WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR JUNE 21, 2014

WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR JUNE 21, 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

 

Dr.Hermann Urziger Wurzgarten Riesling Spatlese 2007 Pradikatswein Moselle, +313528, $18.95: a bargain at this price, twist top, 8% ABV, perfectly Mosel and perfect for summer, mid-weight off-sweet. Framed best with cheese and fruit desserts, or as a sipper. It has aged very well with intense Riesling tones. QPR: 91.

 

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

 

Schloss Schonborn Marcobrunn Riesling Kabinett 2008 Rheingau, +928861, $21.95 9.5%ABV

 

TOP VALUE WHITE WINES under $20 or so.

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1.Eau Vivre Chardonnay 2010 VQA Similkameen Valley BC, +367656, $18.95: good integration of woody toast and fruit, this bottle also shows aging patterns. Ready now. 12.7% ABV. QPR: 89.

2.Angels Gate Mountainview Riesling 2009 VQA Beamsville Bench, +373175, $16.95: dry mode for the most part, aged well since the Star tasting note. Twist top. QPR: 89.

3.Peninsula Ridge Beal Vineyards Inox Reserve Chardonnay 2010 VQA Beamsville Bench, +7328, $18.95: a nifty stainless steel aged chardonnay from a single vineyard, purity of expression with no oak. 13.4% ABV. QPR: 89.

4.Tar & Roses Pinot Grigio 2013 Central Victoria, +282723, $19.95: pinot grigio shows its true colours here (as in pink-Gris), lots of orchard fruit and body. Twist top, 14% ABV. QPR: 89.

5.Yalumba Organic Viognier 2012 South Australia, +288217, $18.95: affordable flowers and concentrated fruit, organic, twist top, 14.5% ABV. QPR: 89.

6.Cape Point Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2012 WO Cape Point South Africa, +285221, $15.95: done up mostly in Cali style with tamed citric and herb tones. Cork finish, 13.5% ABV. QPR: 89.

 

TOP VALUE RED WINES under $20 or so.

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1.Pondview Cabernet/Merlot Reserve 2011 VQA Niagara, +307561, $18.95: quality toast notes and smoke, BBQ wine, depth at 14.3% ABV, twist top. QPR: 89.

2.Chateau Ste. Michelle Syrah 2011 Columbia Valley, +949651, $17: plenty of black fruit showing in this restaurant-wine, 13.5% ABV, smooth quality. QPR: 89.

3.Laura Catena La Posta Angel Paulucci Vineyard Malbec 2011 Ugarteche Mendoza, +75515, $15.95: hard to beat this quality for the price. Very ripe and delicious, intense flavours. Twist top, 13.5% ABV. QPR: 89.

4.Brampton Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 WO Coastal Region, +315903, $15.95: another nifty little pocket wine that is soft and fruity in the Cali style, 14% ABV, twist top. QPR: 89.

5.Chateau de Gaudou Grand Lignee Malbec/Merlot 2010 Cahors, +370239, $18.95: 85% malbec, 14% ABV, 14 months in oak. Needs time, but affordable now. Dark tones. QPR: 89.

6.La Guardiense Santramondi Janare Guardiolo Rosso Riserva 2008 Campania, +375501, $16.95: good value for an aged wine, but it still needs time. Smokey, dark fruit, will come around in a couple more years. 13% ABV. QPR: 89.

7.Bodegas Muriel Reserva 2008 Rioja, +276030, $19.95: another nicely aged wine, all tempranillo, 13.5% ABV, well-priced. QPR: 89.

8.Mas Que Vinos Ercavio Tempranillo Roble 2011 Vino de La Tierra de Castillia, +67504, $16.95: uses both French and US oak barrels, 14.5%. Dark fruit shows, plummy, long finish, all tempranillo. Value. 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 Saunders Vineyard Chardonnay 2011 VQA Beamsville Bench, +324103, $44.95 retail.

2.Nobilo Icon Sauvignon Blanc 2013 Marlborough, +912337, $25.95.

3.Eric Forest L'Ame Forest Pouilly-Fuisse 2011, +301911, $31.95.

4.La Grille Pouilly-Fume 2012, +374470, $24.95

5.Tamaya Gran Reserva Syrah 2011 Limari Valley, +374306, $21.95.

6.Dog Point Pinot Noir 2011 Marlborough, +329672, $49.95.

7.Chateau Boutisse 2010 Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, +368175, $39.95.

8.Pascal Marchand Gevrey-Chambertin 2010, +286450, $67.95.

9.Paolo Conterno Riva del Bric Barolo 2009, +172783, $42.95.

10.Scacciadiavoli Montefalco Rosso 2009 Umbria, +372458, $21.95.

11.Muga Seleccion Especial Reserva 2009 Rioja, +921536, $39.95.

12.Vina Herminia Excelsus 2009 Rioja, +50567, $21.95.

Chimo! www.deantudor.com