The June 13 Event: Alberto Zenato's Guided Tasting to the Soul of Lugana and the Heart of Valpolicella.

The Date and Time:  Thursday June 13, 2019   1PM to 3PM

The Event: Alberto Zenato's Guided Tasting to the Soul of Lugana and the Heart of Valpolicella.

The Venue: George Brown College 3rd Floor Tasting Lab

The Target Audience: wine media and sommeliers

The Availability/Catalogue: all wines are available.

The Quote/Background: Zenato's estate is by Lake Garda's microclimate that allows for an optimal growing season. They are famed for the white Lugana (trebbiano di Lugana or turbiana) and the red Ripassa (mostly corvina). Alberto gave his powerpoint presentation and tasting notes on all nine wines today, plus he freely answered many questions.

The Wines:

 

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

-Zenato Pinot Grigio delle Venezie DOC 2018  Vintages +36856 Aug 17  $17.95

-Zenato Lugana Riserva Sergio Selection DOC 2017  +928218 Vintages July 20 $39.95

-Zenato Alanera Rosso Veronese IGT 2015 +451724 Vintages TBA $19.95

-Zenato Amarone Classico DOCG 2014 +413179 Vintages $50.95

-Zenato Amarone Riserva Sergio Selection DOCG 2013 +132316 Classics Sept 5 $110

 

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

-Zenato Lugana San Benedetto DOC 2018  +707158 Vintages $19.95

-Zenato Valpolicella Superiore DOC 2016 +995702 Vintages Oct 26  $18.95

-Zenato Veneto Rosso Parziale Appassimento IGT 2015  +208579 LCBO  $14.05

-Zenato Ripassa Valpolicella Superiore DOC 2015  +479766 Vintages  $24.95

 

The Food: cheese and salumni, sausages, dried fruit, bread, biscuits.

The Downside: I wished more had attended, for this was a great tasting event, very informative and useful.

The Upside: A chance to re-connect with Alberto Zenato.

The Contact Person: dpancer.cipelli@bellnet.ca

The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 90

 

Chimo! www.deantudor.com

The June 7 Event: Chalk, Slate, Gravel mini-portfolio tasting of ciders and some wines.

The Date and Time: Friday June 7, 2019   1PM to 3PM

The Event: Chalk, Slate, Gravel mini-portfolio tasting of ciders and some wines.

The Venue: Archive

The Target Audience: sommeliers, wine media

The Availability/Catalogue: all product is available through Joel Thompson of Chalk, Slate, Gravel.

The Quote/Background: It was a mix of ciders (apple, pear, flavoured), wines, and spirits [Calvados, Gin]. I especially enjoyed the Poire Calvados Domfrontais at $90, the Hors d'Age Calvados Domfrontais at $150, and the 20 Year Old Calvados Domfrontais $205.

The Wines and Ciders: I did not try everything, there were 30+ samples available for tasting.

 

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

-Comte Louis de Lauriston Pommeau de Normandie $39.95 Vintages

-Pacory Grim' de Poire $39.95  [fortified pear, my FAVE of the afternoon]

-Pacory Cidre Le Coustard 5.9% $15.50  [aged in used Calvados casks]

-Pacory Poire Vif et Petaillent 3.5%  $14.50

-Pacory Poire Domfront 5.4%  $15

-Pacory Poire Domfront L'Ideal 4.5%  $19.95

-Mohr-Sedal Austria Rudi 8% $15

-Mohr-Sedal Austria Sophie 5.7% $15

-Mohr-Sedal Austria Apfel-Cyder 4.5% $18.75   [organic]

-Mohr-Sedal Austria Birnen-Cyder 4%  [organic]

-Reisetbauer Sparkling Apple Wine 2013 7% $32  [2 years on lees]

-Goldkehl/Chen Apple and Pear Mostviertel Mostbirn 4.5%  $5.50   [vegan]

 

-WINE – Stairs 'n' Roses Riesling Feinherb 2017 Mosel $44.75

-WINE – Meyer-Fonne Pinot Noir Reserve 2017 Alsace  $29.95

 

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

-Theo Capelle Contenin Prestige Apple Cider 5.5% $19.95

-Comte Louis de Lauriston Cidre Bouche Brut 4.5% $13.50

-Mohr-Sedal Austria Franzi 7.6% $15

-Mohr-Sedal Austria Sissi 5.3% $15

-Goldkehl/Chen Apple 4.5%  $5.50   [vegan]

 

-WINE – Lingot Martin Cerdon Classic NV $26.50

-WINE – Meyer-Fonne Gewurztraminer Sporen Vieilles Vignes 2015 Alsace $63

-WINE – Stairs 'n' Roses Next Generation 2017 Mosel $37

 

The Food: bread, water

The Downside: I had just come from a huge LCBO Vintages tasting that morning.

The Upside: Cider is very refreshing.

The Contact Person: edward_j_thompson@yahoo.ca

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

Chimo! www.deantudor.com

WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under $20 and over $20 for June 22, 2019

 

WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES:  under $20 and over $20 for June 22, 2019

 

By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com. My "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits, has been at http://www.deantudor.com since 1994.

 

These notes for good wines available through  LCBO Vintages (on a bi-weekly basis)  can always be found at http://www.gothicepicures.blogspot.ca  or at  http://www.deantudor.com

 

Scores are a combination of MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Southern Rhone would taste like a Southern Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace above or below its price).

 

NOTE: The first portion  is based on my sampling of the wines chosen by the LCBO from this release for tasting. That presentation is about 50+  different labels out of about 125 released every two weeks. These wines are basically those that fit the categories of  any of the Featured Themes, Wines of the Month, Local Talent, and "new". Not put out for us are the reorders (even though they may be of a different vintage) or the expensive wines.  Thus, my report comes from a restricted database. I did not taste every one of these 50+ category wines, nor did I rate several of the wines I did sample because they did not seem to be of particularly good value in terms of price.

 

NOTE: The second part (at the end) is a simple listing of  those wines that were NOT presented to the media, and are given here simply as a record of  what sampling I could not do. I have left in the name of the agency, in fairness to all.

 

PART ONE:  The "best" of a reduced tasting --

 

THIS MONTH'S SPECIAL FINDS --

 

Fortified+655084    COMTE LOUIS DE LAURISTON POMMEAU DE NORMANDIE  AC    France        $39.95    MVC/QPR: 93

Rose+451138    GÉRARD BERTRAND GRIS BLANC ROSÉ    IGP Pays d'Oc    2018    $32.95 [for the size convenience of a large crowd: 1500 mL magnum] MVC/QPR: 91

 

Under $20

=========

W+649970    MCMICHAEL COLLECTION TOM THOMSON BARREL-AGED CHARDONNAY    VQA Niagara Peninsula    2017    $22.95     13% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

W+646174    FRANCISCAN SAUVIGNON BLANC    California    2017    $19.95     13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

W+688259    BEST'S GREAT WESTERN RIESLING    Great Western, Victoria    2017    $19.95 11% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90.

