The Date and Time: Monday June 21, 2020 2PM to 7PM
The Event: The Wine Writers' Circle of Canada's SEVENTH annual Rose tasting of imported and domestic rose wines for sale in Ontario – the only tasting of its kind in Ontario!
The Venue: Wine Writers' Circle of Canada's Toronto Head Offices.
The Target Audience: Wine Writers' Circle of Canada members.
The Availability/Catalogue: all wines are (or will be) available either year round or for the seasonal offering Spring/Summer 2020.
The Quote/Background: All wines sent to us were tasted. What follows below are my OWN tasting scores from my OWN notes. My BEST wines scored 91 or more; my BETTER wines were in that narrow 88 – 90 range. My individual scores are given; those from other writers will vary in their writings. In fact, write-ups by other writers will also vary, as well as photos. This was NOT a competition since all wines were tasted with exposed labels and prices, plus tech/sales sheets and an overall spreadsheet. This was all dictated by Ontario's response to COVID-19 and social distancing with crowd limits at 5 persons. The tasting was originally scheduled for April 13, but actually happened two months later when the lockdown eased up a bit. In fairness to the trade, the wines had to be tasted and described before the season ended.
The Wines: It is important to realize that Ontario roses are surely world-class, holding their own against those of France, Portugal and Spain. Prices here are generally RETAIL unless otherwise specified. The Wine Writers' Circle of Canada would very much like to thank both Drinks Ontario and Wine Marketing Association of Ontario for encouraging their members to participate. There were some 62 submissions, both still and sparkling. Thanks guys! Wines are either at the LCBO (CSPC given) or the winery or consignment/private order. The roses are listed randomly within their score categories. Here are my personal faves; wines that I will buy:
**DEAN'S CHOICE BEST VALUE - Bodega Argento Argento Rose 2019 $10.95 +13245 Mendoza 85% syrah/malbec/cabernet franc, 14% pinot grigio 12.5% LCBO Seasonal Rose (92+)
**DEAN'S CHOICE BEST DOMESTIC – a tie! WITH The Foreign Affair Winery Amarosé 2019 $19.95 Vintages +388702 Niagara Peninsula inot Noir, Chardonnay, Gamay Noir 12.2% July 25 (91)
and Flat Rock Cellars Pink Twisted 2019 $17.95 +39974 Niagara Peninsula Pinot Noir, Gamay, Riesling, Gewurztraminer 11% LCBO (91)
**DEAN'S CHOICE BEST IMPORT - Caves d'Esclans Whispering Angel Rose 2019 $62.95 +491019 AOC COTES DE PROVENCE 13% LCBO Vintages 11-Jul-20 (93)
Again, wines are arranged RANDOMLY within each GOOD, BETTER, and BEST grade category.
