WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for JUNE 8, 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: Everything's Coming Up Roses (see below)
Recommended Wines Under $20 [my basic standard is MVC/QPR=BETTER (86-89)]
=======================
W+33569 DEEP WOODS MARGARET RIVER CHARDONNAY 2023 $19.95
W+89029 TAWSE SKETCHES OF NIAGARA RIESLING VQA 2022 $19.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
W+389726 BOYA SAUVIGNON BLANC CHILE 2023 $15.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
W+959361 PIERRE SPARR GRANDE RÉSERVE RIESLING ALSACE 2021 18.95
W+462457 PAUL MAS SINGLE VINEYARD RÉSERVE MARSANNE LANGUEDOC 2022 $14.95
W+37154 MAS PAILLET MONTS DU ROI CHARDONNAY/VIOGNIER LANGUEDOC 2021 $17.95
W+599274 DR. L RIESLING MOSEL-SAAR-RUWER 2022 $16.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
W+708073 ATTEMS SAUVIGNON BLANC FRUILI 2023 $19.95
W+734798 THORNBURY SAUVIGNON BLANC NEW ZEALAND 2023 $18
W+408146 MARIA PAPOILA LOUREIRO/ALVARINHO PORTUGAL 2022 $17.95
R+494690 DEMAZET ARMOIRIES TRADITION CÔTES DU RHÔNE 2022 $14.95
R+17403 TORRE ZAMBRA MADIA MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO 2021 $18.95
R+37768 CASA SANTOS LIMA QUID PRO QUO RED PORTUGAL 2021 $11.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
R+10684 MARQUÉS DE CÁCERES EXCELLENS CUVÉE ESPECIAL COLECCIÓN PRIVADA CRIANZA 2018 SPAIN $18.95
Recommended Wines Over $20 [my basic standard is MVC/QPR=BETTER (86-89)]
======================
W+172338 SOUTHBROOK TRIOMPHE ORGANIC VQA CHARDONNAY 2019 $26.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
W+366419 DOMAINE DU COLOMBIER CHABLIS 2022 $31.95
W+140525 DOMAINE BONNARD SANCERRE LOIRE 2022 $32.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
W+366948 FONTANAFREDDA GAVI DI GAVI PIEDMONT 2022 $22.95
R+79798 SUSANA BALBO SIGNATURE MALBEC ARGENTINA 2022 $22.95
R+35463 LOUIS AÎNÉ & FILS BEAUJOLAIS-VILLAGES 2022 $20.95
R+298612 CHÂTEAU DE LA GARDINE CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2020 $53.95
R+36549 MADONNA DELLE GRAZIE LISCONE BASILICATA 2018 $24.95
R+17626 LA TORRE BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO TUSCANY 2018 $64.95
***BEST OF THE JUNE 8 SPECIAL RELEASE OF 22 ROSE WINES***
+68833 HIDDEN BENCH LOCUST LANE ROSÉ VQA 2023 $24.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
+388702 THE FOREIGN AFFAIR AMAROSÉ VQA 2023 $19.95
+16454 MARYNISSEN ESTATES ROSÉ VQA 2022 $16.95
+650655 REDSTONE ROSÉ VQA 2023 $18.95
+668426 VILLA AIX EN PROVENCE ROSÉ 2023 $20.95
+37681 ROSELINE PRESTIGE ROSÉ PROVENCE 2023 $29.95
+37661 AMOUR DE TROPEZ PROVENCE ROSÉ 2022 $25.95
+37664 CELLIER DES DAUPHINS VAL SOLEU ORGANIC ROSÉ PROVENCE 2023 $16.95
+707281 CHÂTEAU VAL-JOANIS ROSÉ RHONE 2023 $19.95
+680801 FAMILLE PERRIN TAVEL 2023 $23.95
