WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for the MARCH 2 release.
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 https://pages.pathcom.com/~dtudor 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 https://pages.pathcom.com/~dtudor No winery can buy their way into – or out of – this publication.
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).
I was one of the first to jump on the Robert Parker bandwagon, using numerical indications for scores. Why? Because with a database I could rate, rank and order wines in any fashion. It was just so convenient using databases. Unfortunately, the numerical system has been shown to be disgraced, so I am quitting any ranking by number. From now on, it will just be GOOD, BETTER and BEST, which will give me some wiggle room (e.g. is this wine an 87, 88, 89, or 90? Or all of them...depends on my mood and time of day). With the rigorous standards and lab testing by the LCBO, I can safely say that every single wine at the LCBO is at least GOOD, which I would numerically rank at 75-85 points. For reasons of time and space, I will NOT be listing GOOD wines. Just the BETTER (86-89) and BEST (90+ ) wines. This spread of points will probably relate to SILVER and GOLD medals, with BRONZE being "GOOD". Significantly, this also fits into my scheme for trade tastings (as noted below).
MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
MVC/QPR: BEST (90+ )
MAJOR THEME: Women in Wine -- Italian Taste-Makers
Recommended Wines Under $20
======================
FIZZ+36395 SAN MARTINO CONEGLIANO VALDOBBIADENE EXTRA DRY PROSECCO
$18.95 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
W+36181 WAPISA PATAGONIA SAUVIGNON BLANC 2022 $19.95 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
W+31534 DOMÄNE WACHAU TERRASSEN FEDERSPIEL GRÜNER VELTLINER AUSTRIA 2022 $19.95 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
W+387787 LES HAUTS DE LAGARDE BLANC BORDEAUX 2022 $19.95 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
W+910554 ANSELMANN EDESHEIMER ROSENGARTEN SIEGERREBE SPÄTLESE PFALZ 2021 $17.95 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
W+195115 DONNAFUGATA ANTHÌLIA BIANCO SICILY 2022 $19.95 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
R+555466 D.V. CATENA HISTORIC RED BLEND 2021 ARGENTINA $19.95 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
R+478271 SISTER'S RUN OLD TESTAMENT CABERNET SAUVIGNON AUSTRALIA 2021 $18.95 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
R+36545 CHÂTEAU LAMOTHE-VINCENT RÉSERVE MERLOT/CABERNET BORDEAUX 2000 $18 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
R+487868 CHÂTEAU L'ESPÉRANCE 2014 $16.95 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
R+36486 TERRE DI GER MERLOT 2021 FRIULI $18.35 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
R+36320 VELENOSI BIO ROSSO PICENO SUPERIORE MARCHE 2021 $18.95 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
R+37790 COLIO 28 BARRELS RESERVE CABERNET FRANC VQA 2020 $19.95 MVC/QPR: BEST (90+ )
R+668707 MORANDÉ VITIS UNICA CABERNET SAUVIGNON CHILE 2021 $18 MVC/QPR: BEST (90+ )
Recommended Wines Over $20
======================
W+33565 DE BORTOLI ESTATE VINEYARD CHARDONNAY AUSTRALIA 2019 $24.95 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
W+131169 NORMAN HARDIE RIESLING VQA PEC 2017 $21.20 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
W+461640 WILLIAM FÈVRE CHAMPS ROYAUX CHABLIS 2021 $36.95 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
W+33260 PAPAGIANNAKOS ASSYRTIKO 2022 $24.95 MVC/QPR: BEST (90+ )
W+40642 DEU LA DEU MONÇÃO E MELGAÇO ALVARINHO PORTUGAL 2022 $22.95 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
R+267146 ST. HUBERTUS OAK BAY PINOT NOIR BC VQA 2021 $21.95 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
R+26424 KACABA CABERNET/SYRAH 2020 VQA NIAGARA $24.95 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
R+36166 CASAS DEL BOSQUE GRAN RESERVA CARMENÈRE CHILE 2022 $22.95 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
R+331900 E. GUIGAL GIGONDAS RHONE 2020 $47.95 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
R+35959 DONNAFUGATA DOLCE & GABBANA TANCREDI SICILY 2020 $62.95 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
R+113357 DONATELLA CINELLI COLOMBINI BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2018 $73.95 MVC/QPR: BEST (90+ )
R+174334 GAJA CA'MARCANDA PROMIS 2021 $79.95 MVC/QPR: BEST (90+ )