**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
Producer Product Name Vintage Price LCBO # Country Region Grape Varieties Alc. %
-Chateau d'Aqueria Tavel Rose 2019 $24.95 +319368 France Rhone Valley Grenache 13.5% LCBO Vintages
-Caves d'Esclans Whispering Angel Rose 2019 $62.95 +491019 France AOC COTES DE PROVENCE 13% LCBO Vintages 11-Jul-20
-Caves d'Esclans ROCK ANGEL 2019 $49.95 +491027 France AOC COTES DE PROVENCE 14% LCBO Vintages
-When Pigs Fly Rose 2018 $19.95 Ontario VQA Vinemount Ridge pinot noir Vieni Vineyard 13%
-Caves d'Esclans THE PALM BY WHISPERING ANGEL 2019 $24.95 +562595 France AOC COTEAUX D'AIX EN PROVENCE 13% LCBO Vintages
-AIX Rosé 2019 $24.95 +451906 France Provence Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault 13% LCBO Vintages
-Bieler Pere & Fils Sabine Rose 2018 $18.95 +867358 France Provence Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault, Cab Sauv, Rolle 13% Consignment, always available P. Dandurand
-Faulkner Wines Jules Rose 2018 $19.99 NA France Provence Cinsault, Carignan, Cabernet Sauv, 12.5% Consignment Always available Noble Estates Wines & Spirits
-Vignerons de Chusclan MAESTRAL ROSE 2019 $16.45 +15135 France IGP GARD Grenache,Syrah,Merlot 13.50% LCBO Vintages
-Frescobaldi Alie 2018 $22.95 +865147 Tuscany Syrah with a touch of Vermentino 12.5% Consignment, Always available Dandurand
-Sacred Hill Whitecliff Hawkes Bay Rose 2019 $14.95 +13297 New Zealand Hawkes Bay 12.5% LCBO
-Kim Crawford Rose 2019 $18.95 +650325 New Zealand Hawke's Bay 67% Merlot, 29.5% Sauvignon Blanc, 1.3% Pinot Gris, 1.2% Malbec, 0.7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 0.3% Cabernet Franc 13% LCBO
-Bodega Argento Argento Rose 2019 $10.95 +13245 Mendoza 85% syrah/malbec/cabernet franc, 14% pinot grigio 12.5% LCBO Seasonal Rose
-Charles Smith Wines Band of Roses 2018 $11 USD Washington State 12.5%
-Saintly The Good Rose 2019 $17.95 Niagara 12.5% Wine Rack
-Huff Estates Winery County Roads Rose 2019 $25 PEC (VQA PEC) Pinot Noir 12% Winery/Online
-The Foreign Affair Winery Amarosé 2019 $18.95 Vintages +388702 Niagara Peninsula Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Gamay Noir 12.2% LCBO by July 25
-Flat Rock Cellars Pink Twisted 2019 $17.95 +39974 Niagara Peninsula Pinot Noir, Gamay, Riesling, Gewurztraminer 11% LCBO
-Gerard Bertrand Hampton Water 2019 $29.95 +667337 Languedoc syrah, cinsault, mourvedre,grenache 14% LCBO Vintages 2020-07-11
-UP Ultimate Provence Rose 2019 $27.95 +14833 Provence grenache, cinsault, syrah, rolle 12.5% Vintages
***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
Producer Product Name Vintage Price LCBO # Country Region Grape Varieties Alc. %
-Domaine Bassac MARGALH ROSE 2019 $14.95 +155515 France LOIRE VDF Cinsault, Grenache,Syrah 12% Vintages 22-Aug
-Boutinot Les Oliviers Rose 2017 $13.99 NA France Languedoc Grenache, Cinsault 12% Consignment, Always available
-Gérard Bertrand Côte des Roses Rosé 2019 $18.95 +373985 France AOP Languedoc Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah 13% LCBO
-Francis Ford Coppola Sofia Rosé 2018 $24.95 +284943 California Syrah, Grenache, Pinot Noir 12.5% LCBO Vintage Essentials
+Stel + Mar Rose 2019 $8.95 500 mL California 12.5% Private Import Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits
-Torres Sangre de Toro Rose 2018 $13.95 +848119 Spain Catalunya Garnacha, Carinena 12.5% Consignment, Always available P. Dandurand
