WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for the MAY 11, 2024 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 better or best 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 – my 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 my scores in the early 1980s. 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 by overuse and "inflated numbers"; thus I have quit 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 the GOOD wines. Just the BETTER (86-89) and the BEST (90+ ) wines. This spread of points will relate to SILVER and GOLD medals, with GOOD being BRONZE. This also fits into my scheme for trade tastings.
MVC/QPR=BETTER (86-89)
MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
MAJOR THEME: The Wine Pantheon -- Classic European Regions
Recommended Wines Under $20 [my basic standard is MVC/QPR=BETTER (86-89)]
=======================
Rose+117861 FEATHERSTONE ROSÉ 2023 $16.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
W+89011 FEATHERSTONE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2023 VQA NIAGARA $17.95
W+80234 FEATHERSTONE BLACK SHEEP RIESLING VQA NIAGARA $19.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
W+389262 ZUCCARDI SERIE A TORRONTÉS 2023 ARGENTINA $17.95
W+36034 BROCHET RÉSERVE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2021 LOIRE $18.95
W+573683 FERZO ABRUZZO PECORINO SUPERIORE 2022 $17.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
W+488015 QUINTA DO ESPÍRITO SANTO 2020 PORTUGAL $14.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
W+37725 CASTELLO D'ALBA WHITE 2022 PORTUGAL $14.95
R+261891 FABRE MONTMAYOU RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 ARGENTINA $18.95
R+396481 ZONTE'S FOOTSTEP CHOCOLATE FACTORY SHIRAZ 2020 $19.95
R+994616 TERRA D'ALIGI TATONE MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO 2021 $17.95
R+37767 MAGUS 6 MESES CRIANZA TEMPRANILLO 2020 $13.95
Recommended Wines Over $20 [my basic standard is MVC/QPR=BETTER (86-89)]
======================
W+57430 MISSION HILL RESERVE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2022 OKANAGAN $24.95
W+424507 WESTCOTT ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2021 VQA NIAGARA $29.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
W+466144 J. MOREAU & FILS GLORIE DE CHABLIS 2022 $31.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
W+455147 LA CHABLISIENNE EMOTIONS MINERALES BOURGOGNE CHARDONNAY $22.95
R+38301 FEATHERSTONE RESERVE CABERNET FRANC 2021 $29.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
R+86363 STRATUS WILDASS RED 2019 $21.95
R+35374 CHÂTEAU GRAND HAUT-MÉDOC 2018 $21.95
R+359810 SÉGLA 2015 $77.95
Rose+319368 CHÂTEAU D'AQUÉRIA TAVEL ROSÉ 2023 $24.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
MAY 2024 LIMITED TIME OFFERS: Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO's Limited Time Offer selections...these are "better" value...on sale April 29 through Sunday May 26...
W+43281 Flat Rock Riesling VQA Niagara, now $16.95, save $3.
W+958975 Mer Soleil Reserve Chardonnay Monterey County, now $26.95, save $3.
W+24133 Thirty Bench Winemaker's Blend Riesling, now $19.95, save $3.
R+980482 Cambria Julia's Pinot Noir Santa Barbara, now $39.95 , save $5
R+59311 The Seven Deadly Zins Old Vine Zinfandel Lodi, now $21.95, save $3
R+27516 J. Lohr Los Osos Merlot Paso Robles, now $22.95, save $3.
R+590414 Oyster Bay Pinot Noir South Island New Zealand, now $21.95, save $3.
R+177295 Rivera Il Falcone Riserva Castel del Monte, now $23.95, save $3.
** Some New Wines I Tasted Over the Past Season ---
REPORT ON A TASTING OF WINES FROM ITALY LATE 2023
The Date and Time: Monday, October 30, 2023 10:30A - 5PM
The Event: Annual ICE Italian Wine Tasting [its 28th year]
The Venue: Roy Thomson Hall
The Target Audience: wine media, sommeliers, wine agents.
The Availability/Catalogue: online QR code needed
The Quote/Background: 86 estates were showing three wines wines or more. John Szabo MS gave a Masterclass in the new-ish geographic precisions of appellations. There is the Menzioni Geographiche Aggiuntive (MGA for Barolo, Barbaresco, Prosecco, Verdicchio, et al)), the Unita Geographiche Aggiuntive (UGA for Chianti Classico, Soave, Nobile di Montepulciano, Etna, et al). There are also CONTRADAS and PIEVES [parishes]. These are all sub-units of no classification or hierarchy. But also: under UGA/MGA, etc., no grapes can be purchased. For example, Soave has 33 UGAs, Etna has 142 Contradas covering 11 communes, Barolo has 181 MGAs covering 11 communes, while Barbaresco haS 66 MGAs covering just 4 communes. Very difficult to memorize it all....Many wineries are looking to "premiumizing" their production via name branding and protecting. Stay tuned...
