WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for the JULY 6, 2024 release and assuming the LCBO will be open for its distribution on that day. Some stores put out new Vintages wines a few days early, so check....
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)=Basic Standard for Recommended Wines
MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
MAJOR THEME: Summer Sunshine White Wines
Recommended Wines UNDER $20
=========================
Rose+53421 FIELDING ROSÉ 2023 VQA $17.95
Rose+172643 TAWSE SKETCHES OF NIAGARA ROSÉ 2022 VQA $18.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
Rose+71712 WILDASS ROSÉ 2023 VQA $19.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
Rose+319384 CARTE NOIRE HÉRITAGE ROSÉ 2023 Provence $19.95
Rose+719062 FAMILLE PERRIN RÉSERVE ROSÉ 2023 Rhone $17.95
W+20599 FEATHERSTONE PINOT GRIGIO 2023 VQA $17.95
W+18385 WESZELI FELIX GRÜNER VELTLINER 2022 Austria $19.95
W+37757 MORANDÉ SELECCIÓN DE VIÑEDOS GRAN RESERVA SAUVIGNON BLANC CHILE $14.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
W+701094 MAS DES BRESSADES CUVÉE TRADITION BLANC 2022 Rhone $18.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
W+548222 ZACHARIAS MOSCHOFILERO 2022 GREECE $15.95
W+37087 FILIA GHI ASSYRTIKO 2022 GREECE $19.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
W+36513 TERRA FAGETO FENÈSIA PECORINO 2022 Marche $18.95
W+465880 RAPAURA SPRINGS SAUVIGNON BLANC 2022 New Zealand $17.45
W+25586 ABCDARIUM AZAL BRANCO 2022 Portugal $16.95
W+82073 FÉLIX LORENZO CACHAZO CARRASVIÑAS VERDEJO 2022 Spain $18.95
R+123489 CHÂTEAU HAUCHAT 2020 Bordeaux $18.95
R+368167 CHÂTEAU RECOUGNE 2021 Bordeaux $16.95
R+38403 DOMAINE GAYDA-SPHÈRE SYRAH 2022 Languedoc $14.95
R+544031 CHÂTEAU D'AIGUEVILLE CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES 2019 $18.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
R+14081 CELLIER DES DAUPHINS RÉSERVE 2022 $16.95
R+36526 ORAPIENA MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO RISERVA 2019 Abruzzo $17.95
R+638338 MARZIANO ABBONA I DUE RICU 2020 Piedmont $18.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
R+36534 MATANÉ NEGROAMARO 2021 Puglia $15.95
R+526640 COURTOIS LA SOURCE CÔTES DU RHÔNE 2022 $15.95
R+729962 DELAS SAINT-ESPRIT CÔTES DU RHÔNE 2022 $19.95
R+646042 EMINENTE RESERVA TINTO 2021 Portugal $16.95
R+617175 BABU RESERVA 2021 Portugal $15.95
R+383547 AVONDALE JONTY'S DUCKS PEKIN RED 2018 South Africa $18.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
R+37517 LUIS MARIN OLD VINE AMETHYST EDITION GARNACHA 2020 Spain $13.95
Recommended Wines OVER $20
========================
Rose+225003 E. GUIGAL CÔTES DU RHÔNE ROSÉ 2023 $21.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
Rose+701318 DOMAINE MABY LA FORCADIÈRE TAVEL ROSÉ 2023 $24.95
W+350900 ROBERT OATLEY SIGNATURE SERIES CHARDONNAY 2023 Australia $21.95
W+199273 TRIUS SHOWCASE WILD FERMENT CHARDONNAY 2020 VQA $38.00 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
W+302083 BACHELDER L'ARDOISE NIAGARA CHARDONNAY 2021 VQA $25.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
W+578864 LEANING POST THE FIFTY CHARDONNAY 2021 VQA $24.95
W+299867 MAISON ROCHE DE BELLENE VIEILLES VIGNES BOURGOGNE $29.95
W+37177 CHARTRON ET TRÉBUCHET SAINT-VÉRAN 2022 $29.95
W+36666 PLANETA TEREBINTO GRILLO 2022 Sicily $25.95
W+974527 VILLA MARIA CELLAR SELECTION SAUVIGNON BLANC 2023 New Zea $22.95
R+32824 TAWSE GROWER'S BLEND GAMAY 2021 VQA $23.15
R+261784 PAPALE LINEA ORO PRIMITIVO DI MANDURIA 2020 Puglia $26.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
R+642496 BARÓN DE LEY GRAN RESERVA 2017 Rioja $33.95
LIMITED TIME OFFERS: Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO's Limited Time Offer selections...these are "better" value wines...on sale through Sunday July 21 --
