The Event: a tasting of Castagna Vineyard wines from Beechworth Australia, with winemaker Julian Castagna, Feb 16, 2009

The Time and Date: Monday, February 16, 2009  12 PM to 6 PM

The Event: a tasting of Castagna Vineyard wines from Beechworth Australia, with winemaker Julian Castagna. The Ontario agent is The Living Vine.

The Venue: Fine Wine Reserve.

The Target Audience: clients, wine media, on a drop in basis.

The Availability/Catalogue: all wines are available but in small numbers. Six wines were available, but we also tasted a "no-longer-available" 2007 Allegro from a previous offering.

The Quote/Background: All wines are produced from their own biodynamic vineyards. Julian was available to talk about any issue, including the recent Australian wild bushfires.

The Wines:

 

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

-Castagna 2007 Adams Rib The White, 14% ABV, viognier and chardonnay, BF, $49.95.

-Castagna 2005 Genesis Syrah, shiraz and viognier, $96.95 – my fave.

-Castagna 2005 Sparkling Genesis Syrah, shiraz and viognier, 600 bottles made, MC used, $99.95, four six-packs available, move fast.

 

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

-Castagna 2007 Allegro Rose, 14% ABV, shiraz and viognier, $39.95.

-Castagna 2008 Allegro Rose, 14% ABV, shiraz and viognier, $39.95.

-Castagna 2006 Adams Rib The Red, 14% ABV, pinot noir and shiraz, $49.95.

-Castagna 2005 Un Segreto, sangiovese and shiraz, $96.95.

 

The Food: some "small food" was promised, such as three cheeses (including Beemster XO), assorted breads and crackers, pate, etc.

The Downside: it was on Family Day, which I think reduced the attendance somewhat.

The Upside: a great chance to catch up with Mark Cuff and Julian Castagna.

The Contact Person: mark@thelivingvine.ca

The Marketing Effectiveness (numerical grade): 86.

 

 

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com

 

 

The Event: A tasting with Daniel Castano Munoz, Export Director of Bodegas Castano of Murcia Spain (Feb 12, 2009)

The Time and Date: Thursday, February 12, 2009  6PM – 7 PM

The Event: A tasting with Daniel Castano Munoz, Export Director of Bodegas Castano of Murcia Spain. His family estates also include Sierra Salinas (Alicante).

The Venue: Fine Wine Reserve.

The Target Audience: private clients of the agent John Hanna and Sons.

The Availability/Catalogue: some of the wines come and go through Vintages and Classics, but they can be ordered through the agent.

The Quote/Background: The wines of Bodegas Castano (Yecla) and Bodegas Sierra Salinas (Alicante) are structured around the Monastrell (mourvedre) grape. Daniel spoke on the terroirs of Eastern Spain.

The Wines:

 

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

-Bod. Sierra Salinas "Mira" 2005, $35. Vintages Online.

-Bod. Sierra Salinas "1237" 2005, $125. Also some garnacha.

-Vina al Lado de la Casa 2006, $35. 60 year old vines.

-Casa Cisca 2005, $60. 90 year old vines, highest altitude.

 

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

-Bod. Castrano Monastrell 2008, $10. Sipper or first course.

-Bod. Castrano "Hecula" 2006, $14. June Vintages, best with goat cheese.

-Bod. Castrano "Coleccion" 2005, $24. 20% cab sauvignon. Best with firm cheeses.

-Bod. Castrano Dulce 2004, $25 for 500 mL, sweet. Best with Benedictin.

-Bod. Sierra Salinas "Mo" 2007, $16.95. Best with goat and cheddar.

 

The Food: we were each given a plate of cheese, with each clearly marked. We tasted the cheeses against the wines as we wished. Tasted were Paillot de Chevre (PQ) goat, Ile-aux-Grues 5 year old cheddar (PQ) raw cow, cave aged Gruyere raw cow, Benedictin bleu (PQ) cow, and Beemster XO (Holland) cow.