W+231282    KEN FORRESTER OLD VINE RESERVE CHENIN BLANC    WO Stellenbosch    2017    $17.95  13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 92.5

W+635813    LA VIGNE DES SABLONS VOUVRAY    AC    2017    $18.95     MVC/QPR: 89

W+645333    DOMAINE DE L'IDYLLE JACQUÈRE SAVOIE    AC    2017    $16.95     11.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

W+645390    PAGOS DE GALIR GODELLO    DO Valdeorras    2017    $17.95    13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

W+631622    COLLAVINI T FRIULANO    DOC Collio 2017 $16.95 12.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88.5

R+646612    LOS HAROLDOS RESERVA MALBEC    Uco Valley, Mendoza    2015    $17.00     13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+635961    SECRETO PATAGÓNICO MALBEC Patagonia    2017    $19.95    14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88.5

R+639575    PENLEY ESTATE PHOENIX CABERNET SAUVIGNON Coonawarra, South Australia    2016    $19.95     15% ABV, MVC/QPR: 91

R+919324    RYMILL COONAWARRA MC2    Coonawarra, South Australia    2015    $18.95     14.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

R+920959    THOMAS GOSS MERLOT    McLaren Vale, South Australia 2016    $16.95     14.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

R+921239    WITS END LUNA CABERNET SAUVIGNON McLaren Vale, South Australia    2017    $17.95 14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

R+630012    CHÂTEAU DU VIEUX PUIT AC Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux    2015    $17.95    14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+370262    GÉRARD BERTRAND GRAND TERROIR LA CLAPE SYRAH/CARIGNAN/MOURVÈDRE    AP    2016    $19.95     13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+208256    TORREVENTO CASTEL DEL MONTE VIGNA PEDALE RISERVA    DOCG    2014    $19.95     13% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+397422    PARCELAS    DOP Douro    2016    $16.95     13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+74229    FERRATON PÈRE & FILS PLAN DE DIEU CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES    AC    2017    $19.95  14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+638726    FEDERICI ROMA ROSSO    DOC    2017    $16.95     13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

R+645010    VIÑEDOS Y BODEGAS PABLO ALGAIREN    DO Cariñena    2015    $13.95     14.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 92

 

Over $20

=========

W+688242    OAKRIDGE VINEYARD SERIES HENK CHARDONNAY Henk Vineyard, Yarra Valley, Victoria    2017    $29.95     13.6% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

W+688291    SIDEWOOD MAPPINGA CHARDONNAY    Adelaide Hills, South Australia    2016    $24.95    12.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

W+ 483065    SAINT CLAIR PIONEER BLOCK 20 CASH BLOCK SAUVIGNON BLANC    Single vineyard, Dillons Point, Marlborough, South Island    2017     $28.95  13% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88

W+666701    DOMAINE PASSY LE CLOU CHABLIS    AP    2017    $28.95    12.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

W+65573    JEAN-MAX ROGER CUVÉE LES CAILLOTTES SANCERRE    AC    2017    $30.95    13% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+486936    CHATEAU STE. MICHELLE MERLOT    Columbia Valley    2015    $21.95     13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89.5

R+ 920967    PERTARINGA UNDERCOVER SHIRAZ    McLaren Vale, South Australia    2015    $20.95  14.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

R+7179    DOMAINE LANGLOIS-CHÂTEAU SAUMUR-CHAMPIGNY    AP    2016    $21.95    12.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

R+644963    RIDOLFI BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO    DOCG    2013    $49.95     14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+526376    FERRATON PÈRE & FILS CALENDES CROZES-HERMITAGE    AC    2016    $31.95     14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+157347    ENRICO SERAFINO BARBARESCO    DOCG    2015    $29.95  14.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 91

 

PART TWO: The "rest" of the release [not offered for sampling by media] --

 

    234104    BOLLINGER SPECIAL CUVÉE BRUT CHAMPAGNE    AC        $49.95    JOHN HANNA & SONS LIMITED

    384529    BOLLINGER SPECIAL CUVÉE BRUT CHAMPAGNE    AC        $84.95    JOHN HANNA & SONS LIMITED

    256289    BENJAMIN BRIDGE NOVA 7 SPARKLING    Charmat method, Nova Scotia    2017    $24.95    LIFFORD WINE & SPIRITS

    991562    BAILLY LAPIERRE RÉSERVE BRUT CRÉMANT DE BOURGOGNE    Traditional method, AC, Burgundy, France        $19.95    VINEXX

    641423    BAILLY LAPIERRE RÉSERVE BRUT CRÉMANT DE BOURGOGNE    Traditional method, AC, Burgundy, France        $12.95    VINEXX

    89011    FEATHERSTONE SAUVIGNON BLANC    VQA Niagara Peninsula    2018    $17.95    FEATHERSTONE WINERY

    241182    CHARLES BAKER PICONE VINEYARD RIESLING    VQA Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula    2016    $36.95    STRATUS VINEYARDS

    57430    MISSION HILL RESERVE SAUVIGNON BLANC    BC VQA Okanagan Valley    2018    $22.95    MARK ANTHONY WINE & SPIRITS

    989152    SANTA BARBARA WINERY CHARDONNAY    Santa Barbara County    2017    $24.95    ROGERS & COMPANY

    210039    RODNEY STRONG RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY RESERVE CHARDONNAY    Russian River Valley, Sonoma County    2015    $49.95    MARK ANTHONY WINE & SPIRITS

    225375    J. LOHR OCTOBER NIGHT CHARDONNAY    Arroyo Seco, Monterey County    2017    $34.95    BARRIQUE WINE IMPORTS LTD.

    461137    HOGUE GEWÜRZTRAMINER    Columbia Valley    2017    $14.95    ARTERRA WINES CANADA INC.

    309609    BEL ECHO SAUVIGNON BLANC    Marlborough, South Island    2017    $23.95    CHARTON HOBBS INC

    669606    SALOMON GROOVY GRÜNER VELTLINER    Niederösterreich    2018    $15.95    LAMPRECHT INTERNATIONAL

    747600    PIERRE SPARR GRANDE RÉSERVE GEWURZTRAMINER    AC Alsace    2017    $18.95    DU CHASSE WINES & SPIRITS

    224642    JOSEPH CATTIN PINOT BLANC    AC Alsace    2017    $15.95    DIONYSUS WINES & SPIRITS LTD.

    626523    WILLIAM FÈVRE SAINT-BRIS    AC    2017    $24.95    WOODMAN WINES & SPIRITS

    382879    VIGNERONS DE BUXY BUISSONNIER MONTAGNY    AC    2015    $19.95    VINEXX

    147975    GÉRARD BERTRAND RÉSERVE SPÉCIALE VIOGNIER    IGP Pays d'Oc    2017    $14.95    FWM CANADA

    320473    RUPPERTSBERGER GEWÜRZTRAMINER LINSENBUSCH SPÄTLESE    Prädikatswein    2017    $18.95    CARTO ENTERPRISE

    474742    TIEFENBRUNNER PINOT GRIGIO    IGT Vigneti delle Dolomiti    2018    $19.95    ROGERS & COMPANY

    485201    PORCONERO FIANO    IGP Campania    2017    $17.95    BRAND NEW DAY WINES & SPIRITS

    176792    CASTELLO DELLA SALA BRAMÌTO CHARDONNAY    IGT Umbria    2017    $22.95    HALPERN ENTERPRISES

    411595    THE TRAGICALLY HIP FULLY COMPLETELY GRAND RESERVE RED    VQA Niagara Peninsula    2017    $24.95    EPIC WINES AND SPIRITS INC.

