June 28/11: APVSA Summer wine tasting in Toronto (agents only)

 The Time and Date: Tuesday, June 28, 2011  10AM to 6 PM

The Event: the monthly APVSA tasting (Association pour la promotion des

vins et spiritueux en Amerique du Nord).

The Venue: Delta Chelsea Inn

The Target Audience: wine agents.

The Availability/Catalogue: no wines are currently available in

Ontario. The group is here to get some agents to agree to rep

the principal. Some of the wines are available in Quebec and Alberta.

Most of the wines were French, and there is sales staff available to

comment on the prices and production. This road show also visits such

places as New York, Los Angeles, Seattle, Las Vegas, Calgary,

Vancouver, Miami, Washington DC, and Montreal. Occasionally, the show

will have wines from Italy, Uruguay, Spain and Australia. Sometimes spirits and VDN are also available.

The Wines: The problem I had with the wines, and one that must be

acknowledged, is that (by and large) they were about the same as wines

that we already have here in Ontario. There really did not seem to be

any price advantages, either. But these 40 or so wines could be made

available through Vintages or Consignment. In the past, quite a few

have been picked up for sale in Ontario. They were mostly the good

value or unique wines. Here were my faves, regardless of price (all

prices are ex-cellar Euros). I did not try every wine.

The Wines:

 

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

-Armand Hurst Grand Cru Gewurztraminer 2009 Cuvee Angelique, 11.50 E

-Armand Hurst Grand Cru Riesling 2008 Vieilles Vignes, 8.50 E

-Henri et Luc Faller Gewurztraminer 2009 Vieilles Vignes (organic)

-Cave Monge Granon Clairette de Die Tradition, 3.45 E

-Serge Liotaud et Fils IGP Coteaux des Baronnies Rose 2009 (organic), 2.95 E

-Serge Liotaud et Fils IGP Coteaux des Baronnies Blanc 2009 (organic), 2.95 E.

-Chateau Barrejat Madiran Seduction 2009, 4.45 E

 

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

-Armand Hurst Grand Cru Pinot Gris 2009 Vieilles Vignes, 11.50 E

-Armand Hurst Grand Cru Gewurztraminer 2009 Cuvee Angelique, 11.50 E

-Armand Hurst Grand Cru Riesling 2003, 7 E

-Armand Hurst Riesling 2009, 4 E

-Dom. Perraud EARL Macon Villages Chardonnay 2009

-Dom. Perraud EARL Macon La Roche Vineuse 2008, 5.70 E

-Dom. Perraud EARL Bourgogne Rouge Les Forets 2008, 5.70 E

-Dom. De la Coche Eccho 2010 IGP Val de Loire, 2.80 E

-Dom. Sauvete Sauvignon Blanc Touraine 2010, 3.60 E

-Dom. Sauvete Antea Rouge 2008, 4.40 E

-Dom. De l'Aujardiere La Noe Muscadet sur Lie Cotes de Grandlieu 2009, 3.60

-Dom. Martin Muscadet Sevre et Maine sur lie Terres Antiques 2010, 2.40 E

-Dom. Martin Muscadet Sevre et Maine sur lie le Perd son Pain 2010, 2.56 E

-Cave Monge Granon Clairette de Die Tradition Cuvee Pur Muscat, 3.95 E

-Serge Liotaud et Fils IGP Coteaux des Baronnies Rouge 2009 (organic), 2.96 E

-Chateau Barrejat Madiran Tradition 2009, 3.02 E

-Chateau Barrejat Madiran Vieux Ceps 2009, 5.82 E

-Dom. Mazilly Pere et Fils Beaune 1er Cru Les Vignes Franches 2009, 10.45 E

-Dom. Mazilly Pere et Fils Pommard 2009, 11.88 E

-Dom. Mazilly Pere et Fils Bourgogne Hautes Cotes de Beaune Blanc 2009, 6.05 E

-Colbois Chablis 2009 Eleve en Fut de Chene, 7.35 E

 

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

-Armand Hurst Pinot Blanc 2009, 3.60 E

-Henri et Luc Faller Riesling 2010 (organic), 7 E

-Chateau Ferran Bordeaux Rouge 2008, 6 E

-Dom. Perraud EARL Macon Rouge La Ville 2008, 5.70 E

-Dom. De la Brossette Touraine Rouge 2010, 12.5 E

-Dom. De la Coche La Salle aux Fees Muscadet 2010, 3.30 E

-Dom. De la Coche Chardonnay 2010 IGP Val de Loire, 2.30 E

-Dom. Sauvete Touraine Rouge 2008, 5.60 E

-Dom. Mazilly Pere et Fils Beaune 1er Cru Les Montrevenots 2009, 10.06 E

-Dom. Mazilly Pere et Fils Bourgogne Hautes Cotes de Beaune Clos du Bois Prevot 2009, 5.10 E

-Colbois Chablis 2009, 5.95 E

-Colbois Bourgogne Chitray 2009, 4.60 E

-Colbois Bourgogne Aligote 2009, 3.85 E

 

The Downside: selection is eclectic and some bottles arrive

haphazardly. Some bottles never arrived at all, but we were not told

this until we arrived. Some bottles are in the show, but are not

listed in the catalogue. It can be frustrating.

