Wine Writers' Circle of Canada Annual Fortified Wines Tasting, Sept 27/13

The Date and Time: Friday, September 27, 2013  10:30 AM – 1:30 PM

The Event: Annual tasting of Fortified Wines by the Wine Writers' Circle of Canada

The Venue: LCBO Scrivener Square

The Target Audience: WWCC members

The Availability/Catalogue: most items are at the LCBO or Vintages, some are at the winery, others are special orders or samples.

The Quote/Background: There were only 16 ports plus 24 other fortified wines. The tasting was done by 10 wine writers.

The Wines: I did not taste every wine. The following scores are mine alone and NOT a total of the writers at the tasting.

 

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

-Sogevinus Fine Wines Dacosta 10 Year Old Port  $23.95 +332312

-Warre's Otima 10 yrs   $22.95 +566174 500 mL LCBO                     

-Fonseca    2011  Vintage     $129.95 750mL Family Wine Merchants

-Alvear Fino Montilla $12.10 +112771

-Bod. Rey Fernando de Castilla Manzanilla, 15% ABV, The Vine

-Bod. Rey Fernando de Castilla Pedro Ximenez, 17% ABV, The Vine

-Taylor Fladgate  10 Year Old Tawny Porto $35   +121749 Vintages Ess

 

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

-Seasons by Diamond Estates Tawny Port $39.95 De Sousa Wine Cellars

-Lakeview Cellars 2006  Orion's Belt $22.95 500ml

-UNION 2007 FORTE $16.95     +361758 500 mL Vintages Nov

-Dangelo Dolce Vita 375 mL [fortified vidal]

-Barros Port Sampler    $17.00 5 x 50 mL +348706

-Quinta do Noval  Fine Tawny Port   $17.70 +309765

-Taylor Fladgate  2008  Late Bottled Vintage Porto    $18.45 +46946

-Burmester        10 yr old tawny                          

-Roxo 2008  California $28  375 mL   Glen Ward                   

-NMAU "MASSANDRA" 2009  Muscat Rose (Massandra) $17.95 +73155 Ukraine

-Justino's  10 year old Madeira Malvasia  $39.95      +349373

-GONZALEZ BYASS   TIO PEPE    $15.65      +231829     SPAIN JEREZ

-Alvear Amontillado Med Dry $11.80 +112789

 

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

-Southbrook Whimsy! The Anniversary [fortified chardonnay from 2001/2], $34.95

-Peninsula Ridge Estates 2006 Ratafia $29.95 Beamsville Bench 500 ml

-Sogevinus Kopke Full Rich Ruby Port $14.90 +35766

-Fonseca Bin 27   $15.95 +325506

-Fonseca White    $15.95 +276816

-Sandeman   2000  VAU Vintage      $19.95 +251090                     

-Sandeman         Ruby  $15.45 +23366

-Sandeman   2008  LBV   $16.95  +195974

-Taylor Fladgate  First Estate Porto      $16.45      +309401

-Ferreira Dona Antonia Reserva Port $18.95      +157586

-Pedroncelli      2006  California Dry Creek Four Grapes

-Vineland         Vice $34.95 500 mL +158212  ice wine + vodka

-GONZALEZ BYASS   CROFT ORIGINAL    $15.45      +73452      SPAIN JEREZ

-Osborne    Santa Maria Cream Sherry $12.05 +31120

 

The Downside: we were disappointed in the low turnout of sherries and other fortifieds.

The Upside: some great ports and even a few sherries.

The Contact Person: deantudor@deantudor.com

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

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com

WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR OCTOBER 12, 2013

WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR OCTOBER 12, 2013
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com.
Creator of Canada's award-winning wine satire site at
http://fauxvoixvincuisine.blogspot.com. My Internet compendium
"Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net" is a guide to thousands of news
items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits, at
www.deantudor.com since 1994. 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 normally available for a re-tasting.

 

======>>>> ** BEST WINE VALUE OF THE RELEASE *UNDER* $20

 

Henri Bourgeois Petit Bourgeois Sauvignon Blanc 2012 Vins de Pays du
Val de Loire, +672345, $14.95: tons of green notes here (grass, herbs,
gooseberries) plus lemons, 12.5% ABV, twist top. Great value. QPR: 91.

