Nov 13/2010: LCBO Vintages Release Tasting Notes

WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR NOVEMBER 13, 2010
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com.
Creator of Canada's award-winning wine satire site at http://fauxvoixvincuisine.blogspot.com. My
"Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net Compendium" is a guide to
thousands of news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers
and spirits, at www.deantudor.com since 1995. 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. Corked wines are not available for re-
tasting.

 

TOP VALUE WHITE WINES under $20 or so.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Chateau des Charmes Chardonnay Musque 2008 VQA NOTL: floral supper
laced with orange and peach grapey muscat tones, clone 809, use with
white meats\. 13% ABV. +640516, $16.95, QPR: 90.
2. Flat Rock Cellars Nadia's Vineyard Riesling 2009 VQA Twenty Mile
Bench Niagara: gold medalist, great Germanic MVC of lime, peach,
minerals. +578625, $19.95, QPR: 90.
3. Kenwood Sauvignon Blanc 2009 Sonoma: uplifting mix of grass and
fresh floral fruit, longer finish for food. +971754, $16.95, QPR: 89.
4. Tabali Reserva Especial Chardonnay 2008 Limari: Burgundian MVC at a
lower level, good intense nuttiness and longer finish. +663005, $18.95,
QPR: 89.
5. Dog Point Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2009 Marlborough: a personal fave
of mine, concentrated MVC for the sauvignon blanc grape. Buy it.
+677450, $19.95, QPR: 90.
6. Schoenheitz Linsenberg Riesling 2007 Alsace: made from what the LCBO
labeled as RIELSING in their catalogue, but we know it as Riesling –
and a damn good one too. +196618, $17.95, QPR: 89.
7. Collefrisio Zero Trebbiano d'Abruzzo 2008: an organic fruity wine,
with pineapple (and its acid), peaches and apricots. +181164, $13.95,
QPR: 89.

 

TOP VALUE RED WINES under $20 or so.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Cantina Terre del Barolo Vinum Vita Est Nebbiolo d'Alba 2007:
bargain knock-off of a lighter Barolo (same grape), plums and roses. We
need more of these in Ontario. +181461, $15.95, QPR: 90.
2. Chateau Signac Cuvee Combe D'Enfer Cotes du Rhone-Villages Chusclan
2007: smoke, minerals, and garrigue – what more do you want? +184226,
$18.95, QPR: 90.
3. Julian Chivite Gran Feudo Vinas Viejas Reserva 2005 Navarra: lovely
black fruit of cassis, plums, and oaky vanilla. +948067, $19.95, QPR:
89.
4. Raimat Abadia Crianza 2007 Costers del Segre: I used to buy this by
the case about 20 years ago when it was $6.20. The price has doubled
over time but the cab-merlot flavours (tempered by tempranillo, of
course) aged in US oak remains unbeatable. +935460, $14.95, QPR: 92.
5. First Press Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 Napa: aromatic youth, chocolate
and black fruit, drink with food, or lay down a year or more. +188110,
$19.95, QPR: 89.
6. Joffre e Hijas Grand Malbec Uco Mendoza: more oak, plums,
blackberries and chocolate. +183889, $15.95, QPR: 89.
7. Santa Rita Medalla Real Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 Maipo:
minty menthol, but smooth finish with black fruit. +275594, $19.95,
QPR: 89.
8. Café Culture Pinotage 2009 WO Western Cape: roasted coffee beans
dominate aromas and taste. Useful. +72710, $13.95, QPR: 89.

 

VALUE: "RESTAURANT READY" or "BRING YOUR OWN WINE BOTTLE" over $20
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Restaurants should consider offering these FINE VALUE wines at a $10
markup over retail; the wines are READY to enjoy right NOW. Consumers
should buy these wines to bring to restaurants with corkage programs.