-Cave Spring Blanc de Blancs Brut Sparkling Sale Price $29.95 Price Was $32.95 Save $3.00
-Miraval Rosé Sale Price $23.95, Price Was $25.95 Save $2.00
-King Maui Sauvignon Blanc Sale Price $14.95 Price Was $17.95 Save $3.00
-Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc Sale Price $18.95 Price Was $21.95 Save $3.00
-Château des Charmes Barrel Fermented Chardonnay VQA SalePrice $13.95 Price Was $14.95 Save $1
-Flat Rock Twisted White Sale Price $14.95 Price Was $17.95 Save $3.00
-Sistina Pecorino Terre Di Chieti IGT Sale Price $14.00, Price Was $16.00 Save $2.00
-Latte Miele Pecorino IGT Terre Di Chieti Abruzzo Sale Price $12.00, Price Was $14.00 Save $2.00
-Tenuta Frescobaldi di Castiglioni Sale Price $21.95, Price Was $24.95 Save $3.00
-Chateau Ste. Michelle Cabernet Sauvignon Sale Price $20.95 Price Was $22.95 Save $2.00
-Masi Costasera Amarone Classico DOC Sale Price $51.00, Price Was $55.00 Save $4.00
-Negrar Amarone Classico DOCG Sale Price $33.55 Price Was $37.05 Save $3.50
-Sella & Mosca Riserva Cannonau di Sardegna Sale Price $17.45 Price Was $19.95 Save $2.50
-Dievole Tenuta Le Colonne Vermentino IGT Sale Price $15.00 Price Was $17.00 Save $2.00
-Faustino I Gran Reserva Sale Price $28.95 Price Was $31.95 Save $3.00
** Some New Wines I Tasted Over the Past Spring ---
REPORT ON THE CGU FINE WINES SPRING PORTFOLIO TRADE TASTING MARCH 2024
The Date and Time: Tuesday March 26, 2024
The Event: CGU Portfolio Tasting
The Venue: Vintage Conservatory - King Street
The Target Audience: licensees and wine media, sommeliers
The Availability/Catalogue: a one-page sheet listed the wines at three tables, with label names, regions, vintage dates, prices, case sizes, and order information.
The Wines: I had the opportunity to try 28 wines. Prices are licensee only.
**** BEST -- Four Stars (MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ ) in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Domaine Derey Marsannay Rose 2022 $28.84
-Domaine Gerard Julien & Fils Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru 2021 $115.60
-Domaine Francois Mikulski Bourgogne Cote d'Or Blanc 2021 Organic $61.06
-Armand Heitz Pommard 1er Cru Arvelets 2018 $183.73
-Armand Heitz Meursault 2020 $143.28
-Weingut A.J.Adam Spatburgunder Rose 2022 Mosel $28.50
-Champagne Thierry Fournier NV Reserve organic $62.36
-Armand Heitz Bourgogne Blanc 2021 $46.23
-Domaine Lamy-Pillot Chassagne-Montrachet Champs de Morgec Rouge 2021 $77.89
-Domaine Derey Gevrey-Chambertin 2021 $95.02
-Domaine Lamy-Pillot Chassagne-Montrachet Pot Bois Blanc 2021 $125.76
-Domaine La Barroche Chateauneuf-du-Pape Barrot 2021 $73.50
-Champagne Marguet NV [2019] Shaman Grand Cru biodynamic $95.35
-Champagne Marguet 2018 Les Crayeres Grand Cru biodynamic $159.39 [my fave today]
-Champagne Dhondt-Grellet NV Dans Un Premier Temps organic $98.72
***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (MVC/QPR=BETTER (86-89) Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Le Chai Duchet Macon Blanc Vire biodynamic 2022 $24.96
-Laurent Ponsot Bourgogne Rouge Cuvee des Peupiers 2019 $61.67
-Domaine Derey Bourgogne Motre Cul Marsannay 2021 Rouge $40.64
-Domaine des Ardoisieres Amethyste Rouge 2020 [biodynamic] $137.61
-Weingut Schloss Lieser Riesling Feinherb 2021 Mosel $23.44
-Weingut Dr. Heger Weissburgunder Trocken Pinot Blanc 2022 1 litre $27.94
-Weingut Dr. Heger Spatburgunder Trocken Ihringen 2018 $41.17
-Clement Lavallee Saint-Bris Les Copains d'Abord 2021 $47.07
-Domaine Derey Bourgogne Montre Cul Marsannay 2021 Rouge $40.64
-Domaine Philippe Chavy Bourgogne Aligote 2020 $41.50
-Jean Stodden The Rotweingut Spatburgunder J 2021 Organic $45.87
-Canaille Chardonnay 2022 Santa Maria California $57.11
-Weingut A. J. Adam Has'chen GG 2022 $76.79
-Weingut Hermann Donnhoff Felsenberg Felsenturmchen GG 2022 $112.95
The Contact Person: info@cgufinewines.com
