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