The April 16 Event: A vertical tasting of Carpineto Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva plus three other wines, with owner Antonio M. Zaccheo Jr.

The Date and Time:  Tuesday April 16, 2019  Noon to 3PM

The Event: A vertical tasting of Carpineto Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva plus three other wines, with owner Antonio M. Zaccheo Jr.

The Venue: EVOO, Avenue Road

The Target Audience: wine writers

The Availability/Catalogue: all wines are available, mostly by private order.

The Quote/Background: Antonio is the son of Carpineto's co-founder,and now runs the company which is dedicated to Carpineto Vino Nobile di Montepulciano plus other Tuscan wines. His five estates plus contracts furnish enough wine for about 30 different labels, including Chianti Classico and Brunello ranges. The blend in the Nobile series is almost always 90% sangiovese and 10% canaiolo, but the range could be 70 – 30. Wines are aged for 1 to 2 years in oak. Univins and Spirits is the agent in Ontario; there are currently six Carpineto wines listed with the LCBO. Antonio led us through the 8 Nobile vertical wines and then three others (Chianti Classico, Brunello).

 

The Wines: Many were restrained but eventually became long on the palate ending a bit tight on the finish. Depth and quality varied by vintage.

 

**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Carpineto Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva DOCG 2007

-Carpineto Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva DOCG 1995

-Carpineto Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva DOCG 1990 [my FAVE}

-Carpineto Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva DOCG 2011

-Carpineto Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva DOCG 2012 $34.95

-Carpineto Chianti Classico 2015 DOCG  n/a

 

***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Carpineto Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva DOCG 2015 $34.95

-Carpineto Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva DOCG 2013 $34.95

-Carpineto Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva DOCG 2010

-Carpineto Chianti Classico 2016 DOCG  +356048 $19.95

-Carpineto Brunello di Montalcino 2012 DOCG +515486 $63.95

 

The Food: For starters, we had a generous sampling of Carpineto's olive oil (Oliveto Sillano, made from 4 olive varieties in the upper Arno orchards) with crusts of breads. I began the meal with meatballs in ragu and pecorino crostini (others had chickpea soup or arugula salad), followed by the venison tenderloin. Pappardelle with lamb or steak was also available.

The Downside: we started half-hour late.

The Upside: a chance to converse with Antonio and to taste a rare vertical of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano,

The Contact Person: amzaccheo@carpineto.com; demberley@univins.ca;

The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 90

 

Chimo! www.deantudor.com

SOME NEW BEVERAGE SAMPLES SENT TO ME FOR TASTING THIS MONTH OF APRIL 2019

SOME NEW BEVERAGE SAMPLES SENT TO ME FOR TASTING THIS MONTH –

 

1.Henry of Pelham Cabernet-Merlot 2016 Speck Family Reserve Tier VQA Short Hills Bench, +616433 Vintages, $39.95 June 2019: made from HOP's oldest Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot vineyards in the style of Bordeaux, from specially selected barrels for this top level. Aged in French and US oak for 18 months (40% new barrels). I did enjoy this wine over a week after opening with daily tasting and decanting. Needs more aging to appreciate some nuances of the black fruit. Best with wine-braised foods such as lamb, venison or other game, wild mushrooms (as appropriate). 13.5% ABV, vinified with cropping and selection. Merlot49/Cabernetsauvignon37/Cabernetfranc14%. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

 

 

2.Gerard Bertrand Reserve Speciale Viognier 2017 IGP Pays d'Oc, +147975, $14.95 Vintages May 2019: aromatic but on the dry side, perfect as a social wine or for first course. Expect peachy and orange character, but of course no oak. Youthful and useful with nuances of orchard fruit and spicy nuts. No malolactic fermentation. Could go either way with or without food, hence versatile. 13.5% ABV, cork closure. Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

 

 

3.Henry of Pelham Family Tree White 2016 VQA Niagara Peninsula, +251116, $17.95 Vintages May 11: HOP makes a very serious blended white wine and red wine, with grapes from their own sites (about 40% of the blend) and from across Niagara. The grapes change from year to year, as do the percentages. For 2016, they've got chardonnay (40%), viognier (29%), gewurztraminer (19%), and chardonnay musque (12%). Each, of course, contributes various distinctive aromatics and flavour profiles. Not only that, about 40% of it is barrel fermented and aged in barrel for 8 months (I'm guessing it's mostly chardonnay), and the balance is in stainless steel with no malolactic so as to preserve freshness (the wine is about 2.5 years old now). So we have orchard fruit, citrus, and some lingering spicy aftertaste. Still a classic cork closure, 13.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 88.5 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

 

 

4.Gerard Bertrand Terroir Fitou 2017 $16.95 +403683 Vintages May 25: Bertrand continues to advance the Terroir series (and the Grand Terroir series) with more localized vineyards. Here it is Fitou, with its grenache and carignan grapes, vinified separately. The carignan has carbonic maceration for two weeks; the grenache is done in traditional style. Some of the wine is barrel aged for a year. Everything here seems to be concentrated in aromas and flavours, red fruit and undergrowth dominating. 14% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

 

 

5.Quinta de Curvos Loureiro Vinho Verde 2018, +471284, $12.95 Vintages June: 12% ABV, with lightly floral tones on the nose and on the palate, ending with aromatic softness. 100% Loureiro done up as a vinho verde. Best sipped or with Asiatic appetizers. Quality/Price rating is 88 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

 

 

6.Henry of Pelham Family Tree Red 2016 VQA Ontario, +247882, $18.95 Vintages: This red blend for 2016 (the blend can change with each release) comprises syrah (32%), cabernet franc (15%), cabernet sauvignon (18%), merlot (30%), and baco noir (5%). The latter may have resulted in a VQA Ontario designation rather than a VQA Niagara. It's all barrel aged, 65% French oak and 35% US oak for 17 months. It is substantial, reflecting the aromatics and flavour profiles of the grapes used. Cherry-berry tones, fresh spices on the finish, some spine to stand up to hearty food. Cork closure, 13% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 88 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

 

 

 

 

7.Henry of Pelham Baco Noir Classic 2018 VQA Ontario, +270926 LCBO $15.95: As with their previous baco noirs at all levels, HOP has maintained the rich jammy character but the price has risen $1. This entry level baco has also been re-titled "Baco Noir Classic" and I suspect other HOP entry level varietal wines will also be labeled "Classic", probably with a price rise of a dollar or so. US barrels are used for more than six months aging. It is still too young for today [only seven months old], needs another year or two. 12.5% ABV. One of the top General List bacos in Ontario. Quality/Price rating is 88.5 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

 

 

 

8.Speck Brothers Revel Cab Noir 2017 VQA Ontario, +575662 $16.95 General List LCBO: an out-and-out party wine (you are expected to revel). The bumpf says "big, bold...ripest...warmest...rich flavor [their US spelling]...go large...vibrant", but the taste is black cherry, black currant, blueberry, vanilla. Oak aged for 6 months, should be good with any meaty BBQ. Party on! Quality/Price rating is 87 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

 

 

9.Jim Barry The Lodge Hill Shiraz 2016 Clare Valley, +998476 $22.95 Vintages: Barry's vineyard was first planted in 1977 at high altitudes. The entire Clare Valley (well-known for its Riesling) produces just over 1% of Australia's entire wine flow. This is a typical Shiraz, 100%, in the Oz mode, aged in some French oak, with plummy black fruit tones – but with none of that sweaty-bretty leather saddles from the Rhone. Released in time for the beginning of the BBQ season. 13.6% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 88 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

 

10.Queenston Mile Vineyard Chardonnay 2017 Estate Bottled VQA St. David's Bench, $35 at winery & online: from a boutique winery in NOTL, associated with the winemaking team at Creekside. It is a big, big wine made even bigger if you let it breath for a few days. In fact, it had been called almost blowsy and shameless. Barrel fermented and then aged a year in French oak. After being open a few days it gets to become sophisticated. With its ripe orchard fruit and buttery complexity, it can be best as a sipper to grace a thoughtful conversation. Unctuous and long lush finish. 12.8% ABV. 308 cases. Quality/Price rating is 92.5 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

 

 

11.Queenston Mile Vineyard Pinot Noir 2017 Estate Bottled VQA St. David's Bench, $40 at winery & online: from a boutique winery in NOTL, associated with the winemaking team at Creekside. It is another big, big wine from a 50 acre vineyard. Small batch fermentation leads to a year in French oak. After that, it's a cool climate Burgundian styled wine that goes all the way to delight with cherry-berry and Ontario cranberry tastes on the mid-palate. There is also some forest floor in the underbrush finish. Definitely a food wine. Tried daily over the course of a week (it got better). Another wine to sip and savour, delightful. But do keep some bottles for a few years. Twist top employed. 12.7% ABV. 863 cases. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