    38075    FREI BROTHERS SONOMA RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON    Alexander Valley, Sonoma County    2015    $34.95    E&J GALLO WINERY CANADA LTD.

    962217    KENDALL-JACKSON VINTNER'S RESERVE MERLOT    Sonoma County    2015    $29.95    BREAKTHRU BEVERAGE CANADA INC.

    213017    MICHAEL DAVID PETITE PETIT    Lodi    2016    $28.95    CHURCHILL CELLARS LTD.

    628230    SUBMISSION CABERNET SAUVIGNON    California    2016    $19.95    HALPERN ENTERPRISES

    633719    TERRITORIAL WILLAMETTE VALLEY PINOT NOIR    Willamette Valley    2014    $31.95    LOYAL IMPORTS

    443135    HOGUE GENESIS MERITAGE    Columbia Valley    2015    $21.95    ARTERRA WINES CANADA INC.

    680967    KIM CRAWFORD MERLOT    Hawke's Bay, North Island    2016    $19.95    ARTERRA WINES CANADA INC.

    512897    MAN FAMILY WINES OU KALANT CABERNET SAUVIGNON    WO Coastal Region    2017    $14.95    VON TERRA ENTERPRISES LTD.

    561142    CATHEDRAL CELLAR SHIRAZ    WO Western Cape    2016    $16.95    PHILIPPE DANDURAND WINES LTD.

    588830    KATARZYNA MEZZEK CABERNET SAUVIGNON/MAVRUD    PGI Thracian Valley    2016    $15.95    WOODMAN WINES & SPIRITS

    349910    CHÂTEAU FONTAINE DE GENIN    AC Bordeaux    2015    $15.95    FRONTIER WINE MERCHANTS

    348755    CHÂTEAU DES DEMOISELLES    AC Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux    2014    $18.95    HALPERN ENTERPRISES

    295857    CHÂTEAU HAUT-BERTINERIE ELEGANCE MERLOT/CABERNET    AC Côtes de Bordeaux - Blaye    2015    $21.95    RUBY WINES & SPIRITS

    946186    JEAN-ERNEST DESCOMBES MORGON    AC    2016    $21.95    PHILIPPE DANDURAND WINES LTD.

    512574    JOSEPH DROUHIN BOURGOGNE PINOT NOIR    AC Bourgogne    2017    $28.95    PHILIPPE DANDURAND WINES LTD.

    645457    A RENA D'ORU DI CASANOVA    AP Corsica    2016    $19.95    EPIC WINES AND SPIRITS INC.

    571778    M XX270 SYRAH    Aléria, Corsica    2015    $25.95    VINOLUNA

    711317    CHÂTEAU DE BEAUCASTEL CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE    AC    2016    $93.95    CHARTON HOBBS INC

    678086    MICHEL GASSIER LES PILIERS SYRAH    AC Costières de Nîmes    2016    $17.95    HALPERN ENTERPRISES

    234997    CHÂTEAU PEYROS VIEILLES VIGNES MADIRAN    AC    2015    $20.95    VIN VINO WINE MERCHANTS INC.

    343509    TESSELLAE VIEILLES VIGNES CARIGNAN    IGP Côtes Catalanes    2017    $18.95    GLENCAIRN WINE MERCHANTS

    724831    COSTA LAZARIDI AMETHYSTOS RED    PGI Drama    2015    $26.95    DIONYSUS WINES & SPIRITS LTD.

    493742    BEL COLLE SIMPOSIO BAROLO    DOCG    2013    $54.95    MONDO VINO

    176776    CAFAGGIO CHIANTI CLASSICO    DOCG    2013    $21.95    SELECT WINE MERCHANTS INC.

    727636    TENUTA SETTE PONTI CROGNOLO    IGT Toscana    2016    $34.95    TRIALTO WINE GROUP LTD.

    280651    LAMOLE DI LAMOLE RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO    DOCG    2014    $29.95    PHILIPPE DANDURAND WINES LTD.

    673160    BARBI BRUSCO DEI BARBI    IGT Toscana    2016    $17.95    NOBLE ESTATES WINES & SPIRITS INC.

    180059    FATTORIA DEL CERRO RISERVA VINO NOBILE DI MONTEPULCIANO    DOCG    2013    $37.95    LIFFORD WINE & SPIRITS

    165662    MONTE DEL FRÀ LENA DI MEZZO VALPOLICELLA RIPASSO CLASSICO SUPERIORE    DOC    2016    $24.95    SIGNATURE WINES & SPIRITS

    482505    CR GOLD 5 MONASTRELL/SYRAH    DOP Jumilla    2013    $17.95    CONNEXION OENOPHILIA

    431973    LÓPEZ DE HARO GRAN RESERVA    DOCa Rioja    2010    $29.95    WINEONLINE MARKETING COMPANY LTD

    471565    BORSAO BOLE GARNACHA/SYRAH    DO Campo de Borja    2015    $16.95    CHARTON HOBBS INC

    206409    CONVENTO SAN FRANCISCO CRIANZA    DO Ribera del Duero    2012    $21.95    TRADESA CORP.

    68833    HIDDEN BENCH LOCUST LANE ROSÉ    VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment    2018    $23.95    MARK ANTHONY WINE & SPIRITS

    469338    SUE-ANN STAFF FANCY FARM GIRL FOXY PINK    VQA Niagara Peninsula    2018    $15.95    SUE-ANN STAFF ESTATE WINERY

    558510    MCMANIS PINOT NOIR ROSÉ    Estate grown, Lodi    2018    $18.95    THE VINE AGENCY

    408476    ZONTE'S FOOTSTEP SCARLET LADYBIRD ROSÉ    Fleurieu, South Australia    2018    $15.95    CRU WINE MERCHANTS

    FWM CANADA

    33621    GASSIER SABLES D'AZUR ROSÉ    AP Côtes de Provence    2018    $17.95    SELECT WINE MERCHANTS INC.

    450825    HENRI GAILLARD ROSÉ    AP Côtes de Provence    2018    $17.95    MARK ANTHONY WINE & SPIRITS

    575282    LÉOUBE LOVE ROSÉ    AP Côtes de Provence    2018    $24.95    THE LIVING VINE INC.

    490987    SCAIA ROSATO    IGT Veneto    2018    $17.95    MARK ANTHONY WINE & SPIRITS

    377267    MASI ROSA DEI MASI    IGT Rosato delle Venezie    2018    $15.95    AUTHENTIC WINE & SPIRITS MERCHANTS

    451385    MEDEIROS ROSÉ    Vinho Regional Alentejano    2018    $13.95    TRADESA CORP.

    440883    LOUIS ROEDERER PREMIER BRUT CHAMPAGNE    AC        $159.95    AUTHENTIC WINE & SPIRITS MERCHANTS

    93054    LOUIS ROEDERER PREMIER BRUT CHAMPAGNE    AC        $41.95    AUTHENTIC WINE & SPIRITS MERCHANTS

    258269    MISSION HILL RESERVE LIMITED EDITION VIOGNIER    BC VQA Okanagan Valley    2016    $23.95    MARK ANTHONY WINE & SPIRITS

    667253    CHÂTEAU DE MANISSY LIRAC    AP    2016    $29.95    RARE EARTH WINE

    437681    12 LINAJES RESERVA    DO Ribera del Duero    2012    $33.95    VINOLUNA

Chimo! www.deantudor.com

The June 2 Event: Tasting with Francis Vallana, owner and winemaker at Vallana in Alto Piedmonte.