The Upside: a chance to taste some engaging wines not available here.

There is a listing of wines with FOB prices in Euros.

The Contact Person: Pascal p.fernand@apvsa.ca

The Marketing Effectiveness/Execution of the Event(numerical grade): 84.

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

June "Wines of South Africa Workshops" at Morton's

1. The Time and Date: Wednesday, June 15, 2011  10:30 AM to 5:30 PM

The Event: Wines of South Africa (WOSA) Wine Workshops 2011

The Venue: Morton's The Steakhouse, Avenue Road

The Target Audience: wine media and sommeliers and agents.

The Availability/Catalogue: most wines are available on consignment or by private order.

The Quote/Background: the four workshops promoted 11 chenin blancs, 9 new blends, 7 higher end blends, and 12 flagship reds. The workshops were part of a North American campaign through New York, Washington, Chicago, Montreal and Toronto. There were eleven winemakers/marketers/owners who presented their wines. After each session there was a Q and A.

The Wines:

 

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

-Ken Forrester Reserve Chenin Blanc 2010, 14.5% ABV

-The FMC BF 2009, 14%

-De Morgenzon Chenin Blanc 2007, 13.5%

-Reyneke Reserve White 2009, 13.5%  biodynamic

-Reyneke Reserve Red 2007, 14% biodynamic

-Le Bonheur Prima 2007, 13.47%

-De Toren Fusion V 2004, 15%

-Morgenster 2001, 14.5%

-Vilafonte Series m 2007, 14.8%

-Warwick Three Cape Ladies 2008, 14.49%

 

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

-Bellingham Citrus Grove Chenin Blanc 2010, 14% ABV

-De Morgenzon Chenin Blanc 2009, 14%

-Paul Cluver Sauvignon Blanc 2010, 13.5%

-Paul Cluver Chardonnay 2009, 13.5%

-Thandi Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, 14.5%

-Waterford Estate The Jem 2007, 14%

-Nederburg Ingenuity Red 2008, 14.5%  sangiovese, barbera

-Lomond Snowbush White 2009, 14.08%

-Plaisir de Merle Grand Plaisir 2007, 14%

-Raats Family Cabernet Franc 2007, 13.5%

-MR de Compostelle 2007, 14%

-Morgenster 2003, 13.5%

-Morgenster 2005, 14.5%

-Vilafonte Series c 2007, 15%

 

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

-Cederberg Chenin Blanc 2010, 13% ABV

-Rudera de Tradisie Chenin Blanc 2009, 14%

-The Bernard Series Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2010, 14.5%

-Mulderbosch Chenin Blanc/Steen-op-Hout 2010, 14%

-Raats Family Wines Chenin Blanc 2009, 14%

-Reyneke Cornerstone 2009, 14% biodynamic

-Paul Cluver Close Encounter Riesling 2010, 9.75%

-Thandi Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon 2010, 12.5% 60/40

-Thandi Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, 14%  70/39

-Waterford Estate Pecan Stream Pebble Hill 2008, 13.5%

-Nederburg Ingenuity White 2009, 13.5% riesling, viognier, chenin blanc

-De Toren Z 2009, 15%

-De Toren Fusion V 2009, 15%

-Raats Family Cabernet Franc 2008, 14%

 

The Food: for lunch we had a Caesar salad, a steak with mash potatoes OR a salmon with green beans, followed by a lime pie (which was actually postponed until much later because we were running late).

The Downside: we began over a half-hour late (the seminar was called for 10:30 sharp).

The Upside: An informative booklet detailed background on each winemaker and his winery, plus website information. There was more information about this and the European/Asiatic tours at www.wosawineworkshops.com

The Contact Person: keenan@propellerpr.com

The Marketing Effectiveness/Execution of the Event(numerical grade): 88.

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

 

 

June 21/11: Chateau des Charmes Equuleus Vertical Tasting and Dinner

 The Time and Date: June 21, 2011  4PM to 10 PM

The Event: Chateau des Charmes winemaker's 9 wine Equuleus vertical tasting followed by a winemaker's dinner, all conducted by Paul Bosc, Jr.

