WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR DECEMBER 7, 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.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
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.
Since Labour Day, I have tasted several hundred sparkling wines,
including repeats. Here are my best value CHAMPAGNES from today's
release of FIZZ, all rated 90 points or better
including repeats. Here are my best value CHAMPAGNES from today's
release of FIZZ, all rated 90 points or better
-Henriot Souverain Brut Champagne NV, +959643, $59.95. 90 points.
-Lanson Gold Medal Brut Champagne 2001, +722520, $79.95. 91 points.
-Moet & Chandron Grand Vintage Brut Champagne 2004, +69773, $83.95. 92
points.
-Lanson Gold Medal Brut Champagne 2001, +722520, $79.95. 91 points.
-Moet & Chandron Grand Vintage Brut Champagne 2004, +69773, $83.95. 92
points.
======>>>> ** BEST WINE VALUE OF THE RELEASE *UNDER* $20
WHITE Joseph Cattin Gewurztraminer 2011 Alsace, +224626, $17.95: killer
Gewurz, Gold Medalist, 13.5% ABV, MVC all the way, succulent,
concentrated, slight bitterness on finish. QPR: 91.
Gewurz, Gold Medalist, 13.5% ABV, MVC all the way, succulent,
concentrated, slight bitterness on finish. QPR: 91.
RED Small Gully The Formula Robert's Shiraz 2009 South Australia,
+142935, $18.95: deep, dark and mocha delicious, older vines at 40
years old, aged almost five years already, drink soonish. 15.9% ABV
will blow you away. QPR: 91.
+142935, $18.95: deep, dark and mocha delicious, older vines at 40
years old, aged almost five years already, drink soonish. 15.9% ABV
will blow you away. QPR: 91.
======>>>> ** BEST WINE VALUE OF THE RELEASE *OVER* $20
White Oak Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 Napa, +357723, $49.95 magnum
TOP VALUE WHITE WINES under $20 or so.
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1. Trapiche Finca La Palmas Gran Reserva Chardonnay 2011 Uco Valley
Mendoza, +355610, $16.95: "Gran Reserva" appeared on the label, not on
the website. Very good tropicality, light oaking for creaminess, off-
dry palate, 14% ABV. QPR: 89.
2. Bollig-Lehnert Piesporter Riesling Kabinett 2011 Mosel, +345736,
$16.95: a riesling beauty with lots of fruit, off-dry, soft and
engaging. 10% ABV. QPR: 89.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Trapiche Finca La Palmas Gran Reserva Chardonnay 2011 Uco Valley
Mendoza, +355610, $16.95: "Gran Reserva" appeared on the label, not on
the website. Very good tropicality, light oaking for creaminess, off-
dry palate, 14% ABV. QPR: 89.
2. Bollig-Lehnert Piesporter Riesling Kabinett 2011 Mosel, +345736,
$16.95: a riesling beauty with lots of fruit, off-dry, soft and
engaging. 10% ABV. QPR: 89.
TOP VALUE RED WINES under $20 or so.
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1. Veramonte Primus The Blend 2011 Colchagua Valley, +712463, $19.95:
very Euro in style (30% carmenere, 30 syrah, 20 cabernet sauv, rest cab
franc and Malbec and petit verdot. Complex enough for a long, long
finish. 14.5% ABV. QPR: 89.
2. Clos Malverne Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot 2011 Basket Pressed WO
Stellenbosch, +678433, $13.95: 60 cab/40 merlot blend, French and US
oak, but Bordeaux-like. 14% ABV, value in price. QPR: 89.
3. Chateau Bertinerie Merlot/Cabernet 2009 Cotes de Bordeaux-Blaye,
+244640, $18.95: good stuffing, ready now, merlot based (60%) with cab
sauv (30) and cab franc (10). 13.5% ABV satisfied. QPR: 89.
4. Thevenet & Fils Byssieres Les Clos Pinot Noir Bourgogne 2011,
+356733, $17.95: value-packed, very compact red burgundy, affordable,
13% ABV. Bronze medal – but just about every wine is bronze, so why the
sticker? QPR: 89.
5. Cave de Roquebrun Les Fiefs d'Aupenac 2011 Saint-Chinian-Roquebrun,
+354183, $19.95: Gold Medalist, has aged nicely in two years, 14% ABV,
garrigue and oak dominate but tempered by fruit. QPR: 89.
6. Villa Medoro Rosso del Duca Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2009, +357160,
$18.95: very warm, very North American appeal, 14% ABV. Concentrated
cherries, slight mocha. QPR: 89.
7. Luigi Righetti Campolieti Ripasso Valpolicella Classico Superiore
2011, +695890, $17.95: the LCBO's "Ripasso of the month", QPR: 89.
8. Quinta dos Carvalhais Duque de Viseu Red 2009 Dao, +546309, $13.95:
a nifty little red that flies under the radar, using the grape
varieties used for Port to create a dry wine. Affordable, 13.5% ABV.
QPR: 89.