 

1. Stratus White 2007 VQA NOTL, +660704, $44.20 retail.
2. Mission Hill SLC Chardonnay 2006 VQA Okanagan, +144170, $24.95.
3. Frog's Leap Sauvignon Blanc 2009 Rutherford Napa Valley, 966036,
$27.95.
4. Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 Napa, +718452, $51.95.
5. Brooks Pinot Noir 2009 Willamette [organic], +186882, $44.95.
6. Bodegas Callia Winemaker's Reserve Grand Callia 2006, +175661,
$34.95.
7. Montes Purple Angel 2007 Colchagua, +62364, $49.95.
8. Barossa Valley Estate Ebenezer Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, +39537,
$39.95.
9. Remoissenet Meursault 2007 Cuvee Maurice Chevalier, +36079, $54.95.
10. E. Guigal Gigondas 2006, +331900, $27.95.
11. Frescobaldi Castelgiocondo Brunello di Montalcino 2005, +650432,
$49.95.
12. Luce Della Vite Luce 2007 IGT Toscana, +685263, $99.95.
13. Ornellaia Le Volte 2008 IGT Toscana, +964221, $28.95.
14. Bodegas Alejandro Fernandez Tinto Pesquera Crianza 2007 Ribera del
Duero, +341461, $27.95.
15. Miguel Torres Mas La Plana Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 Penedes,
+129676, $44.95.

Oct 19/10: "Bordeaux Under One Roof", tasting under $30 Bordeaux

The Time and Date: Monday, October 18, 2010   2 PM to 5 PM

The Event: "Bordeaux Under One Roof" trade tasting of Bordeaux wines under $30.

The Venue: St. Andrews Club, King and University

The Target Audience: wine trade

The Availability/Catalogue: all wines are available or will be soon.

The Quote/Background: the major problem with this wine tasting is that the wines pretty much all tasted the same: generic Bordeaux from the same vintages. Within this price range, there is not much wiggle room. It is best to taste these wines in a neutral situation, to ponder their qualities and look for defining character. But we never had that situation this year. Some good wines stood out, and these have been indicated below.

The Wines: I tasted all 59 wines; there were products from 20 agents.

 

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

-Chateau Le Menaudat 2005 Blaye Cotes de Bordeaux, $15.95 Consignment

-Chateau Reverdi 2006 Listrac-Medoc, $26.95 Vintages

 

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

-Chateau Magnol 2007 Haut-Medoc, $29.95 Vintages submission

-Thomas Barton 2006 Medoc, $17.95 Vintages submission

-Thomas Barton 2007 Saint-Emilion, $24.95 Vintages submission

-Chateau Larose Trintaudon 2006 Haut-Medoc, $26.95 Vintages

-Chateau Verdignan 1998 Haut-Medoc, $21.95 Vintages [oldest wine here]

-Chateau Fongaban 2006 Castillon Cotes de Bordeaux, $17.95 Vintages

-Chateau Tour Saint Andre 2007 Lalande-de-Pomerol, $23.95 Vintages

-De Monturon 2008 St. Emilion Grand Cru, $23.95 Vintages

-Chateau Barateau 2005 Haut-Medoc, $23.95 Vintages

-Chateau Haut-Vigneau 2006 Pessac-Leognan, $24.95 Vintages

-Chateau Grand Bateau 2007 Bordeaux, $19.95 Consignment

 

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

-Chateau Laborie 2005 Castillon Cotes de Bordeaux, $13.95 Vintages

-Chateau Grand Maison 2006 Cotes de Bourg, $16.95

-Toumilon 2005 Graves, $21.95 Vintages

-Chateau Reysson  2005 Haut-Medoc, $21.95 Vintages submission

-Chateau Dourthe Terroir d'Exception 2006 Saint-Emilion, $21.95 Vintages submission

-Calvet Saint-Emilion 2008, $18.95 General List

 

The Food: there were three tables. One with white wines (seafood, mostly), another with red wines (duck confit, charcuteries, tartare, cheeses, etc.), and one with the sole Sauterne (cakes and pastries).

The Downside: there was no media table this year, which would have allowed us to sit and ponder the wines at our own pace.

The Upside: a good opportunity to catch up with current generic Bordeaux.