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 85
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)=Basic Standard for Recommended Wines
MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
MAJOR THEME: Summer Sunshine White Wines
Recommended Wines UNDER $20
=========================
Rose+53421 FIELDING ROSÉ 2023 VQA $17.95
Rose+172643 TAWSE SKETCHES OF NIAGARA ROSÉ 2022 VQA $18.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
Rose+71712 WILDASS ROSÉ 2023 VQA $19.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
Rose+319384 CARTE NOIRE HÉRITAGE ROSÉ 2023 Provence $19.95
Rose+719062 FAMILLE PERRIN RÉSERVE ROSÉ 2023 Rhone $17.95
W+20599 FEATHERSTONE PINOT GRIGIO 2023 VQA $17.95
W+18385 WESZELI FELIX GRÜNER VELTLINER 2022 Austria $19.95
W+37757 MORANDÉ SELECCIÓN DE VIÑEDOS GRAN RESERVA SAUVIGNON BLANC CHILE $14.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
W+701094 MAS DES BRESSADES CUVÉE TRADITION BLANC 2022 Rhone $18.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
W+548222 ZACHARIAS MOSCHOFILERO 2022 GREECE $15.95
W+37087 FILIA GHI ASSYRTIKO 2022 GREECE $19.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
W+36513 TERRA FAGETO FENÈSIA PECORINO 2022 Marche $18.95
W+465880 RAPAURA SPRINGS SAUVIGNON BLANC 2022 New Zealand $17.45
W+25586 ABCDARIUM AZAL BRANCO 2022 Portugal $16.95
W+82073 FÉLIX LORENZO CACHAZO CARRASVIÑAS VERDEJO 2022 Spain $18.95
R+123489 CHÂTEAU HAUCHAT 2020 Bordeaux $18.95
R+368167 CHÂTEAU RECOUGNE 2021 Bordeaux $16.95
R+38403 DOMAINE GAYDA-SPHÈRE SYRAH 2022 Languedoc $14.95
R+544031 CHÂTEAU D'AIGUEVILLE CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES 2019 $18.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
R+14081 CELLIER DES DAUPHINS RÉSERVE 2022 $16.95
R+36526 ORAPIENA MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO RISERVA 2019 Abruzzo $17.95
R+638338 MARZIANO ABBONA I DUE RICU 2020 Piedmont $18.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
R+36534 MATANÉ NEGROAMARO 2021 Puglia $15.95
R+526640 COURTOIS LA SOURCE CÔTES DU RHÔNE 2022 $15.95
R+729962 DELAS SAINT-ESPRIT CÔTES DU RHÔNE 2022 $19.95
R+646042 EMINENTE RESERVA TINTO 2021 Portugal $16.95
R+617175 BABU RESERVA 2021 Portugal $15.95
R+383547 AVONDALE JONTY'S DUCKS PEKIN RED 2018 South Africa $18.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
R+37517 LUIS MARIN OLD VINE AMETHYST EDITION GARNACHA 2020 Spain $13.95
Recommended Wines OVER $20
========================
Rose+225003 E. GUIGAL CÔTES DU RHÔNE ROSÉ 2023 $21.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
Rose+701318 DOMAINE MABY LA FORCADIÈRE TAVEL ROSÉ 2023 $24.95
W+350900 ROBERT OATLEY SIGNATURE SERIES CHARDONNAY 2023 Australia $21.95
W+199273 TRIUS SHOWCASE WILD FERMENT CHARDONNAY 2020 VQA $38.00 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
W+302083 BACHELDER L'ARDOISE NIAGARA CHARDONNAY 2021 VQA $25.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
W+578864 LEANING POST THE FIFTY CHARDONNAY 2021 VQA $24.95
W+299867 MAISON ROCHE DE BELLENE VIEILLES VIGNES BOURGOGNE $29.95
W+37177 CHARTRON ET TRÉBUCHET SAINT-VÉRAN 2022 $29.95
W+36666 PLANETA TEREBINTO GRILLO 2022 Sicily $25.95
W+974527 VILLA MARIA CELLAR SELECTION SAUVIGNON BLANC 2023 New Zea $22.95
R+32824 TAWSE GROWER'S BLEND GAMAY 2021 VQA $23.15
R+261784 PAPALE LINEA ORO PRIMITIVO DI MANDURIA 2020 Puglia $26.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
R+642496 BARÓN DE LEY GRAN RESERVA 2017 Rioja $33.95
LIMITED TIME OFFERS: Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO's Limited Time Offer selections...these are "better" value wines...on sale through Sunday July 21 --
-Cave Spring Blanc de Blancs Brut Sparkling Sale Price $29.95 Price Was $32.95 Save $3.00
-Miraval Rosé Sale Price $23.95, Price Was $25.95 Save $2.00
-King Maui Sauvignon Blanc Sale Price $14.95 Price Was $17.95 Save $3.00
-Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc Sale Price $18.95 Price Was $21.95 Save $3.00
-Château des Charmes Barrel Fermented Chardonnay VQA SalePrice $13.95 Price Was $14.95 Save $1
-Flat Rock Twisted White Sale Price $14.95 Price Was $17.95 Save $3.00
-Sistina Pecorino Terre Di Chieti IGT Sale Price $14.00, Price Was $16.00 Save $2.00
-Latte Miele Pecorino IGT Terre Di Chieti Abruzzo Sale Price $12.00, Price Was $14.00 Save $2.00
-Tenuta Frescobaldi di Castiglioni Sale Price $21.95, Price Was $24.95 Save $3.00
-Chateau Ste. Michelle Cabernet Sauvignon Sale Price $20.95 Price Was $22.95 Save $2.00
-Masi Costasera Amarone Classico DOC Sale Price $51.00, Price Was $55.00 Save $4.00
-Negrar Amarone Classico DOCG Sale Price $33.55 Price Was $37.05 Save $3.50
-Sella & Mosca Riserva Cannonau di Sardegna Sale Price $17.45 Price Was $19.95 Save $2.50
-Dievole Tenuta Le Colonne Vermentino IGT Sale Price $15.00 Price Was $17.00 Save $2.00
-Faustino I Gran Reserva Sale Price $28.95 Price Was $31.95 Save $3.00
** Some New Wines I Tasted Over the Past Spring ---
REPORT ON THE CGU FINE WINES SPRING PORTFOLIO TRADE TASTING MARCH 2024
The Date and Time: Tuesday March 26, 2024
The Event: CGU Portfolio Tasting
The Venue: Vintage Conservatory - King Street
The Target Audience: licensees and wine media, sommeliers
The Availability/Catalogue: a one-page sheet listed the wines at three tables, with label names, regions, vintage dates, prices, case sizes, and order information.
The Wines: I had the opportunity to try 28 wines. Prices are licensee only.
**** BEST -- Four Stars (MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ ) in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Domaine Derey Marsannay Rose 2022 $28.84
-Domaine Gerard Julien & Fils Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru 2021 $115.60
-Domaine Francois Mikulski Bourgogne Cote d'Or Blanc 2021 Organic $61.06
-Armand Heitz Pommard 1er Cru Arvelets 2018 $183.73
-Armand Heitz Meursault 2020 $143.28
-Weingut A.J.Adam Spatburgunder Rose 2022 Mosel $28.50
-Champagne Thierry Fournier NV Reserve organic $62.36
-Armand Heitz Bourgogne Blanc 2021 $46.23
-Domaine Lamy-Pillot Chassagne-Montrachet Champs de Morgec Rouge 2021 $77.89
-Domaine Derey Gevrey-Chambertin 2021 $95.02
-Domaine Lamy-Pillot Chassagne-Montrachet Pot Bois Blanc 2021 $125.76
-Domaine La Barroche Chateauneuf-du-Pape Barrot 2021 $73.50
-Champagne Marguet NV [2019] Shaman Grand Cru biodynamic $95.35
-Champagne Marguet 2018 Les Crayeres Grand Cru biodynamic $159.39 [my fave today]
-Champagne Dhondt-Grellet NV Dans Un Premier Temps organic $98.72
***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (MVC/QPR=BETTER (86-89) Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Le Chai Duchet Macon Blanc Vire biodynamic 2022 $24.96
-Laurent Ponsot Bourgogne Rouge Cuvee des Peupiers 2019 $61.67
-Domaine Derey Bourgogne Motre Cul Marsannay 2021 Rouge $40.64
-Domaine des Ardoisieres Amethyste Rouge 2020 [biodynamic] $137.61
-Weingut Schloss Lieser Riesling Feinherb 2021 Mosel $23.44
-Weingut Dr. Heger Weissburgunder Trocken Pinot Blanc 2022 1 litre $27.94
-Weingut Dr. Heger Spatburgunder Trocken Ihringen 2018 $41.17
-Clement Lavallee Saint-Bris Les Copains d'Abord 2021 $47.07
-Domaine Derey Bourgogne Montre Cul Marsannay 2021 Rouge $40.64
-Domaine Philippe Chavy Bourgogne Aligote 2020 $41.50
-Jean Stodden The Rotweingut Spatburgunder J 2021 Organic $45.87
-Canaille Chardonnay 2022 Santa Maria California $57.11
-Weingut A. J. Adam Has'chen GG 2022 $76.79
-Weingut Hermann Donnhoff Felsenberg Felsenturmchen GG 2022 $112.95
The Contact Person: info@cgufinewines.com
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 85
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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