WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: 20 wines under & over $20 for the February 7, 2026 release.
By DEAN TUDOR, wine writer since 1968 and owner of 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 individual wines, beers and spirits, has been at https://pages.pathcom.com/~dtudor since 1994. These notes (below) for TOP wines available through the LCBO Vintages New Releases (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 publications. Not all wines are available in every LCBO store.
What is a TOP wine? Terrific-Occasional-Personal--- A TOP wine can be expressed as 88+ points, or Silver/Gold Medal, or described as BETTER/BEST, or 4/5 ****/***** Stars (out of?) and other such categories [in the 1950s such categories were titled "dandy, so-so, punk and lousy"]. My evaluations are a combined MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Rhone wine should taste like Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace, above or below its price).
THEME • EUROPE
FIZZ
====
14440 BACK 10 SMITTEN SPARKLING 2024 VQA $25.95
25233 MARYNISSEN HERITAGE COLLECTION CHARMED SPARKLING 2021 VQA $17.95
49602 KEW PINOT MEUNIER NATURAL BRUT SPARKLING 2019 VQA $32.95
49617 DIVERGENCE HUGHES VINEYARD ROSÉ BRUT SPARKLING 2021 VQA
$39.95
959304 BOUVET EXCELLENCE CRÉMANT DE LOIRE ROSÉ BRUT SPARKLING $24.95
515288 RIVAROSE BRUT PRESTIGE ROSÉ SPARKLING PROVENCE $19.95
46347 LA GIOIOSA BRUT ROSÉ PROSECCO 2024 $16.95
46348 CASTELL D'OR CABARET ORGANIC BRUT CAVA $18.95
TOP WHITE WINES UNDER $20 in this release.
=========================================
[177840 PENINSULA RIDGE BEAL VINEYARD CABERNET ROSÉ 2024 VQA $16.95]
47112 VICHUQUÉN SINGLE VINEYARD SAUVIGNON BLANC CHILE 2024 $15.95
745349 DOM. JACKY MARTEAU TOURAINE SAUVIGNON BLANC LOIRE 2024 $19.95
47832 TWIN ISLANDS SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 NEW ZEALAND $17.95
408146 MARIA PAPOILA ALVARINHO/LOUREIRO 2024 PORTUGAL $18.95
80374 MURALHAS DE MONÇÃO VINHO VERDE 2024 PORTUGAL $17.95
48092 WARWICK THE FIRST LADY SAUVIGNON BLANC 2025 SOUTH AFRICA $14.95
82073 FÉLIX LORENZO CACHAZO CARRASVIÑAS VERDEJO 2023 SPAIN $19.95
TOP RED WINES UNDER $20 in this release.
======================================
377481 LÓPEZ DE HARO CRIANZA 2021 $17.95
46397 CASARENA ESTATE LUJÁN DE CUYO MALBEC 2023 ARGENTINA $19.95
46396 TILIA MALBEC/SYRAH 2024 ARGENTINA $15.95
360636 SISTER'S RUN BETHLEHEM BLOCK CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2023 AUSTRALIA $19.95
146522 GLORIA RESERVA 2022 PORTUGAL $14.95
452730 JOSÉ MARIA DA FONSECA DOMINI 2023 PORTUGAL $17.95
53124 CATHEDRAL CELLAR TRIPTYCH 2022 SOUTH AFRICA $19.95
545939 MARQUÉS DE TORO SINGLE VINEYARD MENCÍA 2021 SPAIN $14.95
11851 CREEKSIDE RED TRACTOR CABERNET/MERLOT 2020 VQA $19.95
36531 LUPO MERAVIGLIA TRE DI TRE 2023 PUGLIA $17.95
37751 CASAS DEL TOQUI GRAN TOQUI CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 CHILE
$19.95
44678 DE MARTINO ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2022 CHILE $17.95
TOP WHITE WINES OVER $20 in this release.