+25860 DONNAFUGATA DOLCE & GABBANA ROSA ROSÉ SICILY 2023 $49.95
+19852 ALBINO ARMANI ROSÉ TRENTINO 2023 $15.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
MAY-JUNE 2024 LIMITED TIME OFFERS: Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO's Limited Time Offer selections...these are "better" value...on sale May 27 through Sunday June 23:
Fortified+32503 Cocchi Vermouth Di Torino, now $30.50, save $3.00
Fizz+991562 Bailly Lapierre Reserve Brut Cremant de Bourgogne, now $21.95, save $3
W+373373 Pierre Sparr Gewurztraminer, now $17.95, save $2
W+32567 Cave de Buxy Bourgogne Côte Chalonnaise 'Buissonnier' Chardonnay, now $20.15, save $3
W+215525 La Chablisienne Les Vénérables Vieilles Vignes Chablis, now $29.95, save $3
W+465146 Les Jamelles Sauvignon Blanc Pays D'Oc, now $14.95, save $2
R+22199 Jacob's Creek Double Barrel Shiraz Australia, now $17, save $3
R+149237 The Conspiracy Ripasso Style (Foreign Affairs VQA), now 18.95, save $3
R+155051 Masi Campofiorin IGT Veneto, now $21.90, save $3
R+251876 Wolf Blass Yellow Label Cabernet Sauvignon Australia, now $14.95, save $3
R+426718 Cesari Amarone Classico DOC Veneto, now $38.95, save $6
R+506519 Cesari Mara Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore DOC Veneto, now $16.95, save $4
** Some New Wines I Tasted Over the Past Season ---
REPORT FROM RHONE VALLEY WINES..late 2023
The Event: The Rhone Valley Vineyards Winemaker Tour
The Venue: 2d Event
The Target Audience: wine media, sommeliers, wine agents.
The Availability/Catalogue: an xlsx file with full details
The Quote/Background: The Rhone Valley (North and South) is a region and not an appellation. The "Vignobles de la Vallee du Rhone" wine tour had six principals speak to us: Michelle Bouffard from Chateau du Trignon (Gigondas), Denis Guthmuller who is President of the Syndicat Of Cotes du Rhone, Philippe Pellaton from Maison Sinnae, Celine Verdier Rieu from Chateau d'Orsan, and Samuel Montgermont. There are 31 appellations in the region, using 34 grape varieties for 17 crus, 22 Cotes du Rhone Villages, and 171 communes. Exporting to Canada: 9% of the total production (which is itself 76% red, 11% white, 13% rose). Of all the wines, 18% are organic.
The Wines: I tasted most of the wines. The tasting was divided into three parts: one was a seminar of 11 wines, another was a stand up walk around of about 10 wines, and another was a sitdown lunch with about a dozen wines. Only 7 or so agents rep these wineries, while half of the wineries here were looking for agents. No prices were offered on my spreadsheet. About half of the wines were organic...see below...The tasting featured 23 wines followed by an extensive meal with more wines. Each course was matched with an appropriate wine to underline their ability to enhance food.
