REPORT ON THE CGU PORTFOLIO TASTING IN NOVEMBER 2024

REPORT ON THE CGU PORTFOLIO TASTING IN NOVEMBER 2024

The Date and Time: November 1, 2024  2PM - 5 PM
The Event: 2024 Fall CGU Portfolio Tasting
The Venue: Vintage Conservatory - King Street
The Target Audience: private clients, restaurants, wine media and sommeliers
The Availability/Catalogue: we had a simple listing of some 26 wines with all relevant information about regions, vintage dates, and prices.
The Quote/Background: It was a quick tasting in that there were only two dozen or so wines, with no food. There were 4 tables with about 6 wines each.
The Wines: I tasted all the wines. Prices are retail.

**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Moritz Kissinger Winzersekt Extra Brut Nr. 2 NV $52.57
-Weingut A.J.Adam Hofberg CG 2022 $84.76
-Kinsman Eades 2022 Aisana Sauvignon Blanc $177.84
-Le Clos du Gravillas Lo Vielh Carignan de 100 Ans 2021 $45.17  (my fave red of this tasting)
-Jean-Baptiste Souillard Saint Joseph 2022 $58.12
-Jean-Baptiste Crozes-Hermitage Les Baties 2022 $84.02
-Domaine des Ardoisieres Schiste Blanc 2022 $99.23
-Champagne Dhondt-Grellet Dans Un Premier Temps NV $119.44
-Domaine Genot-Boulanger Pommard 2021 $131.35
-Domaine Genot-Boulanger Meursault Savigny Les Beaune Vieilles Vignes  2021 $105.45
-Domaine Genot-Boulanger Meursault Clos du Cromin 2021 $175.75
-Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux Bourgogne Pinot Fin 2020 $416.24
-Laurent Ponsot Griotte Chambertin Grand Cru Cuvee du Saule 2019 Rouge $989.76
-Laurent Ponsot  Meursault 1er Cru Blagny Cuvee du Myosotis 2019 $220.33
-Domaine des Terres de Velle Auxey-Duresses Les Bulles par Terres de Velle Extra Brut NV  $36.05
-Domaine des Terres de Velle Auxey-Duresses Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru 2021 $250.82
-
***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (87 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Weingut Peter Jakob Kuhn Jacobus Rheingau 2022 $37.77
-Moritz Kissinger OHM White 2022 $39.99
-Niew Vineyards Chardonnay  2022 Eola-Amity Hills $154.36
-Thiriet Bourgogne Rouge Les Chagniots 2022 $101.75
-Domaine David Duband Vosne-Romanee 2021 $154.48
-Domaine Garcia Aloxe Corton 1er Cru Le Calozieres 2022 $249.75
-Armand Heitz Morey-Saint Denis 1er Cru Monts Luisants 2021 $342.24
-Gautheron d'Anost Bourgogne Hautes Cotes de Beaune 2022 $64.76

The Food: none
The Downside: It was crowded with small quarters.
The Upside: it was a small tasting which allowed me to taste everything!!
The Contact Person: jade@cgufinewines.com; info@cgufinewines.com; cgufinewines@gmail.com
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 91

Dean Tudor,  Prof Emeritus T'karonto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson) School of Journalism

Treasurer of Wine Writers' Circle of Canada http://www.deantudor.com
http://gothicepicures.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/gothicepicures

WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for FEB 15, 2025 release.

WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES:  under/over $20 for  FEB 15, 2025 release.

By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com. My "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of wine 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 recommendation   MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior wine

MAJOR THEME:  Australia

Recommended Wines UNDER $20
=========================
W+42293 DOMAINE BOUSQUET ORGANIC RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2023 ARGENTINA $19.95      
W+251470 TRIUS DISTINCTION BARREL FERMENTED CHARDONNAY VQA 2023 $19.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
W+40326 LES COSTIÈRES DE POMÉROLS LE JADE VIOGNIER 2023  LANGUEDOC $15.95
W+42392 DOMAINE FONT SARADE LE BLANC VIOGNIER RHONE 2023 $19.95
W+631622 COLLAVINI T FRIULANO 2022 $16.95
W+39380 PASQUA BLACK LABEL ITALIANO CHARDONNAY 2022 VENETO $17.95
W+41453 ALVI'S DRIFT SIGNATURE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2023 SOUTH AFRICA $14.95

R+38491 LA BELLE MARGUERITE MALBEC 2021 ARGENTINA $17.85
R+41309 STONEHAVEN STEPPING STONE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2020 AUSTRALIA $16.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
R+33501 THORN-CLARKE BAROSSA SHIRAZ 2022 AUSTRALIA $19.95
R+12990 CHÂTEAU CAMPLONG GRANDE RÉSERVE CORBIÈRES 2023 $13.95
R+39282 NESTORE BOSCO LINEA CLASSICA MONTELPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO 2020 $16.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
R+11152 COUTADA VELHA SIGNATURE RED 2022 PORTUGAL $14.95