 

 

 

12.Queenston Mile Vineyard Blanc de Noirs 2015 VQA St. David's Bench Traditional Method $50, winery & online: an exciting yeasty toasty sparkling 100% pinot noir offer, 26 months on the lees. Opens with citric tones and some anise, but then becomes a heavy weight with a toasty mouthfeel and bitter almonds on the finish. Should be better in a few more years. 12.5% ABV. 60 cases. Quality/Price rating is 91.5 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

 

 

13.Queenston Mile Vineyard Mile High 2017 VQA Ontario Charmat Method $35, winery & online: chardonnay and chardonnay musque make up the blend. It's balanced and ready for drinking now, with orchard fruit and citric tones upfront on the nose leading to a fruity off-grape (musque) mid-palate taste, and with some resolve on the finish. Good with appetizers or as a sipper. My wife loved it. It's charming for sure, but the price...12.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

 

 

14 & 15.Queenston Mile Vineyard Mile White 2017 VQA Niagara Peninsula $25, winery & online, plus Queenston Mile Vineyard Mile Red 2016 VQA Niagara Peninsula $25, winery & online: I'm doing these together because of the similar techniques and prices. Blended wines are the recent coming thing in Ontario since the winemaker can take a bit of everything and produce a consistent product from year to year, not to mention balancing the wine in off-vintages. Sources here are from across Niagara Peninsula. The White is very good, with a blend of mostly chardonnay, followed by pinot gris, viognier, sauvignon blanc and semillon. I had to drill through the website (at www.queenstonmile.com) to dig this up via the varietal directory. Orchard fruit and citrus dominate with aromatic florals from the white grapes. The Red version is syrah 56%, rest is merlot, gamay and some cab sauvignon. Creekside specializes in syrah, and it is here in abundance, with lotsa smoke and pepper for your BBQ. White 12.5% ABV; Red is 13% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 88 points apiece by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

 

 

16.Huff Estates Merlot 2018 VQA Ontario, $20 at winery, also at Vintages +134239: very fruity, maybe fruit gone wild, no oak or other aging – just stainless steel. Typically bright red and black fruit style, cherry-berry even. Slightly tannic finish at this point, expected to smooth out over the next year or so. One of the better merlot wines in Ontario. First course or cheese. Twist top. 12.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 88 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

 

 

17.Huff Estates Chardonnay South Bay Vineyards 2017 VQA Prince Edward County, $30 at winery: 14 months in French oak, about 15% new. Slightly smokey, citric tones and some minerality, good balance and nuances between the elements. Long toasty finish, needs buttery food. Not really a sipper, and don't overchill. 13% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

 

 

18.Huff Estates Cuvee Janine 2016 Sparking Rose Traditional Method VQA Prince Edward County, $30 at winery: 90% pinot noir and 10% chardonnay, with 20 months on lees (first made in 2010 with two years on lees). Traditional method as in Champagne. Dark rose colour, just a shade paler than most Alsatian still pinot noirs! Good brisk refreshing bubbles accent the black fruit tones. Long dry finish suggests food as well as sipping. 12.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

19.Huff Estates Pinot Noir Reserve 2017 VQA Prince Edward County, $40 at winery: all pinot noir, with a year of French oak (10% new) showing off plenty of strawbs, cherries and other red fruit. Some forest floor in evidence (suggesting earthly food and mushrooms), with finishing acidity integrating well with dark chocolate (even mocha) tones. 12% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

 

 

20.Huff Estates Cuvee Peter L. Huff 2016 Blanc de Blancs VQA Prince Edward County, $40 at winery: the 2015 vintage is at LCBO +198754 for $32.35. 100% chardonnay done up in traditional Champagne method. Lots of smoke and toast with some forest floor, much like the South Bay still chardonnay. Here, the wine was on its lees for 24 months. Opens with some orchard fruit, followed by citric and butter tones on the mid-palate. The wine is still young and needs more time for resolution. 12.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

 

=======================================================================

 

Chimo! www.deantudor.com

 

The April 9, 2019 Event: Oregon Wine Trail in Toronto trade show

The Date and Time: Tuesday April 9, 2019  12:30 AM to 4PM

The Event: Oregon Wine Trail in Toronto trade show

The Venue: Globe and Mail Centre

The Target Audience: wine trade

The Availability/Catalogue: 30 wineries showed over 125 wines. While the catalogue was alphabetical by producer, the tables were not. Still the print was large. No prices were given. One producer was looking for an agent, while others were vague about the prices. Only a handful had price sheets or sell sheets. Some wines were listed in the catalogue but were not on the tables; other wines were on the table but not listed in the catalogue.

The Quote/Background: There were three seminars on Oregon wines (pinot gris, blind tasting strategies, selling points of Oregon wine [terroir, grape varieties]. Oregon wine sales increased 16% over the past three years. Oregon has over 700 wineries but only 30 were here – they have chosen to export. One thousand vineyards grow 72 different grape varieties.

The Wines: I did not taste every wine, concentrating on chardonnays first and then pinot noirs. I had tasted Citation wines the day before. In general, prices are licensee.

 

**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Alexana Chardonnay Terroir Series 2016 Willamette Valley $36.95   Licensee  Le Sommelier

-Alexana Pinot Noir Revana Vineyard Estate Pinot Noir 2013 Dundee Hills $59.95   Licensee  Le Sommelier

-Anne Amie Vineyards Pinot Gris 2018 Willamette  winesbuykcm.com

-Archery Summit Arcus Pinot Noir 2016 Dundee Hills  Peller

-Argyle Reserve Pinot Noir 2016 Willamette    Profile

-Citation Pinot Noir 2015 Willamette  $48.97  Intra Vino

-Del Rio Vineyards Pinot Noir 2016 Rogue Valley   npwines.com

-Domaine Drouhin Oregon Pinot Noir 2015 Dundee Hills   P Dandurand

-Foris Dry Gewurztraminer 2017 Rogue Valley    DB Wines and Spirits

-Phelps Creek Vineyards Chardonnay 2016 Columbia Gorge   Wine Online

-Trisaetum Chardonnay 2017 Willamette $46.95   npwines.com

-Walter Scott X Novo Chardonnay 2016 Eola-Amity Hills  Kinsale Wines

 

 

***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Alexana Pinot Gris Terroir Series 2016 Willamette Valley $33.95   Licensee  Le Sommelier

-Division Chardonnay "Trois" 2017 Johan Vineyard Willamette Valley  $59.99   Lifford

-Archery Summit Chardonnay 2017 Eola-Amity Hills $60  Peller

-Boedecker Cellars Athena Chardonnay 2015 Willamette

-Centerstone Un-oaked Chardonnay 2017 Willamette $25   Intra Vino

-Domaine Drouhin Oregon Roserock Chardonnay 2016 Eola-Amity Hills   P Dandurand

-Domaine Drouhin Oregon Arthur Chardonnay 2016 Eola-Amity Hills   P Dandurand

-Elk Cove Chardonnay 2017 Willamette    Breakthrough Beverage

-Foris Chardonnay 2017 Rogue Valley   DB Wines and Spirits

-La Crema Pinot Noir 2017 Willamette   Breakthrough Beverage

-Lavinea Elton Vineyard Chardonnay 2016 Eola-Amity Hills   Lifford

-Sokol Blosser Estate Chardonnay 2017 Dundee Hills  Noble Estates

-Stoller Family Estate Chardonnay 2018 Dundee Hills   $24.95   The Vine Agency

-Walter Scott Freedom Hill Pinot Noir 2016 Eola-Amity Hills  Kinsale Wines

 

The Food: there was a wide variety – Oregon dungeness crab crostini with avocado, chili and lime; charcuterie board with smoked duck breast; Oregon cheeses, including Jefferson Cheddar, Oregonzola, Smokey Blue, and Mount Mazama; breads, plum jam, mustards; dark chocolate bark with blueberry, hazelnut, rosemary; Seely Mint Farm patties; Stumptown coffee roasters.

The Downside: there were three seminars, but I did not attend, preferring to taste more wines.

The Upside: I like what Oregon is doing these days. And the blue cheeses were phenomenal.

