Top Wines from Chile for Licensees.June 17

The Date and Time: Monday, June 17, 2013  11AM to 2:30 PM
The Event: Top Wines from Chile for Licensees.
The Venue: Roy Thomson Hall lobby
The Target Audience: licensees plus a few wine writers
The Availability/Catalogue: everything was available for licensees
through the distribution channels.
The Quote/Background: It was a reception style walk about tasting,
followed by a sit down tutored tasting and lunch featuring eight wines
paired with different kinds of animal protein. Chris Waters of Vines
magazine provided the insightful tasting discourses, while Marcela
Burgos, WSET instructor, commented on the Chilean wine scene in
general, notably the terroir.
The Wines: Prices are normally licensee.

 

**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Bisquertt Ecos de Rulo Single Vineyard Carmenere Colchagua, $19.95 
Vonterra
-Casa Marin Cartegena Sauvignon Blanc 2012, $16.95 Cons Small
Winemakers
-Concha y Toro Don Melchior Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 Maipo, $79.95
+315176 Select
-Perez Cruz Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon Maipo 2010, $15.95 Charton Hobbs

 

***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price
Rating terms):
-Casa Marin Cartegena Pinot Noir Tres Vinedos 2012, $22.95 Cons Small
Winemakers
-Concha y Toro Marques de Casa Concha Cabernet Sauvignon Maipo, $19.95
-Arboleda Chardonnay 2011, $19.95   Ponte
-Bisquertt La Joya Gran Reserva Syrah, $15.95 Vonterra
-Carmen Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon, $15.13
-Carmen Reserva Carmenere, $10.23
-Errazuriz Max Reserva Syrah 2011, $18.95  P.Dandurand
-Errazuriz Max Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2011, $18.95  P.Dandurand
-Carmin de Peumo Carmenere 2008, $120  Select
-Maquis Cabernet Sauvignon Colchagua 2009    P.O. Ackerman Wine and
Spirits
-Miguel Torres Santa Digna Cab Sauvignon 2011     Family Wine Merchants
-Miguel Torres Las Mulas Sauvignon Blanc Reserve 2011     Family Wine
Merchants
-San Esteban In Situ Signature Chardonnay – Viognier 2011, $15.95  MCO
-San Esteban In Situ Carmenere Gran Reserva 2009, $16.95  MCO
-San Esteban In Situ Winemakers Selection Carmenere 2010, $13.95  MCO
-Santa Alicia Gran Reserva Carmenere 2010, $19.95   Eurovintage
-Santa Carolina Reserva Carmenere 2011,  $11.95  Charton Hobbs
-Santa Carolina Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2012, $11.95
-Santa Rita Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2012, $13.95 Mark Anthony
-Baron Philippe de Rothschild Mapu Merlot, $8.89  Vintages Licensee
Wines

 

*** GOOD -- Three Stars (85 – 87 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Concha y Toro Marques de Casa Concha Carmenere 2010, $19.95
-Concha y Toro Marques de Casa Concha Pinot Noir 2011, $19.95
-Errazuriz Max Reserva Sauvignon Blanc, $15.95  P.Dandurand
-Luis Felipe Edwards Terra Vega Sauvignon Blanc 2012, $9.95  Noble
-Luis Felipe Edwards Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, $13.95  Noble
-Vina Maipo Reserva Vitral Chardonnay 2012, $13.95 Select
-Maquis Lien Colchagua 2009    P.O. Ackerman Wine and Spirits
-Maquis Cabernet Sauvignon Colchagua 2010    P.O. Ackerman Wine and
Spirits
-Maquis Rose [Malbec] Colchagua 2012, $19.95    P.O. Ackerman Wine and
Spirits
-San Pedro Tarapaca 35 South Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, $12.95
P.Dandurand
-San Pedro Tarapaca Organic 35 South Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2012,
$12.95 P.Dandurand
-San Pedro Tarapaca 1865 Carmenere 2010, $19.95 P.Dandurand
-Santa Alicia Reserva Carmenere 2012, $12.95   Eurovintage
-Santa Alicia Gran Reserva Carmenere 2010, $12.95   Eurovintage
-Santa Carolina Reserva Chardonnay 2011, $11.95
-Santa Rita Medalla Real Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, $17.95 Mark Anthony
-Baron Philippe de Rothschild Mapu Sauvignon Blanc, $8.89  Vintages
Licensee Wines

 

The Food: There were four courses, with two wines apiece for an A/B
comparison with the food. First up was a seafood chowder with shrimp,
and clams, poised with two sauvignon blancs. It was a good pairing.
Next, there was a filet of salmon with fresh veggie julienne,
accompanied by a chardonnay/viognier blend, and a pinot noir. This was
less successful, both wines being strongly aromatic and fruity without
the acidic spine. The third course was roast Cornish game hen with
quinoa, punched up with two carmeneres. The single vineyard version was
superb. For the fourth course, the braised short ribs on mashed
potatoes was partnered with two cabs, but only the Don Melchior really
shone (as it should, costing $79.95).
The Downside: I was a bit disappointed in that retail Vintages and
General List products were there – I just assumed that it would be
consignment or private order of "licensee only" wines. Indeed, one of
the wines was skedded for a January 2014 release, so it was actually
"unavailable" for purchase.
The Upside: a chance to taste and re-taste Chilean wines between their
annual trade show in October.
The Contact Person: lisa@androscom.com
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade):
87.

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com