1. Sokol Blosser Evolution White NV, +206870 LCBO, $16.95: here is the
16th edition of this wine (marked on the label; there is no vintage
date). It's one of the leading US white wine blends, with elements of
nine grapes (pinot gris, pinot blanc, white riesling, Semillon, muscat
canelli, gewurztraminer, chardonnay, sylvaner and muller-thurgau).
Probably only muscat and gewurztraminer really matter when it comes to
upfront grapey, tropical, and spicy tones. The rest contribute raciness
and mineral/lemon complexities. The balance changes each year depending
on what the vintage bears fruit, but the nine grapes apparently remain
the same. Lush, off-dry flavours of tropicality, perfect for summer
sipping (and light enough at 12% ABV). Goes with any food that is hot
and/or spicy. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic
Epicures.
16th edition of this wine (marked on the label; there is no vintage
date). It's one of the leading US white wine blends, with elements of
nine grapes (pinot gris, pinot blanc, white riesling, Semillon, muscat
canelli, gewurztraminer, chardonnay, sylvaner and muller-thurgau).
Probably only muscat and gewurztraminer really matter when it comes to
upfront grapey, tropical, and spicy tones. The rest contribute raciness
and mineral/lemon complexities. The balance changes each year depending
on what the vintage bears fruit, but the nine grapes apparently remain
the same. Lush, off-dry flavours of tropicality, perfect for summer
sipping (and light enough at 12% ABV). Goes with any food that is hot
and/or spicy. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic
Epicures.
2. Sokol Blosser Evolution Red NV: currently only on consignment
through PMA, price about the same as for Ev White. It leans more to a
party wine, with its red fruit from the sangiovese and sweet pie spices
and vanilla from the added syrah and montepulciano. There are even some
aromatics created by the addition of a bit of Evolution White, sort of
like a Northern Rhone wine which has some viognier added. 13% ABV here
is enough to make you dance. If you need food, try the grill for
meats…or pastas. It has been around the US for a year or so (this is
touted as just "2nd edition"), but only recently here in Ontario.
Quality/Price rating is 88 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.
through PMA, price about the same as for Ev White. It leans more to a
party wine, with its red fruit from the sangiovese and sweet pie spices
and vanilla from the added syrah and montepulciano. There are even some
aromatics created by the addition of a bit of Evolution White, sort of
like a Northern Rhone wine which has some viognier added. 13% ABV here
is enough to make you dance. If you need food, try the grill for
meats…or pastas. It has been around the US for a year or so (this is
touted as just "2nd edition"), but only recently here in Ontario.
Quality/Price rating is 88 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.
3. G. Marquis The Silver Line Chardonnay 2011 Single Vineyard Niagara
Stone Road VQA NOTL, +258681, $16.95, QPR: 89: lightly oaked six
months, elegant orchard fruit, slightly off-dry, creamy. 13.2% ABV. As
medium bodied, best with first course or seafood. Quality/Price rating
is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.
3. G. Marquis The Silver Line Pinot Noir 2011 Single Vineyard Niagara
Stone Road VQA NOTL, +258673, $19.95: with ML and BA (six months in
new, mainly French oak, this wine seems burgundian in style with a wash
of Ontario cranberries. Red fruit, some smoke, long finish. 13% ABV.
Expect some earthy, velvety tones and feel. Quality/Price rating is 88
points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.
Stone Road VQA NOTL, +258673, $19.95: with ML and BA (six months in
new, mainly French oak, this wine seems burgundian in style with a wash
of Ontario cranberries. Red fruit, some smoke, long finish. 13% ABV.
Expect some earthy, velvety tones and feel. Quality/Price rating is 88
points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.
4. G. Marquis Premium Ice Rose VQA NOTL, +274761, $29.95: this is all
pinot noir (blanc de noirs) with some cabernet franc icewine for the
dosage. MC style, of course, 13.4% ABV, no wood. Berryish (rasps and
strawbs), floral. Medium body – without zee edge. Aperitif wine, in
celebration of Mother's Day, or (as the producer says) serve with
cheese. Come in a nice presentation cardboard box. Quality/Price rating
is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.
pinot noir (blanc de noirs) with some cabernet franc icewine for the
dosage. MC style, of course, 13.4% ABV, no wood. Berryish (rasps and
strawbs), floral. Medium body – without zee edge. Aperitif wine, in
celebration of Mother's Day, or (as the producer says) serve with
cheese. Come in a nice presentation cardboard box. Quality/Price rating
is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.