The Downside: I had really wanted to come during the trade session during the day, and talk with Daniel, but three additional and different wines were being poured at night, so I decided to forego my regular night activities this one time in order to taste 9 wines instead of 6.

The Upside: the three additional wines, more pricey, were worth coming out at night.

The Contact Person: andrewhanna@winetrader.ca

The Marketing Effectiveness (numerical grade): 95.

 

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com

 

 

The Event: Bokke Wines portfolio tasting, Feb 11, 2009

The Time and Date: Wednesday, February 11, 2009  2:30 PM to 5 PM

The Event: Bokke Wines portfolio tasting

The Venue: Monkey Bar and Grill, Yonge and Lawrence.

The Target Audience: wine writers

The Availability/Catalogue: all wines are either consignment or private order.

The Quote/Background: Most of Bokke Wines is from South Africa. Cosman is also President of the South African Wine Society.

The Wines: all prices are for licensees.

 

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

-Bodega Goulart Paris Glam 2006 Argentina, $20, 60% Malbec, 40% cab sauvignon, old vines.

-Lammershoek Roulette Blanc 2006 South Africa, $21. Barrel aged blend of old vine Chenin blanc, chardonnay and viognier. 14.5% ABV.

-Lammershoek Pinotage 2006 South Africa, $19.50. 14.5% ABV.

-Zandberg Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 South Africa, $18.50. 14.5% ABV.

 

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

-Domiciano de Barrances Malbec 2006 Argentina, $15.

-Weingut-Huber Riesling Terrasen 2007 Austria, $21.50

-Rimu Grove Pinot Noir 2005 New Zealand, $38. 14.5% ABV.

-Lammershoek Roulette Red 2005 South Africa, $24. Cote du Rhone style. 14.5% ABV.

-Lammershoek Syrah 2006 South Africa, $30.50. 14.5% ABV.

 

*** Three Stars (85 – 87 in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Weingut-Huber Gruner Veltliner Obere Steigen 2007 Austria, $19.

 

The Food: two cheeses, one a smoked gouda, and breads.

The Downside: it was just after the Pre-Cuvee tasting, and it was raining during out walk.

The Upside: great end to the day.

The Contact Person: Eleanor Cosman [Eleanor.rigby1@rogers.com)

The Marketing Effectiveness (numerical grade): 88.

 

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com

 

 

The Event: Pre-Cuvee Tasting of Ontario VQA wines, Feb 11, 2009

 The Time and Date: Wednesday, February 11, 2009  10:30 AM to 2 PM

The Event: Pre-Cuvee Tasting of Ontario VQA wines

The Venue: BMO Executive Dining Room, King Street

The Target Audience: wine writers

The Availability/Catalogue: most of these wines are available only at the winery. 52 Ontario wineries entered the 21^st Annual Cuvee Awards, so we tasted 52 wines today.

The Quote/Background: for the fourth year in a row, the Wine Council of Ontario has sponsored a pre-Cuvee tasting of potentially winning wines. In order to provide a broad overview of the wines that will be poured at Cuvee, these wines tasted today represent each participating winery's top scoring wine from the Cuvee judging held in January. These wines are representative of the best wines from each winery that will be poured at Cuvee, but do not necessarily represent the award winning wines that are announced at the Gala on Friday, February 27, 2009. Cuvee Awards are only given to the TOP scoring wine in each award category.

The Wines: I've indicated which wines are at the LCBO – the others are only at the winery.

 

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

-13^th Street Gamay Sandstone Old Vines 2006, $25

-Calamus Estate Gewurztraminer 2007, $15.20

-Henry of Pelham Cuvee Catherine Brut NV, $29.95.

-Hillebrand Estates Showcase Sparkling Riesling 2006, $35

-Kacaba Vineyards Reserve Meritage 2004, $42.95.

-Lailey Vineyards Syrah 2007, $25.

