The Event: The 13th Annual Churchill Cellars Portfolio Tasting

 

The Date and Time: Monday, May 11, 2015  3Pm to 7PM

The Event: The 13th Annual Churchill Cellars Portfolio Tasting

The Venue: Ed Mirvish Theatre, back lobby on Victoria

The Target Audience: clients, subscribers to the Imbibers' Report, wine writers.

The Availability/Catalogue: just about everything is at the LCBO via the general list or Vintages. There is direct delivery for Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery.

The Quote/Background: It was a mildly garish location, but then that's the wine business – very elegant and stylish, very old style too.

The Wines: I did not taste all the wines, nor the mixed drinks.

 

**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-C.H. Berres Urziger Wurzgarten Riesling Kabinett 2012 Mosel, $24.95

-Willm Gewurztraminer Reserve 2013 Alsace, $15.95

-Fresita Sparkling Wine NV Chile, $13.95 [my fave sparkler]

-Wente Morning Fog Chardonnay 2013 Livermore Valley, $17.95  [my fave white]

-Michael David Winery Earthquake Zinfandel 2012 Lodi, $39.95  [my fave red]

-Domaine Pinnacle Ice Cider 2012 Quebec 375 mL, $25.25

 

***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Hermanos Lurton Tempranillo 2012 Toro, $16.90

-Willm Riesling Reserve 2013 Alsace, $15.95

-Chateau Tour Saint-Vincent 2010 Medoc Cru Bourgeois, $23.95

-d'Arenberg The Football Shiraz 2011 McLaren Vale, $21.95

-Sue-Ann Staff Estate Sassy and Sparkling Riesling 2011, $27.95

-Marques de Riscal Reserva 2010 Rioja, $24.30

-Chivite Gran Feudo Reserva 2008 Navarra, $16.95

-San Leonino Governo all'Uso Toscano 2013 Sangiovese Toscana IGT, $19.95

-La Merika Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 Central Coast California, $19.95

-Ryan Patrick Rock Island Red 2012 Wahluke Slope Washington, $27.95

-Michael David Winery 7 Deadly Zins Zinfandel 2012 Lodi, $24.95

-Michael David Winery Freakshow Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 Lodi, $24.95

-Marques de Riscal White 2014 Rueda, $12.20

-Chivite Gran Feudo Rosado 2014 Navarra, $11.95

-Gran Lurton Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 Uco Mendoza Argentina, $24.95

-Francois Lurton Pinot Grigio 2014 Uco Argentina, $12.95

-Segura Viudas Cava NV Brut Reserva, $14.45

 

*** GOOD -- Three Stars (85 – 87 in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Deakin Estate Artisan's Blend Cabernet Tempranillo 2013 Victoria, $12.80

-Alpine Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2014 Marlborough, $15.45

-Wente Southern Hills Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 Livermore Valley, $17.95

-Guy Saget Sancerre 2013, $23.95

-Cellier des Dauphins Prestige White Cotes du Rhone 250 mL, $4.75

-Veramonte Sauvignon Blanc 2013 Casablanca Valley Chile, $12.95

-Sue-Ann Staff Estate Merlot 2012, $19.95

-Sue-Ann Staff Estate Fancy Farm Girl Flamboyant Red 2012, $14.95

-Sue-Ann Staff Estate Cabernet Franc 2011, $19.95

-Waimea Pinot Gris 2014 Nelson New Zealand, $18.95

-Waimea Classic Riesling 2014 Nelson New Zealand, $18.95

-Bertani Valpolicella Ripasso 2011 Veneto, $17

-House of Mandela Sauvignon Blanc 2014 Western Cape South Africa, $12.85

 

The Food: there was a cheese platter with biscuits, and six slider platters of mini- pretzel buns with roast beef, smoked turkey, mortadella, roasted eggplant, chicken salad, and ham & cheese.

The Downside: I had just come off a heavy tasting weekend, so I was selective in my wine tasting here.

The Upside: a good chance to taste the Ontario wines of Sue-Ann Staff.

The Contact Person: mark@churchillcellars.com

The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 89.

 

Chimo! www.deantudor.com