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Thursday, April 21, 2016

The Event: California Wine Fair – 2016 Tour in Toronto

The Date and Time: Monday April 11, 2016  1PM to 5PM
The Event: California Wine Fair – 2016 Tour in Toronto
The Venue: Fairmont Royal York
The Target Audience: wine trade
The Availability/Catalogue: wines were variable, but all would be available through LCBO, consignment or private order.
The Quote/Background: The press got a break with its media room – about 60 wines were available for sampling, including my fave red of the event – Heitz Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 Martha's Vineyard. Other wines I sampled were in the main room, beginning at 2:30 before the crowd was large. Good thing too....
The Wines: I concentrated on Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, two of California's top varietals. But I did wander off course...
 
**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Bogle Vineyards Phantom 2012 California   Abcon
-Ca'Momi Wines Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 Napa   Kylix
-Cline Cellars Big Break Zinfandel 2012 Contra Costa County  Vinexx
-Far Niente Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 Oakville Napa    Noble Estates
-Grigich Hills Estate Chardonnay 2012 Napa   Rogers
-Heitz Cabernet Sauvignon Martha's Vineyard 2005 Napa    Lifford
-Peju Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 Napa, $84.95 consignment Le Sommelier
-Miner Family Winery Wild Yeast Chardonnay 2012 Napa  Profile
-Paul Hobbs Chardonnay 2013 Sonoma County RRV    Authentic
-Schramsberg Vineyards Blanc de Noirs 2012 North Coast    The Vine Agency
-Trinchero Family Estates Joel Gott Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 California   P Dandurand
-Signorello Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Padrone 2012 Napa   Profile Wine Group
-Silver Oak Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 Alexander Valley    Halpern
-Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon SLV 2013 Napa    P Dandurand
 
***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Wente Morning Fog Chardonnay 2014 Livermore Valley    Churchill Cellars
-White Hall Lane Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 Napa   The Vine Agency
-Clos du Bois Calcaire Russian River Valley Chardonnay 2013
-Davis Bynum Russian River Valley Jane's Vineyard Pinot Noir 2014 Mark Anthony
-Rodney Strong Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2013 Mark Anthony
-Scott Family Estate Arroyo Seco Chardonnay Dijon Clone 2013  Majestic
-Rutherford Ranch Chardonnay 2014 Napa  Majestic
-Girasole Vineyards Chardonnay 2014 Mendocino   Hobbs & Co
-District 7 Chardonnay 2013 Monterey  Case for Wine
-Mumm Napa Brut Prestige Chardonnay/Pinot Noir Carneros    Corby
-Dierberg Chardonnay 2013 Santa Maria Valley   Kylix
-Ca'Momi Wines Chardonnay 2014 Napa   Kylix
-Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Chardonnay KARIA 2014 Napa,  P Dandurand
-Miner Family Winery Chardonnay 2013 Napa  Profile
-Grgich Hills Estate Merlot 2012 Napa     Rogers & Co
-Grgich Hills Estate Zinfandel 2012 Napa     Rogers & Co
-Davis Bynum River West Chardonnay 2013 Russian River Valley    Mark Anthony
-Far Niente Chardonnay 2014 Napa     Noble
-Beringer Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve 2012 Napa  Treasury Wine Estates
-Stag's Leap Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 Napa  Treasury Wine Estates
-Waterstone Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 Napa    Small Winemakers Collection
-Artesa Chardonnay 2014 Carneros   A Peller
-Raymond Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 North Coast    Charton-Hobbs
-DAOU Mayote 2013  Paso Robles   The Vine Agency
-Black Stallion Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 Napa   Select Wines
-Esser Chardonnay 2014 Monterey  Dionysus
-Sebastiani Chardonnay 2013 Sonoma County   Select
-Gloria Ferrer Sonoma Brut NV  Airen
-Hess Collection Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 Mt Veeder  Lifford
-Flowers Chardonnay 2014 Sonoma Coast   Rogers
-Huneeus Faust Cabernet Sauvignon 2013  Napa   Rogers
-Long Meadow Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 Napa  Profile Wine Group
-Pedroncelli Zinfandel Mother Clone 2013 Dry Creek Valley  Kylix
-Rutherford Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 Napa Majestic
-Schramsberg J Davies Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 Napa  The Vine Agency
-Twomey Cellars Merlot 2011 Napa  Halpern
-Silverado Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 Stags Leap District    Kylix
 
*** GOOD -- Three Stars (85 – 87 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Chateau St. Jean Chardonnay Robert Young 2012 Alexander Valley Treasury Wine Estates
-Hahn Family Chardonnay 2014 Santa Lucia Highlands   A Peller
-Duckhorn Chardonnay 2013 Napa     Rogers & Co
-Clos du Bois North Coast Chardonnay 2014
-Lander-Jenkins Chardonnay 2013 California   Majestic
-Eos Estate Chardonnay Central Coast 2011, 23.95 Lic  Le Sommelier
-Chloe Chardonnay 2013 Sonoma   Corby
-DeLoach Vineyards Chardonnay 2014 Russian River Valley   Lifford
-Signorello Hope's Cuvee Estate Chardonnay 2014 Napa    Profile
-Benovia Chardonnay 2013 Fort Ross-Seaview Sonoma Coast   Univins
-Buena Vista Winery Chardonnay 2014 Carneros    Univins
-Austerity Chardonnay 2014 Arroyo Seco    Airen
 
The Food: pate, cheeses, breads, crackers, veggies and dips.
The Downside: it is always crowded after 3PM, so I was grateful for the media room which allowed me to get ahead.
The Upside: the media room.
The Contact Person: paula@praxispr.ca
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 88.

Chimo! www.deantudor.com

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