-Lakeview Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2005, $24.95

-Niagara College Teaching Winery Dean's List Pinot Noir 2007, $32.95.

-Peller Estates Signature Series Chardonnay Sur Lie 2007, $30.

-Vignoble Rancourt Meritage 2004, $24.80.

 

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

-Cattail Creek Estate Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 2007, $19

-Chateau des Charmes Chardonnay Musque 2007, $16.95

-D'Angelo Vineyards Pinot Noir 2002 Reserve, $30

-Harvest Estates Merlot 2006, $14.95

-Inniskillin Riesling Icewine 2007, $69.95 375 mL

-Maleta Estate View Old Vines Brut 2006, $27.95.

-Mike Weir Pinot Noir 2007, $22. also at Vintages

-Peninsula Ridge Estates Sauvignon Blanc Wismer Vineyards 2007, $18.95.

-Southbrook Vineyards Triomphe Chardonnay 2006, $21.95.

-Tawse Winery Sketches of Niagara Riesling 2007, $18.

-Thirty Bench Small Lot Cabernet Franc 2006, $35.

 

*** Three Stars (85 – 87 in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Cave Spring Cellars Chardonnay Musque 2007, $15.75

-Colio Estate CEV Lily 2007, sparkling, $16.25, also at LCBO

-Creekside Viognier 2007 Reserve, $24.95

-Featherstone Onyx 2007 [cab franc, merlot], $24.95

-Flat Rock Pinot Noir 2007, $19.95

-Hernder Estates Twin Barrel Chardonnay 2006, $32.95.

-Riverview Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Icewine 2007, $59.95 375mL

-Wayne Gretzky Estates Shiraz Cabernet 2006, $22.95.

 

The Food: buffet luncheon of sandwiches and salads and sweets.

The Downside: I was looking forward to the view from the 68^th floor, but unfortunately, we were all fogged in today – it was a sea of white out there.

The Upside: two observations – there was not a single hybrid wine presented (except for Vidal in icewine), and there was not a single Late Harvest (or SLH) presented.

The Contact Person: linda.watts@winesofontario.org

The Marketing Effectiveness (numerical grade): 92.

 

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com

 

 

The Event: Viniportugal City Dinner tasting tour for the Wines of Portugal, Feb 4, 2009

The Time and Date: Wednesday, February 4, 2009   6:30 PM to 9 PM

The Event: Viniportugal City Dinner tasting tour for the Wines of Portugal

The Venue: Oasi Restaurant

The Target Audience: sommeliers, wine writers, agents.

The Availability/Catalogue: wines are available in this marketplace.

The Quote/Background: Portuguese winemaker Diago Campilho from Quinta da Lagoalva de Cima gave an educational tasting seminar featuring some wines, with a gourmet dinner and more wines to match. Ten wines in all were tasted.

The Wines: all prices are retail.

 

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

-CARM Grand Reserva 2005 Douro, FWP Trading, $46.

-Bacalhoa Catarina Fernao Pires 2006, FWP Trading, $14.80

-Quinta dos Roques Touriga Nacional 2005, RKW Wine Imports, $33.

-Esperao Reserva 2005, FWP Trading, $24.95

 

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

-Henriques Bual 10 Year Madeira, Cavima, $39.

-Quinta da Cortezia Touriga Nacional 2005, Trilogy, $18.65

-Alianca Quinta dos Quatro Ventos Reserva 2002, PMA Canada, $24.95

 

*** Three Stars (85 – 87 in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Borlidos Brut Reserve NV, FWP Trading, $15

-Quinta de Lagoalva Talhao #1, FWP Trading, $17.60

-Quinta da Lagoalva Reserva 2006, FWP Trading, $18

 

The Food: we had appetizers in the bar after the tasting, with various wines from the tasting. At dinner, first course was a foie gras torchon with duck prosciutto (Borlidos Reserva Bruto), followed by yellowfin tuna tataki and lily bulb with salsify (Quinta Da Lagoalva Talhao #1 2007), roast lamb saddle with mushrooms and cannelinni beans (CARM Douro Grande Reserva 2005), and sticky date pudding (Henriques Bual Madeira 10 year old).

