WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for MARCH 29, 2025 release.
THIS IS THE BLUE MOON 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: Classic Euro wines and their New World Counterparts
Recommended Wines UNDER $20
=========================
W+662775 D'ARENBERG THE HERMIT CRAB VIOGNIER/MARSANNE AUSTRALIA 2023 $17.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior wine
W+370098 PAUL MAS SINGLE VINEYARD COLLECTION NICOLE VINEYARD RÉSERVE VIOGNIER LANGUEDOC 2022 $16.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior wine
W+599274 DR. L RIESLING MOSEL-SAAR-RUWER 2023 $18.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior wine
W+40537 NOVUS ALTITUDE ASSYRTIKO/MOSCHOFILERO/MALAGOUSIA GREECE 2023 $15.95
R+66298 LA POSTA PIZZELLA FAMILY MALBEC ARGENTINA 2023 $17.95
R+36316 TRAPICHE TESORO MALBEC ARGENTINA 2022 $15.95
R+433060 WYNNS COONAWARRA ESTATE SHIRAZ AUSTRALIA 2021 $18.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior wine
R+25366 TRIUS DISTINCTION CABERNET SAUVIGNON VQA 2023 $19.95
R+42221 DOMAINE DE BEL-AIR LES GRANITS BLEUS BEAUJOLAIS-VILLAGES 2022 $19.95 R+948059 FAMILLE PERRIN SIGNATURE CÔTES DU RHÔNE 2021 $19.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior wine
R+39226 CORNO GRANDE MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO PREMIUM 2022 $17.95
R+39484 CA' DI RAJO CABERNET SAUVIGNON VENEZIE 2023 $17.95
R+41902 SANTOS LIMA TAVERNA DA ALDEIA PORTUGAL 2021 $13.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior wine
Recommended Wines OVER $20
========================
FIZZ+42003 HENRI D'AUGAN BRUT CRÉMANT DE BORDEAUX ROSÉ SPARKLING NV $22.95
W+256552 CAVE SPRING ESTATE GROWN CAVE SPRING VINEYARD CHARDONNAY VQA 2022 $21.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior wine
W+424507 WESTCOTT ESTATE CHARDONNAY VQA 2022 $29.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior wine
W+44145 THIRTY BENCH SMALL LOT WILD CASK RIESLING VQA 2021 $32
W+18585 PASCAL BOUCHARD LE CLASSIQUE CHABLIS 2023 $31.95
W+274357 DOMAINE CHAUVEAU LA CHARMETTE POUILLY-FUMÉ 2023 $27.95
R+38499 WAPISA PATAGONIA PINOT NOIR ARGENTINA 2022 $22.95
R+11582 BACHELDER LES VILLAGES NIAGARA PINOT NOIR VQA 2022 $34.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior wine
R+26503 SOUTHBROOK TRIOMPHE GAMAY VQA 2021 $28.95
R+42229 LES ARBILLONS MÂCON MILLY-LAMARTINE ROUGE 2020 $21.95
R+261784 PAPALE LINEA ORO PRIMITIVO DI MANDURIA PUGLIA 2021 $26.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior wine
R+930966 ROCCA DELLE MACÌE RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2021 $25.95
R+681262 BANFI ROSSO DI MONTALCINO TUSCANY 2022 $26.95
R+984187 MURIEL GRAN RESERVA SPAIN 2015 $29.95
LIMITED TIME OFFERS: Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO's Limited Time Offer selections...these are "better" value...on sale through SATURDAY March 29...you better hurry...new listing out March 31 (see next entry below)...
Fizz+302752 Santa Margherita Brut Rose Sparkling Italy, was $21.95, now $19.95, save $2
W+326728 Oyster Bay Chardonnay New Zealand was $20.95, now $17.95, save $3
W+958975 Mer Soleil Reserve Chardonnay Monterey, was $29.95, now $26.95, save $3
W+1834 Susana Balbo Crios Torrontes Argentina was, $16.95, now $14.95, save $2
R+425488 Sella & Mosca Riserva Cannonau di Sardegna was $19.95, now $16.95, save $3
R+352583 Beringer Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma was, $49.95, now $44.95, save $5
R+964221 Le Volte dell'Ornellaia, was $31.95, now $28.95, save $3
R+177345 Muga Reserva Rioja, was $28.95, now $26.95, save $2
R+149237 The Foreign Affair The Conspiracy VQA Niagara, was $21.95, now $18.95, save $3
R+394718 Erath Pinot Noir Oregon, was $28.95, now $25.95, save $3
R+910430 Tommasi Ripasso Valpolicella Classico Superiore, was $27.95, now $25.95, save $2.50
R+479766 Zenato Ripassa Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore, was $29.95, now $26.95, save $3
LTO deals March 31 to April 27, 2025...
