WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for MARCH 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 THEMES: Sustainable Italian; South African Stellenbosch; Beamsville Bench
Recommended Wines UNDER $20
=========================
FIZZ+515254 VILARNAU BARCELONA RESERVA BRUT ORGANIC SPAIN CAVA $16.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior wine
W+186346 SIDEWOOD CHARDONNAY AUSTRALIA 2022 $18.95
W+19379 TRIUS DISTINCTION SAUVIGNON BLANC VQA 2022 $19.95
W+40441 MICHALAKIS ASSYRTIKO GREECE 2023 $16.15
W+18685 THE WINERY OF GOOD HOPE BUSH VINE CHENIN BLANC SOUTH AFRICA 2023 $15.95
W+218354 GARCIARÉVALO FINCA TRES OLMOS LIAS VERDEJO SPAIN 2023 $14.95
R+38492 ALTUS RESERVA MALBEC ARGENTINA 2021 $19.95
R+24980 KNAPPSTEIN CLARE VALLEY SHIRAZ AUSTRALIA 2021 $19.95
R+942904 D'ARENBERG D'ARRY'S ORIGINAL GRENACHE/SHIRAZ AUSTRALIA 2020 $19.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior wine
R+39275 FEATHERSTONE GAMAY NOIR VQA 2021 $18.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior wine
R+42112 MORANDE SELECCIÓN DE VIÑEDOS GRAN RESERVA CABERNET CHILE $16.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior wine
R+470963 DOMAINE GOURON CHINON LOIRE 2023 $17.95
R+39219 GORGHI TONDI COSTE A PREOLA NERO D'AVOLA 2022 SICILY $17.95
R+39220 TRULLO DI PEZZA MEZZAPEZZA PRIMITIVO PUGLIA 2021 $18.95
R+438713 VALDELACIERVA CRIANZA SPAIN 2019 $17.95
R+443374 RUSTENBERG STELLENBOSCH CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2022 $19.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior wine
R+427195 FLOR DE MAIO MAYFLOWER PORTUGAL 2021 $15.95
Recommended Wines OVER $20
========================
W+16059 BACHELDER LES VILLAGES BENCH CHARDONNAY VQA 2022 $34.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior wine
W+149302 FEATHERSTONE CANADIAN OAK CHARDONNAY VQA 2023 $24.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior wine
W+177758 ROSEWOOD SÉMILLON VQA 2022 $21.95
W+20455 LE CLOS JORDANNE JORDAN VILLAGE CHARDONNAY VQA 2021 $30.00 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior wine
W+183491 HIDDEN BENCH ESTATE RIESLING VQA 2020 $24.95
W+10489 CHARTRON ET TRÉBUCHET POUILLY-FUISSÉ BURGUNDY 2022 $44.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior wine
W+38065 MAISON ROCHE DE BELLENE VIEILLES VIGNES CHABLIS 2022 $29.95
W+39744 AGANIS DI FLABE RIBOLLA GIALLA FRIULI 2023 $21.95
R+38499 WAPISA PATAGONIA PINOT NOIR ARGENTINA 2022 $22.95
R+520379 BACHELDER WISMER-PARKE SINGLE VINEYARD PINOT NOIR VQA 2022 $54.95MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior wine
R+325118 PELLER PRIVATE RESERVE MERITAGE VQA 2021 $29.95
R+36194 FIELDING CABERNET FRANC VQA 2022 $26.15
R+42129 CHÂTEAU MONTLISSE BORDEAUX 2016 $54.95
R+559732 ANDRÉ GOICHOT & FILS PERNAND-VERGELESSES 2023 $42.95
R+331900 E. GUIGAL GIGONDAS RHONE 2020 $47.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior wine
R+906073 FAMILLE PERRIN LA GILLE GIGONDAS RHONE 2021 $32.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior wine
R+39225 JASCI & MARCHESANI NERUBÈ MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO 2021 $21.95
R+39475 OLIANAS CANNONAU SARDINIA 2021 $24.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior wine
R+630939 RICASOLI BROLIO BETTINO CHIANTI CLASSICO 2021 $28.95
R+695023 NIEPOORT VERTENTE TINTO PORTUGAL 2020 $30.95
R+446484 DESCENDIENTES DE J. PALACIOS PÉTALOS SPAIN 2022 448B 12 $22.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior wine
LIMITED TIME OFFERS: Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO's Limited Time Offer selections...these are "better" value...on sale through SUNDAY March 30...
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
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 Over the Past Season ---
REPORT ON A TASTING OF WINES FROM ITALY 2024 TORONTO
The Date and Time: November 1, 2024, 10:30AM through 5PM
The Event:The GIGANTIC annual wine tasting of Italian wines -- 29th edition!
The Venue: Roy Thomson Hall
The Target Audience: wine media, sommeliers, restaurants, private collectors.