The Date and Time: Sunday June 2, 2019   1PM - 4PM

The Event: Tasting with Francis Vallana, owner and winemaker at Vallana in Alto Piedmonte.

The Venue: Paris Paris

The Target Audience: wine media and sommeliers

The Availability/Catalogue: all wines are available through www.wineonline.ca, but some are private order.

The Quote/Background: In the Alto Piedmonte, nebbliolo is known as Spanna, and it is Vallana's forte. The family has been making wine since 1787, but the estate itself was officially established in 1937. They make four nebbiolo-predominant wine: Campi Raudi, Spanna, Boca (blend of nebbiolo, vespolina and uva rara), and Gattinara. Francis was in town for three days, leading up to a winemaker's dinner at Buca. (Hence, Boca at Buca).

The Wines:

 

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

-Vallana Spanna Colline Novaresi 2015 DOC  $40

-Vallana Boca 2015 DOC $54  [70/30 nebbiolo/vespolina

-Vallana Campo Raudii 2006   $39.95

-Vallana Gattinara 2002 DOCG  $79 [still tight]

 

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

-Vallana Spumante di Qualita Rosato Methodo Classico 2015 [100% nebbiolo] $49.95

-Vallana Nebbiolo Colline Novaresi 2018  $29.95

 

The Food: bread, water

The Downside: hey, it was Sunday

The Upside: a chance to meetup with Vallana and Wineonline.Ca

The Contact Person: samfritztate@gmail.com; jonny@wineonline.ca

The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 87

Chimo! www.deantudor.com

SOME NEW BEVERAGE SAMPLES SENT TO ME FOR TASTING THIS MONTH OF MAY 2019 --

SOME NEW BEVERAGE SAMPLES SENT TO ME FOR TASTING THIS MONTH –

 

 

Taittinger Domaine Carneros Brut Vintage Cuvee 2013, +301655 $41.95 Vintages June 20: Cool climate Carneros fruit is perfectly adaptable to sparkling wine done up in the traditional method of double fermentation in the bottle. This is the signature wine of the company's California holdings – with three years of bottle age before release. Content is chardonnay 58% and pinot noir 42%. Expect a typical yeasty nose from sitting on the lees, moving on to baked spicy fruit and ending with citric tones. It is well-priced and the company encourages "food friendly" for those bright, white appetizers of soft cheeses and shellfish. 12.1% ABV. Too bad my wedding anniversary falls on June 17 – I'll miss stocking up for it by a few days. Quality/Price rating is 92.5 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

 

 

 

Troupis Fteri Moschofilero 2017 Greece, +647388 $16.95 Vintages June 8: flower aromatics and some grape tones (much like muscat) and with a deceptive citric finish. So: starts out floral, rises to fat perfume, and then descends to crispness for the food as a first course wine, paired with white meats. 12% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

 

 

Waterkloof Circle of Life White 2015 Stellenbosch South Africa, +284588 $19.95 Vintages: Waterkloof is now organized according to biodynamic principles  (which is one step beyond organic). The emphasis is on terroir sustainability. The Circle of Life series is a mid-level brand (others are Astracus, Circumstance, and Seriously Cool). Here the blend is sauvignon blanc 72% and chenin blanc 28%. Previous harvests have produced a mix that also included chardonnay and semillon. So the blend can change depending on the moment of picking the terroir. BF was for six months in older 600 litre French barrels. The initial nosing is sauvignon blanc of muted strength, followed by a sharper minerality of chenin. The long finish makes this a really good wine for aperitif time. Cinq a sept anyone? 13.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

 

 

 

Waterkloof Circumstance Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 Stellenbosch South Africa, +651471 $24.95 Vintages: the Circumstance level of wine-making covers a wide range of varieties, over 11 different labels (Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Viognier, Mourvedre, Syrah, et al). Here, again with biodynamic principles, we can see the evolution of a lighter cabernet sauvignon emphasizing red fruit and berries rather than the usual cassis. After MF, it was aged in 20% new French barrels and 80% second and third year for 20 months. Unfiltered. 13.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

 

 

 

 

Secreto Patagonico Malbec 2017 San Patricio del Chanar Patagonia Argentina, +635961, $19.95 Vintages June: Very dense black texture with black fruit dominating and some toasty tones of American wood in the finish. Typical blackberries, dark plums, and violets on the palate. Some butter for mouthfeel, some mocha elements as well. 14% ABV. As of now, still a young wine. So do a double-decant and/or taste it over several days. A keeper through 2020+. Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

 

 

 

 

Henry of Pelham Old Vines Baco Noir 2018 VQA Ontario, +459966, $19.95 LCBO General List: Latest vintage, just arrived. low yielding grapes come from 1984 and later plantings in the Short Hills Bench area. As with their previous baco noirs, HOP has maintained both the rich jammy black currant spicy character and the low price – under $20. Both new and older (one/two year old) US barrels are used for initial aging before transfer to 5000L oak foudres. Total aging: 1 year. It is still needs another year or two for proper aging, but with decanting it can be enjoyed now. 13% ABV. One of the top baco noirs at the LCBO. Works best with pronounced meats such as pork/boar, lamb, farmed or wild game – all either braised or grilled. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

 

 

Henry of Pelham Gamay Estate 2017 VQA Short Hills Bench, +232323, $19.95 currently only at the winery. Aromatic black and red fruit (cherries, raspberries, blueberries), augmented by oak tones with vanilla cake spices, not as lean or Euro as Beaujolais. Fermented in stainless and aged in a mix of US and French oak for 10 months before bottling. Medium-bodied, good for patio drinking (sangria too), parties, BBQ. Ready now, but with some tannic structure to carry through a whole meal. 13.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

 

 

Gerard Bertrand Terroir Minervois Syrah Carignan 2016 +952804, $15.95 Vintages July: handpicking and total destemming are hallmarks of the Bertrand approach. After the malo, both varieties are blended and part of the wine is aged in 225-litre Bordeaux barrels for 8 months. There are lively light spicy carignan flavours of cherries and plums, with some black fruit (black olive and blackberry) syrah component plus mocha. 13.5% ABV. BBQ wine. Price is $1 less than the 2015 vintage. Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

 

 

Gerard Bertrand Grand Terroir La Clape Syrah/Carignan/Mourvedre 2016 AOP La Clape, +370262, $18.95 Vintages June: the bargains continue at the LCBO with this southern Rhone clone emphasizing aromatic red fruit (with some black) and garrigue. Nice long finish for that heavy meat dish. 14% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

 

 

Gerard Bertrand Grand Terroir Les Aspres Syrah Mourvedre Grenache 2016 Cotes du Roussillon Les Aspres, +413245, $18.95 Vintages July: G-S-M style all the way. One third of the wine is matured in barrels for 9 months and then blended with the other, vatted wines. Jammy, upfront black fruit coupled with both mocha and subtle spice cake tones. Sip or with food. 14% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