The Contact Person: Valerie.jolivet@sopexa.com

The Marketing Effectiveness (numerical grade): 86.

 

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com AND http://gothicepicures.blogspot.com

 

 

Oct 8, 2010: Discovery tasting of Port wines at the Berekley Street Church

The Time and Date: Friday, October 8, 2010  2:30 PM to 5 PM

The Event: Discovery tasting of Port and Douro wines, 2010 edition

The Venue: The Berkeley Church Heritage Event Venue, Queen Street East

The Target Audience: wine trade.

The Availability/Catalogue: only about half of the ports are available in stores or by consignment. The rest are private order. Many expensive vintage ports were not around or they failed to arrive, even though they were listed in the catalogue.

The Quote/Background: "This is smaller in scale and audience than in previous years – so much for Fridays on a holiday weekend!"

The Wines: I did not taste any table wines.

 

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

-Graham's 20 Year Old Tawny Port, 500 mL, $36.95 +620641

-Taylor Fladgate Tawny 40 Years, $234.95 +540260

-Taylor Fladgate Tawny 20 Years, $67.95 +149047

 

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

-Royal Oporto 20 Year Old Tawny, $31.95  375 mL H.H.D. Imports

-Royal Oporto 10 Year Old Tawny, $12.95 200 mL +661223  Vintages Dec 11

-Warre's OTIMA 10 Year Old Tawny Port, 500 mL $21.95 +566174

-Taylor Fladgate Tawny 30 Years, $181.75 +540252

-Taylor Fladgate Tawny 10 Years, $34.95 +121749

-Taylor Fladgate Vintage 2007, $119 +139709

 

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

-Dalva Porto 10 Years

-Quinta do Vallado Port Tawny 10 Years

-Infantado Tawny Port, $16.95 +168633

 

The Food: cold cuts, pita breads, cheeses, olives.

The Downside: the Friday of a holiday weekend.

The Upside: a chance to taste some tawnies.

The Contact Person: Alex Julian ivdptor@national.ca

The Marketing Effectiveness (numerical grade): 82.

 

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com AND http://gothicepicures.blogspot.com

 

 

Oct 8, 2010: Sparkling wine tasting conducted by Wine Writers Circle of Canada

 The Time and Date: Friday, October 8, 2010  10:15 AM to 1:30 PM

The Event: Monthly tasting for the Wine Writers' Circle of Canada: Champagne and other Sparkling Wines.

The Venue: LCBO Scrivener Square #10

The Target Audience: WWCC members

The Availability/Catalogue: everything is at the LCBO, Vintages, or consignment.

The Wines: There were about 49 wines, but some were corked.

 

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

-Louis Roederer Brut NV

-Paul Roger Brut NV 12.5% alc #51953  $59.95

-Piper-Heidsieck Brut NV 12%  #462432 $49.95

 

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

-Perrier Jouet Grand Brut NV  12%  #155341  $64.95

-Mumm Napa Rose NV

-Jackson –Triggs Proprietor's Grand Reserve 2005 12.5% alc #587691 Vintages $19.95

-Cattier Brut Premier Cru NV  12.5% alc  Vintages $39.95

-Henri Abele  $54.99  Stem Wine Co.

-Chateau de Montgueret Cremant de Loire  12% alc Vintages

-Freixenet Reserve 2007   #180844  $16.95

-Astoria Prosecco  Extra Dry  NV  11% alc

 

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

-Mumm Napa NV #265678  $28.25

-Trivento  But Nature  NV  12.5%  Argentina $14.95

-Villa Sandi Prosecco  DOC   11% alc  #249722 $14.05  Gen List

-Mike Weir Sparkling VQA #187294  $24.95 Vintages

-Wolf Blass Sparkling #649996  $18.05

-Jacob's Creek  Brut NV  Chard Pinot Noir 11.5% alc #562991 $14.05 

-Pink by Yellowglen  #15867  $11.95

-GH Mumm Champagne Brut NV  #308056 $60.50

-Nicolas Feuillatte  3537605  $43.55

-Segura Viudas

 

The Contact Person: sdarby@rogers.com

The Marketing Effectiveness (numerical grade): 88.