The Availability/Catalogue: the digital catalogue was accessible; unfortunately I had no cell phone.
The Quote/Background: About 93 producers participated, with well over 500 wines. There was a masterclass for about 75 people, led by Michael Godel. The class was all about understanding the evolution and current concept of Italy's IGT and IGP.
The Wines: It was impossible to taste everything. So I just randomly picked tables....
**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Surnat Vinificato in Anfora 2021 Sebino Bianco IGT Lombardia Franciacorta (Le Sommelier)
-Agricola Foradori Teroldega 2022 Vignet Dolormiti IGT (The Living Vine)
-Rivera Maresse Bombino Bianco 2023
-Collalbrigo Prosecco Superiore Conegliano Vald
-Inama Vin Soave 2023 Soave Classico DOC $22.95 LCBO
-Inama Carbonare 2022 Soave Classico DOC
-Ferrucio Deiana Vermentino di Sardegna DOC Arrali $32
-Mazzei Ser Lapo Chianti Classico Riserva 2020 $24.95 Vintages
-Mazzei Castello Fonterutoli Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG 2020 $74.95
-Lis Neris Gris 2023 DOC
***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (87 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Quarticello Ferrando 2022 Lambrusco Emilia IGT (Context Wines)
-Planeta Eruzione Carricante 2021 Terre Siciliane IGT (Noble Estates)
-Fattoria Mancini Wines Pinot Noir Focara 2021 Colli Pesaresi DOC (P V Wine and Spirits)
-Fontodi Flaccianello della Pieve 2021 Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT (Rogers and Company)
-San Fabiano Calcinaia Chianti Classico 2021 DOCG [organic] (Woodman consignment)
-Planeta La Segretta Grillo Sicilia
-Planeta Etna DOC Contrada Taccione 2022
-Borgogno Langhe Riesling 2021
-Villa Sparina Blanc de Blancs Cortese Trad Method Piedmont
-Villa Sparina Montterotondo Gavi del Commune di Gavi DOCG
-Wineoclock SRL Serena Prosecco Treviso Brut Natur $22
The Food: cold cuts of beef and pork; porchetta;dried sausages; pickled mushrooms; assorted veggie crudites; sun-dried tomatoes; breads, biscotti, pasta orecchiette; pesto, olives.
The Downside: it got crowded really fast, and there were many people with perfumes and colognes.
The Upside: a chance to pick and choose wines
The Contact Person: b.marassi@ice.it
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 89
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 THEMES: Sustainable Italian; South African Stellenbosch; Beamsville Bench
Recommended Wines UNDER $20
=========================
FIZZ+515254 VILARNAU BARCELONA RESERVA BRUT ORGANIC SPAIN CAVA $16.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior wine
W+186346 SIDEWOOD CHARDONNAY AUSTRALIA 2022 $18.95
W+19379 TRIUS DISTINCTION SAUVIGNON BLANC VQA 2022 $19.95
W+40441 MICHALAKIS ASSYRTIKO GREECE 2023 $16.15
W+18685 THE WINERY OF GOOD HOPE BUSH VINE CHENIN BLANC SOUTH AFRICA 2023 $15.95
W+218354 GARCIARÉVALO FINCA TRES OLMOS LIAS VERDEJO SPAIN 2023 $14.95
R+38492 ALTUS RESERVA MALBEC ARGENTINA 2021 $19.95
R+24980 KNAPPSTEIN CLARE VALLEY SHIRAZ AUSTRALIA 2021 $19.95
R+942904 D'ARENBERG D'ARRY'S ORIGINAL GRENACHE/SHIRAZ AUSTRALIA 2020 $19.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior wine
R+39275 FEATHERSTONE GAMAY NOIR VQA 2021 $18.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior wine
R+42112 MORANDE SELECCIÓN DE VIÑEDOS GRAN RESERVA CABERNET CHILE $16.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior wine
R+470963 DOMAINE GOURON CHINON LOIRE 2023 $17.95
R+39219 GORGHI TONDI COSTE A PREOLA NERO D'AVOLA 2022 SICILY $17.95
R+39220 TRULLO DI PEZZA MEZZAPEZZA PRIMITIVO PUGLIA 2021 $18.95
R+438713 VALDELACIERVA CRIANZA SPAIN 2019 $17.95
R+443374 RUSTENBERG STELLENBOSCH CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2022 $19.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior wine
R+427195 FLOR DE MAIO MAYFLOWER PORTUGAL 2021 $15.95
Recommended Wines OVER $20
========================
W+16059 BACHELDER LES VILLAGES BENCH CHARDONNAY VQA 2022 $34.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior wine
W+149302 FEATHERSTONE CANADIAN OAK CHARDONNAY VQA 2023 $24.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior wine
W+177758 ROSEWOOD SÉMILLON VQA 2022 $21.95
W+20455 LE CLOS JORDANNE JORDAN VILLAGE CHARDONNAY VQA 2021 $30.00 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior wine
W+183491 HIDDEN BENCH ESTATE RIESLING VQA 2020 $24.95
