WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR APRIL 26, 2014

WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR APRIL 26, 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

 

Catena Alamos Syrah 2012 Mendoza, +183848, $13.95: exceptional value in a Euro-styled syrah with fruit forward character, very rich on the palate, twist top, 13.5% ABV. Expect dark fruit tones. QPR: 91.

 

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

 

Faustino I Gran Reserva 2001 Rioja, +976662, $32.95

 

TOP VALUE WHITE WINES under $20 or so.

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1.Malivoire Riesling 2012 VQA Niagara Escarpment, +277483, $15.95: Mosel-like, excellent off-dry textures, but finises a bit citric. 10.5% ABV, twist top. QPR: 89.

 

TOP VALUE RED WINES under $20 or so.

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1.Keint-He Voyageur Pinot Noir 2012 VQA Niagara Peninsula, +373407, $17.95: great classic MVC for pinot noir, long, long finish, cork finish, 12.5% ABV. Expect cherries, plums,beets, underbrush. QPR: 89.

2.Casarena Ramanegra Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 Mendoza, +366138, $18.95: yummy lushness, good acid levels for food. Sip or eat. 14.9% ABV. From 82 year old vines. QPR: 89.

3.Sister's Run Epiphany Shiraz 2011 McLaren Vale, +269464, $15.95: deep, dark, definitely in the shiraz style for Oz. Classic MVC. 14.5% ABV, twist top. QPR: 89.

4.Pepin Conde Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 WO Coastal Region, +365981, $15.95: very well- made cabby in Euro style, cork finish, in small oak for 12 months. 14% ABV. Expect classic tones of leafiness and black fruit. QPR: 89.

5.Chateau Donissan 2010 Listrac-Medoc, +365874, $17.95: soft tones, classic fruit patterns of oak-spice-red and black fruits. 14% ABV. QPR: 89.

6.Chateau Le Bourdillot Seduction 2009 Graves, +365908, $18.95: an affordable Graves to write home about, not yet ready, but good to lay down. Classic merlot blend, 13.5% ABV, good price. QPR: 89.

7.Villa Cafaggio Chianti Classico 2010, +176776, $19.95: 13.5% ABV, rich and lively on palate, sangiovese cherries, and a longer finish. QPR: 89.

8.Valpantena Torre del Falasco Ripasso Valpolicella 2011, +642421, $17.95: the LCBO "ripasso of the month". 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.Yalumba Viognier 2012 Eden Valley, +954644, $24.95 retail

2.Oldenburg Chardonnay 2011 WO Stellenbosch, +374645, $22.95.

3.Maison Roche be Bellene Montagny 1er Cru 2011, +233593, $26.95

4.Jeannot Pere & Fils Domaine de Riaux Poully-Fume 2012, +200063, $25.95.

5.Galli Camelback Shiraz 2008 Sunbury Victoria, +665125, $24.95.

6.Chateau de Maison Neuve 2010 Montagne Saint-Emilion, +365791, $23.95.

7.Chateau Le Bourdieu 2010 Medoc, +85084, $20.95.

8.Elias Mora Crianza 2009 DO Toro, +366815, $22.95.

9.Maetierra Dominum QP 2006 Rioja, +246660, $22.95.

10.La Rioja Alta Vina Arana Reserva 2005 Rioja, +368373, $39.95.

Chimo! www.deantudor.com