The Contact Person: npwines.com or Predhomme Strategic Marketing  <info@predhomme.ca>

The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 87

 

Chimo! www.deantudor.com

WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under $20 and over $20 for April 27 , 2019

 

WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES:  under $20 and over $20 for April 27 , 2019

 

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 http://www.deantudor.com since 1994.

 

These notes for good wines available through the LCBO Vintages (on a bi-weekly basis)  can always be found at http://www.gothicepicures.blogspot.ca/ or at  http://www.deantudor.com

 

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).

 

NOTE: The first report is based on my sampling of the wines chosen by the LCBO from this release for tasting. That presentation is about 50 different labels out of about 125 released every two weeks. Thus, my report will not be as voluminous as in the past and comes from a restricted database. I did not taste every one of the 50 wines, nor did I rate several of the wines I did sample because they did not seem to be of particularly good value.

 

NOTE: The second report (at the end) is a simple listing of  those wines that were NOT presented to me, and are given here simply as a record of  what sampling I could not do. I have left in the name of the agency in fairness to all.

 

PART ONE:  The "best" of a reduced tasting --

 

THIS MONTH'S SPECIAL FINDS (out of 64 products) --

 

Rose +451906     SAINT AIX ROSÉ    AP Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence 2018 $22.95 MVC/QPR: 90

Fizz+624759    CALVET BRUT CRÉMANT DE BORDEAUX ROSÉ    Traditional method, AC Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux, France  12% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

 

 

Under $20

=========

W+ 341586    FEATHERSTONE FOUR FEATHERS    VQA Niagara Peninsula    2018    $14.95        12.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88

W+381251    REDSTONE LIMESTONE VINEYARD SOUTH RIESLING    VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment    2016    $19.95 10% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

R+413237    GÉRARD BERTRAND SYRAH/GRENACHE    AP Languedoc    2015    $16.95

14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

W+ 441998    COLUMBIA CREST H3 CHARDONNAY    Horse Heaven Hills, Columbia Valley    2014    $19.95 13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88

W+629410    TAPIZ ALTA COLLECTION CHARDONNAY    Uco Valley, Mendoza    2016    $19.95 13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88

W+402677    MATAHIWI ESTATE SAUVIGNON BLANC    Wairarapa, North Island    2018    $17.00    12.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 91

W+636027    BELLINGHAM HOMESTEAD SAUVIGNON BLANC    WO Cape Town    2017    $17.95 13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88

W+644385    BORD ELEGANCE LAUDUN CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES    AP    2017    $16.95 14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

W+631705    SANPAOLO FIANO DI AVELLINO    DOCG    2017    $19.95     13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88

R+364372    HINTERBROOK NOMAD PINOT NOIR    VQA Niagara Lakeshore, Niagara-on-the-Lake    2016    $19.95 13% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88

R+648758    LONE BIRCH RED BLEND    Yakima Valley    2016    $19.95    13.9% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+478271    SISTER'S RUN OLD TESTAMENT CABERNET SAUVIGNON    Coonawarra, South Australia    2017    $17.95 14.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+648477    CAVE DU CHÂTEAU DE CHÉNAS MOULIN-À-VENT    AC    2016    $19.95     12.5% ABV, MVC/QPR:  88

R+644435    CHÂTEAU PARADIS ESSENCIEL RED    AP Côtes de Provence    2015    $17.95 14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+494682    CAVE DE VISAN GRANDE RÉSERVE VISAN    AC Côtes du Rhône-Villages    2015    $15.95 13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88

R+33852    GROSSET CRÉATION CAIRANNE CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES    AC    2016    $17.95 14.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88

R+421388    CASTELLI DEL GREVEPESA CLEMENTE VII CHIANTI CLASSICO    DOCG    2015    $18.95 14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

R+638494    TORRESSELLA REFOSCO DAL PEDUNCOLO ROSSO    IGT    2016    $14.95 13% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

R+645804    O. FOURNEIR URBAN RIBERA TINTA DEL PAÍS    DO Ribera del Duero    2015    $19.95 15% ABV, MVC/QPR: 91

R+276162    SOLANERA VIÑAS VIEJAS    DO Yecla    2015    $17.00     14.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89.5

 

Over $20

=========

W+616466    HENRY OF PELHAM SPECK FAMILY RESERVE CHARDONNAY    VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Escarpment    2017    $29.95 13.3 % ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

W+537076    MISSION HILL RESERVE PINOT GRIS    BC VQA Okanagan Valley    2017    $22.95 13% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88kunde

W+639716    KUNDE CHARDONNAY    Sonoma County 2016    $24.95 13.8% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

R+563197    JACKSON-TRIGGS GRAND RESERVE MERLOT    VQA Niagara Peninsula    2016    $25.95 13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88

R+585737    BURROWING OWL MERLOT    BC VQA Okanagan Valley    2015    $39.95     14% ABV, MVC/QPR:  89

R+748434    SOKOL BLOSSER PINOT NOIR    Dundee Hills, Willamette Valley    2015    $37.95 13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+254458    BUENA VISTA CABERNET SAUVIGNON North Coast    2016 $24.95  MVC/QPR: 90

R+998476    JIM BARRY THE LODGE HILL SHIRAZ    Clare Valley, South Australia    2016    $21.95

MVC/QPR:  89

R+419770    WINES OF SUBSTANCE CABERNET SAUVIGNON    Columbia Valley    2016    $23.95 15% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88

R+947929    LAPOSTOLLE CUVÉE ALEXANDRE CABERNET SAUVIGNON    Apalta Vineyard, Colchagua Valley    2015    $27.95 14.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 92

R+649160    MONTES ALPHA SPECIAL CUVÉE CABERNET SAUVIGNON    DO Cachapoal Valley    2015    $24.95 14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88

R+594382    CHÂTEAU SOCIANDO-MALLET    AC Haut-Médoc    2012    $67.95     13% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88.5

R+633065    MOULINS DE CITRAN    Second wine of Château Citran, AC Haut-Médoc    2009    $29.95 13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 91

R+636670    UMBERTO FIORE BARBARESCO DOCG 2015    $27.95 13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88

R+943613    BARONE RICASOLI ROCCA GUICCIARDA RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO    DOCG    2015    $24.95    13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88

R+631630    CASTEL DEL LAGO AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA    DOCG    2015    $39.95 15% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88

 

 

PART TWO: The wines that were not presented to us ..

 

    401018    LABOURÉ-GONTARD BRUT CRÉMANT DE BOURGOGNE    Traditional method, AP, Burgundy, France        $21.95    H.H.D. IMPORTS

    727438    CARPENÈ MALVOLTI 1868 BRUT CONEGLIANO VALDOBBIADENE PROSECCO SUPERIORE    DOCG, Veneto, Italy        $18.95    DIONYSUS WINES & SPIRITS LTD.

    225342    NAPA CELLARS CHARDONNAY    Napa Valley    2016    $29.95    PHILIPPE DANDURAND WINES LTD.

    361949    FREEMARK ABBEY CHARDONNAY    Napa Valley    2016    $39.95    BREAKTHRU BEVERAGE CANADA INC.

    418368    WILLOW BRIDGE DRAGONFLY SAUVIGNON BLANC/SEMILLON    Geographe, Western Australia    2017    $15.95    NOBLE ESTATES WINES & SPIRITS INC.

    280206    INNOCENT BYSTANDER CHARDONNAY    Yarra Valley, Victoria    2017    $21.95    VON TERRA ENTERPRISES LTD.

    369850    KIM CRAWFORD PINOT GRIS    Marlborough, South Island    2018    $19.95    ARTERRA WINES CANADA INC.

    512582    JOSEPH DROUHIN BOURGOGNE CHARDONNAY    AC    2016    $23.95    PHILIPPE DANDURAND WINES LTD.

    524934    GUEGUEN CHABLIS    AC    2017    $27.95    BURGUNDY DIRECT LTD.

    196667    JEAN-MAX ROGER CUVÉE MARNES ET CAILLOTTES SANCERRE    AC    2017    $31.95    CONNEXION OENOPHILIA

    390625    DOMAINE LA HAUTE FÉVRIE SUR LIE MUSCADET SÈVRE ET MAINE    AC    2017    $15.95    CONNEXION OENOPHILIA

    339150    DR. HEIDEMANNS-BERGWEILER GRAACHER HIMMELREICH RIESLING SPÄTLESE    Prädikatswein    2016    $28.95    GLENCAIRN WINE MERCHANTS

    910497    TOMMASI LE ROSSE PINOT GRIGIO    IGT delle Venezie    2017    $16.95    UNIVINS AND SPIRITS CANADA INC.

    428326    CASAL DE VENTOZELA BRANCO VINHO VERDE    DOC    2017    $13.95    LE SOMMELIER INC.

    350041    PACO & LOLA ALBARIÑO    DO Rías Baixas    2017    $19.95    AZUREAU WINE AGENCY

    422014    ST. FRANCIS MERLOT    Sonoma County    2015    $29.95    CHARTON HOBBS INC

    640573    SEBASTIANI SONOMA COUNTY CABERNET SAUVIGNON    Sonoma County    2015    $29.95    SELECT WINE MERCHANTS INC.

    708289    FRANCIS COPPOLA DIAMOND COLLECTION RED LABEL ZINFANDEL    California    2016    $21.95    NOBLE ESTATES WINES & SPIRITS INC.