 

 

Gerard Bertrand Hampton Water 2018 AOP Languedoc, +667337, $29.95 Vintages June: the prices of quality rose from south of France keep climbing, and this one is no exception. It comes complete with a glass stopper, which is annoying to open after re-capping: this would seem to encourage drinking the whole bottle at one time. Nevertheless, it is an enjoyable rose, meant to complete with Miraval, Leoube, Ott, La Coste, Whispering Angel – at around the $30 pricepoint from the south of France Languedoc or Provence regions. It's been aged a few months in oak before bottling and release. Very well done, exhibiting the leanness of minerals with a higher red fruit acidic finish for rich appetizers and grilled fatty fishes. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

 

 

 

Conundrum Rose 2018 California, +557595 $21.95 Vintages June: here's another addendum to the Conundrum family by owner Wagner Family. They've got White, Red, sparkling Blanc de Blanc, Sparkling Rose, and still Rose that is new to Ontario. I predict that Orange or Amber is next, as well as more sparkling variations. It is a successful line imported into Ontario via Andrew Peller. This one has RS 4 g/L and 13.1% ABV. But the compelling aspect here is the inclusion of Valdiguie grapes, once thought of as being a variation of Gamay. So like Gamay, it is light and aromatic with pale rose colour and tastes of strawberries, plus some watermelon. It's a good addition to the roses available for sale. Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

 

 

Lakeview Serenity Sauvignon Blanc 2018 VQA Niagara Peninsula, +688549 $16.95 LCBO: a nifty sauvignon blanc, with a 5 g/L residual sugar. It's a very pleasant pre-prandial drink with tropical fruit tones dominating citric zest. But there is enough acidity to make it a first course wine, or served with a salad. 12.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 88 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

 

 

Lakeview Serenity Baco Noir 2017 VQA Niagara Peninsula, +688556 $16.95 LCBO: with a residual sugar of 15 g/L, this wine seems poised to take on Apothic from California. It's full-bodied and emphasizes black fruit with mocha tones and some smoke. Oak aged for eight months in new French and Hungarian wood. Possibly best served on its own as a party wine, or with hot-dogs or burgers. 12.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 87 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

 

 

Chateau des Charmes Rose Cuvee d'Andree 2018 Estate Grown VQA NOTL, $16.95 Vintages +333260: this fresh and vibrant rose (named after Madame Andree Bosc) continues to please year over year as I have said before. It is still 100% pinot noir, dry "old style" as in Europe, but loaded with Ontario cranberry, red fruit strawberry, and some discreet black cherry tones from the hot summer, coming in at 12.5% ABV. Stainless steel fermentation of course, and twist top. Refreshing. Ontario Wine Awards Gold Winner for 2016. I scored the 2017 at 91+ points; this release is just as good but, of course, fresher. RS: 6.1g/L. "Vegan friendly" (no animal products used in filtering). Quality/Price rating is 92 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

 

 

Chateau des Charmes Cabernet Franc 2016 VQA St. David's Bench. NOTL, +453415 $34.95 at Winery and boutiques: it has been years since I tasted the St. David's Bench Cab Franc from Chateau des Charmes, and they have a continual winner of wine that could have been diverted to Equuleus. It has some over-the-top full-bodied black spicy fruit while still retaining some cranberries and bell peppers, slightly augmented with some pine/cedar tones. Aged for a year in 1 – 2 year-old French oak with some toast. Not made every year, and this is the ONLY cab franc Chat des Charmes produces. Sip as a meditative drink or with red meat/cheese. Cork closure, keep it around for awhile. I opened my bottle and did a double-decant followed by several days of open bottle sampling. 13.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

Chimo! www.deantudor.com

TheMay 28 2019 Event: D.O. Rueda Wine Tasting

The Date and Time: Tuesday May 28,2019  7Pm to 9PM

The Event: D.O. Rueda Wine Tasting

The Venue: Patria, King Street

The Target Audience: wine writers, influencers, clients.

The Availability/Catalogue: There were 24 or so wineries showing their wines, but only a few had Ontario representation. These were in the main square. Along the glassed-in perimeter there were the other wineries that wanted reps but had only two people pouring all the wines. Here, the wines were arranged by aroma and body-weight, ending with barrel fermented wines.

The Quote/Background: Bruce Wallner, MS, was along to provide helpful commentaries. Rueda produces mainly white wines, and exports widely. The authorized white grapes used are Verdejo, Sauvignon Blanc, and Viura.

The Wines: I did not taste every wine. All wines are DO Rueda. MARQUES DE RISCAL RUEDA DO  (LCBO +36822) is the only one available at the LCBO stores for $13.35. It turned up among the wines NOT repped. But I tasted it anyway. HIJOS DE ALBERTO GUTIERREZ DE ALBERTO DORADO NV    $42 was a semi-sweet dessert wine that I did not taste.

 

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

-Menade Verdejo 2018 $19.95  The Living Vine  [my FAVE of the evening]

-Finca Montepedroso Verdejo 2017 Rueda DO  $20.99 Licensee STEM WINE GROUP

-Palacio de Bornos Sauvignon Blanc 2018 $15.95 J. Cipelli

-Palacio de Bornos Verdejo Sobra Lias 'La Caprichosa' 2017 $21.95 J. Cipelli

-Bodegas Rueda Perez Vina Buron 2018 Verdejo70%/Viura30% $12.95 Lic Reif

-Bodegas Protos Verdejo 2017 Barrel Fermented   [not repped!!]

-JAVIER SANZ VERDEJO 2018 LCBO +533561  $19.05 Majestic

-JAVIER SANZ SAUVIGNON BLANC 2018 LCBO +533579 $19.05  Majestic

 

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

-Palacio de Bornos Verdejo 2018 $15.95 J. Cipelli

-Bodega Gotica Badajo 2018 DO Rueda $14.95 Licensee Rouge et Blanc

-Bodega Gotica TrasCampanas 2018 DO Rueda $17.95 Licensee Rouge et Blanc

-Bodegas Rueda Perez Vina Buron 2018 Verdejo $13.95 Lic Reif

-Bodegas Rueda Perez Jose Galo Verdejo 2018 $11.65 Reif

-Bodegas Verdeal Verdejo Ayre 2018  ~ $18    Bespoke

-Bodegas Verdeal Verdejo 500 Flores 2018   price?  Bespoke

-Bodegas Verdeal Verdejo 500 Flores 2017   price?  Bespoke

 

Unrepped Wineries, approx. CAD retail

 

HIJOS DE ALBERTO GUTIERREZ   

      -DE ALBERTO VERDEJO 2018    $20

    -MONASTERIO DE PALAZUELOS VERDEJO 2018    $15

CASTELO DE MEDINA   

      -CASTELO DE MEDINA VERDEJO 2018    $20

    -CASTELO DE MEDINA VERDEJO VENDIMIA SELECCIONADA 2017      $25

    -CASTELO DE MEDINA SAUVIGNON BLANC VENDIMIA SELECCIONADA 2017    $25

PAGO TRASLAGARES   

      -TRASLAGARES VERDEJO 2018    $18

    -TRASLAGARES SAUVIGNON BLANC 2018    $20

BODEGAS FELIX SANZ   

      -VIÑA CIMBRÓN SAUVIGNON BLANC 2018    $26

    -VIÑA CIMBRON VERDEJO 2018    $26

    -VIÑA CIMBRON VERDEJO SELECCIÓN ESPECIAL 2017    $26

HERRERO BODEGA   

      -ERRE DE HERRERO VERDEJO 2018       $21

    -ROBERT VEDEL CEPAS VIEJAS    $30

    -POUR JANINE VERDEJO    $23

 

The Food: Food was outstanding, with planks and boards of Spanish cheeses and housemade sausages and meats. There were platters of apps, plus their stunning paella (clams, mussels, shrimp, fish, etc.).

