WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR NOVEMBER 10, 2012

WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR NOVEMBER 10, 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 VALUE OF THE RELEASE *UNDER* $20

 

Montgras Quatro 2011 Colchagua Valley: a big wine for sipping or food,
terrific syrah component shines through, menthol, woody, fab price. 14%
ABV, cork finish. +50641, $14.95, QPR: 92.

 

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

 

Domaine Terlato & Chapoutier Lieu Dit Malakoff Shiraz 2010 Pyrenees
Victoria, +290874, 51.95.

 

TOP VALUE WHITE WINES under $20 or so.
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1. Henry of Pelham Family Tree White 2010 VQA Niagara: excellent
aromatic blend of chardonnay, chard musque, Gewurz, viognier. No wonder
I picked it as Gold when I judged in the OWA 2012. 13% ABV, cork
finish. +251116, $17.95, QPR: 91.
2. Vieil Armand Medaille Gewurztraminer 2010 Alsace: Gold Medal
quality, rich, tantalizingly spicy, evolving with some incipient
marmalade tones, finishes off-dry. 13% ABV. +260158, $17.95, QPR: 91. 
3. Cave de la Vigne Blanche Macon-Villages 2010: it is possible to get
quality white burgundy, albeit with some sort of French lightness, at
this low price. Bargain wine. +284034, 15.95, QPR: 90.
4. Eradus Sauvignon Blanc 2011 Awatere Valley Marlborough: classic MVC
from nose to tail, 13.5% ABV. +225557, $17.95, QPR: 89.
5. Julian Schaal Mountain Vineyards Chardonnay 2011 WO Elgin: delicious
chardonnay tones (vanillin, peaches, tropical fruit), longer finish,
13% ABV. +295402, $19.95, QPR: 89.
6. Schloss Schonborn Hattenheimer Pfaffenberg Riesling Kabinett 2010
Rheingau: young but good petrol feel already, 9% ABV, intense but crisp
finish. +70946, $18.95, QPR: 89.

 

TOP VALUE RED WINES under $20 or so.
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1. Henry of Pelham Family Tree Red 2010 VQA Niagara: another excellent
red blend, with shiraz-style dominating both in volume and in flavours.
13.5% ABV, cork finish. +247882, $18.95, QPR: 89.
2. La Posta Angel Paulucci Vineyard Malbec 2010 Mendoza: intense black
tones (fruit, mocha, colour) with power to spare. 13% ABV, twist top.
+075515, $15.95, QPR: 89.
3. Del Quorum Nacido del Quorum Seleccion 2007 DO Jumilla: good blend
of mainly monastrell plus three international grape varieties, 14% ABV.
+29346, $18.95, QPR: 89.
4. Chateau Roques Mauriac 2010 Bordeaux Superieur: consistent MVC
quality, ready soon, bargain price. +295782, 15.95, QPR: 90.
5. Talamonti Tre Saggi Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2008: a great party wine
in that North American appeal style, with fruit and chocolate. Sip and
play, no spaghetti and meatballs here (who wrote that at the LCBO???).
+204016, $15.95, 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. Alejandro Fernandez Tinto Pesquera Crianza 2009 DO Ribera del Duero,
+341461, $26.95 retail.
2. La Chablisienne Fourchaume Chablis 1er Cru 2010, +656835, $29.95.
3. Burrowing Owl Chardonnay 2009 VQA Okanagan, +208694, $35.95.
4. Jonata Todos Red 200 Santa Ynez Valley Santa Barbara, +218941,
$59.95.
5. Baron de Ley Gran Reserva 2001 Rioja, +642496, $29.95.
6. Boekenhoutskloof The Chocolate Block 2010 WO Western Cape, +129353,
39.95.
7. Tertulia Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 Horse Heaven Hills Washington
State, +292276, $33.95.
8. Vasse Felix Cabernet/Merlot 2010 Margaret River, +947879, $24.95.
9. Hartenberg Shiraz 2007 WO Stellenbosch, +906289, $34.95.
10. Domaine de Riaux Pouilly-Fume 2011, +200063, $21.95.
11. Markus Molitor Edition No. 3 Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling
Spatlese 2003 Mosel, +298000, $29.95.
12. Quinta dos Quatros Ventos Colheita 2008 Douro, +902742, $24.95.

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com