Fizz+991562 Bailly Lapierre Reserve Brut Cremant de Bourgogne, now $23.45, save $1.50
W+68817 Hidden Bench Estate Organic Chardonnay VQA Beamsville Bench, now $29.95, save $3
W+35t386 Kim Crawford Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc New Zealand, now $18.95, save $3
W+89037 Tawse Sketches of Niagara Chardonnay VQA, now $19.95, save $2
W+711556 Wakefield Estate Label Chardonnay Clare Valley South Australia, now $15.95, save $2
R+64618 Featherstone Cabernet Franc VQA Niagara, now $19.95, save $2
R+258673 G. Marquis The Silver Line Pinot Noir VQA NOTL, now $17.95, save $2
R+274753 Hidden Bench Estate Organic Pinot Noir VQA Beamsville Bench, now $34.95, save $3
R+58339 Kaiken Estate Malbec Mendoza Argentina, now $16.95. save $2
More LTO deals are 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 Near the End of Last year (2024) ---
REPORT ON DRINK CHILE 2024 TORONTO WINES OF CHILE ANNUAL TRADE TASTING
The Date and Time: Tuesday November 12, 11:30AM to 4:30 PM
The Event: Wines of Chile annual tasting in Toronto
The Venue: One King Street West
The Target Audience: wine trade in day time, then public at night
The Availability/Catalogue:just about everything is at the LCBO
The Quote/Background: it was a very pleasant stroll through the uncrowded aisles, with many familiar faces.
The Wines: I could not try them all....
**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Cono Sur Sparkling Rose Pinot Noir $16.05 +365205 LCBO
-Emiliana Signos de Origen Chardonnay Casablanca 2022 $21.95 +37756 Vintages
-Emiliana Novas Stellar Selection Red Blend Maule $19.95 +35672 Vintages
-Vina Garces Silva Organic Boya Sauvignon Blanc Leyda 2024 $15.95 +389726 Vintages
-Vina Haras de Pirque Hussonet Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 Maipo $25 (Mark Anthony)
-Vina las Ninas Traditional Method Sparkling Chardonnay NV Colchagua $19.95 (Hektars Agency)
-Luis Felipe Edwards Gran Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2023 Leyda $16.95 +37758 Vintages
-Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 Colchagua $22.95 +322586 Vintages
-Vina Vik A Cabernet Sauvignon Cachapoal 2022 $48 (Bacco Imports)
-Vina Vik Milla Cala Cachapoal 2021 $100
-Vina Vik La Piu Belle Cachapoal 2021 $135
-Vina Vik VIK Cachapoal $250
-Montes Folly Syrah Colchagua 2020 $90 +62356
-De Martino Viejas Tinajas Muscat Itata 2021 $47 +25921
-Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 +35100 $220
-Casa Bauza Presumido 2020 +38476 $40
-Garage Wine Co Cru Truquilemu DO Empedrado 2019 +24544 $71.25
***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (87 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Caliterra Tributo Chardonnay 2022 Casablanca +37748 $17.95
-Vina Carmen Delanz Cabernetv Sauvignon Alto Jahuel Maipo +41879 $29.95
-Arboleda Chardonnay Aconcagua $18.95 +606772 $18.95
-Emiliana Organic Coyam Colchagua +63891 $29.95
-Las Ninas Ella Chardonnay Organic Casablanca +37162 $13.95
-Montes Sparkling Angel $26.95 +37122 Vintages
-Montes Alpha Chardonnay Aconcagua +390203 $19.95
-Montes Wings Apalta +33354 $67.95
-Montes Purple Angel 2021 Colchagua +62364 $109.95
-Montgras Intriga 2022 Maipo $23.95 (Charton Hobbs)
The Food: cold cuts platter, with salami and prosciutto, two cheeses, lots of breads (soft focaccia), cooked split cherry tomatoes, marinated eggplant, tomatoes, artichokes, olives, dry cured tomatoes.