=========================================
417832 DOMAINE QUEYLUS RÉSERVE DU DOMAINE CHARDONNAY 2022 VQA $48.70
49603 WENDING HOME ESTATE VINEYARD RIESLING 2021 VQA $24.95
20455 DOMAINE LE CLOS JORDANNE JORDAN VILLAGE CHARDONNAY 2023 VQA $30
396275 ORGANIZED CRIME SAUVIGNON BLANC VQA $22.95
24945 CHARLY NICOLLE LES FOURNEAUX ANTE MCMLXXX CHABLIS 1ER CRU $59.95
47326 DOMAINE DE TERRES BLANCHES SANCERRE 2023 $41.95
TOP RED WINES OVER $20 in this release.
=========================================
45184 CLOUDSLEY END OF THE ROAD VINEYARD PINOT NOIR 2021 VQA $49.95
23866 TOMMASI LE FORNACI LUGANA 2024 VENETO $21.95
454488 DAMILANO LECINQUEVIGNE BAROLO 2020 $56.95
243592 FOWLES LADIES WHO SHOOT THEIR LUNCH WILD FERMENT SHIRAZ 2021 AUSTRALIA $29.95
454819 JOIE FARM PINOT NOIR 2022 BC VQA $47.95
284570 TAWSE GROWERS BLEND CABERNET FRANC 2020 VQA $29.95
286393 CHÂTEAU PAUL MAS CLOS DES MÛRES 2023 LANGUEDOC $21.95
3962 RICASOLI BROLIO CHIANTI CLASSICO 2023 $23.95
16890 BELL'AJA BOLGHERI 2022 TUSCANY $39.95
86207 ZONIN AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA 2021 $49.95
453548 ALTANZA GRAN RESERVA 2016 SPAIN $32.95
21533 DOMAINE QUEYLUS LA GRANDE RÉSERVE PINOT NOIR 2019 VQA $65.95
44781 DOMINIO FOURNIER TINTA DEL PAÍS 2020 SPAIN $29.95
LIMITED TIME OFFERS: Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO's Limited Time Offer selections...these are "better" value...on sale through March 1...
W H I T E W I N ES & R O S E
CAVES D'ESCLANS
WHISPERING ANGEL ROSÉ
AC Côtes de Provence, France
325076 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $29.95
NOW $27.95 Save $2
SUSANA BALBO
CRIOS TORRONTÉS
Argentina
1834 (XD – 2 g/L)
750 ml REG. $16.95
NOW $14.95 Save $2
AGANIS PINOT GRIGIO
DOC Friuli Colli Orientali, Italy
45809 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $24.95
NOW $23.95 Save $1.00
ANSELMI SAN VINCENZO
IGT Veneto, Italy
948158 (XD – 6 g/L) 750 ml $18.95
NOW $16.95 Save $2
FIELDING UNOAKED
CHARDONNAY VQA Niagara Peninsula
164491 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $16.95
NOW $15.95 Save $1.00
RED WINES
FAMILLE PERRIN LES SINARDS
CHÂTEAUNEUFDUPAPE
AC, Southern Rhône, France
926626 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $43.95
NOW $40.95 Save $3.00
FLAT ROCK PINOT NOIR
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, sustainable
1545 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $24.95
NOW $22.95 Save $2.00
KIM CRAWFORD PINOT NOIR
New Zealand
626390 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $22.95
NOW $19.95 Save $3.00
LA MASCOTA
CABERNET SAUVIGNON Mendoza, Argentina
292110 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $16.95
NOW $14.95 Save $2.00
MONTES ALPHA CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Colchagua Valley, Chile
322586 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $22.95
NOW $20.95 Save $2.00
TENUTA FRESCOBALDI
DI CASTIGLIONI
IGT Toscana, Tuscany, Italy
145920 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $23.95
NOW $20.95 Save $3.00
TOMMASI RIPASSO VALPOLICELLA
CLASSICO SUPERIORE
DOC, Veneto, Italy
910430 (D – 7 g/L) 750 ml $27.95
NOW $25.95 Save $2.00
UMBERTO CESARI LIANO
SANGIOVESE/CABERNET SAUVIGNON
IGT Rubicone, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
225086 (D – 11 g/L) 750 ml $29.95
NOW $24.95 Save $5.00
M. CHAPOUTIER LES
VIGNES DE BILAHAUT
CÔTES DU ROUSSILLON VILLAGES
AOC, Midi, France
168716 (XD – 3 g/L)
750 ml REG. $16.95
NOW $13.95 Save $3
FOR MORE SELECTIONS, GO TO -- 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 FROM ROGERS & COMPAMY TRADE PORTFOLIO TASTING OCTOBER 2025