Recommended Wines OVER $20
========================
W+632034 TYRRELL'S HUNTER VALLEY SEMILLON 2023 AUSTRALIA $24.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )

R+135202 KAIKEN ULTRA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 ARGENTINA $22.95  MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
R+41310 SMALL VICTORIES EDEN VALLEY SHIRAZ 2022 AUSTRALIA $24.95
R+33894 LE CLOS JORDANNE JORDAN VILLAGE PINOT NOIR VQA 2021 $30.00 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
R+389759 CASAS DEL BOSQUE GRAN RESERVA SYRAH 2022 CHILE $22.95
R+534339 VAUCHER PÈRE & FILS FLEURIE 2022 BEAUJOLAIS $20.95
R+384271 CHÂTEAU MAGNOL 2021 BORDEAUX $27.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
R+42394 DOMAINE FONT SARADE LES HAUTS DE LA PONCHE VACQUEYRAS RHONE 2022 $28.95
R+39229 ARBÉTA BARBARESCO 2019 $39.95
R+39165 SAN BIAGIO COMMUNE DI LA MORRA BAROLO 2019 $48.95
R+39401 PIAN DELLE QUERCI BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2019 $45.95
R+11228 SIGLO GRAN RESERVA 2015 SPAIN $24.95


LIMITED TIME OFFERS: Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO's Limited Time Offer selections...these  are "better" value...on sale  from Feb 3 to March 2 -- and there is no HST through February 15...so you'll save more ...!!!

+35386 Kim Crawford Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc New Zealand now $18.95, save $3
+926626 Famille Perrin Les Sinards Chateauneuf-du-Pape Rhone now $40.95, save $3
+322586 Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon Chile now $20.95, save $2
+595280  Porcupine Ridge Syrah South Africa $13.95, save $3
+145920 Tenuta Frescobaldi di Castiglioni Tuscany now $21.95, save $3
+303800 Trius Red VQA Niagara now $25.95, save $2
+48793 Louis Bouillot Perle d'Aurore Brut Rose Cremant de Bourgogne $24.95, save $2

More LTO deals at https://www.lcbo.com/en/products#t=clp-products&sort=relevancy&layout=card&f:@lcbo_current_offer=[On%20Sale]
 

** Some New Wines I Tasted Over the Past Season ---

REPORT ON INSTITUTO GRANDI MARCHI TORONTO   OCTOBER  2024

The Date and Time: October 16, 2024, 11AM to 4:30PM
The Event: Wine tasting of Instituto Grandi Marchi in Toronto
The Venue: Arcadian Loft
The Target Audience: wine writers and sommeliers, wine trade agents
The Quote/Background: Grandi Marchi here means "wine family heritage" -- these are some of the oldest wineries in Italy. There are 18 members but only 14 were at the show.
The Wines: We tasted 54 wines that were available. The masterclass explained the nature of the families and wine samples augmented this.

**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Ca" del Bosco Annamaria Clementi Franciacorta DOCG Riserva 2015
-Umani Ronchi Vecchie Vigne Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOC Classico Superiore 2022
-Vinchio Vaglio Moscato D'Asti
-Podere Casanova Settecento 2018
-Vinchio Vaglie Barbera d'Asti Vechie Vigne 2021
-Vinchio Vaglie Nizza Laudana 2020
-Castello di Selvole Chianti Gran Selezione 2019
-Castello di Melet Chianti Gran Selezione 2020  
-Castello di Fonterutoli Chianti Gran Selezione 2020
-Tasca d'Almerita Rosso del Conte Contea di Sciafani DOC 2018
-Tenuta San Leonardo Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT 2016
-Michele Chiaro Cerequio Barolo DOCG Riserva 2016
-Col d'Orcia Poggio al Vento Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Riserva 2016
-Masi Costasera Riserva Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG Riserva 2018
-Serego Alighieri Possessioni Veneto 2013
-Jermann Bianco Venetia IGT 2022 Where Dreams Have No End
-Michele Chiaro Barbaresco 2021

***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (87 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Carpene Malvolti 1868 Rive di San Pietro di Barbozza Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Brut
-Jermann Vintage Tunina Venezia Giulia IGT 2022
-Ambrogio e Giovanni Folonari Tenute Cabreo Il Borgo Toscana Chianti Region  IGT 2021
-Lungarotti Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG 2020
-Mastroberardino Stilema Taurasi DOCG Riserva 2016
-Cantina Nativ Fiano d'Avellion 2023
-Cantina Nativ Greco di Tufo 2023
-Obiz Friulano 2023
-Cecci Chardonnay 2023
-Feudi di Romans Ribolla Gialla 2023
-Mezzacorona Rotari Prosecco
-Rivera Marese  Bombino Bianco Castel del Monte DOC 2023
-San Leonardo Vette Sauvignon Blanc 2023
-Michele Chiarlo Gavi 2023
-Lungarotti Torre de Giano 2023
-Mastroberardino Greco di Tufo 2013
-Masterberardino Fiano de Avellino 2023