 

======>>>> ** BEST WINE VALUE OF THE RELEASE *OVER* $20

 

Dog Point Sauvignon Blanc 2012 Marlborough, +677450, $22.95 retail.

 

TOP VALUE WHITE WINES under $20 or so.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Angels Gate Riesling 2010 VQA Beamsville Bench, +160523, $13.95:
stunningly good intensity at this price level, riesling MVC all the
way. QPR: 90.
2. Graham Beck The Game Reserve Chardonnay 2010 WO Robertson, +337592,
$16.95: very stylish with a bit of everything (sympathetic vanilla,
spices, fruit, length). 14% ABV, twist top. QPR: 89.
3. Pierre Sparr Reserve Muscat 2011 Alsace, +641654, $15.95: affordable
muscat with typical floral quality, 12.5% ABV. QPR: 89.
4. Grand Classique du Chateau de l'Orangerie 2011 Bordeaux Blanc,
+348276, $13.95: rarely seen colombard (for spine) is used in this
blend, along with muscadelle and sauvignon blanc. 12.5% ABV, QPR: 89.
5. Domaine Lafage Cuvee Centenaire 2011 Cotes du Roussillon, +343491,
$17.95: winner of "the longest tasting note ever reprinted in a
Vintages magazine" award. I can only add -- heavy dead leaf green
bottle, a punt, long finish, cork finish, 13.5% ABV, and Lot #
LA513169. QPR: 89.
6. Columna Albarino 2011 Rias Baixas, +339929, $18.95: one of the drier
albarinos to turn up in Ontario, good acid finish for first course and
more. 12.5% ABV. QPR: 89.

 

TOP VALUE RED WINES under $20 or so.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Emiliana Novas Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 Maipo, +685792,
$15.95: good quality at this price level, especially for an organic
wine. 14% ABV. Juicy. QPR: 89.
2. Chateau du Petit Thouars Reserve Cabernet Franc 2010 Touraine,
+350439, $14.95: good herbal character, still a lightweight from
Europe. 13.2% ABV. QPR: 89.
3. Domaine Lafage Tessellae Carignan Old Vines Cotes du Roussillon
2011, +343517, $18.95: still a weighty and lengthy Parker note, but
definitive North Rhone style from somewhere else, 14.5% ABV. 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. Domaine Tournon Shay's Flat Vineyard Shiraz 2011, +311480, $35.95
retail.
2. Schild Estate Shiraz 2010 Barossa, +66555, $24.95
3. Wynns Coonawarra Estate Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, +84996,
$27.95.
4. Chateau Haut Daugay 2006 Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, +348268, $22.95
[second label of Ch Tertre Daugay]
5. Giacosa Bussia Baroli 2008, +344721, $39.95.
6. San Lorenzo Bramante Brunello di Montalcino 2007, +350264, $47.95.
7. Felix Callejo Finca Valdelroble 2009 Ribera del Duero, +344291,
$20.95.

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com

Profile Wine Group Portfolio tasting, Liberty Grand, Sept 24/13

The Date and Time: Tuesday, September 24, 2013  1PM to 8PM

The Event: Profile Wine Group Portfolio tasting.

The Venue: Liberty Grand

The Target Audience: media, sommeliers, private customers

The Availability/Catalogue: items are all over the map -- consignment, private orders, LCBO, Vintages. But it did look like everything was available.

The Quote/Background: The last show was two years ago. This show was a little smaller in scope but more focused. Many tables were supported with personnel from the winery involved. There was also a suggested donation of $20 to the Sick Kids Foundation, a great idea.

The Wines: I did not try all the wines, there were about 300 of them, plus some spirits. I passed up many of the wines available at the LCBO, preferring to sample rare or limited wines. Prices are licensee.

 

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

-Balbo Wines Susana Balbo Brioso 2009 Argentina, $40.95 PO

-Wakefield St. Andrews Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 Australia, $64.95 PO

-Rosehall Run JCR Chardonnay 2011 VQA PEC, $25.12  Cons

-Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 Chile, $19.95 Vintages

-Montes Purple Angel 2010 Chile, $56.95 Vintages

-Chateau Teyssier Le Dome St Emilion Grand Cru 2006, $289 Cons

-Cesari Bosan Amarone 2004, $99.95 Cons

-La Spinetta Garetti Barolo 2009, $72.95 Cons

-La Spinetta Campe Barolo 2009, $199.95 Cons

-Livio Sassetti Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2007, $99.95 Cons