The Downside: prices were not that easy to obtain, especially from those wineries that were seeking reps. The PR firm went out of their way to nail down what prices they could; I appreciated that effort. Also, it was so dark – which made it difficult to read labels or other fine print (such as vintage date).

The Upside: Rueda wines are not that well-known, and they are a pleasing alternative to other white wines. It was a good learning experience for me.

The Contact Person: giuliana@glocommunications.ca; jessica@glocommunications.ca

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

 

Chimo! www.deantudor.com

WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under $20 and over $20 for JUNE 8, 2019

 

WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES:  under $20 and over $20 for JUNE 8, 2019

 

By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com. My "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits, has been at http://www.deantudor.com since 1994.

 

These notes for good wines available through  LCBO Vintages (on a bi-weekly basis)  can always be found at http://www.gothicepicures.blogspot.ca  or at  http://www.deantudor.com

 

Scores are a combination of MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Southern Rhone would taste like a Southern Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace above or below its price).

 

NOTE: The first part is based on my sampling of the wines chosen by the LCBO from this release for tasting. That presentation is about 50+  different labels out of about 125 released every two weeks. Thus, my report will not be as voluminous as in the past and comes from a restricted database. I did not taste every one of the 50+ wines, nor did I rate several of the wines I did sample because they did not seem to be of particularly good value.

 

NOTE: The second part (at the end) is a simple listing of  those wines that were NOT presented to the media, and are given here simply as a record of  what sampling I could not do. I have left in the name of the agency, in fairness to all.

 

PART ONE:  The "best" of a reduced tasting based on --

 

THIS MONTH'S SPECIAL FINDS --

 

Rose+552562     HENRY OF PELHAM  THREE OF HEARTS ROSÉ    VQA Niagara Peninsula    2018    $19.95     Rated: 90

Rose+333260    CHÂTEAU DES CHARMES CUVÉE D'ANDRÉE ROSÉ     VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake    2018    $16.95    Rated: 89

Fizz+213983    CAVE SPRING BLANC DE BLANCS BRUT SPARKLING    Traditional method, VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario        $29.95. Rated: 91

 

Under $20

=========

W+634162    J. BOOKWALTER READERS CHARDONNAY    Columbia Valley    2016    $19.95    13.9% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88

W+635896    LANGLOIS-CHÂTEAU SUR LIE MUSCADET SÈVRE ET MAINE    AP    2017    $17.95  12% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

W+647388 TROUPIS FTERI MOSCHOFILERO PGI Arcadia 2017 $16.95 12% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

W+246579    CAVE SPRING ESTATE CHARDONNAY MUSQUÉ    Cave Spring Vineyard, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment    2016    $17.95  13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

W+302059    CAVE SPRING ESTATE GEWÜRZTRAMINER    Cave Spring Vineyard, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment    2016    $18.95  13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88

W+648899    ST. HUBERTUS PINOT BLANC    BC VQA Okanagan Valley    2016    $16.95    12.7% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

W+389726    BOYA SAUVIGNON BLANC    DO Leyda Valley    2017    $14.95    12.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

W+909283    PRODUTTORI VINI MANDURIA ZÌN FIANO    IGT Salento    2017    $13.95    13% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+635953    TANGUERO RESERVA MALBEC    Estate bottled, Mendoza    2016    $16.95    13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+668822    CARMEN GRAN RESERVA CARIGNAN    El Secano Vineyard, Maule Valley    2016    $16.95 13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+431098    IN SITU SIGNATURE WINES SYRAH/MOURVÈDRE/VIOGNIER    Aconcagua Valley    2016    $16.95    13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

R+18721    VIÑA TARAPACÁ GRAN RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON    Maipo Valley    2017    $17.95 13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 92

R+644468    MATHILDE CHAPOUTIER SÉLECTION    AP Languedoc    2017    $14.95    14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

R+354191    DOMAINE LAFAGE CUVÉE NICOLAS VIEILLES VIGNES GRENACHE NOIR    IGP Côtes Catalanes    2017    $19.95 15% ABV, MVC/QPR: 91

R+900274    DONNAFUGATA SEDÀRA    DOC Sicilia    2016    $18.95     13% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

R+646117    ALTANO ORGANIC    DOP Douro    2017    $16.95    14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

R+645036    GORU ORGANIC MONASTRELL    DO Jumilla    2017    $13.95  14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 92

R+276030    MURIEL FINCAS DE LA VILLA RESERVA    DOCa Rioja    2014    $19.95    12.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

R+389254    MORANDÉ GRAN RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON    Single vineyard, DO Maipo Valley    2015    $19.95     14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

R+638338    MARZIANO ABBONA I DUE RICU    DOCG Langhe Rosso    2016    $19.95  14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88

W+557165    HENRY OF PELHAM ESTATE RIESLING    VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Escarpment    2017    $19.95 11% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

 

Over $20

 

W+644583    TOLLGATE CHARDONNAY    VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake    2016    $24.95    12.8% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88

W+136382    RUTHERFORD RANCH CHARDONNAY    Napa Valley    2016    $25.95     MVC/QPR:89

R+668327    LOS CLOP RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON    Paraje Altamira, Uco Valley, Mendoza    2015    $23.95    14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+633669    LES FIEFS DE LAGRANGE    Second wine of Château Lagrange, AP Saint-Julien    2010    $47.95 12.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

R+96792    BORGODANGELO TAURASI DOCG 2011 $25.95    14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

R+62364    MONTES PURPLE ANGEL    DO Colchagua Valley    2015    $62.95    15% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+541169    MIGUEL TORRES CORDILLERA DE LOS ANDES CABERNET SAUVIGNON    Maipo Valley    2015    $22.95    14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+645044    ALVEAR PALACIO QUEMADO LA ZARCITA    Single estate vineyard, Vino de la Tierra de Extremadura    2016    $22.95    13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88

R+616433    HENRY OF PELHAM SPECK FAMILY RESERVE CABERNET/MERLOT    VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Escarpment    2015    $39.95     13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

 

PART TWO: The "rest" of the release [not offered for sampling by media] --

 

    398628    CREEKSIDE BACKYARD BUBBLY SAUVIGNON BLANC    VQA Creek Shores, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario    2017    24.95    HOBBS & COMPANY

    515288    RIVAROSE BRUT    Salon de Provence, IGP Mediterranean, France        18.95    SYLVESTRE WINES & SPIRITS INC.

    314757    SEGURA VIUDAS HEREDAD RESERVA BRUT ROSÉ CAVA    Traditional method, DO, Spain        39.95    BARRIQUE WINE IMPORTS LTD.