The Wines: I did not taste all the table wines or all the fizzes, and I did not taste any dessert wines nor grappas or amari or even olive oils!
**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Pinot Grigio, Maculan
-Etna Bianco, 2021, Cusumano
-Chardonnay, Castello Gabbiano
-Oro, 2021, Il Drago e La Fornace
-Rosso Piceno Superiore, 2018 Sella e Mosca
-Chianti Classico Gran Selezione, 2020 Rocca delle Macie
-Fiordiligi Grillo Sicilia 2022, Mazara Del Vallo, $22
-Barolo, 2018, Rocche dell Annunziata
-Rosso Piceno Superiore, 2020, Velenosi
-Etna Rosso Feudo di Mezzo, 2020, Graci
-Mane Vino Rosso IGT Toscana, Podere Casanova $14.50
-Vino Nobile de Montepulciano, 2019, Boscarelli
-Vino Nobile de Montepulciano DOC, Podere Casanova $24
-Vino Nobile de Montepulciano DOCG, Podere Casanova $42
-Settecento Vino Nobile de Montepulciano DOCG, Podere Casanova $75
-Baciami Vino Spumante Rose Da Uve Mammolo, Piandaccoli
-Chianti Classico Vigna del Sorbo, 2020, Fontodi
-Barolo Cannubi, 2018 Borgogno
-Barolo Sarmassa, 2017, Marchese di Barolo $81.25 licensee
-Barolo Cannubi, 2017, Marchese di Barolo $81.5 licensee
-Corte Vino Rosso de Montepulciano DOC Podere Casanova, $15.50
-La Cantina del Colli Ripani Fasserina IGT Marche 2022, $20
-Gavi di Gavi, 2021, Marchese di Barolo $25.15 licensee
-Donna Angelica Lucido 2021, Assul $29
-Carinda Insolia, Mazara del Vallo 2022, $22
-Barbaresco Gallina, 2019, Oddero
-Chardonnay DOC Friuli, Modeana
-Chardonnay 2021, Albino Armani $17.95 licensee
-Primitivo Since 1913, 2019, $32.35 licensee
-Fiano E'Arte, 2022, $14.35 licensee
-Primitivo Organic IGP, Agricola Amastuola, 2021, $18.85 licensee
-Primitivo Centosassi Organic, Agricola Amastuola, 2018, $28.75 licensee
***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Pecorino, 2022, Cantina Tollo
-Pecorino Falerio 2022, La Cantina $21
-Anima Lavica Janare Campania Spumante
-Ca del Magro, 2021, Bianco Monte del Fra
-Podere Casanova Vini Montepulciano Bianco Toscano Canto 2022
-Falanghina, 2021, la Guardinense
-Soave Classico Calvarino, 2021, Pieropan
-Ribolitto, 2021, Il Drago e La Fornace
-Rubesco Vigna Monticchio, Lungarotti
-Syrah Ruggiero, Assuli $22
-Ribolla Gialla Venezia Giulia, Modeano
-Pinot Grigio, 2022, Albino Armani, $19.30 licensee
-Primitivo Rosato Infintinum 2022, Torrevento SRI, $15.75 licensee
-Primitivo E'Arte 2022, Torrevento SRI $14.35 licensee
The Food: This year it was catered by Stelvio, a Northern Italian Eatery on Dundas Street. They gave us a Buffet Rustico: polenta Bolognese Sauce, polenta with vegetable sauce caponata, Mortadella sausage, sopresatta prosciutto, chickpea salad, pasta salad, quiche di zucchini, pinzimonio con hummus, pickled green and black olives, a range of cheeses, grisini, flatbread cipolle, giardiniera, four kinds of salumi and five kinds of formaggi, and espresso coffee to finish.
The Downside: I had no smartphone, so I could not access all the details of each wine.
The Upside: over the afternoon about 1600 people attended.