-Cupio Pinot Noir Rose 2018 South Australia Pinot Noir 12.5*% Currently, BC only Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits
-Trapiche Astica Rose 2019 $8.95 +445833 Argentina Cuyo Malbec, Cab Sauv 12.5% LCBO
-Henry of Pelham Classic Rosé 2019 $14.95 +613471 VQA Niagara Peninsula 54.1% Pinot Noir 31.7% Gamay Noir 5.1% Riesling 9.1% Pinot Gris 11% LCBO
-Westcott Vineyards Pinot Noir Rose 2019 $23.99 VQA Vinemount Ridge 13.00% Winery, Online
-Westcott Vineyards Delphine Rose 2019 $18.99 +498527 VQA Twenty Mile Bench 12.9% LCBO Vintages
-Pillitteri Estates Winery Racina Pinot Squared 2018 $23 NA Canada Niagara-on-the-Lake 85% Pinot Grigio, 15% Pinot Noir 13% Winery and Online
-Huff Estates Winery Getaway Rose 2019 $19 +63982 PEC (VQA ONT) Cabernet Franc 12.8% LCBO
-Featherstone Estate Winery Rose 2019 $15.95 +117861 Niagara Cab Sauvignon 42%/Franc39% 13.6% LCBO Vintages May and Sep 2020
-Chateau des Charmes Rose Cuvee d'Andree 2018 $16.95 +333260 Niagara Pinot Noir 12.5% Online, winery
-Troupis Fteri Agiorgitiko-Moschfilero Rose 2018 $15.95 +15139 Greece 12.5% LCBO Vintages 2020-07-11
-Quails' Gate Rose 2019 $19.95 +275842 Okanagan Valley gamay noir, pinot noir, pinot gris 12% LCBO Vintages
*** GOOD -- Three Stars (85 – 87 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
Producer Product Name Vintage Price LCBO # Country Region Grape Varieties Alc. %
-Gérard Bertrand Gris Blanc 2019 $15.95 +14673 France IGP Pays D'Oc Grenache Gris, Grenache LCBO
-M. Chapoutier Belleruche Rose 2018 $16.95 +219840 Rhone Grenache, Cinsault & Syrah 13.5% Consignment, Always available P.Dandurand
-Folonari Pinot Grigio Pink 2018 $11.95 +43588 Italy Valle Versa in Oltrepo' Pavese Pinot Grigio 11.5% LCBO
-St Hallett Rose 2019 $19.95 +15273 Barossa Grenache 12% July LCBO
-Woodbridge Rose $11.95 California Pinot Noir, Pinot Grigio, Muscat, Grenache, Zinfandel, Syrah 12% LCBO
-Woodbridge White Zinfandel $11.45 +249656 California White Zinfandel, French Colombard, Muscat Alexandria, Mixed Reds (Saignee) 9.5% LCBO
-Speck Bros. House Wine Co. Rose Can 2019 $4.95 250mL +15499 VQA Niagara Peninsula 68% Vidal Blanc 25% Riesling 5% Zweigelt 2% Muscat 2% Gewürztraminer 11% LCBO
-Speck Bros. Three of Hearts Rosé 2019 $19.95 +552562 VQA Niagara Peninsula 60% Pinot Noir 40% Pinot Gris 11.5% LCBO
-Pillitteri Estates Winery Market Collection Lucia's Rose 2018 $16 VQA Niagara Peninsula Cabernet Franc 12.5% Winery and Online
-Jackson-Triggs Proprietors Selection Light Rose NV $10.95 Ontario 75% Dry White, 12% White Hybrid, 10% Gewerztraminer, 3% Baco Noir 8% Wine Rack
-Diamond Estates Wines & Spirits EastDell Summer Rose 2018 $14.95 +560243 VQA Niagara Peninsula Riesling & Gamay Noir 12.5% LCBO + Grocery
-Open Rose 2018 $12.95 +175349 Ontario 100% Gamay Noir 11.7% Wine Rack and LCBO
-Huff Estates Winery All Day Rose 2019 $5 250mL can PEC (VQA ONT) Cabernet Franc 12.5% Winery/Online
The Food: baguettes, biscuits, waters, California oven-roasted almonds, salted peanuts, arbequina and nicoise olives.
The Downside: it was a lot of wines with many monochromatic notes in a similar price range, but we took breaks for food, water, etc. Rince bouche with soda water helped.
The Upside: a chance to taste a lot of wines, many of which were top notch. And there were many 2019s – really, really fresh.
The Contact Person: organizer – deantudor@deantudor.com
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 95
Chimo! www.deantudor.com
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