Oct 21/10: Tasting "Sonoma in the City" wines, Harbour Castle Westin

The Time and Date: Thursday, October 21, 2010  1Pm to 4:30PM

The Event: "Sonoma in the City", Toronto tasting tour of about 90 wines.

The Venue: Westin Harbour Castle Conference Centre

The Target Audience: wine trade in the afternoon, with a Vintages show for consumers in the evening (with slightly different wines that were not available for trade tasting).

The Availability/Catalogue: wines were available for ordering by the public, or at Vintages/Consignment, etc.

The Quote/Background: There was a seminar, a basic Sonoma 101 discussion on terroir, with eight wines sampled. There were different wines at night, but I pulled together what prices I could from a range of sources.

The Wines: I did not try all the wines; I favoured Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon.

 

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

-Chateau St. Jean La Petite Etoile Fume Blanc Russian River 2008, $29.95

-Davis Bynum Chardonnay Russian River 2007, $24.95

-Ferrari-Carano Chardonnay Sonoma 2008,

-Gary Farrell Chardonnay Russian River 2008, $39.95

-Geyser Peak Chardonnay Alexander Valley 2008, $16.95

-Geyser Peak Reserve Alexandre Meritage 2006, $56.95

-Rodney Strong Symmetry Alexander Valley 2007, $49.95

-Landmark Lorenzo Chardonnay 2007, $49.95

 

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

-Arrowood Winery Chardonnay Russian River Valley 2008, $35.95

-Arrowood Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma County 2006, $37.95

-Buena Vista Carneros Chardonnay 2008, $22.95

-Buena Vista Ramal Estate Carneros Chardonnay 2007,

-Chalk Hill Estate Chardonnay 2006,

-Clos du Bois Briarcrest Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley 2005,

-Clos du Bois Marlstone Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley 2006, $49.95

-Ferrari-Carano Fume Blanc Sonoma 2009 (Feb 2011 Vintages)

-Flowers Winery Andreen Gale Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 2007

-Francis Ford Coppola Director's Cut Chardonnay Russian River Valley 2008,

-Geyser Peak Merlot Alexander Valley 2006, $21.95

-Geyser Peak Block Collection Walking Tree Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, $28.95

-Thomas George Estates Viognier Russian River 2009, $28.95

-Pedroncelli Mother Clone Zinfandel 2008 Dry Creek Valley, $15.95 Consignment

-Kendall-Jackson Grand Reserve Chardonnay 2007

-Landmark Damaris Reserve Chardonnay 2007, $39.95

-Matanzas Creek Chardonnay Sonoma Valley 2007, $37.95

-Ravenswood Old Hill Zinfandel Sonoma Valley 2007,

-Seghesio Family Old Vine Zinfandel Sonoma County 2007,

-Seghesio Family Home Ranch Zinfandel Alexander Valley 2008

-Simi Chardonnay Russian River 2007

-Sonoma-Cutrer Les Pierres Chardonnay Sonoma Valley 2006, $49.95

-Stonestreet Fifth Ridge Blend Alexander Valley 2006, $44.95

 

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

-Chalk Hill Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2006

-Chalk Hill Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

-Clos du Bois Calcaire Chardonnay Russian River 2007, $39.95

-DeLoach Hawk Hill Vineyard Chardonnay Russian River 2008, $54.95

-Ferrari-Carano Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley 2007

-Francis Ford Coppola Director's Cut Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley 2007, $36.95

-Matanzas Creek Merlot Bennett Valley 2006, $42.95

-Patz and Hall Dutton Ranch Chardonnay Russian River 2008, $49.95

-Patz and Hall Chardonnay Sonoma Coast 2008, $44.95

-Rodney Strong Reserve Chardonnay Russian River 2008, $34.95

-Schug Carneros Merlot Sonoma Valley 2007,

-Schug Carneros Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma Valley 2007

-Sebastiani Foley Family Chardonnay Sonoma County 2008, $24

-Sonoma-Cutrer Russian River Ranches Chardonnay 2008

-Simi Landslide Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley 2007. $44.95

-Stonestreet Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley 2006

 

The Food: cheeses, breads and fruits.

The Downside: the seminar ran over, so I left in order to get to the main show. My wine choices were folded into the listings above.

The Upside: nice room, lots of space, the trade people seemed more oriented to serious chatter than in the past.

The Contact Person: paula@praxispr.ca

The Marketing Effectiveness (numerical grade): 89.

 

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

 

 

Oct 21/10: Tasting Two Paddocks NZ Pinot Noirs at Albany Club

 The Time and Date:  Thursday, October 21, 2010  11AM - noon

The Event: Two Paddocks trade tasting. Sam Neill was present, and he talked about his wines. Glen-Ward Wines is the agent.

The Venue: Albany Club

The Target Audience: wine trade

The Availability/Catalogue: Wines are available.

The Quote/Background: Actor Sam Neill opened Two Paddocks in Central Otago, NZ. He first planted Pinot Noir in 1993 and the first vintage was 1997. It is a typical small producer of NZ wines, specializing in Pinot Noir, along with Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Merlot. Two Paddocks label is the premium; Picnic is the easy-drinking entry level label.

The Wines:

 

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

-Two Paddocks Pinot Noir 2007 Central Otago, $36.75

-Two Paddocks Pinot Noir 2009 Central Otago, $36.75

 

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

-Picnic Riesling 2009 Central Otago, $19.25

-Picnic Pinot Noir 2009 Central Otago, $24.95

 

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

-Picnic Pinot Noir 2008 Central Otago, $24.95

 

The Food: cheese and biscuits.

The Contact Person: Malcolm Cocks <malcolmc@sentex.ca>

The Marketing Effectiveness (numerical grade): 88.

 

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

 

 

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