5. Umberto Fiore Barbaresco 2008 DOCG, +254870 LCBO $16.05: a great
bargain since it was introduced in an earlier vintage. Fiore used to
produce my fave inexpensive Italian red, the Spanna (1978 and 1983 were
the best), coming in decades ago at $4.25. So here, with a modest price
bump, is a well-aged nebbiolo showing all the Barolo/Barbaresco
complexities, if a bit light. 13.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 92
points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.
6. Domaine Boyar Cabernet Sauvignon Boyar 2011 Bulgaria, +340851 LCBO
$7.95: East European wines don't seem to get the respect they deserve,
but they sell well to an overtaxed populace (like the UK) who demand
value. It's a typical MVC Cabernet with black fruit, spices, anise,
mocha, and some plumy depth. It's a kind of Spartacus wine from
Thoracian vineyards. Twist top, 13% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 89
points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.
$7.95: East European wines don't seem to get the respect they deserve,
but they sell well to an overtaxed populace (like the UK) who demand
value. It's a typical MVC Cabernet with black fruit, spices, anise,
mocha, and some plumy depth. It's a kind of Spartacus wine from
Thoracian vineyards. Twist top, 13% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 89
points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.
7. Badischer Winzerkeller Pinot Noir Spatburgunder Baden, +231373 LCBO
$9.95: a non-vintage lightweight in the pinot sweepstakes, but the AP
number seems to indicate that this is a bottling from the 2009 vintage.
Expect light aromas of cherries and other red fruits but no wood tones.
Quality/Price rating is 85 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.
$9.95: a non-vintage lightweight in the pinot sweepstakes, but the AP
number seems to indicate that this is a bottling from the 2009 vintage.
Expect light aromas of cherries and other red fruits but no wood tones.
Quality/Price rating is 85 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.
8. Badischer Winzerkeller Gewurztraminer 2011 Baden, +336735 LCBO
$10.95: this is a serious gewurztraminer, worthy of your consideration.
It has been one my faves since it first came here about eight years
ago. 12% ABV, full of lush fruit (including lychee) that is off-dry and
beguiling. Twist top. Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor
of Gothic Epicures.
$10.95: this is a serious gewurztraminer, worthy of your consideration.
It has been one my faves since it first came here about eight years
ago. 12% ABV, full of lush fruit (including lychee) that is off-dry and
beguiling. Twist top. Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor
of Gothic Epicures.
9. Arnold Palmer Chardonnay 2011 California, $24.99 Consumer price,
Consignment from HHD Imports: a very nice chardonnay that just misses
the mark of being a "California" chardonnay. There is MVC here, but it
is on the lightish side, more like a cool climate chardonnay from the
Pacific Northwest. Quality/Price rating is 87 points by Dean Tudor of
Gothic Epicures.
Consignment from HHD Imports: a very nice chardonnay that just misses
the mark of being a "California" chardonnay. There is MVC here, but it
is on the lightish side, more like a cool climate chardonnay from the
Pacific Northwest. Quality/Price rating is 87 points by Dean Tudor of
Gothic Epicures.
10. Arnold Palmer Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 California, $24.99 Consumer
price, Consignment from HHD Imports: a very nice cabernet sauvignon
that just misses the mark of being a "California" cabernet. There is
MVC here, but it needs more concentration. More like a cool climate
cabernet from Washington State. Quality/Price rating is 87 points by
Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.
11. Wildass Rose 2012 VQA Niagara Peninsula, +71712 Vintages, $19.95: a
delightful but strong rose, comprising gamay (25%), syrah (22%), malbec
(12%), cabernet Franc (11%), and the only white, Semillon at 30%. Check
out the 14.5% ABV while sitting around the deck this summer. It's 100%
barrel aged for three months in older French oak, but the berries sure
do dominate. Twist top. From Stratus Vineyards. Quality/Price rating is
89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.