R+155408 MARCHESI DI BAROLO BARBARESCO $42.95 MVC/QPR: BEST (90+ )
LIMITED TIME OFFERS: Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO's Limited Time Offer selections...these are "better" value...on sale through Sunday March 31:
W+35386 Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough NZ, now $17.95, save $3
W+33298 Paul Cluver Village Chardonnay WO Elgin South Africa, now $20.95, save $3
W+24133 Thirty Bench Winemaker's Blend Riesling VQA Beamsville Bench, now $19.95, save $3
R+650432 Castelgiocondo Brunello di Montalcino Tuscany, now $49.95, save $5
R+337238 Concha y Toro Marques de Casa Concha Cabernet Sauvignon Chile, now $21.95, save $3
R+63891 Emiliana Coyam Organic Red Blend Chile, now $29.95, save $5
R+394718 Erath Pinot Noir Oregon, now $23.95, save $3
R+168716 M. Chapoutier Les Vignes de Bila-Haut Cotes du Roussillon-Villages Midi France, now $14.95, save $3
R+425488 Sella & Mosca Riserva Cannonau di Sardegna Sardinia, now $16.95, save $3
R+149237 The Foreign Affair The Conspiracy VQA Niagara, now $16.95, save $3
R+303800 Trius Red VQA Niagara, now $24.95, save $3
REPORT ON MARK ANTHONY PORTFOLIO TASTING
The Date and Time: Monday September 25, 2023 5P-9P
The Event: Mark Anthony's Port to Place Portfolio Tasting
The Venue: Second Floor Events King Street west
The Target Audience: private buyers, sommeliers, wine media
The Availability/Catalogue: There was a paper listing, with label photo, for all of the wines and spirits, and with prices. It was arranged alphabetically (for the most part) by winery or ownership, or by first name. They did a good job for all of the details of all of the products.
The Wines: I did not try wines that were available at the LCBO. Nor did I try any fortified wines or spirits or seltzers. Prices are retail, for consignment (con) and private orders (po).
**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Alois Lageder Chardonnay Alto Adige 2022, $20.95 private order
-Alois Lageder Porer Pinot Grigio 2022, $33.95 po
-Attems Ramato DOC Fruili Rose 2022, $24 con
-Bertani Amarone della Valpolicella Valpantena DOCG 2019, $59.95 con
-Bertani Soave Original Vintage Edition DOC 2022, +36341 con Dec 2023, $27.25
-Brotte Domaine Barville Red CDP 2018, $60.95 po
-Brumont Montus Pacherenc Vich Bihl 2015, $43.95 con
-Chateau St Jean Chardonnay 2021, $19.95 po
-Chateau St Jean Cinq Cepages Sonoma 2018, $132 con
-Henkell Cremant de Loire Brut AOC NV, Vintages, $21.95
-Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Noirs NV $42.25 con
-Segura Viudas Heredad Cava NV Vintages December $39.95
-Mission Hill Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2022, $24.95 con
-Checkmate Fool's Mate Chardonnay 2019, $95
-Lanson Black Label Champagne NV, %86.75
-Lanson Rose Champagne NV, $79.95 po
-Lanson Le Vintage 2012, $99.95
-Davis Bynum Chardonnay 2021 $34.95 po
-Tenuta Luce Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2018 $165.95 con
-Gabbiano Riserva Chianti Classico 2028 $24.65 con
-Wynns Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 Vintages $47.95
***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Alois Lageder Terra Alpina Pinot Grigio 2022, $21.95 consignment
-Arboleda Chardonnay 2021 Chile $19.95 po
-Arboleda Sauvignon Blanc 2021, $14.95 po
-Brotte Cotes du Rhone Villages Cairanne Creation Grosset 2020, $21.95 po
-Brotte Cotes du Rhone Villages Laudun Bord Elegance 2022, $18.95 po
-Austin Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon 2021, $29.95 con
-Martin's Lane Simes Pinot Noir 2019, $99.95 con
-Louis Latour Macon Lugny Les Genievres 2020 $29.95 con
-Rodney Strong Sonoma Chardonnay 2020 $19.25 con
-The Wine Group Kung Fu Girl Riesling 2022 $17.95 con
-The Wine Group Band of Roses 2021 $26.95 po
-The Wine Group Imagery Sauvignon Blanc 2022 Vintages $23.95
The Food: there were cheese and charcuterie boards loaded with salami, Celtic blue cheese, Beemster cheese, rye crisps, grapes, various fruit sauces (peaches, etc.)
The Downside: the food disappeared quickly (but then, this is a wine tasting not a food tasting).
The Upside: a chance to evaluate recent vintages
The Contact Person: scaputo@markanthonywines.com
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 89
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 https://pages.pathcom.com/~dtudor 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 https://pages.pathcom.com/~dtudor No winery can buy their way into – or out of – this publication.