W+10489 CHARTRON ET TRÉBUCHET POUILLY-FUISSÉ BURGUNDY 2022 $44.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior wine
W+38065 MAISON ROCHE DE BELLENE VIEILLES VIGNES CHABLIS 2022 $29.95
W+39744 AGANIS DI FLABE RIBOLLA GIALLA FRIULI 2023 $21.95
R+38499 WAPISA PATAGONIA PINOT NOIR ARGENTINA 2022 $22.95
R+520379 BACHELDER WISMER-PARKE SINGLE VINEYARD PINOT NOIR VQA 2022 $54.95MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior wine
R+325118 PELLER PRIVATE RESERVE MERITAGE VQA 2021 $29.95
R+36194 FIELDING CABERNET FRANC VQA 2022 $26.15
R+42129 CHÂTEAU MONTLISSE BORDEAUX 2016 $54.95
R+559732 ANDRÉ GOICHOT & FILS PERNAND-VERGELESSES 2023 $42.95
R+331900 E. GUIGAL GIGONDAS RHONE 2020 $47.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior wine
R+906073 FAMILLE PERRIN LA GILLE GIGONDAS RHONE 2021 $32.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior wine
R+39225 JASCI & MARCHESANI NERUBÈ MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO 2021 $21.95
R+39475 OLIANAS CANNONAU SARDINIA 2021 $24.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior wine
R+630939 RICASOLI BROLIO BETTINO CHIANTI CLASSICO 2021 $28.95
R+695023 NIEPOORT VERTENTE TINTO PORTUGAL 2020 $30.95
R+446484 DESCENDIENTES DE J. PALACIOS PÉTALOS SPAIN 2022 448B 12 $22.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior wine
LIMITED TIME OFFERS: Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO's Limited Time Offer selections...these are "better" value...on sale through SUNDAY March 30...
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
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 Over the Past Season ---
REPORT ON A TASTING OF WINES FROM ITALY 2024 TORONTO
The Date and Time: November 1, 2024, 10:30AM through 5PM
The Event:The GIGANTIC annual wine tasting of Italian wines -- 29th edition!
The Venue: Roy Thomson Hall
The Target Audience: wine media, sommeliers, restaurants, private collectors.
The Availability/Catalogue: the digital catalogue was accessible; unfortunately I had no cell phone.
The Quote/Background: About 93 producers participated, with well over 500 wines. There was a masterclass for about 75 people, led by Michael Godel. The class was all about understanding the evolution and current concept of Italy's IGT and IGP.
The Wines: It was impossible to taste everything. So I just randomly picked tables....
**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Surnat Vinificato in Anfora 2021 Sebino Bianco IGT Lombardia Franciacorta (Le Sommelier)
-Agricola Foradori Teroldega 2022 Vignet Dolormiti IGT (The Living Vine)
-Rivera Maresse Bombino Bianco 2023
-Collalbrigo Prosecco Superiore Conegliano Vald
-Inama Vin Soave 2023 Soave Classico DOC $22.95 LCBO
-Inama Carbonare 2022 Soave Classico DOC
-Ferrucio Deiana Vermentino di Sardegna DOC Arrali $32
-Mazzei Ser Lapo Chianti Classico Riserva 2020 $24.95 Vintages
-Mazzei Castello Fonterutoli Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG 2020 $74.95
-Lis Neris Gris 2023 DOC
***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (87 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Quarticello Ferrando 2022 Lambrusco Emilia IGT (Context Wines)
-Planeta Eruzione Carricante 2021 Terre Siciliane IGT (Noble Estates)
-Fattoria Mancini Wines Pinot Noir Focara 2021 Colli Pesaresi DOC (P V Wine and Spirits)
-Fontodi Flaccianello della Pieve 2021 Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT (Rogers and Company)
-San Fabiano Calcinaia Chianti Classico 2021 DOCG [organic] (Woodman consignment)
-Planeta La Segretta Grillo Sicilia
-Planeta Etna DOC Contrada Taccione 2022
-Borgogno Langhe Riesling 2021
-Villa Sparina Blanc de Blancs Cortese Trad Method Piedmont
-Villa Sparina Montterotondo Gavi del Commune di Gavi DOCG
-Wineoclock SRL Serena Prosecco Treviso Brut Natur $22
The Food: cold cuts of beef and pork; porchetta;dried sausages; pickled mushrooms; assorted veggie crudites; sun-dried tomatoes; breads, biscotti, pasta orecchiette; pesto, olives.
The Downside: it got crowded really fast, and there were many people with perfumes and colognes.
The Upside: a chance to pick and choose wines
The Contact Person: b.marassi@ice.it
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 89
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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