12. Wildass Red 2011 VQA Niagara Peninsula, +86363 Vintages, $19.95: a
delightful wine but not as strong as the rose above, comprising syrah
(11%), merlot (28%), cabernet Franc (31%), cabernet sauvignon (18%),
tannat (5%), Tempranillo (3%), sangiovese (1%), and petit verdot (3%).
The eight grapes were 100% barrel aged in 11% new oak for 246 days.
Exceptionally ripe wine, coming in at 14% ABV. Twist top. Quality/Price
rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.
delightful wine but not as strong as the rose above, comprising syrah
(11%), merlot (28%), cabernet Franc (31%), cabernet sauvignon (18%),
tannat (5%), Tempranillo (3%), sangiovese (1%), and petit verdot (3%).
The eight grapes were 100% barrel aged in 11% new oak for 246 days.
Exceptionally ripe wine, coming in at 14% ABV. Twist top. Quality/Price
rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.
14. Tenute Santarelli "Aspettando Il Giudizio di Paride" Cerasulo IGT
2010 Abruzzo [rose], from Caliber Wines at www.winevintages.com, about
$20: from the montepulciano d'abruzzo grape, but a rose (known loacally
as "cerasuolo". Expect cherry tones, plus strawbs, fresh fruity aromas,
some bitter almonds and dried orange peel in the finish. Heavy, at
14.5%, pink like a Pinot Noir from a northern clime. Quality/Price
rating is 87 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.
15. Tenute Santarelli "I Musici" Lacrima di Morro d'Alba 2010 IGT
Marche, from Caliber Wines, about $20: from the rare lacrima di morro
d'alba thin-skinned grape, suitable for early maturing in the soft
fruity style of a Dolcetto. 13.5% ABV, low yielding. Red berry tones,
unusual wine, great to savour and talk about. Quality/Price rating is
87 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.
Marche, from Caliber Wines, about $20: from the rare lacrima di morro
d'alba thin-skinned grape, suitable for early maturing in the soft
fruity style of a Dolcetto. 13.5% ABV, low yielding. Red berry tones,
unusual wine, great to savour and talk about. Quality/Price rating is
87 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.
16. La Croix D'Azur Sauvignon Blanc 2011 IGP Cotes de Gascogne,
+330928, $11.95 LCBO: only the second Gascony white to appear on the
LCBO General List of late (the other is Domaine Pellechaut). This one
is a bit drier, more in tune with the savvy grape. There's about 15%
gros manseng, a local grape, to flesh out the spine. It's a nicely tart
zesty citrus-y savvy for summer, with a great finish for food. A bit
too dry for sitting around the deck, but useful as an aperitif or first
course white. 11.5% ABV, twist top. Good price. Quality/Price rating is
89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.
+330928, $11.95 LCBO: only the second Gascony white to appear on the
LCBO General List of late (the other is Domaine Pellechaut). This one
is a bit drier, more in tune with the savvy grape. There's about 15%
gros manseng, a local grape, to flesh out the spine. It's a nicely tart
zesty citrus-y savvy for summer, with a great finish for food. A bit
too dry for sitting around the deck, but useful as an aperitif or first
course white. 11.5% ABV, twist top. Good price. Quality/Price rating is
89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.
17. Sileni Cellar Selection Merlot 2012 Hawke's Bay NZ, +308106, $15.95
LCBO: everyday drinking, including the patio. Aged briefly in used oak.
Expect plums and black fruit, with a soft finish. Terrific for summer
with its 12.5% ABV. Twist top. Quality/Price rating is 87 points by
Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.
Chimo! www.deantudor.com
AND http://gothicepicures.blogspot.com
AND https://twitter.com/gothicepicures
Dean Tudor, Ryerson University Journalism Professor Emeritus
Treasurer, Wine Writers' Circle of Canada
Look it up and you'll remember it; screw it up and you'll never forget it.
Creator of Canada's award-winning wine satire site at http://fauxvoixvincuisine.blogspot.com
Treasurer, Wine Writers' Circle of Canada
Look it up and you'll remember it; screw it up and you'll never forget it.
Creator of Canada's award-winning wine satire site at http://fauxvoixvincuisine.blogspot.com
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