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).
I was one of the first to jump on the Robert Parker bandwagon, using numerical indications for scores. Why? Because with a database I could rate, rank and order wines in any fashion. It was just so convenient using databases. Unfortunately, the numerical system has been shown to be disgraced, so I am quitting any ranking by number. From now on, it will just be GOOD, BETTER and BEST, which will give me some wiggle room (e.g. is this wine an 87, 88, 89, or 90? Or all of them...depends on my mood and time of day). With the rigorous standards and lab testing by the LCBO, I can safely say that every single wine at the LCBO is at least GOOD, which I would numerically rank at 75-85 points. For reasons of time and space, I will NOT be listing GOOD wines. Just the BETTER (86-89) and BEST (90+ ) wines. This spread of points will probably relate to SILVER and GOLD medals, with BRONZE being "GOOD". Significantly, this also fits into my scheme for trade tastings (as noted below).
MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
MVC/QPR: BEST (90+ )
MAJOR THEME: Women in Wine -- Italian Taste-Makers
Recommended Wines Under $20
======================
FIZZ+36395 SAN MARTINO CONEGLIANO VALDOBBIADENE EXTRA DRY PROSECCO
$18.95 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
W+36181 WAPISA PATAGONIA SAUVIGNON BLANC 2022 $19.95 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
W+31534 DOMÄNE WACHAU TERRASSEN FEDERSPIEL GRÜNER VELTLINER AUSTRIA 2022 $19.95 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
W+387787 LES HAUTS DE LAGARDE BLANC BORDEAUX 2022 $19.95 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
W+910554 ANSELMANN EDESHEIMER ROSENGARTEN SIEGERREBE SPÄTLESE PFALZ 2021 $17.95 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
W+195115 DONNAFUGATA ANTHÌLIA BIANCO SICILY 2022 $19.95 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
R+555466 D.V. CATENA HISTORIC RED BLEND 2021 ARGENTINA $19.95 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
R+478271 SISTER'S RUN OLD TESTAMENT CABERNET SAUVIGNON AUSTRALIA 2021 $18.95 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
R+36545 CHÂTEAU LAMOTHE-VINCENT RÉSERVE MERLOT/CABERNET BORDEAUX 2000 $18 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
R+487868 CHÂTEAU L'ESPÉRANCE 2014 $16.95 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
R+36486 TERRE DI GER MERLOT 2021 FRIULI $18.35 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
R+36320 VELENOSI BIO ROSSO PICENO SUPERIORE MARCHE 2021 $18.95 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
R+37790 COLIO 28 BARRELS RESERVE CABERNET FRANC VQA 2020 $19.95 MVC/QPR: BEST (90+ )
R+668707 MORANDÉ VITIS UNICA CABERNET SAUVIGNON CHILE 2021 $18 MVC/QPR: BEST (90+ )
Recommended Wines Over $20
======================
W+33565 DE BORTOLI ESTATE VINEYARD CHARDONNAY AUSTRALIA 2019 $24.95 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
W+131169 NORMAN HARDIE RIESLING VQA PEC 2017 $21.20 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
W+461640 WILLIAM FÈVRE CHAMPS ROYAUX CHABLIS 2021 $36.95 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
W+33260 PAPAGIANNAKOS ASSYRTIKO 2022 $24.95 MVC/QPR: BEST (90+ )
W+40642 DEU LA DEU MONÇÃO E MELGAÇO ALVARINHO PORTUGAL 2022 $22.95 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
R+267146 ST. HUBERTUS OAK BAY PINOT NOIR BC VQA 2021 $21.95 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
R+26424 KACABA CABERNET/SYRAH 2020 VQA NIAGARA $24.95 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
R+36166 CASAS DEL BOSQUE GRAN RESERVA CARMENÈRE CHILE 2022 $22.95 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
R+331900 E. GUIGAL GIGONDAS RHONE 2020 $47.95 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
R+35959 DONNAFUGATA DOLCE & GABBANA TANCREDI SICILY 2020 $62.95 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
R+113357 DONATELLA CINELLI COLOMBINI BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2018 $73.95 MVC/QPR: BEST (90+ )
R+174334 GAJA CA'MARCANDA PROMIS 2021 $79.95 MVC/QPR: BEST (90+ )
R+155408 MARCHESI DI BAROLO BARBARESCO $42.95 MVC/QPR: BEST (90+ )
LIMITED TIME OFFERS: Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO's Limited Time Offer selections...these are "better" value...on sale through Sunday March 31:
W+35386 Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough NZ, now $17.95, save $3
W+33298 Paul Cluver Village Chardonnay WO Elgin South Africa, now $20.95, save $3
W+24133 Thirty Bench Winemaker's Blend Riesling VQA Beamsville Bench, now $19.95, save $3
R+650432 Castelgiocondo Brunello di Montalcino Tuscany, now $49.95, save $5
R+337238 Concha y Toro Marques de Casa Concha Cabernet Sauvignon Chile, now $21.95, save $3
R+63891 Emiliana Coyam Organic Red Blend Chile, now $29.95, save $5
R+394718 Erath Pinot Noir Oregon, now $23.95, save $3
R+168716 M. Chapoutier Les Vignes de Bila-Haut Cotes du Roussillon-Villages Midi France, now $14.95, save $3
R+425488 Sella & Mosca Riserva Cannonau di Sardegna Sardinia, now $16.95, save $3
R+149237 The Foreign Affair The Conspiracy VQA Niagara, now $16.95, save $3
R+303800 Trius Red VQA Niagara, now $24.95, save $3
REPORT ON MARK ANTHONY PORTFOLIO TASTING
The Date and Time: Monday September 25, 2023 5P-9P
The Event: Mark Anthony's Port to Place Portfolio Tasting
The Venue: Second Floor Events King Street west
The Target Audience: private buyers, sommeliers, wine media
The Availability/Catalogue: There was a paper listing, with label photo, for all of the wines and spirits, and with prices. It was arranged alphabetically (for the most part) by winery or ownership, or by first name. They did a good job for all of the details of all of the products.
The Wines: I did not try wines that were available at the LCBO. Nor did I try any fortified wines or spirits or seltzers. Prices are retail, for consignment (con) and private orders (po).
**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Alois Lageder Chardonnay Alto Adige 2022, $20.95 private order
-Alois Lageder Porer Pinot Grigio 2022, $33.95 po
-Attems Ramato DOC Fruili Rose 2022, $24 con
-Bertani Amarone della Valpolicella Valpantena DOCG 2019, $59.95 con
-Bertani Soave Original Vintage Edition DOC 2022, +36341 con Dec 2023, $27.25
-Brotte Domaine Barville Red CDP 2018, $60.95 po
-Brumont Montus Pacherenc Vich Bihl 2015, $43.95 con
-Chateau St Jean Chardonnay 2021, $19.95 po
-Chateau St Jean Cinq Cepages Sonoma 2018, $132 con
-Henkell Cremant de Loire Brut AOC NV, Vintages, $21.95
-Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Noirs NV $42.25 con
-Segura Viudas Heredad Cava NV Vintages December $39.95
-Mission Hill Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2022, $24.95 con
-Checkmate Fool's Mate Chardonnay 2019, $95
-Lanson Black Label Champagne NV, %86.75
-Lanson Rose Champagne NV, $79.95 po
-Lanson Le Vintage 2012, $99.95
-Davis Bynum Chardonnay 2021 $34.95 po
-Tenuta Luce Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2018 $165.95 con
-Gabbiano Riserva Chianti Classico 2028 $24.65 con
-Wynns Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 Vintages $47.95
***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Alois Lageder Terra Alpina Pinot Grigio 2022, $21.95 consignment
-Arboleda Chardonnay 2021 Chile $19.95 po
-Arboleda Sauvignon Blanc 2021, $14.95 po
-Brotte Cotes du Rhone Villages Cairanne Creation Grosset 2020, $21.95 po
-Brotte Cotes du Rhone Villages Laudun Bord Elegance 2022, $18.95 po
-Austin Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon 2021, $29.95 con
-Martin's Lane Simes Pinot Noir 2019, $99.95 con
-Louis Latour Macon Lugny Les Genievres 2020 $29.95 con
-Rodney Strong Sonoma Chardonnay 2020 $19.25 con
-The Wine Group Kung Fu Girl Riesling 2022 $17.95 con
-The Wine Group Band of Roses 2021 $26.95 po
-The Wine Group Imagery Sauvignon Blanc 2022 Vintages $23.95
The Food: there were cheese and charcuterie boards loaded with salami, Celtic blue cheese, Beemster cheese, rye crisps, grapes, various fruit sauces (peaches, etc.)
The Downside: the food disappeared quickly (but then, this is a wine tasting not a food tasting).
The Upside: a chance to evaluate recent vintages
The Contact Person: scaputo@markanthonywines.com
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 89
Dean Tudor, Prof Emeritus T'karonto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson) School of Journalism
Treasurer of Wine Writers' Circle of Canada http://www.deantudor.comhttp://gothicepicures.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/gothicepicures
No comments:
Post a Comment