The Venue: Ritz-Carlton

The Target Audience: clients and media

The Availability/Catalogue: all of the newer wines are available, the older vintages of Equuleus (known then as Cabernets) came from the Chateau's library. Equuleus is only made in the better years.

The Quote/Background:  Bosc spoke on the wines, climate, and grapes used (even those years when the wine was declassified). Each year is a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Cabernet Franc, and 25% Merlot. The vineyard has always been the Paul Bosc Vineyard (first planted in 1983/84) on St. David's Bench. The wine was first produced in 1988 as Cabernets, and we had the 1991, 1994 and 1995. Under its new name, Equuelus, we had the 2002, 2005, 2007 and 2010 (three different barrel samples from the pre-blended cellars).

 

The Wines: All the wines showed extremely well; they are capable of long aging.

 

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

-Chateau des Charmes Cabernets VQA Paul Bosc Vineyard St. David's Bench 1995

-Chateau des Charmes Equuleus VQA Paul Bosc Vineyard St. David's Bench 2005

-Chateau des Charmes Equuleus VQA Paul Bosc Vineyard St. David's Bench 2010

 

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

-Chateau des Charmes Cabernets VQA Paul Bosc Vineyard St. David's Bench 1994

-Chateau des Charmes Equuleus VQA Paul Bosc Vineyard St. David's Bench 2002

-Chateau des Charmes Equuleus VQA Paul Bosc Vineyard St. David's Bench 2007

 

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

-Chateau des Charmes Cabernets VQA Paul Bosc Vineyard St. David's Bench 1991

 

The Food: The winemaker's dinner began with flutes of Chateau des Charmes Rose 2008 Sparkling wine (Silver Medalist at OWA). All of the wines tonight, from the tasting through reception to dinner, came from the Paul Bosc Estate vineyard on St. David's Bench. We began with heirloom tomato and Ontario mozzarella salad, basil pesto, white balsamic (Château des Charmes Sauvignon Blanc 2010 PB Vineyard, *** 1/2), followed by butter poached lobster, spring risotto, crisp bacon lardons, fine herbs (Château des Charmes Chardonnay Paul Bosc Estate 2007, ****). The main course was porcini crusted filet mignon, garlic whipped potatoes, root vegetable, Equuleus shallot reduction (of course, Château des Charmes Equuleus 2005, ****). Dessert was vanilla crème brûlée, marinated berries, lemon sorbet (Château des Charmes Riesling Icewine 2007 PB Vineyard). The dinner was created by Chef Andreas Schatzschneider.

The Downside: we started a half-hour late.

The Upside: all the red wines were constantly changing in the glass.

The Contact Person: Michele@chateaudescharmes.com

The Marketing Effectiveness/Execution of the Event(numerical grade): 91.

 

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

June 20/11: Henry of Pelham vertical tasting of Baco Noir Reserve.

The Time and Date: June 20, 2011  10:30 AM to 1:30 PM

The Event: a vertical tasting of Henry of Pelham Reserve Baco Noir, 9 wines in all, sponsored by the Wine Writers' Circle of Canada.

The Venue: LCBO Kitchen Event, Summerhill Store #10

The Target Audience: WWCC members

The Availability/Catalogue: most of these wines were drawn from HOP's cellars; only the latest vintages are available. The tank sample will be out in a few more years.

The Quote/Background: Paul Speck, one of the owners along with his brothers, led the tasting. He gave us vintage notes and approaches year by year. As well, Ron Giesbrecht (the winemaker at Henry of Pelham) gave his impressions. Henry of Pelham started making BN as a wine in 1988. They began with a Reserve in 1995 (oak treatment is always 100% US oak, of which 60% is new; the wine rests in oak for up to 18 months for the Reserve; sometimes 8-15% of Merlot and/or Cabernet Franc will be added). Only 1500 cases are made (12,000 are made of the regular BN), and this wine comes from their oldest block.

The Wines: The vintages tasted ranged from 1997 to 2009-2010 barrel samples, Missing were 1995, 1996, 2001, 2003 - 2006 (no Reserve was made in those years, and 2005 was sold out). In general, the older BN fell apart quickly, although and "aged" nose became quite tasty and toasty on the initial run through.

 

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

-Henry of Pelham Baco Noir Reserve VQA 2002

-Henry of Pelham Baco Noir Reserve VQA 2007

-Henry of Pelham Baco Noir Reserve VQA 2010

 

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

-Henry of Pelham Baco Noir Reserve VQA 1997

-Henry of Pelham Baco Noir Reserve VQA 2000

-Henry of Pelham Baco Noir Reserve VQA 2008

-Henry of Pelham Baco Noir Reserve VQA 2009

 

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

-Henry of Pelham Baco Noir Reserve VQA 1998

-Henry of Pelham Baco Noir Reserve VQA 1999

 

The Downside: we were a late in getting started. Also, I would have liked to have tasted some older vintages of the regular Baco Noir.