The Downside: the presentation, which began late, was too full of tourism stuff before we actually got to the wines. It was past seven o'clock when we got around to sipping. My writer colleague sitting across from me had tasted and written notes on all of the wines before the tasting even began.

The Upside: the audience didn't seem to want to talk much about the wines, and this carried over to the dinner wines. Everything matched up fairly well. And the food was gorgeous.

The Contact Person: william.delgado@portugalglobal.pt

The Marketing Effectiveness (numerical grade): 83.

 

 

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com

 

 

The Event: a comparative tasting of Organic and Biodynamic Chateaux from Bordeaux, as repped by The Living Vine.

The Time and Date: Friday, March 13, 2009  2:30Pm to 6:30PM

The Event: a comparative tasting of Organic and Biodynamic Chateaux from Bordeaux, as repped by The Living Vine.

The Venue: Fine Wine Reserve, King Street.

The Target Audience: wine media and private customers.

The Availability/Catalogue: every wine was available, although private orders may have to be taken for some.

The Quote/Background: there were 18 wines from across the Bordeaux region, and at various price points. There were more than one bottle of many Chateau. Indeed, some of the wines had been opened on Thursday for another tasting, stoppered, and offered again for a comparison. One such Chateau even had yesterday's wine plus a bottling with a label for sale in France only, in addition to the export market.

The Wines: the price range was from $14.95 to $169.95. To make the tasting complete, for dessert, Mark Cuff had a tasting of some organic ports from Casal Dos Jordoes, who also supply organic grapes to Taylor Fladgate's Fonseca for their organic port (see above). I found the Casal Dos Jordoes White Port nicely off-dry but pricey at $27.95. The Tawny Port was stunning, but even better was the 10 Year Old Tawny Reserve Port ($27.95 for 375 mL).

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

-28.95 -  Château du Champ des Treilles Grand Vin 2003 AOC Sainte 
Foy Bordeaux.
-32.95 - Château Micalet 2005 AOC Haut Médoc.
-43.95 - Château Haut Nouchet 2003 AOC Pessac Léognan
-148.95 - Chateau Romulus  2003 AOC Pomerol (biodynamic) – my fave of the day

-75.95 - Château Fonroque 2005 AOC Saint Emilion Grand Cru Classé.

 

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

-14.95 - Château Auguste 2006 AOC Bordeaux.
-15.95 - Château Auguste 2006 AOC Bordeaux Supérieur
-29.95 - Château Vieux Rivière 2007 AOC Lalande de Pomerol.
-34.95 - Château La Grave 2005 AOC Fronsac (biodynamic)
-44.95 - Château La Fleur Cailleau 2005 AOC Canon-Fronsac (biodynamic)

-45 – Chateau Falfas Le Chevalier 2005 Cotes de Bourg  (biodynamic)

-149.95 - Château Pontet Canet 2006 AOC Pauillac 5th G Grand Cru Classé (biodynamic)
-169.95 - Liber Pater 2006 AOC Graves  Grand Cru (biodynamic)

*** Three Stars (85 – 87 in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-19.95 - Château du Champ des Treilles Petit Champ 2006 AOC Sainte 
Foy Bordeaux (The owner is the winemaker of Château Pontet Canet Jean 
Michel Comme)
-16.95 – Chateau Cotes du Caris 2007 AOC Bordeaux   

-39.95 - Château Vieux Pourret 2005 AOC Saint Emilion Grand Cru. (biodynamic)
-43.95 - Château Coutet 2006 AOC Saint Emilion Grand Cru.
-63.95 - Château La Croix Taillefer 2003 AOC Pomerol. Grand Cru.

