WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR OCTOBER 13, 2012

WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR OCTOBER 13, 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 RELEASE *UNDER* $20

 

Domaine Capmartin Vieilles Vignes Madiran 2009: a very nicely aged,
compact wine, 13.5% ABV. Lots of well-defined oak and smoke, best with
food. Lasting finish makes it. +290106, $15.95, QPR: 90.

 

======>>>> ** BEST WINE OF THE RELEASE *OVER* $20

 

Chateau de Beaucastel Coudoulet de Beaucastel Blanc 2011 Cotes du
Rhone, +48892, $33.95.

 

TOP VALUE WHITE WINES under $20 or so.
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1. Tawse Sketches of Niagara Riesling 2010 VQA Niagara: winner of an LG
Award for 2012, this wine shows good fruit and freshness, best as a
first course wine or as a sipper. Twist top. +89029, $17.95, QPR: 89.
2. Luis Felipe Edwards Gran Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2011 Leyda Chile:
intense fruit-driven savvy, with many zesty herby overtones of leaves.
+663062, $16.95, QPR: 90.
3. Domaine Viticole de la Ville de Colmar Pinot Gris 2010 Alsace:
intense fruit, ripe, off-dry, concentrated PG flavours from Alsace for
MVC. Gold Medalist. 13.5% ABV. +295634, $17.95, QPR: 89.
4. Willy Gisselbrecht Tradition Gewurztraminer 2010 Alsace: another
intense, off-dry Alsatian wine, another gold medalist, 13% ABV. Great
Gewurztraminer quality and taste. +928390, $18.95, QPR: 90.
5. Beauvignac Picpoul de Pinet 2011 Coteaux de Languedoc Sud de France:
good exciting lively citrus finish, best with food. Orchard fruit
tones. +350124, $12.95, QPR: 89.
6. Terredora Falanghina 2010 IGT Campania: a pretty wine from an
indigenous grape variety, useful for sipping or food, 13.5%. Lots of
body here. +642074, $14.95, QPR: 89.

 

TOP VALUE RED WINES under $20 or so.
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1. Clos du Bois Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 North Coast: a juicy California
cabernet, restaurant wine, MVC all the way, 13.5% ABV. What's not to
like? +181685, $19.95, PR: 89.
2. Korta Barrel Selection Reserve Petit Verdot 2010 Lontue Valley
Chile: a party wine or a dinner wine, 14% ABV, with some jamminess and
both red and black berries. Nicely balanced. +296608, $14.95, QPR: 89.
3. Chateau Bonnin Pichon 2008 Lussac St-Emilion: nicely aged Bordeaux,
13.5%, Gold Medalist – and affordable. +280008, $16.95, QPR: 89.
4. Mondo Castelforte Vinea Corvina 2009 IGT Veronese: berry-cherry,
feel-good food wine, nicely aged, 13.5% ABV. Value. +230649, $12.95,
QPR: 89.
5. Palacio de Sada Crianza 2008 Navarra: explosive garnacha tones of
plummy fruit, aged well already. +246736, $13.95, QPR: 89.

 

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. Hidden Bench Felseck Vineyard Chardonnay 2009 VQA Beamsville Bench,
+276261, $38 retail.
2. Yabby Lake Single Vineyard Chardonnay 2010 Mornington Peninsula
Victoria, +138628, $39.95.
3. Prinz von Hessen Johannisberger Klaus Riesling Spatlese 2001,
+295659, $21.95.
4. Silver Oak Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 Sonoma County,
+943472, $85.95.
5. Fraser Gallop Cabernet/Merlot 2010 Margaret River, +283077, $29.95.
6. Bouchard Pere & Fils Cote de Beaune-Villages 2010, +714998, $24.95.
7. E. Guigal Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2006, +727503, $51.95.
8. Mazzei Ser Lapo Chianti Classico Riserva 2007, +288530, $24.95.
9. Masi Grandarella 2008 IGT Rosso delle Venezie Appaxximento, +606921,
$24.95.
10. Lan Gran Reserva 2004 Rioja, +928622, $27.95.
11. A. Fernandez Tinto Pesquera Reserva 2008 Ribera del Duero, +323345,
$39.95.

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com