The Contact Person: toronto@ice.it or b.marassi@ice.it or info@stelviotoronto.ca
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 90
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 better or best 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 – my 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 my scores in the early 1980s. 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 by overuse and "inflated numbers"; thus I have quit 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 the GOOD wines. Just the BETTER (86-89) and the BEST (90+ ) wines. This spread of points will relate to SILVER and GOLD medals, with GOOD being BRONZE. This also fits into my scheme for trade tastings.
MVC/QPR=BETTER (86-89)
MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
MAJOR THEME: The Wine Pantheon -- Classic European Regions
Recommended Wines Under $20 [my basic standard is MVC/QPR=BETTER (86-89)]
=======================
Rose+117861 FEATHERSTONE ROSÉ 2023 $16.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
W+89011 FEATHERSTONE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2023 VQA NIAGARA $17.95
W+80234 FEATHERSTONE BLACK SHEEP RIESLING VQA NIAGARA $19.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
W+389262 ZUCCARDI SERIE A TORRONTÉS 2023 ARGENTINA $17.95
W+36034 BROCHET RÉSERVE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2021 LOIRE $18.95
W+573683 FERZO ABRUZZO PECORINO SUPERIORE 2022 $17.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
W+488015 QUINTA DO ESPÍRITO SANTO 2020 PORTUGAL $14.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
W+37725 CASTELLO D'ALBA WHITE 2022 PORTUGAL $14.95
R+261891 FABRE MONTMAYOU RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 ARGENTINA $18.95
R+396481 ZONTE'S FOOTSTEP CHOCOLATE FACTORY SHIRAZ 2020 $19.95
R+994616 TERRA D'ALIGI TATONE MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO 2021 $17.95
R+37767 MAGUS 6 MESES CRIANZA TEMPRANILLO 2020 $13.95
Recommended Wines Over $20 [my basic standard is MVC/QPR=BETTER (86-89)]
======================
W+57430 MISSION HILL RESERVE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2022 OKANAGAN $24.95
W+424507 WESTCOTT ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2021 VQA NIAGARA $29.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
W+466144 J. MOREAU & FILS GLORIE DE CHABLIS 2022 $31.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
W+455147 LA CHABLISIENNE EMOTIONS MINERALES BOURGOGNE CHARDONNAY $22.95
R+38301 FEATHERSTONE RESERVE CABERNET FRANC 2021 $29.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
R+86363 STRATUS WILDASS RED 2019 $21.95
R+35374 CHÂTEAU GRAND HAUT-MÉDOC 2018 $21.95
R+359810 SÉGLA 2015 $77.95
Rose+319368 CHÂTEAU D'AQUÉRIA TAVEL ROSÉ 2023 $24.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
MAY 2024 LIMITED TIME OFFERS: Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO's Limited Time Offer selections...these are "better" value...on sale April 29 through Sunday May 26...
W+43281 Flat Rock Riesling VQA Niagara, now $16.95, save $3.
W+958975 Mer Soleil Reserve Chardonnay Monterey County, now $26.95, save $3.
W+24133 Thirty Bench Winemaker's Blend Riesling, now $19.95, save $3.
R+980482 Cambria Julia's Pinot Noir Santa Barbara, now $39.95 , save $5
R+59311 The Seven Deadly Zins Old Vine Zinfandel Lodi, now $21.95, save $3
R+27516 J. Lohr Los Osos Merlot Paso Robles, now $22.95, save $3.
R+590414 Oyster Bay Pinot Noir South Island New Zealand, now $21.95, save $3.
R+177295 Rivera Il Falcone Riserva Castel del Monte, now $23.95, save $3.
** Some New Wines I Tasted Over the Past Season ---
REPORT ON A TASTING OF WINES FROM ITALY LATE 2023
The Date and Time: Monday, October 30, 2023 10:30A - 5PM
The Event: Annual ICE Italian Wine Tasting [its 28th year]
The Venue: Roy Thomson Hall
The Target Audience: wine media, sommeliers, wine agents.
The Availability/Catalogue: online QR code needed
The Quote/Background: 86 estates were showing three wines wines or more. John Szabo MS gave a Masterclass in the new-ish geographic precisions of appellations. There is the Menzioni Geographiche Aggiuntive (MGA for Barolo, Barbaresco, Prosecco, Verdicchio, et al)), the Unita Geographiche Aggiuntive (UGA for Chianti Classico, Soave, Nobile di Montepulciano, Etna, et al). There are also CONTRADAS and PIEVES [parishes]. These are all sub-units of no classification or hierarchy. But also: under UGA/MGA, etc., no grapes can be purchased. For example, Soave has 33 UGAs, Etna has 142 Contradas covering 11 communes, Barolo has 181 MGAs covering 11 communes, while Barbaresco haS 66 MGAs covering just 4 communes. Very difficult to memorize it all....Many wineries are looking to "premiumizing" their production via name branding and protecting. Stay tuned...