    498766    LAKE SONOMA ZINFANDEL    Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County    2016    $28.95    HOBBS & COMPANY

    708982    STAG'S LEAP WINE CELLARS ARTEMIS CABERNET SAUVIGNON    Napa Valley    2016    $84.95    PHILIPPE DANDURAND WINES LTD.

    973503    ZUCCARDI Q TEMPRANILLO    Santa Rosa, Mendoza    2014    $19.95    DIONYSUS WINES & SPIRITS LTD.

    219261    CHAKANA ESTATE SELECTION MALBEC    Uco Valley, Mendoza    2016    $19.95    CONNEXION OENOPHILIA

    541151    ERRÁZURIZ ACONCAGUA COSTA PINOT NOIR    DO Aconcagua Costa    2017    $24.95    PHILIPPE DANDURAND WINES LTD.

    90035    MAYU GRAN RESERVA CARMENÈRE    DO Elquí Valley    2015    $17.95    SIGNATURE WINES & SPIRITS

    683201    WAKEFIELD MERLOT    Clare Valley, South Australia    2017    $19.95    VIN VINO WINE MERCHANTS INC.

    358127    DANDELION VINEYARDS LIONHEART OF THE BAROSSA SHIRAZ    Barossa, South Australia    2017    $12.95    DU CHASSE WINES & SPIRITS

    246629    MOLLYDOOKER THE MAÎTRE D' CABERNET SAUVIGNON    McLaren Vale, South Australia    2017    $33.95    B AND W WINES

    278390    RUSTENBERG RM NICHOLSON    WO Stellenbosch    2017    $16.95    WOODMAN WINES & SPIRITS

    440198    CHÂTEAU DE LAMARQUE    AP Haut-Médoc    2012    $39.95    MARK ANTHONY WINE & SPIRITS

    527960    MALDANT PAUVELOT CHOREY-LÈS-BEAUNE    AP    2016    $39.95    ANDREW PELLER IMPORT AGENCY

    208249    CHÂTEAU PEYROS TANNAT/CABERNET FRANC    AC Madiran    2014    $17.95    VIN VINO WINE MERCHANTS INC.

    508655    PLANETA FRAPPATO DI VITTORIA    DOC    2016    $25.95    NOBLE ESTATES WINES & SPIRITS INC.

    20750    CAPARZO LA CASA BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO    DOCG    2013    $79.95    THE CASE FOR WINE

    68163    BASCIANO CHIANTI RUFINA    DOCG    2016    $16.95    JOSEPH CIPELLI WINES & SPIRITS

    429415    MARCHESI DE' FRESCOBALDI CAMPO AI SASSI ROSSO DI MONTALCINO    DOC    2016    $22.95    PHILIPPE DANDURAND WINES LTD.

    713669    SANTA SOFIA AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO    DOCG    2012    $53.95    LIBERTY WINES INC.

    26492    MASSAYA LE COLOMBIER    Bekaa Valley    2017    $18.95    JOHN HANNA & SONS LIMITED

    445122    SÃO MIGUEL ESCOLHA DOS ENOLOGOS    Vinho Regional Alentejano    2016    $21.95    NOBLE ESTATES WINES & SPIRITS INC.

    192476    ALEJANDRO FERNÁNDEZ DEHESA LA GRANJA    Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y León    2011    $21.95    TRIALTO WINE GROUP LTD.

    493155    ANGELS & COWBOYS ROSÉ    Sonoma County    2018    $24.95    ROGERS & COMPANY

    493171    OYSTER BAY ROSÉ    Marlborough, South Island    2018    $19.95    DELEGAT CANADA LIMITED

    451773    RUSTENBERG PETIT VERDOT ROSÉ    WO Stellenbosch    2018    $13.95    WOODMAN WINES & SPIRITS

    613174    FRANCIS FORD COPPOLA DIRECTOR'S CUT ZINFANDEL    Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County    2015    $39.95    NOBLE ESTATES WINES & SPIRITS INC.

    470872    SEBASTIANI ALEXANDER VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON    Alexander Valley, Sonoma County    2014    $39.95    SELECT WINE MERCHANTS INC.

    261719    BLACKBIRD ARISE RED    Napa Valley    2014    $69.95    PARADIGM FINE WINE AGENCY

    578005    AUSTIN HOPE CABERNET SAUVIGNON    Paso Robles    2016    $69.95    MARK ANTHONY WINE & SPIRITS

    553693    QED AXIOM OF CHOICE CABERNET FRANC    Columbia Valley    2015    $66.95    BRAND NEW DAY WINES & SPIRITS

    143529    GARCÉS SILVA AMAYNA SYRAH    DO Leyda Valley    2015    $28.95    SYLVESTRE WINES & SPIRITS INC.

    481861    CLONAKILLA HILLTOPS SHIRAZ    Canberra District    2016    $34.95    ALTO VINO

    647107    CONFIDENCES DE PRIEURÉ-LICHINE    Second wine of Château Prieuré-Lichine, AC Margaux    2015    $49.95    PARADIGM FINE WINE AGENCY

    967620    CHÂTEAU DES JACQUES MOULIN-À-VENT    AC    2015    $32.95    HALPERN ENTERPRISES

    295071    CHÂTEAU DE SANTENAY LES PUILLETS MERCUREY 1ER CRU    AC    2015    $49.95    GLENCAIRN WINE MERCHANTS

    508127    CAGLIERO RAVERA BAROLO    DOCG    2009    $67.95    GLOBAL CELLARS

Chimo! www.deantudor.com

The April 10, 2019 Event: Grandes Pagos de Espana: get-together with unique single estate wines.

 

The Date and Time:  Wednesday April 10, 2019   4PM to 7:30PM

The Event: Grandes Pagos de Espana: get-together with unique single estate wines.

The Venue: Wine Academy

The Target Audience: variety of guests, mostly consumers with money, some writers and sommeliers.

The Availability/Catalogue: in general, wines are available by consignment or private order. The catalogue was a booklet with a good-sized history of the Estate plus details on the one wine that each had submitted.

The Quote/Background: There are 30 members of the GPDE, and 17 turned out for this event with a variety of salespeople or agency reps.

The Wines: 18 wines were poured (9 whites, 9 reds). Prices are retail.

 

**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Valdespino Fino Inocente Jerez $25.95  [7 yrs on lees]   Azureau

-Gramona III Lustros 2012 Cava Penedes $60   Brix & Mortar Wine Co.

-Belondrade y Lurton 2017 Rueda  No Ontario representative

-Propiedad de Arinzano Gran Vino Blanco Pago de Arinzano 2014 [chardonnay] $100  Mark Anthony

-Finca Valpiedra Reserva 2012 Rioja $46.99  Stem Wine Group

-Pago de Vallegarcia Hipperia 2015 Vino de la Tierra de Castilla  ~30Euros [Bordeaux blend]  No Ontario representative

-Mais Doix Salanques 2016 Priorat $74.95  [G-C-S]  Rogers & Co

-Aalto 2016 Ribera del Duero $85.81   Trialto

 

***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Alvear 3 Miradas Vino de Pueblo 2017 Montilla Moriles $22.95  Family Wine Merchants

-Astobiza 2018 Txakoli de Alava $21.95  [grape: ondarrabi zuri]   Wine Online

-Mustiguillo Finca Calvestra 2017 [grape: merseguera]  No Ontario representative

-Propiedad de Arinzano Hacienda de Arizza 2017 Pago de Arinzano [chardonnay] ~$25  Mark

Anthony

-Chivite Coleccion 125 Blanco 2016 Navarra $70 [chardonnay] Churchill Cellars

-Palacio Quemado La Zarcita 2016 Vino de la Tierra de Extamadura $22.95  Family Wine Merchants

-Enrique Mendoza Estrecho 2015 Alicante $47.95 [monastrell]  LCBO

-Abadia Retuerta Pago Negralada 2015 Vino de la Tierra Castilla y Leon [tempranillo]  $130 Consignment   Halpern

-Bodegas Mauro 2016 Vino de la Tierra Castilla y Leon $67.95  Rogers & Co.