 

The Food: a stunning collection of mostly organic products (and French products) from the Cheese Boutique – pates, terrines, charcuterie, organic breads, cheeses, dessert biscuits for the port (including a date and nut loaf). By and large, they went very well with the wines.

The Downside: it ended too early for me.

The Upside: a great opportunity to taste on my own, at my own speed, without an agent hovering.

The Contact Person: mark@thelivingvine.ca

The Marketing Effectiveness (numerical grade): 90 plus 5 bonus points for the appropriate organic foods.

 

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com

 

 

Vintages Wine Releases for March 14, 2009

WORLD WINE WATCH (VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR MARCH 14, 2009
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing <deantudor@deantudor.com>
Always at www.deantudor.com since 1995. Also visit my "Wines, Beers and
Spirits of the Net Compendium", a guide to thousands of news items and
RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits.
My tastings are based on MVC (Modal Varietal Character); ratings are
QPR (Quality-to-Price Ratio). Prices are LCBO retail. Only my top rated
wines are here. NOTE: The LCBO does NOT put out all of the wines of the
release for wine writers or product consultants. Also, some defective
or corked wines are not available for re-tasting.

 

WHITE WINES
^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Kankura Fleurs Blanches Chardonnay 2007 Colchagua Valley: value
priced smokey-oaky chardonnay from older vines. +96297, $12.95, QPR:
90.
2. Juniper Crossing Chardonnay 2006 Margaret River: great complexity,
balance of wood-fruit-acid in Euro mode. +90944, $18.95, QPR: 90.
3. Soljans Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2007 Marlborough: very good
complexity, off-dry at entry, good aperitif wine. +91223, $17.95, QPR:
91.
4. Vrede en Lust Karien Chenin Blanc 2007 WO Paarl: another sipper-
party wine with distinction in MVC flavour. +101733, $14.95, QPR: 90.
5. Domaine Saint-Remy Vieilles Vignes Gewurztraminer 2007 Alsace: more
MVC, but dense body and flavour, bitterish aftertaste. +106872, $19.95,
QPR: 90.
6. Pierre Sparr Pinto Gris Reserve 2006 Alsace: juicy, off-dry aperitif
or with cheese. +983395, $18.95, QPR: 90.
7. Balthasar Ress Riesling Kabinett 1995 Rheingau: for lovers of older
Riesling, long lanolin finish. +90670, $19, QPR: 94.
8. Geil Riesling Kabinett 2007 Rheinhessen: excellent value for a
German Riesling, 10.5% ABV. +994764, $15.95, QPR: 90.

 

RED WINES
^^^^^^^^^
1. Wakefield Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 Clare Valley: deep, gold medalist,
nicely elegant. +744235, $15.95, QPR: 90.
2. Chateau Rousset Grande Reserve 2005 Cotes de Bourg: good balance and
approachability, ready soon. +731380, $19.95, QPR: 90.
3. Castel Oualou Cotes du Rhone 2007: good price for a MVC of the
region. +104893, $13.95, QPR: 90.
 
VALUE: "RESTAURANT READY" or "BRING YOUR OWN WINE BOTTLE"
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Restaurants should consider offering these FINE VALUE wines at a $10
markup over retail; the wines are ready to enjoy right now. Consumers
could buy and bring to those restaurants with corkage programs.
1. Roger Lassarat Terroir de Vergisson Pouilly-Fuisse 2006, +110288,
$26.95
2. Chateau de Tracy Mademoiselle de T Pouilly-Fume 2007, +106773,
$25.95.
3. Stag's Leap Winery Merlot 2005 Napa, +655399, $49.95.
4. Elderton Ode to Lorraine Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz/Merlot 2004
Barossa, +976423, $37.95.
5. Henschke Henry's Seven 2005 Barossa, +685578, $42.95
6. Domaine Duthel "Douby" Morgon 2007, +112557, $20.95.
7. Domaine La Haute Marone Gigondas 2005, +33845, $26.95.

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com