**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Chateau de Trignon Gigondas 2017
-Xavier Vins Red Cotes du Rhone 2020 (Noble)
-J. Denuziere Cotes du Rhone, 2020 (Rogers)
-Chateau d'Aqueria Tavel Rose, 2022 (Noble)
-Cave Heritiere Gabert Cave de Tain Hermitage, 2018 (Noble) [my fave red]
-Paul Jaboulet Cornas Les Grandes Terasses, 2020
-Les Vignes de l'Arque Cuvee Les Chemins de Rome White Duche d'Uzes 2022
-Cave de Bonnieux Luberon Cuvee Revelation 2020
-J. Denuziere Saint Joseph Cotes du Rhone 2020
-Cave de Cairanne Cuvee Insouciante Red 2021
-Cave Saint Desirat Condrieu 2020 [my fave white]
-Alain Jaune Grande Garrigue 2021
-Domaine de Vacqueyras Seguret L'Amandine Cotes du Rhone Villages 2021
***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (87 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Chateau Beaubois Cuvee Confidence Costieres de Nimes 2022 (white)
-LAVAU White Cotes du Rhone 2022 (Noble)
-Domain Rozel Cuvee Alayx, 2021, Grignon-LesAdhemar
-Halos de Jupiter Red Cotes du Rhone 2020
-Chateau des Coccinelles Cotes du Rhone 2022
-Domaine Gassier Nostre Pais 2020
-Les Petits Duc Cotes du Rhone 2021
-Domaine de la Citadelle Le Chataigner Rose Luberon 2022
-Domain Autrand Cotes du Rhone Village, 2022 (N Pearce)
-Villa Voltinia Maison Sinnae Cotes du Rhone Villages Chusclan, 2021
-Chateau d'Orsan Chusclan, 2020
-Mas Carlot Generations Costieres de Nimes 2020 (N Pearce)
-Gabriel Meffre Cotes du Rhone Saint Vincent 2022
-La Font Louisiane Cotes du Rhone 2020
-Collines de Bourdic Duche d'Uzes Les Figuieres 2022
-Chateau de Montfaucon Comtesse Madeleine 2021 (not sweet) (N Pearce)
The Food: our sitdown lunch had a wide variety of protein to show off the wines. Service was on small plates, naturally. We began with dungeness crab old bay cakes with the Coccinelles. This was followed by the pork belly bao hoisin, cashews, chili mayo and the Chataigner rose (best combination of the afternoon: what a delight!). Next was a braised beef short rib with the Autrand and the Mas Carlot, followed by some slow cooked lamb with the Chateau D'Orsan Cotes du Rhone Villages Chausclan 2022. The parade ended with a small individual cheese course with the Montfaucon.
The Downside: apart from the seminar there was no overall listing of wines, they all had to be hand-selected in writing.
The Upside: the set-up was nicely done, with a seminar, walk around, and a lunch.
The Contact Person: diane.santerne@sopexa.com; agathe.arollinat@sopexa.com.
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 86.
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: Everything's Coming Up Roses (see below)
Recommended Wines Under $20 [my basic standard is MVC/QPR=BETTER (86-89)]
=======================
W+33569 DEEP WOODS MARGARET RIVER CHARDONNAY 2023 $19.95
W+89029 TAWSE SKETCHES OF NIAGARA RIESLING VQA 2022 $19.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
W+389726 BOYA SAUVIGNON BLANC CHILE 2023 $15.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
W+959361 PIERRE SPARR GRANDE RÉSERVE RIESLING ALSACE 2021 18.95
W+462457 PAUL MAS SINGLE VINEYARD RÉSERVE MARSANNE LANGUEDOC 2022 $14.95
W+37154 MAS PAILLET MONTS DU ROI CHARDONNAY/VIOGNIER LANGUEDOC 2021 $17.95
W+599274 DR. L RIESLING MOSEL-SAAR-RUWER 2022 $16.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
W+708073 ATTEMS SAUVIGNON BLANC FRUILI 2023 $19.95
