WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR OCTOBER 11, 2014

WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR OCTOBER 11, 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.

 

NOTE: It is getting more difficult to endorse wines under $20 for the simple reason that the LCBO does not release many of them into the Vintages program, ones that can be deemed to be worthy of your consideration. So I will now just ADD some "under $25" suggestions, along with point values.

 

 

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

 

Pella the Vanilla Chenin Blanc 2012 WO Stellenbosch, +389619, $14.95: remarkable price for oak inflected chenin blanc (previously, steen) with some viognier. Rancio tones start to dominate because of the oaky component. 12.5% ABV, cork closure, very well balanced. QPR: 90+

 

TOP VALUE WHITE WINES under $25:

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1.Vincent Mothe Chablis 2012, +390468, $22.95. QPR: 89.

2.Cave Spring Estate Bottled Gewurztraminer 2012 CSV VQA Beamsville, +302059, $17.95: good MVC, close to Alsatian spiciness but with medium body. Nicely attained bitterish aftertaste. 14% ABV. QPR: 89.

3.Spy Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2013 Marlborough, +686675, $18.95: tasty savvy minerality with greens, MVC leans more to salads as accompaniment. Twist top. 13% ABV. QPR: 88.

4.Argyros Assyrtiko 2013 PDO Santorini Greece, +387365, $19.95: very good citric acidity, volcanic soil and chalky. Pushing Chablis for dominance in the seafood market. QPR: 89.

 

TOP VALUE RED WINES under $25:

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1.Henry of Pelham Reserve Baco Noir 2012 VQA Ontario, +461699, $24.95. QPR: 91.

2.Rustenberg John X Merriman 2011 WO Stellenbosch, +707323, $24.95. QPR: 92.

3.Christian Moueix Saint-Emilion 2010, +979955, $23.95. QPR: 89.

4.Torrevento Vigna Redale Castel del Monte Riserva 2009 Puglia, +208256, $22.95. QPR: 91.

5.Giuseppe Campagnola Ripasso della Valpolicella Classico Superiore 2012, +313486, $16.95: this month's candidate for the LCBO Ripasso of the Month value. QPR: 89.

6.Borsao Tres Picos Garnacha 2012 DO Campo de Borja, +273748, $19.95: old vines  are used here, along with an ABV of 15% to plump up the juice. Red and black fruit, some chalk. QPR: 89.

7.Langa Tradicion Centenaria Garnacha 2011 DO Catalayud, +194795, $14.95: this month's candidate for the LCBO Garnacha of the Month. QPR: 90.

8.Lealtanza Reserva 2009 Rioja, +208223, $20.95. QPR: 90.

9.Muriel Gran Reserva 2004 Rioja, +984187, $24.95. QPR: 89.

10.Kaiken Terroir Series Corte Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 Mendoza, +384305, $15.95: off-dry, expansive but soft cabby flavours, 14.5% ABV. QPR: 89.

11.Elderton Friends Shiraz 2011 Vineyard Series Barossa, +660480, $17.95: good body and depth, lots of Barossa power at 13.5% ABV. Some saddle leather and black fruit. Twist top. QPR: 89.

12.Chateau Peynaud 2009 Bordeaux Superieure, +391979, $16.95: bargain price for a Gold Medalist, now five years old and at its peak. Tannins are balanced and resolved. 13.5% ABV. QPR: 89.

13.Chateau Croze de Pys Prestige Malbec Cahors 2010, +681668, $17.95: off-dry finish of caramel and vanilla suitable for North American market in the newer style of Cahors. 14.5% ABV. QPR: 89.

14.Terrulenta Schola Sarmenti Roccamora Nardo Negroamaro 2006 Puglia, +379768, $17.95: another fine bargain in an older Italian wine. 13.5% ABV. Keeping well but do drink up this year. QPR: 89.

 

VALUE: "RESTAURANT READY" or "BRING YOUR OWN WINE BOTTLE" over $25

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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.Le Clos Jordanne Vineyard Chardonnay 2011 LCJ Vineyard VQA Twenty Mile Bench, +33910, $40 retail. QPR: 92.

2.Jean-Max Roger Cuvee Les Caillottes Sancere 2012, +65573, $25.95. QPR: 89.

3.Rodney Strong Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 Alexander Valley Sonoma, +382325, $59.95. QPR: 91.

4.Bodega Noemia a Lisa 2012 Patagonia, +385765, $25.95. QPR: 90.

5.Chateau Barde-Haut 2010 AC Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Class, +262154, $56.95. QPR: 89.

6.Chateau Clarke 2009 AC Listrac-Medoc, +503904, $37.95. QPR: 92.

7.A e G Fantino Cascina Dardi Bussia Barolo 2007, +268516, $35.95. QPR: 89.

8.Gaja Sito Moresco 2012 Langhe, +976043, $61.95. QPR: 90.

9.Negro Cascinotta Barbaresco 2010, +268953, $26.95. QPR: 89.

10.Travaglini Gattinara 2008, +713354, $29.95. QPR: 90.

 

Chimo! www.deantudor.com