9. Beronia Reserva 2008 Rioja, +50203, $18.95: 18 months in both US and
French oak for fine crafting and storage of a really good Rioja, albeit
in a slightly new style (French oak and fruit). Good aging, great
price. QPR: 90.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Veramonte Primus The Blend 2011 Colchagua Valley, +712463, $19.95:
very Euro in style (30% carmenere, 30 syrah, 20 cabernet sauv, rest cab
franc and Malbec and petit verdot. Complex enough for a long, long
finish. 14.5% ABV. QPR: 89.
2. Clos Malverne Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot 2011 Basket Pressed WO
Stellenbosch, +678433, $13.95: 60 cab/40 merlot blend, French and US
oak, but Bordeaux-like. 14% ABV, value in price. QPR: 89.
3. Chateau Bertinerie Merlot/Cabernet 2009 Cotes de Bordeaux-Blaye,
+244640, $18.95: good stuffing, ready now, merlot based (60%) with cab
sauv (30) and cab franc (10). 13.5% ABV satisfied. QPR: 89.
4. Thevenet & Fils Byssieres Les Clos Pinot Noir Bourgogne 2011,
+356733, $17.95: value-packed, very compact red burgundy, affordable,
13% ABV. Bronze medal – but just about every wine is bronze, so why the
sticker? QPR: 89.
5. Cave de Roquebrun Les Fiefs d'Aupenac 2011 Saint-Chinian-Roquebrun,
+354183, $19.95: Gold Medalist, has aged nicely in two years, 14% ABV,
garrigue and oak dominate but tempered by fruit. QPR: 89.
6. Villa Medoro Rosso del Duca Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2009, +357160,
$18.95: very warm, very North American appeal, 14% ABV. Concentrated
cherries, slight mocha. QPR: 89.
7. Luigi Righetti Campolieti Ripasso Valpolicella Classico Superiore
2011, +695890, $17.95: the LCBO's "Ripasso of the month", QPR: 89.
8. Quinta dos Carvalhais Duque de Viseu Red 2009 Dao, +546309, $13.95:
a nifty little red that flies under the radar, using the grape
varieties used for Port to create a dry wine. Affordable, 13.5% ABV.
QPR: 89.
9. Beronia Reserva 2008 Rioja, +50203, $18.95: 18 months in both US and
French oak for fine crafting and storage of a really good Rioja, albeit
in a slightly new style (French oak and fruit). Good aging, great
price. QPR: 90.
VALUE: "RESTAURANT READY" or "BRING YOUR OWN WINE BOTTLE" over $20
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
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.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
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. Sperling Vineyards Old Vines Riesling 2011 VQA Okanagan, +361204,
$34 retail.
2. Jonathan Didier Pabiot Pouilly Fume 2012, +358697, $26.95.
3. Cave Spring Estate Bottled Pinot Noir 2009 VQA Beamsville Bench,
+246561, $34.95.
4. Cave Spring Estate CSV Cabernet Franc 2008, VQA Beamsville Bench,
+72751, $24.95.
5. KWV The Mentors Canvas WO Coastal Region, +348839, $24.95.
6. Firesteed Cellars Citation Pinot Noir 2003 Oregon, +677146, $59.95.
7. Saltram Mamre Brook Shiraz 2010 Barossa, +32227, $26.95.
8. Chateau Barde-Haut 2009 Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classe, +197244,
$57.85.
9. Le Vieux Donjon Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2011, +700922, $57.95.
10. Fattoria dei Barbi Brunello di Montalcino 2007, +928028, $49.95.
11. Luce della Vite La Vite Lucente 2011 IGT Toscana, +747030, $34.95.
12. Pietranera Brunello di Montalcino 2007, +189761, $37.95.
13. Bod. Franco-Espanolas Rioja Bordon Gran Reserva 2004, +114454,
$24.95.
14. Valsacro Dioro 2005 Rioja, +345694, $32.95.
$34 retail.
2. Jonathan Didier Pabiot Pouilly Fume 2012, +358697, $26.95.
3. Cave Spring Estate Bottled Pinot Noir 2009 VQA Beamsville Bench,
+246561, $34.95.
4. Cave Spring Estate CSV Cabernet Franc 2008, VQA Beamsville Bench,
+72751, $24.95.
5. KWV The Mentors Canvas WO Coastal Region, +348839, $24.95.
6. Firesteed Cellars Citation Pinot Noir 2003 Oregon, +677146, $59.95.
7. Saltram Mamre Brook Shiraz 2010 Barossa, +32227, $26.95.
8. Chateau Barde-Haut 2009 Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classe, +197244,
$57.85.
9. Le Vieux Donjon Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2011, +700922, $57.95.
10. Fattoria dei Barbi Brunello di Montalcino 2007, +928028, $49.95.
11. Luce della Vite La Vite Lucente 2011 IGT Toscana, +747030, $34.95.
12. Pietranera Brunello di Montalcino 2007, +189761, $37.95.
13. Bod. Franco-Espanolas Rioja Bordon Gran Reserva 2004, +114454,
$24.95.
14. Valsacro Dioro 2005 Rioja, +345694, $32.95.
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