SOME NEW PRODUCTS TASTED THIS MONTH --

 

++ Chateau des Charmes Vidal Icewine 2009 VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake,

$25.95 for 200 mL, +565861 Vintages: a compact icewine with apricot as the defining aroma and flavour, followed by honey tones. Ready now, but can be aged (but then it will taste different and, in my opinion,

taste better). 9.5% ABV. Perfect for gifting (comes in a handsome box). Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

 

++ Chateau des Charmes Chardonnay Barrel Fermented 2011 VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, $13.95, +81653 LCBO: a consistent wine year in and year out, my fave chardonnay at this price level. Smokey, minerals, underbrush, apples and lemons. Long finish. Cork closure, 13% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

 

++ Vinedos Marchigue Panul Chardonnay 2012 Central Valley Chile, $11.85, +325480 LCBO: from one of the single largest vineyard owners in Chile (2600 hectares), based on organic and/or sustainable farming. Fresh tropicality, some bananas and refreshing acidity. First course wine. 13% ABV and twist top. Quality/Price rating is 88 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

 

++ Tokaji Yellow Muscat 2012 Puklus Cellars Hungary, $15.95, +46508 Vintages: Yellow Muscat is related to Muscat Blanc. Made from older vines, done up in Late Harvest style, with that peachy complexity, medium-bodied, but with lemons and pineapple acidity on the longer finish. Floral aromatics. 12% ABV, a bit less this year. Serve with later courses (fruity mains, salads, cheeses, off-dry desserts). Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

 

++ Trumpeter Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 Argentina, $12.95, +218842 LCBO: expect a wallop of juiciness and berry jam, very upfront with some oak tones such as vanilla. Quality/Price rating is 88 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

 

++ Rutini Cruz Alta Mendoza Chairman's Blend 2011, $18.95 The Case for Wine: a nifty blend of 85% malbec, 10% cabernet sauvignon, and 5% syrah, aged 14 months in new French oak (85%) and new US oak (15%). Many mocha tones reverberate, as well as vanilla, needs time to soften or do a double decant. 13.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

 

++ Rutini Cruz Alta Mendoza Grand Reserve Malbec 2011, $15.95 The Case for Wine: high altitude fruit makes for ripe, rich and tannic taste textures. Cherry-berry and plums dominate. You will need a double decant here, but it is worth it. 13.5% Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

 

++ Rutini Cruz Alta Mendoza Grand Reserve Chardonnay Old Vines 2012, $15.95 The Case for Wine: 7 months in 50% new French oak gives this wine a certain Burgundian elegance, opens with fruit and with vanilla and butter on the mid-palate and some toast on the finish along with citric tones. Very elegant. 13.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com