    68015    FLAT ROCK UNPLUGGED CHARDONNAY    VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment    2018    17.95    FLAT ROCK CELLARS

    446088    NOMAD SAUVIGNON BLANC    VQA Niagara Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula    2017    16.95    STELLAR WINE & SPIRITS INC.

    713313    CALERA CHARDONNAY    Central Coast    2016    32.95    VINEXX

    385773    SEVEN FALLS CHARDONNAY    Wahluke Slope, Columbia Valley    2016    21.95    PHILIPPE DANDURAND WINES LTD.

    384339    SUSANA BALBO SIGNATURE BARREL FERMENTED TORRONTÉS    Uco Valley    2017    19.95    BARRIQUE WINE IMPORTS LTD.

    331652    NAUTILUS CHARDONNAY    Marlborough, South Island    2017    27.95    BREAKTHRU BEVERAGE CANADA INC.

    919514    WITHER HILLS SAUVIGNON BLANC    Marlborough, South Island    2018    19.95    VIN VINO WINE MERCHANTS INC.

    328559    CATHEDRAL CELLAR CHARDONNAY    WO Western Cape    2016    16.95    PHILIPPE DANDURAND WINES LTD.

    141226    ANNE DE LAWEISS COLLECTION GEWURZTRAMINER    AC Alsace    2017    21.95    RUBY WINES & SPIRITS

    991893    DOMAINE LAROCHE VIEILLES VIGNES LES VAILLONS CHABLIS 1ER CRU    AC    2017    39.95    SELECT WINE MERCHANTS INC.

    958801    CHATELAIN LES VIGNES DE SAINT-LAURENT L'ABBAYE POUILLY-FUMÉ    AC    2017    26.95    WOODMAN WINES & SPIRITS

    499509    FAMILLE PERRIN RÉSERVE CÔTES DU RHÔNE BLANC    AC    2017    14.95    CHARTON HOBBS INC

    669531    MICHEL GASSIER LES PILIERS VIOGNIER    France    2018    18.95    HALPERN ENTERPRISES

    380824    BEYRA VINHOS DE ALTITUDE    DOC Beira Interior    2017    12.95    VINYA

    543801    EL COTO BLANCO    DOCa Rioja    2018    14.95    NOBLE ESTATES WINES & SPIRITS INC.

    617738    WAYNE GRETZKY WHISKY OAK AGED RED    VQA Niagara Peninsula    2017    19.95    ANDREW PELLER LIMITED

    56598    13TH STREET CABERNET/MERLOT    Lakeshore Farm Vineyard, VQA Creek Shores, Niagara Peninsula    2017    19.95    THE THIRTEENTH STREET WINE CORP.

    652875    RIDGE THREE VALLEYS    Sonoma County    2016    49.95    ROGERS & COMPANY

    711663    CAYMUS SPECIAL SELECTION CABERNET SAUVIGNON    Napa Valley    2015    199.95    ANDREW PELLER IMPORT AGENCY

    432211    NAPA CELLARS CABERNET SAUVIGNON    Napa Valley    2016    45.95    PHILIPPE DANDURAND WINES LTD.

    256735    MCMANIS ZINFANDEL    Certified Green, Lodi    2017    21.95    THE VINE AGENCY

    280107    CHATEAU SMITH CABERNET SAUVIGNON    Columbia Valley    2016    24.95    ARTERRA WINES CANADA INC.

    29280    TERRAZAS DE LOS ANDES RESERVA MALBEC    Mendoza    2016    19.95    CHARTON HOBBS INC

    635979    DON RODOLFO ART OF THE ANDES MALBEC    Mendoza    2017    16.95    LEXCELLENT WINES

    90324    PILLAR BOX RESERVE SHIRAZ    Padthaway, South Australia    2015    19.95    CHRISTOPHER STEWART WINE & SPIRITS

    66738    THE BLACK CHOOK SHIRAZ/VIOGNIER    McLaren Vale/Padthaway, South Australia    2017    18.95    DIONYSUS WINES & SPIRITS LTD.

    744235    WAKEFIELD CABERNET SAUVIGNON    Clare Valley, South Australia    2016    19.95    VIN VINO WINE MERCHANTS INC.

    490052    PERTARINGA OVER THE TOP SHIRAZ    McLaren Vale, South Australia    2015    28.95    LOYAL IMPORTS

    707323    RUSTENBERG JOHN X MERRIMAN    WO Stellenbosch    2015    24.95    WOODMAN WINES & SPIRITS

    405688    CHÂTEAU DE PITRAY    AC Côtes de Castillon    2015    22.95    RARE EARTH WINES

    729962    DELAS SAINT-ESPRIT CÔTES DU RHÔNE    AC    2016    17.95    UNIVINS AND SPIRITS CANADA INC.

    494690    DEMAZET RÉSERVE DES ARMOIRIES TRADITION CÔTES DU RHÔNE    AP    2016    14.95    GRAPE EXPECTATIONS WINE AGENCY

    419382    MARANI SAPERAVI    Kakheti    2017    15.95    GLOBAL CELLARS

    466458    SAPERAVI    Kindzmarauli, Kakheti    2016    12.95    THE DOCHAS COMPANY INC.

    496851    ASCHERI BAROLO    DOCG    2013    49.95    PREVEDELLO AND MATHEWS

    722470    ORNELLAIA    "La Tensione" label, DOC Bolgheri Superiore    2016    239.95    MARK ANTHONY WINE & SPIRITS

    121905    LA LECCIAIA BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO    DOCG    2013    67.95    TWC IMPORTS

    475574    BOLLA VALPOLICELLA RIPASSO CLASSICO SUPERIORE    DOC    2016    19.95    PHILIPPE DANDURAND WINES LTD.

    134544    MONTE DEL FRÁ BARDOLINO    DOC    2017    15.95    SIGNATURE WINES & SPIRITS

    178459    ANTICHE TERRE VENETE RIPASSO VALPOLICELLA    DOC    2016    18.95    LIBERTY WINES INC.

    371518    BORSAO BEROLA    DO Campo de Borja    2015    18.95    CHARTON HOBBS INC

    236927    VIÑA HERMINIA RESERVA    DOCa Rioja    2012    28.95    JOHN HANNA & SONS LIMITED

    364679    ALFRED SCHLADERER SCHWARZENWALDER KIRSCHWASSER BLACK FOREST CHERRY BRANDY    Product of Germany        40.95    NOBLE ESTATES WINES & SPIRITS

    491712    LA COPA VERMOUTH    Jerez, Spain        22.95    WOODMAN WINES & SPIRITS

    71712    WILDASS ROSÉ    VQA Niagara Peninsula    2018    18.95    STRATUS VINEYARDS

    552497    PELEE ISLAND LOLA CABERNET FRANC ROSÉ    VQA South Islands, Lake Erie North Shore    2017    15.95    PELEE ISLAND WINERY