The Date and Time: Monday October 20, 2025 1:30PM - 4PM
The Event: Portfolio tasting of Rogers & Co wines
The Venue: George
The Target Audience: sommeliers, wine media
The Availability/Catalogue: a good looking list of wines available to taste, with notes and prices (licensee)
The Quote/Background: 125 wines were available for tasting. The Bollinger mini-tasting of four sparklers was the absolute highlight of the event: Champagne Bollinger Special Cuvee NV @$85.99 licensee, with scores in the mid-90s; followed by Champagne Bollinger PN TX 20 NV @$144.99 licensee, score of 94 from Decanter; followed by Champagne Bollinger La Grande Annee 2025, rated 96 just about everywhere, @$248.99 licensee. All three are also available in magnums (1500ml). Pricewise -- the best deal appeared to be the Champagne Bollinger Rose Brut NV, rate about 93, @$118.99 licensee (only 750ml bottles).
The Wines: sadly I could not taste all the wines, and I tasted mainly whites.
**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Chateau Haut Roc Blanquant de Belair-Monange AOC Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2019 $70.99
-Domaine Gautherin Chablis 2023 $35.99 licensee
-Domaine Luquet Macon-Villages Le Pavillon 2024 $27.99
-Champagne Valentin Leflaive Sigma Extra-Brut Blanc de Blancs NV $64.99
-Champagne Valentin Leflaive Avize Grand Cru Extra-Brut Blanc de Blancs NV $115.99
-Olivier Leflaive Freres Puligny Montrachet 2022 $194.99
-Domaine Gachot-Monot Cote de Nuits-Villages 2023 $56.99
-Annonce de Belair-Monange AOC Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2022 $104.99
-Chateau Grand-Puy Ducasse Dauphin de Grand-Puy Ducasse Paulliac 2019 $53.99 [my fave red]
-Tenuta Cocci Grifoni Tara Falerio DOC Pecorino 2024 $18.99
-Lis Neris Jurosa Chardonnay 2021 $54.99 [my fave white]
-Fontodi Flaccianello della Pieve IGT 2022 $168.19
-Produttori Del Barbaresco Montefico Riserva DOCG 2020 $89.99
-Astrolabe Marlborough Chardonnay 2024 $23.99
-Truchard Vineyards Carneros Chardonnay 2024 $43.19
-Buehler Chardonnay Russian River Valley 2022 $30.99
-Shafer Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay 2024 $100.49
-Shafer One Point Fiv Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 $162.99
-Shafer Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 $534.99
-Vina Cobos Felino Chardonnay 2024 $19.29
-Vina Cobos Felino Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 $19.29
-Paul Hobbs Russian River Valley Chardonnay 2022 $79.69
-Paul Hobbs Coombsville Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 $142.49
***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (86 – 89 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Olivier Leflaive Freres Montagny 1er Cru Bonneveaux 2020 $76.99
-Domaine Vacheron Sancerre Blanc 2024 $54.99 licensee
-Auguste Thevenaut Bourgogne Chardonnay 2023 $24.99
-Chateau Peymouton Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2028 $33.99
-Chateau Chantalouette Pomerol 2019 $48.99
-H.Cuvelier & Fils AOP Bordeaux Rouge 2023 $20.99
-Tenuta Orestiadi Molino a Vento Grilo 2024 $14.49
-Tenuta Orestiadi Catarratto DOC Sicilia 2024 $16.99
-Organized Crime Winery Limestone Block Chardonnay 2023 $18.62
-Flowers Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2024 $52.99
The Food: cheese board, biscuits, grapes.
The Downside: the cheese board seemed to be freezer cold
The Upside: a chance for some mini-tasting of wines (e.g. Bollinger)
The Contact Person: m.barr@rogcowines.com
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 89.
