SOME NEW PRODUCTS TASTED THIS MONTH --
++ Nederburg Winemaster's Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2012 South Africa,
+382713 LCBO, $11.45: green and herbaceous, great as a first course
wine, lightly tropical but good finish. 13.5% ABV, twist top. Overall,
light and crisp. Quality/Price rating is 88 points by Dean Tudor of
Gothic Epicures.
++ Zonnebloem Place in the Sun Shiraz 2012 South Africa, +286088 LCBO,
$12.95: you don't think of South Africa when you think of shiraz, but
that might change with this red wine. 13.5% ABV, solidly medium bodied
and fruity, twist top, and a Fair Trade wine. Plummy and spicy, at home
on the deck or as a first course. Quality/Price rating is 87 points by
Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.
++ Domaines Paul Mas Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot 2011 Nicole Vineyard
Pays d'Oc IGP, +293134 LCBO, $13.95: I first had this wine at a
reception in the Spring. We tasted the 2010, 2011 and 2012 vintages.
The 2010, also at the LCBO at the time, was $14.95. The current new
vintage 2011 has a label change and now sports a twist top screw cap.
Otherwise, the vines are a year older. My bottle was number #512.
Cabernet here (about 56%) is from 25 year old vines, while the merlot
(44%) is from 30 year old vines. Exceptional value, since these are
Vieilles vignes on an 80 hectare estate in Nicole near Montagnac. 14%
ABV, vinified separately and the blend is aged in new and old 80% US
and 20% French oak for six months. Expect both red and black fruit
tones plus local garrigue and vanilla/cloves from wood treatment. The
long finish is great with food rather than patios. Quality/Price rating
is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.
++ Primal Roots White Blend 2011 California, +321497, $12.95: the
parade of off-dry white blends continues…Many are at or under $13, such
as this one. 13% ABV, mostly viognier, followed by French Colmbard (for
acid spine), riesling and gewurztraminer. Expect floral peach,
apricots, and exotic fruit tones. Nicely done for that patio special!
All it really needs is a twist top screw cap, and not an insert finish.
Quality/Price rating is 87 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.
++ Two Oceans Sauvignon Blanc Brut South Africa, +216705 LCBO, $12.95:
a decently priced sparkler that is light and fruity for summer
imbibing. Some bell peppers and tropical fruits, follow through to a
clean and zesty citric finish. Patio or first course, brunch. 12% ABV.
Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.
a decently priced sparkler that is light and fruity for summer
imbibing. Some bell peppers and tropical fruits, follow through to a
clean and zesty citric finish. Patio or first course, brunch. 12% ABV.
Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.
++ Nederburg Winemaster's Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2012 South Africa,
+382713 LCBO, $11.45: green and herbaceous, great as a first course
wine, lightly tropical but good finish. 13.5% ABV, twist top. Overall,
light and crisp. Quality/Price rating is 88 points by Dean Tudor of
Gothic Epicures.
++ Zonnebloem Place in the Sun Shiraz 2012 South Africa, +286088 LCBO,
$12.95: you don't think of South Africa when you think of shiraz, but
that might change with this red wine. 13.5% ABV, solidly medium bodied
and fruity, twist top, and a Fair Trade wine. Plummy and spicy, at home
on the deck or as a first course. Quality/Price rating is 87 points by
Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.
++ Domaines Paul Mas Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot 2011 Nicole Vineyard
Pays d'Oc IGP, +293134 LCBO, $13.95: I first had this wine at a
reception in the Spring. We tasted the 2010, 2011 and 2012 vintages.
The 2010, also at the LCBO at the time, was $14.95. The current new
vintage 2011 has a label change and now sports a twist top screw cap.
Otherwise, the vines are a year older. My bottle was number #512.
Cabernet here (about 56%) is from 25 year old vines, while the merlot
(44%) is from 30 year old vines. Exceptional value, since these are
Vieilles vignes on an 80 hectare estate in Nicole near Montagnac. 14%
ABV, vinified separately and the blend is aged in new and old 80% US
and 20% French oak for six months. Expect both red and black fruit
tones plus local garrigue and vanilla/cloves from wood treatment. The
long finish is great with food rather than patios. Quality/Price rating
is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.
++ Primal Roots White Blend 2011 California, +321497, $12.95: the
parade of off-dry white blends continues…Many are at or under $13, such
as this one. 13% ABV, mostly viognier, followed by French Colmbard (for
acid spine), riesling and gewurztraminer. Expect floral peach,
apricots, and exotic fruit tones. Nicely done for that patio special!
All it really needs is a twist top screw cap, and not an insert finish.
Quality/Price rating is 87 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.
Chimo! www.deantudor.com
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