-San Roman 2015 Toro $52  Rogers & Co.

 

The Food: spoons of tortilla, potatoes and eggs; charcuterie boards, cheeses, Armenian sesame-poppy cracker bread; white anchovy open-faced sandwiches.

The Downside: it was very dark, took me more than half an hour for my eyes to adjust.

The Upside: a chance to taste some high-end Spanish estate wines.

The Contact Person: cschatzmann@grandespagos.com

The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 87

 

Chimo! www.deantudor.com

The April 8, 2019 Event: Taste Oregon Seminar with Howard Rossbach, President/Founder of Citation & Erratic Oaks Vineyard

The Date and Time:  Monday April 8, 2019   1:30 – 3:30 PM

The Event: Taste Oregon Seminar with Howard Rossbach, President/Founder of Citation & Erratic Oaks Vineyard

The Venue: Midfield Wine Bar

The Target Audience: sommeliers, writers

The Availability/Catalogue: all wines are available by private order, in six packs.

The Quote/Background: This was an in-depth study of "Library" wines which are currently available from Citation in Oregon. Howard explained his philosophy of holding back wines and then selling them when they are ready to drink. French oak used. He has an entry level wine called Centerstone which was shown at the Oregon trade fair the next day (April 9). More details at www.citationwine.com

The Wines: Citation is repped in Ontario by Alex Kitts of Intra Vino Inc. Prices are licensee.

 

**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Citation Chardonnay Willamette 2008 $110.95 13.9% ABV butter and aged oak

-Citation Chardonnay Willamette 2011 $81.95  13.9% barrel fermented [my FAVE white]

-Citation Chardonnay Willamette 2014 $48.95 13.5% unctuous body, fresh [best value]

-Citation Pinot Noir Willamette 2003 $139.95 hot finish, bottled aged 7 years

-Citation Pinot Noir Willamette 2002 $154.95 13.5% excellent mouthfeel, some oxidation, bottle-aged 7 years before release [my FAVE red]

-Citation Pinot Noir Willamette 2000 $183.95 13.5% changed in the glass, bottle-aged 7 years before release

-Citation Pinot Noir Willamette 1998 $226.95 13% changed in glass, some sharpness resolved later

-Citation Pinot Noir Willamette 1995 $269.95 13% unbelievably juicy

-Citation Pinot Noir Willamette 1994 $299.95 13.8% soft, maturing, single vineyard

 

***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Citation Chardonnay Willamette 2007 $139.95 13.5% good aging, slight bitter finish

-Citation Pinot Noir Willamette 2005 $102.95 13.9% bottled aged for 9 years before release, still tannic with emerging fruit

 

The Food: grazing bowls of charcuterie, cheese, marinated olives, walnuts, toasts.

The Downside: I arrived a half hour late due to TTC problems.

The Upside: a chance to discuss older wines with Howard.

The Contact Person: info@intravino.ca

The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 90

 

Chimo! www.deantudor.com

The Friday April 5, 2019 Event: A Champagne Tasting from Champagne William SAINTOT, a grower champagne firm repped in Ontario by Riverdale Wines.

The Date and Time:  Friday April 5, 2019   Noon - 2PM

The Event: A Champagne Tasting from Champagne William SAINTOT, a grower champagne firm repped in Ontario by Riverdale Wines.

The Venue: Scrivener Square LCBO Kitchen

The Target Audience: wine writers

The Availability/Catalogue: currently La Cuvee Seduction is available at the LCBO; soon, the full-bottle Blanc de Noirs will be here too (the half-bottle is online available here).

The Quote/Background: Morgann Trebutien, the winemaker at William Saintots (he's also the husband of Saintot's daughter [current owner]), was supposed to lead the discussion but he was delayed for several hours. The tasting went ahead since the wines were already here, and the Riverdale Wines agency's sommelier Christos Palaskas stepped in.

The Wines: We tasted a horizontal range of 7 wines, all of them in the French marketplace.

 

**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Champagne William Saintot Blanc de Noirs ~$62 750 mL 100% pinot noir, 12% ABV, blend of 2014,2015,2016 vintages, 60% BF, 6.5 gr/L, pale yellow, citric aromatics, non-reserves.

-Champagne William Saintot Blanc de Noirs +554944 $38.65 LCBO online 375 mL ("Chopine") version of 750 mL but here an older blend of 2011 and 2012 pinot noirs which were prominent.

-Champagne William Saintot Prestige Brut 1er Cru 2010 ~$75 80% pinot noir, 20% chardonnay from three vineyards, 12% ABV, intense but balanced,

-Champagne William Saintot 2012 Millesime ~$75 bottled 2013, 60% pinot noir, 40% chardonnay, 12% ABV, 5 gr/L, fresh yeast.

-Champagne William Saintot La Cote de Chignon 2011  ~$145  2.6 g/L, 1200 bottles made, very old flavours, and a real winner.

 

***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Champagne William Saintot La Cuvee Seduction +100197 LCBO, $82.65, no reserve wines,

55% chardonnay 2015, 45% chardonnay 2014, old vines, 60% BF, 6.5 gr/L, 12% ABV, 4000 bottles. Buttery with citric overtones.

-Champagne William Saintot La Roseraie [2016] ~$62 72% pinot noir, 28% chardonnay, old vines, 2 different vineyards, 6.5% gr/L, 12% ABV. Lots of fresh fruit.

 

The Food: smoked salmon, goat cheese, bay scallops.

The Downside: I arrived late, but did not miss anything.

The Upside: A terrific "horizontal" tasting through 7 wines.

The Contact Person: jerry@riverdalewines.com  or  wayne@riverdalewines.com

The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 90.

 

Chimo! www.deantudor.com

The April 4 2019 Event: Wines of Portugal Grand Tasting

The Date and Time:  Thursday April 4, 2019  2PM to 6 PM

The Event: Wines of Portugal Grand Tasting

The Venue: Artscape Daniels Launchpad, Queens Quay East

The Target Audience: media, trade, sommeliers, et al

The Availability/Catalogue: About 300 wines were poured, from 30 wineries (many looking for agents). Very few wines are actually landed here in Ontario.

The Quote/Background: The crowds were nicely spread out through the show, so it was just a matter of weaving in and out. Without a catalogue it was awkward for many tasters to get full particulars. Prices and availability were vague. I downloaded the program and printed off the catalogue portion: there were blank spaces where names of agents should have been.

The Wines: I only tasted selected red and white table wines; my time did not permit rose, ports and sparklers, and other assorted goodies. Prices were speculative.

 

**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Quiz Wines & Spirits Piano DOC Reserva Red 2017    Airen

-Quiz Wines & Spirits Piano DOC Reserva White 2017    Airen

-Quinta Nova Pomares Moscatel Galego 2018 $19.95    Le Sommelier

-Quinta Nova Mirabilis Grande Reserva 2017 $88.95    Le Sommelier

-Quinta Nova Referencia Grande Reserva 2016 $114.95    Le Sommelier

-Quinta da Lapa Reserva 2017 Branco    United Stars

-Dona Maria Julio Bastos Amantis Reserva Branco Viognier 2015

-Casa Santos Lima Confidencial Reserva 2014     Majestic

-Casa Santos Lima Colossal Reserva 2016     Majestic

-Quinta de Chocapalha Reserva White 2016     Von Terra

-Wine & Soul Pintas Character 2016 Tinto old vineyards    Von Terra

-Sogrape Vinhos Casa Ferreirnha Planalto Reserva 2017 Branco    Authentic W & S

-Santos & Seixo Santos da Casa Reserva Douro White 2017

 

 

***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Quiz Wines & Spirits Piano DOC White 2018    Airen

-Quiz Wines & Spirits Quintela Colheita White 2018    Airen

-Quinta Nova Pomares Branco 2018 $19.95   Le Sommelier

-Quinta Nova Grainha Reserva Branco 2017 $32.95   Le Sommelier

-Quinta Nova Grainha Reserva Tinto 2016 $32.95    Le Sommelier

-Quinta da Lapa Alvarinho 2018   United Stars

-Quinta da Lapa Nana 2018 Branco    United Stars

-Lua Cheia em Vinhas Velhas Branco 2018   The Vine Agency

-Lua Cheia em Vinhas Velhas Maria Papolla Loureiro/Alvarinho 2018   The Vine Agency

-Jose Maria da Fonseca Periquita Branco 2017    P Dandurand

-J. Portugal Ramos Loios 2018 Branco    Sylvestre

-Casa Santos Lima Passion of Portugal Reserva 2016  $10.95    Majestic

-Campolargo Branco 2016 Sercial   Groupe Soleil

-Wine & Soul Guru 2017 Branco    Von Terra

-Santos & Seixo Santos da Casa Reserva Alvarinho 2017

-Santa Vitoria Branco 2018

 

The Food: from Cyn's Catering – cold cuts, sausages (hot and spicy), cheeses, breads, sweet and savoury custards, hot cod croquettes, Portuguese empanadas of potatoes/seafood/beef, et al.