    53421    FIELDING ROSÉ    VQA Niagara Peninsula    2018    15.95    FIELDING ESTATE WINERY

    557595    CONUNDRUM ROSÉ    California    2018    21.95    ANDREW PELLER IMPORT AGENCY

    524967    LAPOSTOLLE LE ROSÉ    Apalta, Colchagua Valley    2018    19.95    TRIALTO WINE GROUP LTD.

    319368    CHÂTEAU D'AQUÉRIA TAVEL    AC    2018    24.95    NOBLE ESTATES WINES & SPIRITS INC.

    96727    ERNEST RAPENEAU LIMITED EDITION EXTRA BRUT CHAMPAGNE    AC        54.95    THE CASE FOR WINE

    639666    GALERIE NAISSANCE SAUVIGNON BLANC    Napa Valley    2016    39.95    HALPERN ENTERPRISES

    665935    ILLAHE VIOGNIER    Willamette Valley    2017    29.95    DB WINE & SPIRITS INC.

    282806    GREYWACKE WILD SAUVIGNON    Marlborough, South Island    2015    39.95    CONNEXION OENOPHILIA

    694083    LA CREMA FOG VEIL PINOT NOIR    Russian River Valley, Sonoma County    2015    69.95    B AND W WINES

    395566    POMUM SHYA RED CABERNET SAUVIGNON    Yakima Valley    2014    30.95    TRADESA CORP.

    688564    BALDUZZI B CABERNET SAUVIGNON    Maule Valley    2013    32.95    LOYAL IMPORTS

    668293    CUCHA CUCHA CINSAULT    Itata Valley    2017    18.95    WILSON GROUP WINES AND SPIRITS

    632695    BLEASDALE GENERATIONS MALBEC    Langhorne Creek, South Australia    2016    34.95    AZUREAU WINE AGENCY

    648345    MARCHAND-TAWSE MARSANNAY    AC    2014    41.95    BURGUNDY DIRECT LTD.

    499624    CHÂTEAU DE CHAMIREY MERCUREY    AC    2016    38.95    HALPERN ENTERPRISES

    648535    MALDANT-PAUVELOT CLASSIQUE ALOXE-CORTON    AC    2015    68.95    ANDREW PELLER IMPORT AGENCY

    283499    BORGOGNO BAROLO    DOCG    2014    54.95    TRIALTO WINE GROUP LTD.

    987586    SOLAIA    IGT Toscana    2015    316.95    HALPERN ENTERPRISES

 

Chimo! www.deantudor.com

The May 27,2019 Event: Gambero Rosso's Tre Bicchieri Road show

The Date and Time:  Monday May 27 2019   1PM - 5PM

The Event: Gambero Rosso's Tre Bicchieri Road show

The Venue: Liberty Grand, CNE

The Target Audience: wine trade

The Availability/Catalogue: most of the wines are or will be available. As usual, prices were far and few between, but I did note what I could.

The Quote/Background: We had an assortment of Tre plus some finalists and some recent vintages of EN PRIMEUR wines that were in bottle but not yet available for sale (DOP regulations). There also was a special table with about 20 Falanghina wines (including a sparkler). And a special area for producers looking for agencies to represent them in Ontario.

The Wines: I did not taste all the 100+ wines.

 

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

-Ruffino Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Riserva Ducale Oro 2014  Arterra

-Ruffino Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Romitorio 2015  ~$90  Arterra

-Cantina di Solopaca Falanghina del Sannio DOP VSQ Brut

-Varvaglione Papale Linea Oro Primitivo di Manduria DOP 2015 $24 Vintages

-Tenuta di Arceno Valadorna 2013 Tuscany  Breakthru Beverage

-Tenuta di Arceno Chianti Classico Strada al Sasso Riserva 2013  Breakthru Beverage

-Poggio La Nose Gigio 2015 Tuscany     Glencairn

-Fiamberti OP Buttafuoco Storico V. Sacca del Prete 2013 Lombardy   Cottonwood

-Fiamberti OP Pinot Nero Brut MT Lombardy   Cottonwood

-Sorelle Bronca Valdobbiadene Brut $19  Cru

-Sorelle Bronca Valdobbiadene Frizzante Sui Lieviti Difetto Perfetto $24  Cru

-Cantine del Notaio Aglianico del Vulture Il Sigillo 2013 Basilicata  Dionysus

-Cantine San Marzano Primitivo di Manduria Sessantanni 2015  Dionysus

-Reva Barolo Ravera 2015 EN PRIMEUR $130  Nicolas Pearce

-G.Borgogno Barolo Riserva 2011  $256 Lic   Noble

-G.Borgogno Barolo Cannubi 2013  $171 Lic   Noble

-G.Borgogno Langhe Nebbiolo No Name 2014  $40 Lic   Noble

-Ferrari Trento Brut Perle 2013 EN PRIMEUR   Dandurand

-Borgo Conventi Collio Sauvignon 2017  $29  Profile

-Villa Sandi Il Fresco Brut Rose   Profile

-Monteci Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Costa delle Corone 2009 The Case for Wine

-La Guardiense Falanghina del Sannio Janare Senete 2017  The Vine Agency

-Torrevento Since 1913 Primitivo 2015  $40  Tricana Imports

-Poggio Le Volpi Primitivo di Manduria Piano Chiuso Riserva 2015 Wine Lovers Agency

 

 

 

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

-Reva Nebbiolo d'Alba 2017 EN PRIMEUR $30  Nicolas Pearce

-Gorghi Tondi Coste a Preola Grillo 2018 $17 Vintages

-Ruffino Modus 2016

-Varvaglione 12E Mezzo Primitivo del Salento IGP 2015 $15  Vintages

-Tenuta di Arceno Arcanum 2013 Tuscany  Breakthru Beverage

-Fiamberti OP Buttafuoco Cacciatore 2016 Lombardy EN PRIMEUR  Cottonwood

-Sorelle Bronca Valdobbiadene Brut Particella 68 $30  Cru

-Poggio Le Volpi Roma Malvasia Puntinata 2017 Wine Lovers Agency

-Torrevento Castel del Monte Rosso V. Pedale Riserva 2015  $20  Tricana Imports

-La Guardiense Falanghina del Sannio Janare 2018 EN PRIMEUR  The Vine Agency

-La Guardiense Sannio Aglianico Lucchero 2015  The Vine Agency

-Velenosi Offida Pecorino Villa Angela 2018  EN PRIMEUR  Profile

-Borgo Conventi Collio Friulano 2017  $29  Profile

-Casale del Giglio Mater Matuta 2015 Lazio   $78  Profile

-Casale del Giglio Cesanese 2017 Lazio   $26  Profile

-Ferrari Trento Brut Rose 2013    Dandurand

-Famiglia Cottini-Monte Zovo Amarone della Valpolicella 2014   HHD Imports

-Ridolfi Brunello di Montalcino 2014   Ethica Wines

 

The Food: From Cibo and Don Alfonso: pastas, cheeses, ragu, polenta, grilled veggies, prosciutto, gorgonzola, Parmigiano Reggiano, sausages, condimenti, smoked salmon, desserts (cannoli, tiramisu), some different hams, espresso coffees.

The Downside: Prices were vague or had to be checked.

The Upside: Great food.

The Contact Person: gamberorossocanada@sogood.it

The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 90.

 

Chimo! www.deantudor.com