The Food: we had the cheese and charcuterie platters, Atlantic salmon salad sandwich, quinoa and eggplant wrap, crispy chicken ciabatta and tomatoes, beef flat iron pretzel sandwich -- all with smoked cheddar cheeses available as well as  smoked jalapeno aioli. Catered by Oliver & Bonacini
The Downside: I missed tasting Donnafugata and Antinori wines (these families did not come to Toronto)
The Upside: the foods were a great match for the various wines.
The Contact Person: b.marassi@ice.it
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.com
http://gothicepicures.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/gothicepicures

Virus-free.www.avg.com

REPORT ON STEM WINE PORTFOLIO TASTING OCTOBER 2024

REPORT ON STEM WINE PORTFOLIO TASTING OCTOBER 2024

The Date and Time: October 30, 2024, 2PM to 9PM
The Event: 20th Anniversary Edition of Stem Wine Group Inc.'s Portfolio Tasting
The Venue: Globe & Mail Event Centre
The Target Audience: wine media, sommeliers, collectors, private clients, etc.
The Availability/Catalogue: everything in the catalogue is available. The book itself weighs over a pound.
The Quote/Background: It was a walkaround tasting, moving at its own pace, with plenty of wine to sample. The majority of wines came from Italy, followed by France, Spain, Chile, Argentina, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, USA, and Ontario Canada. The book gave us a label reproduction, grape names, regions, vintage dates and prices. Many producers and/or their North American reps were pouring. It's always an interesting experience.
The Wines: I could only taste a few of the wines: there were so many, plus beers and spirits and sparklers. Prices do not include HST or bottle deposit.

**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Anno Domini Vyds Moscato IGT Veneto Frizzante $14.99
-Tombacco Pecorino IGT Terre di Chieti $16.99
-Delibori Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Superiore DOCG $52.99
-Zyme From Black to White Il Bianco 2020 IGP $33.99
-Zyme 60 20 20 Cabernet IGP 2020 $82.99
-Zyme Kairos IGP 2020 $132.99
-Zyme Amarone dell Valpolicella Classico 2018  DOCG $209.99
-Zyme La Mattonara Amarone Classico Riserva 2009 DOP $519.99
-Zyme Harlequin 2016 IGP $519.99
-Corteaura Franciacorta Brut DOCG $39.99
-Corteaura Franciacorta Rose DOCG $47.99
-Ronco Del Gelso Siet Vignis Chardonnay 2022 DOC $36.99
-La Chiara Gavi del Comune di Gavi 2023 DOCG $23.99
-Giulia Negri La Tartufaia Barolo 2020 DOCG $89.99
-Giulia Negri Serradenari Barolo 2020 DOCG $129.99
-Giulia Negri Marassio Barolo 2020 DOCG $189.99
-Arnaldorivera Rocche di Castiglione Barolo 2020 DCG $184.99
-Gaja Alteni di Brassica 2021 DOP $239.99
-Castello Monsanto Il Poggio Gran Selezione Chianti Classico 2018 DOCG $109.99
--Settesoli Vermentino 2022 IGT $14.99
-La Manufacture Blanchot Chablis Grand Cru 2022 $139.99
-Tome Arzabal Albarino 2023 Yakima Valley AVA $34.99
-Citation Chardonnay Oregon 2015 $59.99
-Citation Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2015 $61.99


***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (87 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Delibori Garda Chardonnay IGT 2023  $13.99
-Schreckbichl Colterenzio Altikirch Chardonnay 2023 $24.99
-Deltetto Il Fondatore Barolo 2017 DOCG $74.99
-Ca' del Baio Luna d'Agosto Langhe Chardonnay 2023 DOC $23.99
-Villa a Sesta Sarleone Gran Selezione Chianti Classico 2018 $59.99
-Gaja Rossj Bass 2022 DOP $139.99
-Gaja Dagromis Barolo 2020 DOP $169.99
-La Manufacture Bourgogne 2022 Cote d'Auxerre $33.99
-Castell d'Or Cava Rose NV $18.99
-Precision Adorn Chardonnay 2021 California $18.99
-Butternut Chardonnay 2021 California $23.99

The Food: Piano Piano was present with rigatoni Bolognese and cavatelli mushrooms and truffles; Edna + Vita fed us with tuna crudo, whipped ricotta and beet crostini, mortadella grissini and pistachio pesto, polpette and polenta; kb from Whitby provided us with beef tartare, wild boar crisps, deep-fried rabbit and polenta balls. Amazing food.
The Downside: it got crowded really fast
The Upside: I could not taste every wine that I wanted to - I ran out of palate. So sad.
The Contact Person: tania@stemwinegroup.com  or  tony@stemwinegroup.com
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 94

Dean Tudor,  Prof Emeritus T'karonto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson) School of Journalism

Treasurer of Wine Writers' Circle of Canada http://www.deantudor.com
http://gothicepicures.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/gothicepicures