The Downside: I arrived two hours late, coming from a matinee concert. So I did not have sufficient time to taste as many wines as I had wanted to.

The Upside: there were some very fine wines in the show.

The Contact Person: chloe.benayoun@sopexa.com

The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 87.

 

Chimo! www.deantudor.com

The Event: Opening of Gallery 50 Photography Exhibit with a wine tasting hosted by Noble Estates.

 

The Date and Time: Thursday March 28, 2019  7:30 – 9:30 PM

The Event: Opening of Gallery 50 Photography Exhibit with a wine tasting hosted by Noble Estates.

The Venue:  50 Quebec Avenue.

The Target Audience: 32 local residents (including 5 guys).

The Availability/Catalogue: we tasted four southern Italian wines plus Prosecco from the Noble Estates portfolio, as presented by Joe Alberti (Private & Licensee Sales). The wines are available by consignment, and ranged from $27.95 Licensee to $49.95.

The Quote/Background: Joe Alberti led a wine tasting with a Powerpoint program, opening with the freshly poured Prosecco from Foss Marai. He detailed the locations of the grapes and wines used in southern Italy and led us through the tasting with stress on aromatics and palates.

The Wines:

 

**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Foss Marai Millesimato Prosecco 2017 $27.99 Licensee [good bubbles and vintaged]

-Antonella Corda Cannonau di Sardegna 2016 $27.95 Licensee [grenache, higher acid]

-Donnachiara Taurasi Campania 2013 $49.95 Licensee [nicely evolved but still young, 1 year oak]

 

***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Planeta Cerasuolo 2016 Sicily DOCG $27.99 Licensee [nero d'avola; chocolate&cherries]

-Planeta Etna Rosso 2016 Sicily $31.99 Licensee [nerello grape, elegant but edgy, food versatile]

 

The Food: Planeta olive oil, breads, crackers, sweet potato chips, salami

The Downside: the night went very quickly, and there was no time for the exhibits.

The Upside: great tasting wines, five was just about the right number.

The Contact Person: joea@nobleestates.com

The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 89

 

 

Chimo! www.deantudor.com

WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under $20 and over $20 for April 13, 2019

 

WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES:  under $20 and over $20 for April 13, 2019

 

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 http://www.deantudor.com since 1994.

These notes for good wines available through the LCBO Vintages (on a bi-weekly basis)  can always be found at http://www.gothicepicures.blogspot.ca/ or at  http://www.deantudor.com

 

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).

 

NOTE: The first report is based on my sampling of the wines chosen by the LCBO from this release for tasting. That presentation is about 50 different labels out of about 125 released every two weeks. Thus, my report will not be as voluminous as in the past and comes from a restricted database. I did not taste every one of the 50 wines, nor did I rate several of the wines I did sample because they did not seem to be of particularly good value.

 

NOTE: The second report (at the end) is a simple listing of  those wines that were NOT presented to me, and are given here simply as a record of  what sampling I could not do. I have left in the name of the agency in fairness to all.

 

REPORT #1 -- Under $20

 

Rose+552562    THREE OF HEARTS ROSÉ    VQA Niagara Peninsula    2018    $19.95     11.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

Fizz+171785   CAVE DE HOEN MAUSBERG BLANC DE BLANCS BRUT CRÉMANT D'ALSACE    Traditional method, AC, Alsace, France   $18.95  12% ABV, MVC/QPR: 91

Fizz+645309    KEW VINEYARDS ORGANIC RIESLING SPARKLING    VQA Ontario    2017    $19.95   

12% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

Fizz+536607    EMILIANA ORGANIC BRUT SPARKLING    Traditional method, DO Casablanca Valley, Chile    $19.95   MVC/QPR: 89

W+356873    FLAT ROCK GOOD KHARMA CHARDONNAY    VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment    2016    $16.95      13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88

W+232694    SANTA JULIA ORGANIC TORRONTÉS    Mendoza, Argentina    2018    $13.95     MVC/QPR:  89

W+203547    FROGPOND FARM ORGANIC CHARDONNAY    VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario    2017    $16.95      13% ABV, MVC/QPR:  87

W+288217    YALUMBA ORGANIC VIOGNIER     South Australia    2017    $16.95  14.5% ABV, MVC/QPR:  88

W+387787    CHÂTEAU LES HAUTS DE LAGARDE BLANC    AC Bordeaux, France    2018    $17.95   

MVC/QPR: 87

W+646794    ABBOTTS & DELAUNAY LES FLEURS SAUVAGES VIOGNIER    IGP Pays d'Oc    2017    $16.95     13% ABV, MVC/QPR: 87

W+628867    PG ZAUMAU TEMPRANILLO BLANCO    DOCa Rioja 2017 $18.95  MVC/QPR:  87

R+161398    LANDER-JENKINS CABERNET SAUVIGNON    California    2017    $19.95    MVC/QPR:  89

R+644393    GÉRARD BERTRAND NATURAE CABERNET SAUVIGNON    IGP Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, France    2018    $19.95  13%ABV,MVC/QPR:  89

R+646513    VIENI FOUNDER'S BLEND RESERVE    VQA Ontario    2016    $15.95     13% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+632638    FERNGROVE FRANKLAND RIVER CABERNET/MERLOT    Frankland River, Western Australia    2016    $16.95     14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+163972    MOMO PINOT NOIR    Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand    2016    $19.95   

13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+652289    GLENELLY ESTATE RESERVE RED BLEND    WO Stellenbosch    2011    $19.95   

14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

R+649582    DOMAINE PARDON CUVÉE DE L'ERMITAGE BEAUJOLAIS-VILLAGES    AC    2017    $16.95     13% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88

R+645317    MAS DES TANNES ROUGE    IGP Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, France    2017    $16.95   

13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+638312    FONTANAFREDDA LANGHE NEBBIOLO    DOC    2017    $19.95     13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

R+644849    TERRE NATUZZI ROSSO    IGT Toscana        $13.95     12.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+631499    CALEM CURVA TINTO    DOC Douro    2016    $15.95      13% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88

R+645788    L'OCA CIUCA CHIANTI    DOCG    2016    $14.95     12.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 87

R+638692    DOMAINE ST-JACQUES CÔTES DU RHONE    AC, Rhône, France    2017    $17.95   

15% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88

 

Over $20

 

W+638437    SANTA EMA AMPLUS CHARDONNAY    DO Leyda Valley    2017    $21.95     13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

W+735043    SERESIN SAUVIGNON BLANC    Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand    2016    $24.95      MVC/QPR: 88

W+633750    LAMOREAUX LANDING DRY RIESLING Estate bottled, Finger Lakes 2016    $24.95     12.9% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88

R+941757 CAMIGLIANO BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO DOCG 2013 $60.95    MVC/QPR: 89

R+1560    FLAT ROCK GRAVITY PINOT NOIR    VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment    2015    $34.95    13% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88

R+644872    PRIETO PARIENTE LA PROVINCIA    Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y León    2015    $24.95     14.9% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88

R+297945    CHÂTEAU LAROSE-TRINTAUDON    Cru Bourgeois, AC Haut-Médoc    2009    $29.95     13.7% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

R+636761    CHÂTEAU MAGONDEAU    AC Fronsac    2015    $22.95     14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88

R+437954    CHÂTEAU PIERRE DE MONTIGNAC    Cru Bourgeois, AC Médoc    2014    $24.95   

13% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+647065    CHÂTEAU SAINT HUBERT    AC Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé    2010    $34.95   

13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+643239    M. CHAPOUTIER BILA-HAUT OCCULTUM LAPIDEM    AC Côtes du Roussillon-Villages Latour-de-France    2016    $26.95    15% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88

R+382945    IL MOLINO DI GRACE RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO    DOCG    2014    $24.95  MVC/QPR:  89

=====================================================================

 

REPORT #2: The rest (i.e. NOT presented for the media tasting )

 

43281    Canada -- Ontario    FLAT ROCK RIESLING    VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment            750    $15.95    FLAT ROCK CELLARS    FLAT ROCK CELLARS

1578    Canada -- Ontario    FLAT ROCK TWISTED WHITE    VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment            750    $17.95    FLAT ROCK CELLARS    FLAT ROCK CELLARS

342436    USA -- California    BONTERRA CHARDONNAY    Mendocino County, California            750            ESCALADE WINE & SPIRITS

342428    USA -- California    BONTERRA CABERNET SAUVIGNON    California            750            ESCALADE WINE & SPIRITS

327452    United Kingdom -- Scotland    GLENMORANGIE SIGNET HIGHLAND SINGLE MALT SCOTCH WHISKY                750    $339.95        CHARTON HOBBS INC

415901    Canada -- Ontario    CAVE SPRING INDIAN SUMMER RIESLING    Select Late Harvest, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario        2016    375    $24.95        CAVE SPRING CELLARS LTD.,

438200    Canada -- Ontario    WESTCOTT VIOLETTE SPARKLING    VQA Ontario        2017    750    $25.95        WESTCOTT VINEYARDS

369074    Luxembourg    BERNARD-MASSARD CUVÉE DE L'ÉCUSSON PINOT NOIR BRUT ROSÉ    Traditional method, Luxembourg            750    $19.95        UNIVINS AND SPIRITS CANADA INC.

485276    Canada -- Ontario    TZAFONA CELLARS COLD CLIMATE UNOAKED CHARDONNAY KP    VQA Niagara Peninsula        2015    750    $22.95        TRAJECTORY BEVERAGE PARTNERS

539130    USA -- California    FAR NIENTE CHARDONNAY    Napa Valley        2017    750    $99.95        NOBLE ESTATES WINES & SPIRITS INC.

556365    South Africa -- Stellenbosch    L'AVENIR FAR & NEAR CHENIN BLANC    WO Stellenbosch        2018    750    $15.95        SELECT WINE MERCHANTS INC.

382200    South Africa -- Stellenbosch    GLENELLY ESTATE RESERVE CHARDONNAY    WO Stellenbosch        2016    750    $18.95        H.H.D. IMPORTS

315119    France -- Alsace    JEAN GEILER PINOT GRIS    AC Alsace        2016    750    $19.95        LAMPRECHT INTERNATIONAL

91371    France -- Bordeaux    CHÂTEAU DE ROCHEMORIN BLANC    AC Pessac-Léognan    André Lurton    2015    750    $31.95        TRAJECTORY BEVERAGE PARTNERS

468751    France -- Burgundy    LOUIS JADOT CHABLIS    AC        2016    750    $31.95        HALPERN ENTERPRISES

299867    France -- Burgundy    MAISON ROCHE DE BELLENE VIEILLES VIGNES BOURGOGNE CHARDONNAY    AC        2016    750    $23.95        NICHOLAS PEARCE WINES INC

525154    France -- Loire    JOSEPH MELLOT LA CHATELLENIE SANCERRE    AC        2017    750    $29.95        LIFFORD WINE & SPIRITS

254375    France -- Midi    JEAN PERRIER & FILS CUVÉE GASTRONOMIE ROUSSETTE DE SAVOIE    AP        2017    750    $21.95        DACIA FELIX

370098    France -- Midi    PAUL MAS ESTATE VIOGNIER    IGP Pays d'Oc        2017    750    $13.95        AUTHENTIC WINE & SPIRITS MERCHANTS

672345    France    HENRI BOURGEOIS PETIT BOURGEOIS SAUVIGNON BLANC    Vin de France        2017    750    $16.95        CHARTON HOBBS INC

200097    Italy -- Veneto    S. CRISTINA MASSONI LUGANA    DOC    Azienda Zenato    2017    750    $23.95        JOSEPH CIPELLI WINES & SPIRITS

413039    Italy -- Venezie    CORTE GIACOBBE PINOT GRIGIO    DOC delle Venezie    Dal Cero    2017    750    $17.95        THE DOCHAS COMPANY INC.

127332    Canada -- Ontario    THE FOREIGN AFFAIR PINOT NOIR    VQA Niagara Peninsula        2013    750    $34.95        CORBY SPIRIT AND WINE LIMITED

515270    Canada -- Ontario    KEW BARREL AGED GAMAY NOIR    VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment        2016    750    $17.95        KEW VINEYARDS ESTATE WINERY LTD

493981    Canada -- Ontario    TZAFONA CELLARS COLD CLIMATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON KP    VQA Niagara Peninsula        2014    750    $29.95        TRAJECTORY BEVERAGE PARTNERS

266551    USA -- California    ANTICA MOUNTAIN SELECT CABERNET SAUVIGNON    Atlas Peak, Napa Valley    Antinori    2016    750    $68.95        HALPERN ENTERPRISES

906420    USA -- California    HESS COLLECTION ALLOMI CABERNET SAUVIGNON    Napa Valley        2016    750    $39.95        LIFFORD WINE & SPIRITS

483321    USA -- California    NOBLE VINES 337 CABERNET SAUVIGNON    Lodi        2016    750    $19.95        SELECT WINE MERCHANTS INC.

238261    USA -- California    FAUST CABERNET SAUVIGNON    Napa Valley        2016    750    $59.95        ROGERS & COMPANY

548297    USA -- California    PICKETT CABERNET SAUVIGNON    Napa Valley    Araujo Estate Wines    2015    750    $97.95        HALPERN ENTERPRISES

473744    USA -- California    PEDRONCELLI MOTHER CLONE ZINFANDEL    Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County        2015    750    $26.95        JOHN GIBSON AGENCIES

982413    USA -- California    RIDGE LYTTON SPRINGS    Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County        2016    750    $74.95        ROGERS & COMPANY

909499    USA -- Oregon    ARGYLE PINOT NOIR    Willamette Valley        2016    750    $34.95        BARRIQUE WINE IMPORTS LTD.

494518    Argentina -- Mendoza    MANOS NEGRAS ATREVIDA MALBEC    Mendoza    Manos Negras    2016    750    $17.95        NOBLE ESTATES WINES & SPIRITS INC.

439166    Chile -- Colchagua Valley    CARMEN GRAN RESERVA CARMENÈRE    El Peñasco Vineyard, Apalta, DO Colchagua Valley        2017    750    $16.95        SELECT WINE MERCHANTS INC.

439356    Chile -- Colchagua Valley    PRIMUS CARMENÈRE    Apalta, Colchagua Valley        2017    750    $19.95        ROGERS & COMPANY

146407    Chile -- San Antonio Valley    MATETIC CORRALILLO SYRAH    DO San Antonio Valley        2015    750    $26.95        H.H.D. IMPORTS

389221    Chile -- Central Valley    ECHEVERRIA LIMITED EDITION CABERNET SAUVIGNON    DO Central Valley        2014    750    $29.95        LIFFORD WINE & SPIRITS

396481    Australia -- South Australia    ZONTE'S FOOTSTEP CHOCOLATE FACTORY SHIRAZ    McLaren Vale, South Australia        2016    750    $18.95        CRU WINE MERCHANTS

251165    South Africa -- Stellenbosch    THE BEAN COFFEE PINOTAGE    WO Western Cape    Roos Family Vineyards    2017    750    $15.95        VERGINA IMPORT INTERNATIONAL INC.

276477    France -- Beaujolais    GEORGES DUBOEUF DOMAINE MONT CHAVY MORGON    AC        2016    750    $20.95        PHILIPPE DANDURAND WINES LTD.

408153    France -- Burgundy    MAISON CHANZY BOURGOGNE PINOT NOIR    AC        2017    750    $25.95        TASTEVIN SELECTIONS

283184    France -- Rhône    DOMAINE ROCHE CAIRANNE CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES    AP        2015    750    $22.95        SIGNATURE WINES & SPIRITS

717900    France -- Southwest    CHÂTEAU D'AYDIE ODÉ D'AYDIE MADIRAN    AP    Pierre Laplace    2015    750    $23.95        ROUGE ET BLANC LTD

548719    Italy -- Piedmont    GIANNI GAGLIARDO BAROLO    DOCG        2014    750    $58.95        WINE LOVERS AGENCY INC.