 

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com AND http://gothicepicures.blogspot.com

 

 

SOME NEW WINE PRODUCTS TASTED OCTOBER 2010

SOME NEW PRODUCTS TASTED THIS MONTH

 

1. Domaine Lafage Cote Est 2009 Vin de Pays des Cotes Catalanes:
skedded to launch in summer (when it would have been more useful), the
October release will give it some time to settle in for a run at
Christmas. It's an aromatic blend at an attractive pricepoint, made
from Grenache blanc and Grenache gris (both 80 to 100 years old) for
body, with added Chardonnay for spine and Marsanne for fruit (almost 20
years old each). The vineyards overlook the Mediterranean, right up
against Spain. Twist top, highly aromatic, best with a light appetizers
or a deck sipper. +179838, $12.95 General List.

 

2. Chateau des Charmes Chardonnay Musque 2008 VQA NOTL: uses
exclusively the chardonnay clone 809 (15-year old vines), an almost in-
your-face aromatic beauty with some "muscat" grapey quality. Unoaked,
of course, and refreshing. 13%, useful for sipping or with lighter
white meats. 575 cases, +322016 Vintages, $16.95.

 

3. Chateau des Charmes Equuleus 2007 VQA St. David's Bench: made from
Cabernet Sauvignon (50%), cabernet franc (25%) and merlot (25%), but
only in good years. Spends one year in French oak. 14% ABV. Tons of
concentrated Bordeaux flavours, all the dark berries and mocha, but
years away from redemption. +319525, InStore Discovery December 11,
$40.

 

4. Puklus Cellar Tokaji Szamorodni 2002 Hungary: an arrested
fermentation wine from the same grapes as puttonyos Tokaji. Thus, it
can be as sweet as a 2 or 3 puttonyos Aszu. It's matured several years
and then released, with an oxidative character useful for fruit or egg
desserts. Gold Medalist in 2009. Quite lovely, and here affordable.
13.5% ABV. 500 mL bottles, +179374 Vintages, $18.95.

 

5. Chateau Haut Bernasse 2003 Monbazillac, $24.95, +194225, for 500 mL
bottle. 13% ABV. Blend of 80% Semillon, 15% muscadelle, and 5%
sauvignon blanc. Nancy Reynolds and I tasted it in February 2010 and we
were both knocked out. I gave it Four Stars (91+ points); she brought
it in via WorldWide Cellar to the InStore Discovery program (Queens
Quay, Summerhill, Royal York, etc.). Expect honey, apricots, orange,
and vanilla. Monbazillac used to be referred to as a poor person's
Sauterne. Certainly, it is less expensive for a wine created in
virtually the same region. Gold Medalist.

 

6. J.P. Chenet Cabernet-Syrah 2009 (+90472, $8.95 LTO GL)
7. J.P. Chenet Premiere de Cuvee Merlot-Cabernet 2008 (+621995, $11.95
GL)
8. J.P. Chenet Sauvignon Blanc 2009 (+161224, $9.95 GL)
These three wines are all part of a re-launch by Les Grands Chais de
France. They come in a distinctive pot bottle that seems difficult to
lay on its side, although the wines do have a cork-like closure. This
suggests immediate drinkability, and you wouldn't be wrong. The
Sauvignon Blanc is melon-like with a citric finish, better as an
aperitif. The Cabernet-Syrah is lighter than anything comparable from
Australia, but has nice berry notes and a moderate finish. The best,
and more expensive of the three, is the oak aged Merlot-Cabernet at
13.5% ABV, one that is coming around with fruit tones, plus vanilla and
pepper. All three have been sugar-coded by the LCBO at 1, and the reds
are Pays D'Oc wines while the Sauvignon Blanc is a Vin de Pays de Cotes
de Gascoigne. The vintage year and lot number is on the collar, not the
label.

