WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR FEBRUARY 15, 2014

*** PLEASE BE AWARE THAT SOME LCBO STORES STOCK NEW RELEASES ON THE THURSDAY AND FRIDAY BEFORE RELEASE DATES...THAT FAVE VALENTINE WINE CAN MOST LIKELY BE PICKED UP BEFORE OR ON FEBRUARY 14...

 

 

 

WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR FEBRUARY 15, 2014

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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 LCBO 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.

 

*** PLEASE BE AWARE THAT SOME LCBO STORES STOCK NEW RELEASES ON THE THURSDAY AND FRIDAY BEFORE RELEASE DATES...THAT FAVE VALENTINE WINE CAN MOST LIKELY BE PICKED UP BEFORE OR ON FEBRUARY 14...

 

====?>>> ** BEST WINE VALUE OF THE RELEASE *UNDER* $20

 

Mountadam Vineyards Cabernet/Merlot 2009 Barossa, +641860: outstanding value at this price level, 14.6% ABV, twist top, already aged five years. War, approachable, intense, reminiscent of a Bordeaux with more sweet fruit. QPR: 90.

 

 

 

====?>>> ** BEST WINE VALUE OF THE RELEASE *OVER* $20

 

[HALF-BOTTLE ALERT] – Muga Reserva 2009 Rioja, +976928, $13.95 for 375 mL

 

TOP VALUE WHITE WINES under $20 or so.

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1.Colome Torrontes 2012 Calchaqui Valley Argentina, +357913, $13.95: lip smacking delicious, off-dry, great for a Valentine's Day in Toronto, the natural home of torrontes!! Indeed, it reminds me of summer, which is needed after the wretched winter thus far. Twist top. QPR: 89.

3.Lawson's Dry Hills Sauvignon Blanc 2012 Marlborough, +214460, $17.95: very grassy savvy, Gold Medalist, more full body than most, good price. QPR: 89.

4.Paul Zinck Portrait Gewurztraminer 2011 Alsace, +367433, $19.95: twist top, with some more pronounced gewurz flavours minus the slight bitterness at the end. Off-dry. QPR: 89.

5.Joseph Drouhin Macon-Villages 2012, +356956, $17.95: this month's value white burgundy, attractive style for food with lovely finish. QPR: 89.

6.Terres Blanches Muscat Sec 2012 Pays d'Oc, +653188, $13.95: how do I say it? "gewurz without zee edge". QPR: 89.

7.Boutari Santorini 2012 Greece, +47985, $17.95: grassy, herby, good price for an acid spine meant for food. QPR: 89.

 

TOP VALUE RED WINES under $20 or so.

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1.Columbia Crest Grand Estates Cabernet Sauvignon 2011, +240093, $17.95: more than a match for their wonderful Merlot, 13.5% and juicy. QPR: 89.

2.Willow Bridge Dragonfly Shiraz 2011 Geographe Western Australia, +289249, $18.95: good intensity of Shiraz fruit, twist top, 13.5% ABV. QPR: 89.

3.Domaine des Ouches Igoranda Bourgueil 2011, +283424, $16.95: very useful food wine, slightly weedy and savoury, only 12.5% ABV. QPR: 89.

4.Poderi Angelini Primitivo di Manduria 2008 Puglia, +268136, $18.95: already five years old, still alive and kicking at 15% ABV. It's also a very heavy bottle, so it must be serious: only those with a six-pack can hoist it. QPR: 89.

5.Torre Saracena Riserva Salice Salentino 2009 Puglia, +362442, $16.95: deep dark chocolate tones, 13.5% ABV, check rated. QPR: 89.

6.Tasca d'Almerita Cygnus Nero d'Avola/Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 IGT Sicilia, +909911, $19.95: mint dominates, pull it out as a surprise mystery wine and let everybody think it is from California. 14% ABV. QPR: 89.

7.Tenuta Sant'Antonio Monti Garbi Ripasso Valpolicella Superiore 2010, +165126, $17.95: the Ripasso of the Month at the LCBO. 14% ABV. QPR: 89.

 

VALUE: "RESTAURANT READY" or "BRING YOUR OWN WINE BOTTLE" over $20

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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.Southbrook Vineyards Triomphe Chardonnay 2012 VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, +172338, $22.95 retail.

2.Mud House The Woolshed Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2011 Marlborough, +312744, $20.95.

3.Waterkloof Circle of Life White 2011 WO Stellenbosch, +284588, $24.95.

4.Chateau des Charmes Paul Bosc Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir 2010 VQA St.David's Bench Niagara, +332858, $35.

5.Tahbilk Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 Nagambie Lakes Victoria, +138818, $21.95.

6.Daniel Rion & Fils Vieilles Vignes Nuits-Saint-Georges 2011, +356600, $53.95.

7.Chateau de Gaudou Renaissance Cahors 2010 Cuvee Boisee, +364786, $22.95.

8.Verbena Brunello di Montalcino 2008, +165126, $39.95.

Chimo! www.deantudor.com