The Downside: modest food platter
The Upside: lots of room to move around, in the early hours of the show
The Contact Person: lisa@androscom.com
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 90
THIS IS THE BLUE MOON 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: Classic Euro wines and their New World Counterparts
Recommended Wines UNDER $20
=========================
W+662775 D'ARENBERG THE HERMIT CRAB VIOGNIER/MARSANNE AUSTRALIA 2023 $17.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior wine
W+370098 PAUL MAS SINGLE VINEYARD COLLECTION NICOLE VINEYARD RÉSERVE VIOGNIER LANGUEDOC 2022 $16.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior wine
W+599274 DR. L RIESLING MOSEL-SAAR-RUWER 2023 $18.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior wine
W+40537 NOVUS ALTITUDE ASSYRTIKO/MOSCHOFILERO/MALAGOUSIA GREECE 2023 $15.95
R+66298 LA POSTA PIZZELLA FAMILY MALBEC ARGENTINA 2023 $17.95
R+36316 TRAPICHE TESORO MALBEC ARGENTINA 2022 $15.95
R+433060 WYNNS COONAWARRA ESTATE SHIRAZ AUSTRALIA 2021 $18.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior wine
R+25366 TRIUS DISTINCTION CABERNET SAUVIGNON VQA 2023 $19.95
R+42221 DOMAINE DE BEL-AIR LES GRANITS BLEUS BEAUJOLAIS-VILLAGES 2022 $19.95 R+948059 FAMILLE PERRIN SIGNATURE CÔTES DU RHÔNE 2021 $19.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior wine
R+39226 CORNO GRANDE MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO PREMIUM 2022 $17.95
R+39484 CA' DI RAJO CABERNET SAUVIGNON VENEZIE 2023 $17.95
R+41902 SANTOS LIMA TAVERNA DA ALDEIA PORTUGAL 2021 $13.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior wine
Recommended Wines OVER $20
========================
FIZZ+42003 HENRI D'AUGAN BRUT CRÉMANT DE BORDEAUX ROSÉ SPARKLING NV $22.95
W+256552 CAVE SPRING ESTATE GROWN CAVE SPRING VINEYARD CHARDONNAY VQA 2022 $21.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior wine
W+424507 WESTCOTT ESTATE CHARDONNAY VQA 2022 $29.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior wine
W+44145 THIRTY BENCH SMALL LOT WILD CASK RIESLING VQA 2021 $32
W+18585 PASCAL BOUCHARD LE CLASSIQUE CHABLIS 2023 $31.95
W+274357 DOMAINE CHAUVEAU LA CHARMETTE POUILLY-FUMÉ 2023 $27.95
R+38499 WAPISA PATAGONIA PINOT NOIR ARGENTINA 2022 $22.95
R+11582 BACHELDER LES VILLAGES NIAGARA PINOT NOIR VQA 2022 $34.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior wine
R+26503 SOUTHBROOK TRIOMPHE GAMAY VQA 2021 $28.95
R+42229 LES ARBILLONS MÂCON MILLY-LAMARTINE ROUGE 2020 $21.95
R+261784 PAPALE LINEA ORO PRIMITIVO DI MANDURIA PUGLIA 2021 $26.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior wine
R+930966 ROCCA DELLE MACÌE RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2021 $25.95
R+681262 BANFI ROSSO DI MONTALCINO TUSCANY 2022 $26.95
R+984187 MURIEL GRAN RESERVA SPAIN 2015 $29.95
LIMITED TIME OFFERS: Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO's Limited Time Offer selections...these are "better" value...on sale through SATURDAY March 29...you better hurry...new listing out March 31 (see next entry below)...
Fizz+302752 Santa Margherita Brut Rose Sparkling Italy, was $21.95, now $19.95, save $2
W+326728 Oyster Bay Chardonnay New Zealand was $20.95, now $17.95, save $3
W+958975 Mer Soleil Reserve Chardonnay Monterey, was $29.95, now $26.95, save $3
W+1834 Susana Balbo Crios Torrontes Argentina was, $16.95, now $14.95, save $2
R+425488 Sella & Mosca Riserva Cannonau di Sardegna was $19.95, now $16.95, save $3
R+352583 Beringer Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma was, $49.95, now $44.95, save $5
R+964221 Le Volte dell'Ornellaia, was $31.95, now $28.95, save $3
R+177345 Muga Reserva Rioja, was $28.95, now $26.95, save $2
R+149237 The Foreign Affair The Conspiracy VQA Niagara, was $21.95, now $18.95, save $3
R+394718 Erath Pinot Noir Oregon, was $28.95, now $25.95, save $3
R+910430 Tommasi Ripasso Valpolicella Classico Superiore, was $27.95, now $25.95, save $2.50
R+479766 Zenato Ripassa Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore, was $29.95, now $26.95, save $3
LTO deals March 31 to April 27, 2025...