 

 

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com AND http://gothicepicures.blogspot.com

 

 

Oct 30/10: WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET)

WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR OCTOBER 30, 2010
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com.
Creator of Canada's award-winning wine satire site at http://fauxvoixvincuisine.blogspot.com. My
"Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net Compendium" is a guide to
thousands of news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers
and spirits, at www.deantudor.com since 1995. 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. Corked wines are not available for re-
tasting.

 

TOP VALUE WHITE WINES under $20 or so.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Strewn Terroir SV French Oak Chardonnay 2007 VQA Niagara Lakeshore:
broad oak-based flavours (spices, toast, vanilla), some tropicality.
Finishes soft and fruity. +189589, $19.95, QPR: 89.
2. Babich Black Label Sauvignon Blanc 2009 Marlborough: partly softened
by barrel fermentation of a portion, complex, crisp, rich. +9142,
$17.95.
3. Jean Geiler Gewurztraminer 2009 Alsace: off-dry mouthfeel,
delightful balance of MVC, good bitterness on the finish. +106864,
$16.95, QPR: 90.
4. P. Perdriaux Domaine de Vaugondy Vouvray Sec 2007: appley, soft
finish, best with food. Well-made chenin blanc. +189142, $14.95, QPR:
89.

 

TOP VALUE RED WINES under $20 or so.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Hedges Cellars CMS 2008 Columbia Valley Washington State: finely
textured, ready now, black berries and long length. +948992, $17.95,
QPR: 90.
2. Nieto Senetiner Don Nicanor Blend 2007 Mendoza: described by one
reviewer as a Mendocino blend (whatever that is), juicy, long length,
black fruit. 13.5% ABV. +640938, $17.95, QPR: 89.
3. Fincas Patagonicas Zolo Classic Malbec 2009 Mendoza: juicy lucy
style wine, long but hot finish. 13.8% ABV. +183905, $12.95, QPR: 89.
4. Luis Felipe Edwards Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 Colchagua:
delicious black fruit, wood tones, good finish. 14% ABV. Buy a lot of
it. +169847, $16.95, QPR: 90.
5. Teillery Reserve Shiraz 2006 Maipo: very intense, dry and duty
fruit, best with fatty foods. +171454, $15.95, QPR: 89.
6. Angove's Nine Vines Shiraz/Viognier 2009 South Australia: juicy, up
front fruit really leaps out at you. +191668, $15.95, QPR: 89.
7. Henry's Drive Pillar Box Red 2007 Padthaway: delivers a lot of
complex flavours at an affordable price. Twist top, 15% ABV! +685941,
$15, QPR: 90.
8. Domaine Zumbaum Tomasi Clos Maginiai Pic Saint-Loup 2007 Coteaux du
Languedoc: magnanimous wine, dark fruit and dark berries, coming around
soon, maybe after Christmas. +185868, $18.95, QPR: 89.
9. Feudi San Pio Ripasso Valpolicella Superiore 2007: very good Ripasso
with MVC, very aromatic, plush and fruity. 14% ABV. +181446, $15.95,
QPR: 90.
10. Mahler-Besse Taja Reserva 2005 Jumilla: delicious sipper or food
wine, balanced blend of oak and fruit from Monastrell, Tempranillo and
Cabernet Sauvignon. +243329, $14.95, QPR: 90.

 

VALUE: "RESTAURANT READY" or "BRING YOUR OWN WINE BOTTLE" over $20
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Restaurants should consider offering these FINE VALUE wines at a $10
markup over retail; the wines are READY to enjoy right NOW. Consumers
should buy these wines to bring to restaurants with corkage programs.

