The Event: biennial STEM Wine Group portfolio tasting – 11th gala tasting.

The Date and Time: Monday, September 19, 2016  2PM to 8 PM

The Event: biennial STEM Wine Group portfolio tasting – 11th gala tasting.

The Venue: 99 Sudbury

The Target Audience: wine media from 2PM to 3PM, trade and clients afterwards,

The Availability/Catalogue: everything is available from Stem

The Quote/Background: The catalogue was outstanding, with label reproductions, vintage dates, grape varieties, prices and spaces for tasting notes. It was also fat and heavy.

The Wines: There were 44 wineries, with at least 155 wines for sampling. I did not try all the wines, nor did I try the beers or spirits.

 

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

460 Casina Bric Brut Rose Cellezione N8 VSQ Nebbiolo [sparkler] $29.99

-Matto Barolo 2011 $38.99

-Zyme Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2008, $149.99

-Zyme Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva La Mattonara 2004, $419.99

-Zyme Harlequin 2008 [15 grape varieties], $419.99

-460 Casina Bric Barolo delle Viole 2010, $89.99

-Boroli Barolo 2011, $53.99

-Gaja Magari 2014 Bolgheri, $75

-Gaja Brunello di Montalcino 2011, $84.99

-Siro Pacenti Brunello di Montalcino 2011, $110.99

-Valdicava Brunello di Montalcino 2010, $129.99

-Valdicava Madonna del Piano Riserva Brunello di Montalcino 2009, $199.99

-Collemattoni Brunello di Montalcino 2008, $59.99

-Tenuta Monteti Monteti IGT Toscana 2011, $49.99

-Fatt. Di Magliano Poggio Bestiale IGT Tuscany 2012, $50.99

-Masciarelli Villa Gemma Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2006, $74.99

-Masciarelli Castello di Semivicoli Trebbiano d'Abruzzo 2011, $39.99

-Henri Abele Champagne Brut NV, $54.99

-Henri Abele Champagne Brut Rose NV, $69.99

-Butternut Chardonnay 2014, $26.99

-Husic Husic Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 Napa, $149.99

-Merry Edwards Sauvignon Blanc Russian River Valley 2014, $61.99

-Andeluna Pasionado Cuatro Cepas 2012 Mendoza, $60

-Schreckbichl Colterenzio Cornell Formigar Chardonnay 2014, $44.99

-Guenoc Cabernet Sauvignon Lake County 2014, $28

 

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

-Inama Vin Soave Classico 2014, $22.99

-Tombacco 47 Anno Domini Moscato Frizzante IGT NV, $15.99

-Delibori Villabella Fracastoro Amarone 2006, $64.99

-Ronco del Gelso Sot Lis Rivis Pinot Grigio 2013, $26.99

-460 Casina Bric Barolo 2012, $65

-Ca' del Baio Vallegrande Barbaresco 2012, $36.99

-Braida di Giacomo Bologna Barbera d'Asti Bricco dell'Uccellone 2013, $89.99

-Gaja Prmis Toscana IGT 2014, $56.99

-Gaja Sito Moresco Langhe 2014, $64.99

-Gaja Dagromis Barolo 2012, $99.99

-Valdicava Brunello di Montalcino 2010, $129.99

-Masciarelli Marina Cvetic Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2011, $34.99

-Husic Palm Terrace Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 Napa, $89.99

-Merry Edwards Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 2013, $89.99

-Merry Edwards Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 2013, $74.99

-Andeluna Malbec Altitud 2013 Reserve Mendoza, $26.99

-Zyme Kairos 2011 IGT, $89.99

-Ronco del Gelso Siet Vignis 2014 Chardonnay, $28.99

-Siro Pacenti Pelagrilli 2011 Brunello di Montalcino, $65.99

-Chateau de Val D'Or 2010 Saint Emilion Grand Cru, $31.99

-Daniel Chotard Sancerre 2015, $26.99

-La Manufacture Chablis Premier Cru Forets 2013, $48.99

-Chalone Estate Chardonnay 2013, $49.99

-Chalone Estate Pinot Noir 2013, $54.99

-Guenoc Chardonnay 2015, $19.99

 

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

-Jacques Boyd Margaux 2011, $49.99

-La Manufacture Chablis 2014, $29.99

-Braida di Giacomo Bologna Barbera d'Asti Montebruna 2014, $34.99

-Butternut Volunteer Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 Napa, $52.99

 

The Food: great porchetta on buns, coffees, pasta (mushroom agnolotti ripieni ai funghi, rigatoni, sweet potato gnocchi, Avon Lea oysters from PEI, and a whole wheel of Grana Padano – from a variety of sources including Rufino Espresso and Classic Gourmet Coffee, Pasta Varone, Globe Meats, Coastline Catering.

The Downside: there were a lot of wines to absorb, so I did not taste everything. And it is too bad this portfolio tasting is only every two years.

The Upside: a chance at some really expensive wines, one of the best portfolio tastings all year, with a high level of consistency.

The Contact Person: robert@stemwinegroup.com

The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 92.

 

Chimo! www.deantudor.com