The Wines: I did not taste all the table wines or all the fizzes, and I did not taste any dessert wines nor grappas or amari or even olive oils!
**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Pinot Grigio, Maculan
-Etna Bianco, 2021, Cusumano
-Chardonnay, Castello Gabbiano
-Oro, 2021, Il Drago e La Fornace
-Rosso Piceno Superiore, 2018 Sella e Mosca
-Chianti Classico Gran Selezione, 2020 Rocca delle Macie
-Fiordiligi Grillo Sicilia 2022, Mazara Del Vallo, $22
-Barolo, 2018, Rocche dell Annunziata
-Rosso Piceno Superiore, 2020, Velenosi
-Etna Rosso Feudo di Mezzo, 2020, Graci
-Mane Vino Rosso IGT Toscana, Podere Casanova $14.50
-Vino Nobile de Montepulciano, 2019, Boscarelli
-Vino Nobile de Montepulciano DOC, Podere Casanova $24
-Vino Nobile de Montepulciano DOCG, Podere Casanova $42
-Settecento Vino Nobile de Montepulciano DOCG, Podere Casanova $75
-Baciami Vino Spumante Rose Da Uve Mammolo, Piandaccoli
-Chianti Classico Vigna del Sorbo, 2020, Fontodi
-Barolo Cannubi, 2018 Borgogno
-Barolo Sarmassa, 2017, Marchese di Barolo $81.25 licensee
-Barolo Cannubi, 2017, Marchese di Barolo $81.5 licensee
-Corte Vino Rosso de Montepulciano DOC Podere Casanova, $15.50
-La Cantina del Colli Ripani Fasserina IGT Marche 2022, $20
-Gavi di Gavi, 2021, Marchese di Barolo $25.15 licensee
-Donna Angelica Lucido 2021, Assul $29
-Carinda Insolia, Mazara del Vallo 2022, $22
-Barbaresco Gallina, 2019, Oddero
-Chardonnay DOC Friuli, Modeana
-Chardonnay 2021, Albino Armani $17.95 licensee
-Primitivo Since 1913, 2019, $32.35 licensee
-Fiano E'Arte, 2022, $14.35 licensee
-Primitivo Organic IGP, Agricola Amastuola, 2021, $18.85 licensee
-Primitivo Centosassi Organic, Agricola Amastuola, 2018, $28.75 licensee
***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Pecorino, 2022, Cantina Tollo
-Pecorino Falerio 2022, La Cantina $21
-Anima Lavica Janare Campania Spumante
-Ca del Magro, 2021, Bianco Monte del Fra
-Podere Casanova Vini Montepulciano Bianco Toscano Canto 2022
-Falanghina, 2021, la Guardinense
-Soave Classico Calvarino, 2021, Pieropan
-Ribolitto, 2021, Il Drago e La Fornace
-Rubesco Vigna Monticchio, Lungarotti
-Syrah Ruggiero, Assuli $22
-Ribolla Gialla Venezia Giulia, Modeano
-Pinot Grigio, 2022, Albino Armani, $19.30 licensee
-Primitivo Rosato Infintinum 2022, Torrevento SRI, $15.75 licensee
-Primitivo E'Arte 2022, Torrevento SRI $14.35 licensee
The Food: This year it was catered by Stelvio, a Northern Italian Eatery on Dundas Street. They gave us a Buffet Rustico: polenta Bolognese Sauce, polenta with vegetable sauce caponata, Mortadella sausage, sopresatta prosciutto, chickpea salad, pasta salad, quiche di zucchini, pinzimonio con hummus, pickled green and black olives, a range of cheeses, grisini, flatbread cipolle, giardiniera, four kinds of salumi and five kinds of formaggi, and espresso coffee to finish.
The Downside: I had no smartphone, so I could not access all the details of each wine.
The Upside: over the afternoon about 1600 people attended.
The Contact Person: toronto@ice.it or b.marassi@ice.it or info@stelviotoronto.ca
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 90
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
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