WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR APRIL 12, 2014

WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR APRIL 12, 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.

 

 

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

 

Bertani Villa Novare Ripasso Valpolicella Classico Superiore 2010, +95810, $19.95: one of the finest appassimentos to come along from Valpolicella region in quite some time, absolutely delicious in its fruitiness and diminished dried black fruit. Smokey. 13.5% ABV. QPR: 92.

 

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

 

Bollig-Lehnert Trittenheimer Apotheke Riesling Spatlese 2005, +368787, $22.95 ISD.

 

 

TOP VALUE WHITE WINES under $20 or so.

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1.Lailey Chardonnay 2012 VQA Niagara Peninsula, +193482, $19.95: very good quality in the balance of fruit and oak wood, from older vines, Mid-palate shines with orchard fruit. QPR: 89.

2.Seresin Momo Sauvignon Blanc 2012 Marlborough, +9167, $17.95: another kiwi over-the-top savvy, for the savvy, lots of green tones with a citric-like finish. 13% ABV. QPR: 89.

3.Boekenhoutskloof Porcupine Ridge Sauvignon Blanc 2013 WO Western Cape, +126797, $13.95: excellent value in a Capricorn all-purpose savvy (sip, party, patio, first course wine). Warm, inviting, fresh: green tones but some ertswhile fruit for balance. Great price. QPR: 90.

4.Loosen Brothers Dr. L Riesling 2012 QbA Mosel, +599274, $13.95: probably the best value German riesling wine in the LCBO at this price, twist top, 8.5% ABV. It screams summer...QPR: 89.

5.Finca Nueva Blanco 2013 Fermentado en Barrica Rioja, +280560, $16.95: lightly oaked from barrel fermentation, just enough to ooze fruit tones and spices. Good mid-weight sipper or food. QPR: 89.

 

TOP VALUE RED WINES under $20 or so.

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1.Trivento Amado Sur Malbec/Bonarda/Syrah 2012 Mendoza, +37036, $16.95: another good value blend from Argentina. Mostly Malbec, but the other two support it with black fruits and some spicing. QPR: 89.

2.Valle Las Acequias Oak Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 Mendoza: this wine had me with "oak" on the front label – 10 months worth of French oak, full, oaky, value priced, 13.5%. Almost Euro with its currants and spices. QPR: 89.

3.Stella Bella Skuttlebutt Shiraz/Cabernet 2009 Margaret River, +58131, $19.95: almost everything from the Margaret River at the LCBO costs a buck more than something comparable from other Oz regions at the under $20 level. But it is worth it, here for its great syrah flavours and 14% ABV. Trust me. QPR: 89.

4.Zonte's Footstep Baron von Nemesis Single Site Shiraz 2010 Barossa, +212936, $17.95: loaded with character from the old vines used, bitterish character on the finish, well-developed now. 14.5% ABV, twist top. QPR: 89.

5.Masseria Altemura Sasseo Primitivo 2011 IGT Salento, +366955, $16.95: bright, North American appeal (choco-cherry), off-dry on the palate. Gold Medalist. QPR: 89.

6.Caparzo Rosso di Montalcino 2011, +333575, $19.95: one of the last Montalcino bargains, affordable, better than a lot of comparable chianti, 13.5% ABV. QPR: 89.

7.Quinta do Portal Frontaria 2009 Douro, +324533, $14.95: smooth, silky, oak-inflected (is there such a phrase?), 13.5% 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.Bachelder Oregon Chardonnay 2011 Willamette Valley, +273334, $29.95 retail.

2.Sylvain Mosnier Vieilles Vignes Chablis 2010, +357152, $26.95.

3.Terres de Vidalba Tocs Grenache Blend 2006 Priorat, +268904, $37.95 ISD Flagship

4.Julicher 99 Rows Pinot Noir 2010 Te Muna Road Martinborough, +367979, $24.95.

5.Chateau La Croix de Gay 2010 Pomerol, +259150, $49.85.

6.Domaine des Marinelles Hermitage 2009, +112268, $54.95.

7.Michele Castellani Colle Cristi Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2008, +222109, $45.95.

8.Tedeschi Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2009, +433417, $39.95 VE

9.Zenato Ripassa Valpolicella Superiore 2010, +479766, $25.95 VE

10.Club Lealtanza Reserva 2005 Rioja, +293852, $29.95.

 

Chimo! www.deantudor.com
AND http://gothicepicures.blogspot.com
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Dean Tudor, Ryerson University Journalism Professor Emeritus
Treasurer, Wine Writers' Circle of Canada
Look it up and you'll remember it; screw it up and you'll never forget it.
Creator of Canada's award-winning wine satire site at http://fauxvoixvincuisine.blogspot.com