Fizz+991562 Bailly Lapierre Reserve Brut Cremant de Bourgogne, now $23.45, save $1.50
W+68817 Hidden Bench Estate Organic Chardonnay VQA Beamsville Bench, now $29.95, save $3
W+35t386 Kim Crawford Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc New Zealand, now $18.95, save $3
W+89037 Tawse Sketches of Niagara Chardonnay VQA, now $19.95, save $2
W+711556 Wakefield Estate Label Chardonnay Clare Valley South Australia, now $15.95, save $2
R+64618 Featherstone Cabernet Franc VQA Niagara, now $19.95, save $2
R+258673 G. Marquis The Silver Line Pinot Noir VQA NOTL, now $17.95, save $2
R+274753 Hidden Bench Estate Organic Pinot Noir VQA Beamsville Bench, now $34.95, save $3
R+58339 Kaiken Estate Malbec Mendoza Argentina, now $16.95. save $2
More LTO deals are 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 Near the End of Last year (2024) ---
REPORT ON DRINK CHILE 2024 TORONTO WINES OF CHILE ANNUAL TRADE TASTING
The Date and Time: Tuesday November 12, 11:30AM to 4:30 PM
The Event: Wines of Chile annual tasting in Toronto
The Venue: One King Street West
The Target Audience: wine trade in day time, then public at night
The Availability/Catalogue:just about everything is at the LCBO
The Quote/Background: it was a very pleasant stroll through the uncrowded aisles, with many familiar faces.
The Wines: I could not try them all....
**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Cono Sur Sparkling Rose Pinot Noir $16.05 +365205 LCBO
-Emiliana Signos de Origen Chardonnay Casablanca 2022 $21.95 +37756 Vintages
-Emiliana Novas Stellar Selection Red Blend Maule $19.95 +35672 Vintages
-Vina Garces Silva Organic Boya Sauvignon Blanc Leyda 2024 $15.95 +389726 Vintages
-Vina Haras de Pirque Hussonet Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 Maipo $25 (Mark Anthony)
-Vina las Ninas Traditional Method Sparkling Chardonnay NV Colchagua $19.95 (Hektars Agency)
-Luis Felipe Edwards Gran Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2023 Leyda $16.95 +37758 Vintages
-Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 Colchagua $22.95 +322586 Vintages
-Vina Vik A Cabernet Sauvignon Cachapoal 2022 $48 (Bacco Imports)
-Vina Vik Milla Cala Cachapoal 2021 $100
-Vina Vik La Piu Belle Cachapoal 2021 $135
-Vina Vik VIK Cachapoal $250
-Montes Folly Syrah Colchagua 2020 $90 +62356
-De Martino Viejas Tinajas Muscat Itata 2021 $47 +25921
-Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 +35100 $220
-Casa Bauza Presumido 2020 +38476 $40
-Garage Wine Co Cru Truquilemu DO Empedrado 2019 +24544 $71.25
***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (87 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Caliterra Tributo Chardonnay 2022 Casablanca +37748 $17.95
-Vina Carmen Delanz Cabernetv Sauvignon Alto Jahuel Maipo +41879 $29.95
-Arboleda Chardonnay Aconcagua $18.95 +606772 $18.95
-Emiliana Organic Coyam Colchagua +63891 $29.95
-Las Ninas Ella Chardonnay Organic Casablanca +37162 $13.95
-Montes Sparkling Angel $26.95 +37122 Vintages
-Montes Alpha Chardonnay Aconcagua +390203 $19.95
-Montes Wings Apalta +33354 $67.95
-Montes Purple Angel 2021 Colchagua +62364 $109.95
-Montgras Intriga 2022 Maipo $23.95 (Charton Hobbs)
The Food: cold cuts platter, with salami and prosciutto, two cheeses, lots of breads (soft focaccia), cooked split cherry tomatoes, marinated eggplant, tomatoes, artichokes, olives, dry cured tomatoes.
The Downside: modest food platter
The Upside: lots of room to move around, in the early hours of the show
The Contact Person: lisa@androscom.com
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