By DEAN TUDOR, wine writer since 1968 and owner of 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 individual wines, beers and spirits, has been at https://pages.pathcom.com/~dtudor since 1994. These notes (below) for TOP wines available through the LCBO Vintages New Releases (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 publications. Not all wines are available in every LCBO store.
What is a TOP wine? Terrific-Occasional-Personal--- A TOP wine can be expressed as 88+ points, or Silver/Gold Medal, or described as BETTER/BEST, or 4/5 ****/***** Stars (out of?) and other such categories [in the 1950s such categories were titled "dandy, so-so, punk and lousy"]. My evaluations are a combined MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Rhone wine should taste like Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace, above or below its price).
THEME • EUROPE
FIZZ
====
14440 BACK 10 SMITTEN SPARKLING 2024 VQA $25.95
25233 MARYNISSEN HERITAGE COLLECTION CHARMED SPARKLING 2021 VQA $17.95
49602 KEW PINOT MEUNIER NATURAL BRUT SPARKLING 2019 VQA $32.95
49617 DIVERGENCE HUGHES VINEYARD ROSÉ BRUT SPARKLING 2021 VQA
$39.95
959304 BOUVET EXCELLENCE CRÉMANT DE LOIRE ROSÉ BRUT SPARKLING $24.95
515288 RIVAROSE BRUT PRESTIGE ROSÉ SPARKLING PROVENCE $19.95
46347 LA GIOIOSA BRUT ROSÉ PROSECCO 2024 $16.95
46348 CASTELL D'OR CABARET ORGANIC BRUT CAVA $18.95
TOP WHITE WINES UNDER $20 in this release.
=========================================
[177840 PENINSULA RIDGE BEAL VINEYARD CABERNET ROSÉ 2024 VQA $16.95]
47112 VICHUQUÉN SINGLE VINEYARD SAUVIGNON BLANC CHILE 2024 $15.95
745349 DOM. JACKY MARTEAU TOURAINE SAUVIGNON BLANC LOIRE 2024 $19.95
47832 TWIN ISLANDS SAUVIGNON BLANC 2024 NEW ZEALAND $17.95
408146 MARIA PAPOILA ALVARINHO/LOUREIRO 2024 PORTUGAL $18.95
80374 MURALHAS DE MONÇÃO VINHO VERDE 2024 PORTUGAL $17.95
48092 WARWICK THE FIRST LADY SAUVIGNON BLANC 2025 SOUTH AFRICA $14.95
82073 FÉLIX LORENZO CACHAZO CARRASVIÑAS VERDEJO 2023 SPAIN $19.95
TOP RED WINES UNDER $20 in this release.
======================================
377481 LÓPEZ DE HARO CRIANZA 2021 $17.95
46397 CASARENA ESTATE LUJÁN DE CUYO MALBEC 2023 ARGENTINA $19.95
46396 TILIA MALBEC/SYRAH 2024 ARGENTINA $15.95
360636 SISTER'S RUN BETHLEHEM BLOCK CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2023 AUSTRALIA $19.95
146522 GLORIA RESERVA 2022 PORTUGAL $14.95
452730 JOSÉ MARIA DA FONSECA DOMINI 2023 PORTUGAL $17.95
53124 CATHEDRAL CELLAR TRIPTYCH 2022 SOUTH AFRICA $19.95
545939 MARQUÉS DE TORO SINGLE VINEYARD MENCÍA 2021 SPAIN $14.95
11851 CREEKSIDE RED TRACTOR CABERNET/MERLOT 2020 VQA $19.95
36531 LUPO MERAVIGLIA TRE DI TRE 2023 PUGLIA $17.95
37751 CASAS DEL TOQUI GRAN TOQUI CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 CHILE
$19.95
44678 DE MARTINO ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2022 CHILE $17.95
TOP WHITE WINES OVER $20 in this release.
