

-Bod. Darien Seleccion Rioja 2003, $34.99

-Henri Abele Brut Champagne Traditionnel NV, $49.99

-Henri Abele Rose Champagne Traditionnel NV, $54.99

-Rockbare Shiraz McLaren Vale 2010, $22.99

-Merry Edwards Pinot Noir 2009 Klopp Ranch Russian River, $89.99

-Merry Edwards Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2010, $47.99

-Husic Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 2005, $89

 

***1/2 Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):

 

-Gaja Barbaresco 2008, $218.95

-Gaja Ca'Marcanda Bolgheri Tuscany 2009 Promis IGT, $45.99

-Gaja Pieve Santa Restituta Brunello di Montalcino 2007, $62.95

-Villabella Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Fracastoro 2004, $52.99

-Zyme Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ripasso 2008, $36.99

-Zyme Kairos 2005, $78.99 (15 different varieties!)

-Tenuta Il Palagio Casino delle Vie IGT 2009 Tuscany, $36.99

-Villa a Sesta Chianti Classico Riserva 2007, $29.99

-Tenuta Monteti IGT Tuscany 2007, $39.99

-La Fattoria de Magliano Perenzo Syrah IGT 2009, $51.99

-La Fattoria de Magliano Sinarra IGT 2010, $21.99

-La Fattoria de Magliano Heba Morellino di Scansano 2009, $21.99

-Siro Pacenti Brunello di Montalcino 2007, $89.99

-Valdicava Brunello di Montalcino 2004, $119.99

-Valdicava Brunello di Montalcino 2006, $104.99

-Arnaldo Caprai Sagrantino di Montefalco 2007 Collepiano Umbria,

$51.99

-Masciarelli Castello di Semivicoli Trebbiano d'Abruzzo 2008, $29.99

-Masciarelli Marina Cvetic Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2007, $28.99

-Feudi di San Gregorio Taurasi 2006, $39.99

-Argiolas Is Solinas Cannonau 2009 Sardegna, $24.95

-Argiolas Costamolino Vermentino 2011 Sardegna, $16.99

-Andeluna Cellars Grand Reserve Pasionado 2005 Mendoza, $44.99

-Chateau du Val d'Or St. Emilion Grand Cru 2009, $29.99

-Jean Gauteau L'Autre de Sociando-Mallet 2009 Haut-Medoc, $37.99.

-Dom. Chotard Sancerre 2011, $21.99

-Merry Edwards Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 2009, $64.95

-Hart & McGarry Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2008, $23.99

-Husic Vineyards Palm Terrace Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 2008, $67.00

-Boroli Barolo 2006, $49.99

-Boroli Langhe Anna Rosso, $15.99

-Ca' del Baio Langhe Nebbiolo Bric del Baio 2010, $21.99

 

*** Three Stars (85 – 87 in Quality/Price Rating terms):

 

-Ca' del Baio Barbaresco Pianrosa 2008, $32.99

-Vinicola Tombacco Terre Nuove Piantaferro Syrah Sicily IGT, $11.99

-Delibori Vignetti Cantine Amarone della Valpolicella 2009, $32.99

-Tombacco Ca'Del Doge Piantaferro Primitivo IGT 2010 Puglia, $11.99

-Zyme Cabernet 60/20/20 IGT 2007 Veneto, $49.00

-Feudi di San Gregorio Rubrato Alianico 2009 IGT Campania, $19.99

-Tenuta Monteti Caburnio IGT 2009 Tuscany, $20.99

-David Franz Lehmann Barossa Benjamin's Promise Shiraz 2006, $59.99

-David Franz Lehmann Barossa Georgie's Walk Cabernet Sauvignon 2006,

$59.99

-Michael Sullberg Merlot 2010 Central Coast, $16.99

 

The Food: platters came from the kitchen, with all foods in Asiatic style (pork belly squares, chicken, green chiles, white pizza, crab cakes, and more)

The Downside: it was my second big tasting of the day (and I had already passed on a third tasting).

The Upside: a chance to taste a Brunello vertical and the Gaja wines (remarkably, these separated tables were staffed by a husband and wife team!), and the progressive jazz.

The Contact Person: Robert@stemwinegroup.com

The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 92.

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com