The Upside: The BN wines were followed by Henry of Pelham Family Tree White 2009 (Viognier, Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer and Chardonnay Musqué) a new entrant in the white blend field with spices and fruit tones at $17.95, 400 cases; Henry of Pelham Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 2008, $18.95; and Henry of Pelham Family Tree Red 2009 (Merlot, Syrah, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc), also $17.95. Because he had our attention, Paul shifted to his wine importer hat and showed off some Spanish wines. Tony Batet, who represents Torres wines in Canada, did a vertical of Torres Mas La Plana Cabernet Sauvignon 1994, 1996, 1999, 2005 and 2007 (the latter due to arrive in Vintages in November). It was formerly known as Coronas Black Label. I pretty well liked them all, with the 1996 showing well and the 1994 showing least.

The Contact Person: ptspeck@henryofpelham.com

The Marketing Effectiveness/Execution of the Event(numerical grade): 91.

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

 

 

WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR JULY 9, 2011

WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR JULY 9, 2011
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
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. Agustinos Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2009 Bio Bio Chile: your basic MVC
savvy, affordable for summer consumption. +213595, $12.95, QPR: 89.
2. Summerhouse Sauvignon Blanc 2009 Marlborough: delicious intensity
for a NZ savvy without the blatant grass. 13.5% ABV. +218305, $19.95,
QPR: 90.
3. Dr. Pauly-Bergweiler Riesling 2009 QbA Mosel: great summer sipper at
8.5% ABV. Medium-dry, long finish of peaches. +596601, $12.95, QPR: 89.

 

TOP VALUE RED WINES under $20 or so.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Gnarly Head Old Vine Zinfandel 2009 Lodi: Juicy Lucy, 14.5% ABV.
+678698, $16.95, QPR: 89.
2. Lamadrid Single Vineyard Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 Mendoza:
soft enough to be a merlot? 14.5% ABV. Ready now. +223206, $16.95, QPR:
89.
3. Concha y Toro Marques de Casa Concha Syrah 2008 Maipo: another juicy
specimen, 14.5% ABV, +19042, $19.95, QPR: 89.
4. Dandelion Sister's Run God's Hill Shiraz 2008 Barossa: another full
ripe red wine, another 14.5% ABV, price slightly lower than above three
wines. +222018, $15.95, QPR: 89.
5. Lomond Syrah 2008 Cape Aguihas South Africa: heady, bright, in-your-
face with red fruits, yet in definite Euro-mode. 14% ABV. +146464,
$19.95, QPR: 90.
6. Aubert Visan Cotes du Rhone-Villages 2009: juicy and delicious but
with domination by syrah flavours even though syrah comprises only 20%
of total (grenache is the other 80%). 14.5% ABV compares well with New
World wines, yet it is priced to go. Load up! +224915, $12.95, QPR: 91.
7. Paolo Leo Riserva Salice Salentino 2006: nicely and richly aged,
13.5% ABV, black and red fruits and barrel tones. Fabulous finish.
+214700, $14.95, QPR: 90.
8. Zenato Cormi 2007 IGT Veneto: blend of corvina and merlot. A
definite BBQ wine, lighter than most, ready now for summer. 13.5% ABV.
+108282, $17.95, QPR: 89.
9. Lan Reserva 2005 Rioja: good MVC detail. Only one year in mainly US
oak, 13.5% ABV, smoky, ripe, with an appreciable finish. +42929,
$19.95, 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. Flat Rock Cellars Seriously Twisted 2008 VQA Twenty Mile Bench,
+877783, $22.95 retail.
2. Far Niente Estate Chardonnay 2009 Napa, +539130, $57.95.
3. Ironstone Estate Grown Reserve Chardonnay 2009 Sierra Foothills,
+158774, $25.95.
4. R de Rieussec 2007 Bordeaux Blanc, +100891, $22.
5. Hidden Bench Terroir Cache Meritage 2008, +505610, $35.20.
6. Saltram Mamre Brook Shiraz 2008 Barossa, +32227, $24.95.
7. Thorn-Clarke Shotfire Shiraz 2008 Barossa, +18796, $21.95.
8. Chateau Hourbanon 2003 Medoc, +125922, $21.95.
9. Terre del Barolo Monvigliero Barolo 2004, +97535, $33.95.
10. Tenuta di Ghizzano Veneroso 2007 IGT Toscana, +103218, $29.95.
11. Ramos Pinto Duas Quintas Reserva 2007 Douro, +951301, $21.95.
12. La Rioja Alta Fina Alberdi Reserva 2003 Rioja, +161893, $29.95.

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