 

1. Grgich Hills Estate Chardonnay 2007 Napa, +346304, $53.95 retail.
2. Vine Cliff Proprietress Reserve Chardonnay 2007 Los Carneros Napa,
+198903, $34.95
3. Alain Geoffroy Beauroy Chablis 2007 1er Cru, +733501, $24.95.
4. Austin Hope Winery Hope Family Vineyard Syrah 2008 Paso Robles,
+686121, $39.95.
5. Belle Glos Clark & Telephone Vineyard Pinot Noir 2008 Santa Barbara,
+652883, $48.95.
6. Luca Pinot Noir 2008 Mendoza, +175570, $28.95.
7. Chateau Divon 2006 Saint-Georges Saint-Emilion, +190926, $23.95.
8. Christian Moueix Pomerol 2007, +903013, $24.95.
9. Marchese Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva 2006, +512384, $29.95.
10. Ruffino Ducale Oro Chianti Classico Riserva 2005, +353201, $43.95,
11. Bottega Il Vino Degli Dei Amarone Della Valpolicella 2006,
+181537, $41.95.

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com AND http://gothicepicures.blogspot.com

 

 

Oct 5, 2010: Chilean wine show, ROM

The Time and Date: Tuesday, October 5, 2010  2 PM to 5 PM

The Event: Wines of Chile Toronto '10 Annual Tasting.

The Venue: Bronfman Hall, ROM

The Target Audience: wine trade

The Availability/Catalogue: a good model catalogue, with prices and CSPCs, plus agents and contacts. It was spiral bound and arranged alphabetically. Wines are either here or available by private order.

The Quote/Background: There was a separate table for many Carmenere wines, and there was also a separate table for Trophy and Gold Medal Winners from the 7^th Annual Wines of Chile Awards. Both servers were extremely useful and knowledgeable.

The Wines: I did not taste all the wines.

 

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

-Emiliana Adobe Chardonnay Casablanca 2010 Organic, $12.95 Vintages 2011

-Emiliana Winemaker Selection Chardonnay-Marsanne-Viognier 2008 Casablanca, $19.95 +63909 Vintages

-Cono Sur 20 Barrels Limited Edition Chardonnay 2008

-Maipo Gran Devocion Sauvignon Blanc 2009 Casablanca, $18.95  Select

-Montgras Amaral Sauvignon Blanc 2010, $14.95  +48025

-Montgras Intriga 2007 Maipo, $14.95  +57901  Kirkwood

-Nativa Eco Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon Organic 2006 Maipo, $19.95 +975359 Vintages

 

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

-Amayna Barrel Fermented Sauvignon Blanc 2008 Leyda Valley, $28.95, +143511 Vintages.

-Carmen Cabernet Sauvignon Gran Reserva 200 Maipo, $16.95 +358309 GL

-Casas del Bosque

-Casa Silva Quinta Generacion Red 2010 Colchagua, $24.95 Churchill

-Chocalan Malvilla Sauvignon Blanc 2009 San Antonio, $15.95 Lifford

-Concha y Toro Maycas Del Limari Reserva Especial Chardonnay 2007, $19.95 +162040 Vintages March 5, 2011

-Cono Sur 20 Barrels Limited Edition Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 Maipo, $26.95 +94128 Vintages Dec 11, 2010

-Cono Sur Bicycle Viognier 2009 Colchagua, $9.95 +64287 GL

-De Martino Single Vineyard Old Bush Vines Limavida 2007 Maule, $34.65 Halpern

-De Martino Single Vineyard El Leon Carignan 2007 Maule, $34.65 Halpern

-El Principal 2006 Maule, $74.95 Churchill (CS/Carm)

-Emiliana Novas Chardonnay 2009 Casablanca, $14.95 Vintages

-Hacienda Araucano Sauvignon Blanc 2010 Central Valley,  $15.95 Diamond

-Lapostolle Clos Apalta 2007 Colchagua, $109.95  Diageo

-Lapostolle Borobo 2007 Colchagua, $94  +39263 Diageo

-Luis Felipe Edwards Dona Bernarda 2006 Colchagua, $34.95 Vintages

-Luis Felipe Edwards Malbec Grand Reserva 2008, $16.95

-Cono Sur 20 Barrels Limited Edition Pinot Noir 2008

-Cono Sur Vision Single Vineyard Viognier 2009

-VC Family Estates Agustinos Sauvignon Blanc Reserva Privada 2009

-VC Family Estates Porta Cabernet Sauvignon Gran Reserva 2008

-San Pedro Tarapaca 1865 Single Vineyard Syrah 2007, $24.99

-Emiliana Coyam 2007 Colchagua (red blend) $29.95 Vintages June 2011

-Maipo Gran Devocion Cabernet-Sauvignon-Syrah 2008 Maule, $18.95  Select

-Nativa Eco Terra Reserva Sauvignon Blanc Organic 2010 Curico, $12.95  Charton Hobbs