W+734798 THORNBURY SAUVIGNON BLANC NEW ZEALAND 2023 $18
W+408146 MARIA PAPOILA LOUREIRO/ALVARINHO PORTUGAL 2022 $17.95
R+494690 DEMAZET ARMOIRIES TRADITION CÔTES DU RHÔNE 2022 $14.95
R+17403 TORRE ZAMBRA MADIA MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO 2021 $18.95
R+37768 CASA SANTOS LIMA QUID PRO QUO RED PORTUGAL 2021 $11.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
R+10684 MARQUÉS DE CÁCERES EXCELLENS CUVÉE ESPECIAL COLECCIÓN PRIVADA CRIANZA 2018 SPAIN $18.95
Recommended Wines Over $20 [my basic standard is MVC/QPR=BETTER (86-89)]
======================
W+172338 SOUTHBROOK TRIOMPHE ORGANIC VQA CHARDONNAY 2019 $26.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
W+366419 DOMAINE DU COLOMBIER CHABLIS 2022 $31.95
W+140525 DOMAINE BONNARD SANCERRE LOIRE 2022 $32.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
W+366948 FONTANAFREDDA GAVI DI GAVI PIEDMONT 2022 $22.95
R+79798 SUSANA BALBO SIGNATURE MALBEC ARGENTINA 2022 $22.95
R+35463 LOUIS AÎNÉ & FILS BEAUJOLAIS-VILLAGES 2022 $20.95
R+298612 CHÂTEAU DE LA GARDINE CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2020 $53.95
R+36549 MADONNA DELLE GRAZIE LISCONE BASILICATA 2018 $24.95
R+17626 LA TORRE BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO TUSCANY 2018 $64.95
***BEST OF THE JUNE 8 SPECIAL RELEASE OF 22 ROSE WINES***
+68833 HIDDEN BENCH LOCUST LANE ROSÉ VQA 2023 $24.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
+388702 THE FOREIGN AFFAIR AMAROSÉ VQA 2023 $19.95
+16454 MARYNISSEN ESTATES ROSÉ VQA 2022 $16.95
+650655 REDSTONE ROSÉ VQA 2023 $18.95
+668426 VILLA AIX EN PROVENCE ROSÉ 2023 $20.95
+37681 ROSELINE PRESTIGE ROSÉ PROVENCE 2023 $29.95
+37661 AMOUR DE TROPEZ PROVENCE ROSÉ 2022 $25.95
+37664 CELLIER DES DAUPHINS VAL SOLEU ORGANIC ROSÉ PROVENCE 2023 $16.95
+707281 CHÂTEAU VAL-JOANIS ROSÉ RHONE 2023 $19.95
+680801 FAMILLE PERRIN TAVEL 2023 $23.95
+25860 DONNAFUGATA DOLCE & GABBANA ROSA ROSÉ SICILY 2023 $49.95
+19852 ALBINO ARMANI ROSÉ TRENTINO 2023 $15.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
MAY-JUNE 2024 LIMITED TIME OFFERS: Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO's Limited Time Offer selections...these are "better" value...on sale May 27 through Sunday June 23:
Fortified+32503 Cocchi Vermouth Di Torino, now $30.50, save $3.00
Fizz+991562 Bailly Lapierre Reserve Brut Cremant de Bourgogne, now $21.95, save $3
W+373373 Pierre Sparr Gewurztraminer, now $17.95, save $2
W+32567 Cave de Buxy Bourgogne Côte Chalonnaise 'Buissonnier' Chardonnay, now $20.15, save $3
W+215525 La Chablisienne Les Vénérables Vieilles Vignes Chablis, now $29.95, save $3
W+465146 Les Jamelles Sauvignon Blanc Pays D'Oc, now $14.95, save $2
R+22199 Jacob's Creek Double Barrel Shiraz Australia, now $17, save $3
R+149237 The Conspiracy Ripasso Style (Foreign Affairs VQA), now 18.95, save $3
R+155051 Masi Campofiorin IGT Veneto, now $21.90, save $3
R+251876 Wolf Blass Yellow Label Cabernet Sauvignon Australia, now $14.95, save $3
R+426718 Cesari Amarone Classico DOC Veneto, now $38.95, save $6
R+506519 Cesari Mara Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore DOC Veneto, now $16.95, save $4
** Some New Wines I Tasted Over the Past Season ---
REPORT FROM RHONE VALLEY WINES..late 2023
The Event: The Rhone Valley Vineyards Winemaker Tour
The Venue: 2d Event
The Target Audience: wine media, sommeliers, wine agents.