=========================================
417832 DOMAINE QUEYLUS RÉSERVE DU DOMAINE CHARDONNAY 2022 VQA $48.70
49603 WENDING HOME ESTATE VINEYARD RIESLING 2021 VQA $24.95
20455 DOMAINE LE CLOS JORDANNE JORDAN VILLAGE CHARDONNAY 2023 VQA $30
396275 ORGANIZED CRIME SAUVIGNON BLANC VQA $22.95
24945 CHARLY NICOLLE LES FOURNEAUX ANTE MCMLXXX CHABLIS 1ER CRU $59.95
47326 DOMAINE DE TERRES BLANCHES SANCERRE 2023 $41.95
TOP RED WINES OVER $20 in this release.
=========================================
45184 CLOUDSLEY END OF THE ROAD VINEYARD PINOT NOIR 2021 VQA $49.95
23866 TOMMASI LE FORNACI LUGANA 2024 VENETO $21.95
454488 DAMILANO LECINQUEVIGNE BAROLO 2020 $56.95
243592 FOWLES LADIES WHO SHOOT THEIR LUNCH WILD FERMENT SHIRAZ 2021 AUSTRALIA $29.95
454819 JOIE FARM PINOT NOIR 2022 BC VQA $47.95
284570 TAWSE GROWERS BLEND CABERNET FRANC 2020 VQA $29.95
286393 CHÂTEAU PAUL MAS CLOS DES MÛRES 2023 LANGUEDOC $21.95
3962 RICASOLI BROLIO CHIANTI CLASSICO 2023 $23.95
16890 BELL'AJA BOLGHERI 2022 TUSCANY $39.95
86207 ZONIN AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA 2021 $49.95
453548 ALTANZA GRAN RESERVA 2016 SPAIN $32.95
21533 DOMAINE QUEYLUS LA GRANDE RÉSERVE PINOT NOIR 2019 VQA $65.95
44781 DOMINIO FOURNIER TINTA DEL PAÍS 2020 SPAIN $29.95
LIMITED TIME OFFERS: Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO's Limited Time Offer selections...these are "better" value...on sale through March 1...
W H I T E W I N ES & R O S E
CAVES D'ESCLANS
WHISPERING ANGEL ROSÉ
AC Côtes de Provence, France
325076 (XD – 2 g/L) 750 ml $29.95
NOW $27.95 Save $2
SUSANA BALBO
CRIOS TORRONTÉS
Argentina
1834 (XD – 2 g/L)
750 ml REG. $16.95
NOW $14.95 Save $2
AGANIS PINOT GRIGIO
DOC Friuli Colli Orientali, Italy
45809 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $24.95
NOW $23.95 Save $1.00
ANSELMI SAN VINCENZO
IGT Veneto, Italy
948158 (XD – 6 g/L) 750 ml $18.95
NOW $16.95 Save $2
FIELDING UNOAKED
CHARDONNAY VQA Niagara Peninsula
164491 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $16.95
NOW $15.95 Save $1.00
RED WINES
FAMILLE PERRIN LES SINARDS
CHÂTEAUNEUFDUPAPE
AC, Southern Rhône, France
926626 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $43.95
NOW $40.95 Save $3.00
FLAT ROCK PINOT NOIR
VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, sustainable
1545 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $24.95
NOW $22.95 Save $2.00
KIM CRAWFORD PINOT NOIR
New Zealand
626390 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $22.95
NOW $19.95 Save $3.00
LA MASCOTA
CABERNET SAUVIGNON Mendoza, Argentina
292110 (XD – 4 g/L) 750 ml $16.95
NOW $14.95 Save $2.00
MONTES ALPHA CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Colchagua Valley, Chile
322586 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $22.95
NOW $20.95 Save $2.00
TENUTA FRESCOBALDI
DI CASTIGLIONI
IGT Toscana, Tuscany, Italy
145920 (XD – 3 g/L) 750 ml $23.95
NOW $20.95 Save $3.00
TOMMASI RIPASSO VALPOLICELLA
CLASSICO SUPERIORE
DOC, Veneto, Italy
910430 (D – 7 g/L) 750 ml $27.95
NOW $25.95 Save $2.00
UMBERTO CESARI LIANO
SANGIOVESE/CABERNET SAUVIGNON
IGT Rubicone, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
225086 (D – 11 g/L) 750 ml $29.95
NOW $24.95 Save $5.00
M. CHAPOUTIER LES
VIGNES DE BILAHAUT
CÔTES DU ROUSSILLON VILLAGES
AOC, Midi, France
168716 (XD – 3 g/L)
750 ml REG. $16.95
NOW $13.95 Save $3
FOR MORE SELECTIONS, GO TO -- 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 FROM ROGERS & COMPAMY TRADE PORTFOLIO TASTING OCTOBER 2025