-Nativa Eco Terra Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon Organic 2010 Rapel, $12.95  Charton Hobbs

-Nativa Eco Gran Reserva Chardonnay Organic 2010 Maipo, $14.95  Charton Hobbs

-San Esteban In Situ Laguna del Inca 2008 Aconcagua, $24.75  MCO

-San Esteban In Situ Cabernet Sauvignon Gran Reserva 2008 Aconcagua, $15.85  MCO

-San Esteban In Situ Chardonnay Winemaker Selection 2009 Aconcagua, $11.95  MCO

-Santa Rita Medalla Real Cabernet 2007 Maipo, $19.95  +275594 Vintages

-Sena Arboleda Chardonnay 2007 Aconcagua, $15.95 +606772 Vintages

-Via Oveja Negra Chardonnay-Viognier 2009 Maule, $15  Vergina

 

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

-Anakena Viognier Single Vineyard 2009 Rapel, $15.95 Vintages

-Caliterra Estate Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 Colchagua, $8.95 +257329 GL

-Carmen Chardonnay Reserva 2009 Casablanca, $9.95 +235663 GL

-Carmen Chardonnay Gran Reserva 2008 Casablanca, $14.95 +921276 Vintages

-Casas del Bosque Sauvignon Blanc Reserva 2009 Casablanca, $13.95 Vintages

-Casas del Bosque Chardonnay Reserva 2009, $13.95 Kylix

-Casa Silva Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2010 Colchagua, $13.99 Churchill

-Casa Silva House Specialty Sauvignon Gris 2010 Colchagua, $21.99 Churchill

-Chocalan Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 Maipo, $15.20 Lifford

-Concha y Toro Marques de Casa Concha Chardonnay 2008 Maipo, $17.95 +342857 Vintages

-Cono Sur Vision Single Vineyard Gewurztraminer 2008 Casablanca , $14.95 Vintages in 2011

-El Principal Memorias 2007 Maipo, $34.95 (CS/Carm) Churchill

-Luis Felipe Edwards Sauvignon Blanc Gran Reserva 2010 Leyda, $16.95 Noble Estates

-Concha y Toro Maycas del Limari Quebrada Seca Chardonnay 2007

-Undurraga TH Syrah Limari 2007, $34.95

-VC Family Estates Agustinos Pinot Grigio Reserva Privada 2008

-VC Family Estates Porta Chardonnay Select Reserva 2008

-Via Wines Oveja Negra Cabernet Franc – Carmenere 2008 Maule Vergina

-Maipo Gran Devocion Syrah Petite Syrah 2008 Maule, $18.95 Select

-Montes Classic Series Sauvignon Blanc 2010 Casablanca , $12.95 +159954 GL

-Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 Colchagua, $19.95 +322586 Vintages

-Montgras Antu Ninquen Syrah 2008 Colchagua, $17.95  +675371 Kirkwood

-VC Family Estates Gracia de Chile Sauvignon Blanc Reserva 2009 Bio Bio, $12.95  Abcon

 

The Food: alas, nothing even vaguely Latin American -- Daniel et Daniel pates and cheeses, with various breads and dried fruit.

The Downside: it was presumptuous to give us a scoring mechanism out of 5. Also, we were not allowed to go to the washroom with our glasses, so I had to put my glass down. It was picked up, and I had to fetch another one. This is annoying, and it has happened before in wine tastings here at the ROM.

The Upside: nice clear light.

The Contact Person: ted@androscom.com

The Marketing Effectiveness (numerical grade): 88.

 

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com AND http://gothicepicures.blogspot.com