The Availability/Catalogue: an xlsx file with full details
The Quote/Background: The Rhone Valley (North and South) is a region and not an appellation. The "Vignobles de la Vallee du Rhone" wine tour had six principals speak to us: Michelle Bouffard from Chateau du Trignon (Gigondas), Denis Guthmuller who is President of the Syndicat Of Cotes du Rhone, Philippe Pellaton from Maison Sinnae, Celine Verdier Rieu from Chateau d'Orsan, and Samuel Montgermont. There are 31 appellations in the region, using 34 grape varieties for 17 crus, 22 Cotes du Rhone Villages, and 171 communes. Exporting to Canada: 9% of the total production (which is itself 76% red, 11% white, 13% rose). Of all the wines, 18% are organic.
The Wines: I tasted most of the wines. The tasting was divided into three parts: one was a seminar of 11 wines, another was a stand up walk around of about 10 wines, and another was a sitdown lunch with about a dozen wines. Only 7 or so agents rep these wineries, while half of the wineries here were looking for agents. No prices were offered on my spreadsheet. About half of the wines were organic...see below...The tasting featured 23 wines followed by an extensive meal with more wines. Each course was matched with an appropriate wine to underline their ability to enhance food.
**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Chateau de Trignon Gigondas 2017
-Xavier Vins Red Cotes du Rhone 2020 (Noble)
-J. Denuziere Cotes du Rhone, 2020 (Rogers)
-Chateau d'Aqueria Tavel Rose, 2022 (Noble)
-Cave Heritiere Gabert Cave de Tain Hermitage, 2018 (Noble) [my fave red]
-Paul Jaboulet Cornas Les Grandes Terasses, 2020
-Les Vignes de l'Arque Cuvee Les Chemins de Rome White Duche d'Uzes 2022
-Cave de Bonnieux Luberon Cuvee Revelation 2020
-J. Denuziere Saint Joseph Cotes du Rhone 2020
-Cave de Cairanne Cuvee Insouciante Red 2021
-Cave Saint Desirat Condrieu 2020 [my fave white]
-Alain Jaune Grande Garrigue 2021
-Domaine de Vacqueyras Seguret L'Amandine Cotes du Rhone Villages 2021
***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (87 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Chateau Beaubois Cuvee Confidence Costieres de Nimes 2022 (white)
-LAVAU White Cotes du Rhone 2022 (Noble)
-Domain Rozel Cuvee Alayx, 2021, Grignon-LesAdhemar
-Halos de Jupiter Red Cotes du Rhone 2020
-Chateau des Coccinelles Cotes du Rhone 2022
-Domaine Gassier Nostre Pais 2020
-Les Petits Duc Cotes du Rhone 2021
-Domaine de la Citadelle Le Chataigner Rose Luberon 2022
-Domain Autrand Cotes du Rhone Village, 2022 (N Pearce)
-Villa Voltinia Maison Sinnae Cotes du Rhone Villages Chusclan, 2021
-Chateau d'Orsan Chusclan, 2020
-Mas Carlot Generations Costieres de Nimes 2020 (N Pearce)
-Gabriel Meffre Cotes du Rhone Saint Vincent 2022
-La Font Louisiane Cotes du Rhone 2020
-Collines de Bourdic Duche d'Uzes Les Figuieres 2022
-Chateau de Montfaucon Comtesse Madeleine 2021 (not sweet) (N Pearce)
The Food: our sitdown lunch had a wide variety of protein to show off the wines. Service was on small plates, naturally. We began with dungeness crab old bay cakes with the Coccinelles. This was followed by the pork belly bao hoisin, cashews, chili mayo and the Chataigner rose (best combination of the afternoon: what a delight!). Next was a braised beef short rib with the Autrand and the Mas Carlot, followed by some slow cooked lamb with the Chateau D'Orsan Cotes du Rhone Villages Chausclan 2022. The parade ended with a small individual cheese course with the Montfaucon.
The Downside: apart from the seminar there was no overall listing of wines, they all had to be hand-selected in writing.
The Upside: the set-up was nicely done, with a seminar, walk around, and a lunch.
The Contact Person: diane.santerne@sopexa.com; agathe.arollinat@sopexa.com.
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 86.
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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