The Date and Time: Monday, April 13, 2015  1Pm to 5:30 PM
  The Event: California Wine Fair 2015 Tour
  The Venue: Fairmont Royal York
  The Target Audience: wine trade
  The Availability/Catalogue: everything seemed to be available through the   LCBO channels or as private orders, consignments, etc.
  The Quote/Background: I did not taste every wine, but we did have a media   room where it was quiet enough to do some tasting beyond sampling. At   appropriate moments, I ventured into the main hall to taste some whites and then   some reds.
  The Wines: 
  **** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
  -Davis Bynum Chardonnay 2013 Russian River   Mark Anthony
  -Robert Mondavi Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon To Kalon Oakville 2011 Napa   Constellation
  -Acacia Chardonnay 2013 Carneros   Diageo
  -Far Niente Chardonnay 2013 Oakville   Noble Estates
  -Gloria Ferrer Sonoma Brut NV, $27.95 Airen
  -Heitz Martha's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 Napa Oakville     Lifford
  -La Crema Chardonnay 2012 Russian River   B & W
  -Silver Oak Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 Napa   Halpern
  -Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon FAY 2011 Napa     Profile
  -Beringer Knights Valley Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 Napa    TWE
  ***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating   terms):
  -Heitz Martha's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 Napa Oakville    Lifford 
  -Rodney Strong Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 Sonoma County  Mark   Anthony
  -Rodney Strong Brothers 2011 Alexander $99.95  Mark Anthony
  -Carol Shelton Rockpile Rocky Reserve Zinfandel 2011 Sonoma, +394510,   $48
  -Siduri Pinot Noir 2012 Sonoma Coast, +253369, $50
  -Dunn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 Napa, +193896, $95
  -Artesa Chardonnay 2013 Carneros Woodman
  -Benziger Tribute 2012 Sonoma Mountain   Charton Hobbs
  -Copain Kiser en Haut Pinot Noir 2012 Anderson  Barrel Select
  -Pine Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon Estate 2012 Napa  Lifford
  -Daou Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 Paso Robles  The Vine
  -Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 Alexander Valley  Kirkwood
  -Domaine Chandron Rose NV  Charton-Hobbs
  -William Hill Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 Napa   Gallo
  -Geyser Peak Walking Tree Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 Alexander    Mondia
  -Halter Ranch Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 Paso   Robles    Trialto
  -Peju Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 Napa   Le Sommelier
  -Schug Pinot Noir 2013 Carneros  Lifford
  -Signorello Estate Padrone 2012 Napa  Profile
  -Silver Oak Cellars Twomey Merlot 2010 Napa  Halpern
  -Somerstron Estate Priest Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 Napa     Profile
  -St. Supery Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2014 Napa Von Terra
  -Chateau St.Jean Cinq Cepages Merlot 2011 Sonoma  TWE
  -Stag's Leap Winery Chardonnay 2013 Napa   TWE
  -Etude Lyric Pinot Noir 2013 Carneros   TWE
  -Trinchero Family Estates Merlot 2010 Napa   Dandurand
  -Kenwood Chardonnay 2013 Sonoma     Rogers
  -Crossbarn by Paul Hobbs Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 Napa     Authentic
  *** GOOD -- Three Stars (85 – 87 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
  -Rodney Strong Chardonnay 2012 Sonoma County  Mark Anthony
  -Ca'Momi Zinfandel 2012 Napa Kylix
  -Cline Cellars Zinfandel Ancient Vines 2013 North Coast  Vinexx
  -Grgich Hills Estate Chardonnay 2012 Napa $55.95 Rogers
  -Wente Vineyards Morning Fog Chardonnay 2013 Livermore     Churchill
  -Paul Hobbs Pinot Noir 2012 Russian River  Authentic
  -Pedroncelli Zinfandel 2012 Dry Creek Valley  Kylix
  -Waterstone Winery Pinot Noir 2012 Carneros   Small   Winemakers
  -Rutherford Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 Napa   Majestic
  -Buena Vista The Count's Red Blend 2012 Sonoma  Tandem
  The Food: terrines, cheeses, breads.
  The Downside: it was difficult to challenge the large and loud   crowds.
  The Upside: the media room was quiet.
  The Contact Person: paula@praxispr.ca
  The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade):   87.
  Chimo! www.deantudor.com
 
 

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