713628    Italy -- Piedmont    BERSANO NIRVASCO BAROLO    DOCG        2014    750    $34.95        BARRIQUE WINE IMPORTS LTD.

177295    Italy -- Puglia    RIVERA IL FALCONE RISERVA CASTEL DEL MONTE    DOCG        2012    750    $24.95        S. SCHIRALLI AGENCIES LTD.,

969428    Italy -- Tuscany    ROCCA DELLE MACÌE CAMPO MACCIONE MORELLINO DI SCANSANO    DOCG        2017    750    $17.95        VIN VINO WINE MERCHANTS INC.

429142    Italy -- Umbria    SIGNAE SAGRANTINO DI MONTEFALCO    DOCG        2011    750    $28.95        DIONYSUS WINES & SPIRITS LTD.

324137    Italy -- Veneto    MASI RISERVA DI COSTASERA AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO    DOCG        2013    750    $69.95        AUTHENTIC WINE & SPIRITS MERCHANTS

527077    Italy -- Venezie    TOMMASI PALANCA    IGT Rosso delle Venezie        2016    750    $16.95        UNIVINS AND SPIRITS CANADA INC.

606921    Italy -- Venezie    MASI GRANDARELLA REFOSCO    IGT Refosco delle Venezie        2014    750    $28.95        AUTHENTIC WINE & SPIRITS MERCHANTS

439729    Spain -- Castilla y León    LAGAR DE ROBLA PREMIUM    Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y León    Viños de Arganza    2012    750    $14.85        TERRA FINE WINES

674564    Spain -- Rioja    PALACIOS REMONDO LA VENDIMIA    DOCa Rioja        2017    750    $18.95        WOODMAN WINES & SPIRITS

642496    Spain -- Rioja    BARÓN DE LEY GRAN RESERVA    DOCa Rioja        2012    750    $29.95        NOBLE ESTATES WINES & SPIRITS INC.

471854    Spain -- Rioja    RIOJA VEGA CRIANZA    DOCa Rioja        2015    750    $16.95        AZUREAU WINE AGENCY

461913    Italy -- Piedmont    GIULIO COCCHI STORICO VERMOUTH DI TORINO    Italy            750    $27.95        AZUREAU WINE AGENCY

197202    Portugal -- Douro    WARRE'S WARRIOR FINEST RESERVE PORT    DOP            750    $19.95        DIONYSUS WINES & SPIRITS LTD.

437467    Spain -- Jerez    WILLIAMS & HUMBERT WALNUT BROWN MEDIUM SWEET SHERRY    DO            750    $14.95        PHILIPPE DANDURAND WINES LTD.

581942    Greece    KECHRIS KECHRIBARI RETSINA    Greece            500    $8.95        THE KOLONAKI GROUP INC

635516    Chile -- Bío Bío Valley    CABALLO LOCO GRAND CRU BRUT NATURE SPARKLING    Traditional method, Bío Bío Valley    Viña Valdivieso    2014    750    $44.95    WINE LOVERS AGENCY INC.    WINE LOVERS AGENCY INC.

635516    Chile -- Bío Bío Valley    CABALLO LOCO GRAND CRU BRUT NATURE SPARKLING    Traditional method, Bío Bío Valley    Viña Valdivieso    2014    750    $44.95        WINE LOVERS AGENCY INC.

613729    USA -- California    THE CALLING DUTTON RANCH CHARDONNAY    Russian River Valley, Sonoma County        2016    750    $45.00        TRAJECTORY BEVERAGE PARTNERS

613786    USA -- California    RAMEY CHARDONNAY    Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County        2014    750    $51.00        LIFFORD WINE & SPIRITS

482984    Argentina -- Mendoza    EL ENEMIGO CHARDONNAY    Mendoza        2016    750    $29.95        TRIALTO WINE GROUP LTD.

633859    France -- Bordeaux    CHÂTEAU SUDUIRAUT LIONS DE SUDUIRAUT    AC Sauternes        2014    375    $23.95        SYLVESTRE WINES & SPIRITS INC.

628479    Italy -- Tuscany    CA' MARCANDA VISTAMARE    IGP Toscana    Gaja    2017    750    $68.95        STEM WINE GROUP

966655    Italy -- Veneto    ANSELMI CAPITEL CROCE    IGT Veneto        2015    750    $26.95        NOBLE ESTATES WINES & SPIRITS INC.

629485    Spain -- Rias Baixas    LA TRUCHA ALBARIÑO    DO Rías Baixas        2017    750    $29.95        PHILIP MIRABELLI FINE WINES

613661    USA -- California    THE CALLING PINOT NOIR    Russian River Valley, Sonoma County        2016    750    $61.00        TRAJECTORY BEVERAGE PARTNERS

377242    USA -- California    FAUST CABERNET SAUVIGNON    Napa Valley        2016    1500    $139.95        ROGERS & COMPANY

633933    USA -- Washington    CLOUDLIFT HALCYON CABERNET SAUVIGNON    Columbia Valley        2013    750    $34.95        LOYAL IMPORTS

633073    France -- Bordeaux    MARQUIS DE MONS    AC Margaux        2014    750    $39.95        LIFFORD WINE & SPIRITS

700922    France -- Rhône    LE VIEUX DONJON CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE    AC        2016    750    $67.95        MIH SELECTIONS

638320    Italy -- Piedmont    GIANNI GAGLIARDO DA BATIE NEBBIOLO    DOC Langhe        2017    750    $24.95        WINE LOVERS AGENCY INC.

Chimo! www.deantudor.com

The Event: April 2 -- Winemakers Tasting: old vines and aged wines – Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake

The Date and Time: Tuesday April 2, 2019   6Pm to 8PM

The Event: Winemakers Tasting: old vines and aged wines – Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake

The Venue: George Brown College Chef's School King Street

The Target Audience: wine writers and bloggers, sommeliers

The Availability/Catalogue: only recent vintages are available for purchase

The Quote/Background: This was a showcase by Inniskillin, Reif, and Strewn wineries in NOTL, showing off back vintage and old vine table wines that reflect the terroir and quality of NOTL wines. It was a preliminary to the annual celebration "DIG OUR ROOTS" which promotes the NOTL appellation, history and culture. This is held in NOTL on April 12 – 14 this year, with multiple events at the various wineries (not just these three). Bruce Wallner MS did the introduction and moderation for the winemakers Nicholas Gizuk (Asst Winemaker Inniskillin), Roberto Di Domenico (Reif) and Joe Will (Strewn). Each presented some table wines (chardonnay, cabernet, meritage) and icewines.

The Wines: Eight table wines were presented to about two dozen attendees at a sit-down seminar. 

 

**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Strewn Winery 2016 Chardonnay Terroir Canadian Oak VQA Niagara Peninsula, old vines, four barrel batch, 14.8% ABV

-Reif Estate Winery 2001 Chardonnay Reserve VQA Niagara Peninsula, ripe/rich/redolent of wood lanolin, 13% ABV

-Inniskillin Wines 2016 Reserve Merlot VQA Niagara Peninsula, velvety smooth, 14% ABV

-Reif Estate Winery 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve VQA Niagara River, very Old World, fantastic aged nose, 13% ABV – my FAVE of the tasting

-Strewn Winery 2015 The LIMITED Cabernet Sauvignon (Home Farm) VQA NOTL, blended cab sauvignon and franc for a wine club purchase (LIMITED), unfiltered,  13.3% ABV

-Reif Estate Winery 2002 Meritage VQA Niagara Peninsula, rich fumes and depth, 13.5% ABV

 

***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Inniskillin Wines 2017 Montague Vineyard Chardonnay VQA Four Mile Creek, old vines, French oak, 13% ABV

-Strewn Winery 2012 Strewn Three Terroir VQA Niagara Peninsula, Bordeaux-styled merlot/cabsauv/cabfr, 14.4% ABV

 

The Food: I could not stay for the food

The Downside: I had to leave early for another engagement, so I missed the icewines.

The Upside: A chance to re-connect with the winemakers.

The Contact Person: Laura Vertucci <laura@wineriesofniagaraonthelake.com>

The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 90

Chimo! www.deantudor.com