The Date and Time: Monday October 20, 2025 1:30PM - 4PM
The Event: Portfolio tasting of Rogers & Co wines
The Venue: George
The Target Audience: sommeliers, wine media
The Availability/Catalogue: a good looking list of wines available to taste, with notes and prices (licensee)
The Quote/Background: 125 wines were available for tasting. The Bollinger mini-tasting of four sparklers was the absolute highlight of the event: Champagne Bollinger Special Cuvee NV @$85.99 licensee, with scores in the mid-90s; followed by Champagne Bollinger PN TX 20 NV @$144.99 licensee, score of 94 from Decanter; followed by Champagne Bollinger La Grande Annee 2025, rated 96 just about everywhere, @$248.99 licensee. All three are also available in magnums (1500ml). Pricewise -- the best deal appeared to be the Champagne Bollinger Rose Brut NV, rate about 93, @$118.99 licensee (only 750ml bottles).
The Wines: sadly I could not taste all the wines, and I tasted mainly whites.
**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Chateau Haut Roc Blanquant de Belair-Monange AOC Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2019 $70.99
-Domaine Gautherin Chablis 2023 $35.99 licensee
-Domaine Luquet Macon-Villages Le Pavillon 2024 $27.99
-Champagne Valentin Leflaive Sigma Extra-Brut Blanc de Blancs NV $64.99
-Champagne Valentin Leflaive Avize Grand Cru Extra-Brut Blanc de Blancs NV $115.99
-Olivier Leflaive Freres Puligny Montrachet 2022 $194.99
-Domaine Gachot-Monot Cote de Nuits-Villages 2023 $56.99
-Annonce de Belair-Monange AOC Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2022 $104.99
-Chateau Grand-Puy Ducasse Dauphin de Grand-Puy Ducasse Paulliac 2019 $53.99 [my fave red]
-Tenuta Cocci Grifoni Tara Falerio DOC Pecorino 2024 $18.99
-Lis Neris Jurosa Chardonnay 2021 $54.99 [my fave white]
-Fontodi Flaccianello della Pieve IGT 2022 $168.19
-Produttori Del Barbaresco Montefico Riserva DOCG 2020 $89.99
-Astrolabe Marlborough Chardonnay 2024 $23.99
-Truchard Vineyards Carneros Chardonnay 2024 $43.19
-Buehler Chardonnay Russian River Valley 2022 $30.99
-Shafer Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay 2024 $100.49
-Shafer One Point Fiv Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 $162.99
-Shafer Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon 2022 $534.99
-Vina Cobos Felino Chardonnay 2024 $19.29
-Vina Cobos Felino Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 $19.29
-Paul Hobbs Russian River Valley Chardonnay 2022 $79.69
-Paul Hobbs Coombsville Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 $142.49
***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (86 – 89 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Olivier Leflaive Freres Montagny 1er Cru Bonneveaux 2020 $76.99
-Domaine Vacheron Sancerre Blanc 2024 $54.99 licensee
-Auguste Thevenaut Bourgogne Chardonnay 2023 $24.99
-Chateau Peymouton Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2028 $33.99
-Chateau Chantalouette Pomerol 2019 $48.99
-H.Cuvelier & Fils AOP Bordeaux Rouge 2023 $20.99
-Tenuta Orestiadi Molino a Vento Grilo 2024 $14.49
-Tenuta Orestiadi Catarratto DOC Sicilia 2024 $16.99
-Organized Crime Winery Limestone Block Chardonnay 2023 $18.62
-Flowers Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2024 $52.99
The Food: cheese board, biscuits, grapes.
The Downside: the cheese board seemed to be freezer cold
The Upside: a chance for some mini-tasting of wines (e.g. Bollinger)
The Contact Person: m.barr@rogcowines.com
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
