WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR MARCH 30, 2013

WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR MARCH 30, 2013
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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

 

Domaine Les Yeuses Les Epices Syrah 2010 IGP Pays d'Oc: it's back, but
another vintage, just as good as ever – even better. Value priced,
great syrah hit of pepper, smoked meat, black fruit, garrigue, black
berries. Perfect accompaniment to horsemeat. I've said virtually the
same things about the last three times this has turned up in Vintages:
the 2007, 2008, 2009, and now the 2010. 13.5% ABV. +177584, $13.95,
QPR: 93.

 

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

 

Bachelder Saunders Vineyard Chardonnay 2010 VQA Beamsville Bench,
+324103, $44.95 retail.

 

TOP VALUE WHITE WINES under $20 or so.
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1. Chateau des Charmes Old Vines Riesling 2010 VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake:
sharply defined Riesling character, one of the best in Ontario, intense
flavours and body, modest finish. +277228, $16.95, QPR: 89.
2. Rosewood Natalie's Sussreserve Riesling 2010 VQA Niagara: bone dry
finish but soft alluring character on the mid-palate, 11% ABV. +258806,
$14.95, QPR: 89.
3. Gerard Bertrand Reserve Speciale Viognier 2011 IGP Pays d'Oc: not as
aromatic as expected but palate flavours suggest food (first course)
rather than patio. +147975, $15.95, QPR: 89.
4. JeanJean Ormarine Picpoul de Pinet 2011 Coteaux du Languedoc: an OK
price, with nice crisp green apples and tart lemons. First course food.
Twist top. +525287, $12.95, QPR: 89.
5. I Campi Campo Vulcano Soave Classico 2010: delicious intensity for a
soave, full flavours and body for that apple-lemon orchard=type fruit.
12.5% ABV, needs food. +269969, $18.95, QPR: 89.

 

TOP VALUE RED WINES under $20 or so.
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1. Château Agnel Cuvee Philippe Minervois 2009: North American appeal,
14.5% ABV, big, brawny, oak tones dominate the flowers. +309195,
$15.95, QPR: 89.
2. Mon Tauch Les Garrigues Grande Reserve Marselen 2011 IGP Valle du
Torgan: well, it does call a spade a spade, using the word "garrigues"
in its name. But these herbs, at 13.5% ABV, do need another year in
bottle.
3. Librandi Duca Sanfelice Ciro Riserva Rosso 2009 Calabria: I seem to
think that it has been some time since we've seen a Ciro Reserva in
Ontario. The last vintage I recommended was 1988! All from the
gaglioppo grapes: more, sir! Delicious flavours, aging well. +695874,
$15.95, QPR: 89.
4. Luigi Righetti Campolieti Ripasso Valpolicella Classico Superiore
2010: the LCBO's "Ripasso of the month". +695890, $16.95, QPR: 89.
5. Quinta do Penedo 2009 Dao: North American style, ready now,
approachable fruit. 70% Touriga nacional and 30% alfrocheiro. +313676,
$18.95, QPR: 89.
6. Hermanos Pecina Senorio de P. Pecina Crianza 2007 Rioja: very good
oaky complexity, ripe fruit, 13% ABV. Toasty tasty. +313726, $19.95,
QPR: 89.
7. Otazu Premium Cuvee 2007 Navarra: extremely ripe fruit and over-the-
top flavours, dense abstractions and extractions, 14.5% ABV. Some
butteriness. Gold Medalist. +313809, $16.95, 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.The Foreign Affair Riesling 2009 VQA Niagara Peninsula, +127290,
$24.95 retail.
3.Vieil Armand Grand Cru Ollwiller Riesling 2009 Alsace, +315135,
$20.95.
4.Domaine Fouassier Les Grands Groux Sancerre 2010, +267948, $24.95.
6. Versado Reserva Malbec 2009 Mendoza Luan de Cuyo, +316984, $59.95.
7. Caliboro Erasmo 2008 Maule Valley, +311837, $21.95.
8. Château Tauzinat L'Hermitage 2009 Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, +309955,
$29.95.
9. Brigaldara Case Vecie Amarone Della Valpolicella 2007, +247502,
$58.95.

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com