-San Polo Brunello di Montalcino Riserva 2006, $69.95 PO

-LAN Gran Reserva 2005 Rioja, $27.95 Vintages

-LAN Edicion Limitada 2009 Rioja, $55.95 PO

-Amaro Lucano, $23.95 LCBO

-Jam Cellars Butter Chardonnay 2012 California, $23.95 PO

-John Anthony Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 California, $84.95 PO

-John Anthony Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2012 California, $27.95 PO

-Miner Wild Yeast Chardonnay 2009 California, $67.95 PO

-Columbia Crest Grand Estate Merlot 2010 Washington, $16.95 Cons

-J. Lohr Cuvee PAU 2008 California, $61 Vintages Online

 

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

-Balbo Wines Susana Balbo Malbec 2011 Argentina, $26.95 PO

-Balbo Wines Ben Marco Expresivo 2011 Argentina, $39.95 PO

-Morambro Creek Shiraz 2010 Australia, $29.95 PO

-Wakefield St. Andrews Shiraz 2009 Australia, $64.95 PO

-Rosehall Run Cuvee County Chardonnay 2010 VQA PEC, $18.36  Cons

-Vina Falernia Pinot Noir Reserva 2012 Chile, $13.95  PO

-J Bouchon Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva Especial 2010 Chile, $15.95 Vintages

-J Bouchon Las Mercedes Ensamblage 2009 Chile, $20.95 Vintages

-Montes Limited Edition Cabernet-Carmenere 2011 Chile, $14.75 LCBO

-Montes Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 Chile, $12.90 LCBO

-Chateau Teyssier St Emilion Grand Cru 2010, $47.95 PO

-Chateau Laforge St. Emilion Grand Cru 2007, $49.95 Cons

-De Ladoucette Pouilly-Fume Baron de L 2008, $89.95 Cons

-Pierre Sparr Gewurztraminer 2012, $15.95 LCBO

-Chateau Peyros Greenwich Madiran 2009, $41.95 PO

-Aurelio Settimo Barolo Rocche 2006, $52.95 Cons

-Aurelio Settimo Barolo Riserva 2004, $89.95 Cons

-Bersanao Barolo Nirvasco 2008, $41.95 Cons

-Castello di Querceto La Corte 2008, $54.95 PO

-Castello di Querceto Il Picchio Chianti Riserva 2010, $44.95 PO

-Castello di Querceto Il Querciolaia 2008, $60.95 PO

-Cesari Il Bosco Amarone 2007, $74.95 Cons

-Concillo Teroldego Vigna Braide 2011, $19.95 PO

-Cordero di Montezemelo Barolo Monfalletto 2009, $54.95 Cons

-Cordero di Montezemelo Barolo Enrico VI 2009, $104.95 Cons

-Cordero di Montezemelo Barolo Brico Gattera 2009, $89.95 Cons

-Dievole Novecento Chianti Classico Riserva, $41.95 PO

-Fazio Pietra Sacra 2008, $44.95 PO

-Fazio Nero d'Avola U'Munti 2011, $21.95 PO

-La Spinetta Bordini Barbaresco 2009, $64 Cons

-Lungarotti San Giorgio 2005, $64.95 PO

-Poggio al Tesoro Dedicato a Walter 2009, $77.95 PO

-Tenuta Rocca Barolo 2008, $52.95 Cons

-Tenuta Rocca San Pietro Barolo Riserva 2007, $75.95 PO

-LAN Lanciano Reserva 2005 Rioja, $38.95 Vintages

-Pingus Flor di Pingus 2010 Spain, $119.95 Cons

-Juve y Camps Gran Reserva Brut 2008 Spain, $42.95 PO

-Truchard Chardonnay 2011, $34.95 LCBO August

-J. Lohr Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, $21.95 Vintages Ess

-J. Lohr Hilltop Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, $38.95 Vintages

-Miner Oracle Red 2008 California, $99.95 Cons

-Miner Stagecoach Cabernet 2009 California, $84.95 Cons

-Miner Napa Chardonnay 2011, $33.95 Vintages

-Peter Franus Napa Cabernet Sauvignon 2011, $54.95 Cons

-Peter Franus Proprietary Red 2008, $55.95 Cons

-Palmaz Chardonnay 2011 California, $82 PO

-Palmaz Cedar Knoll Cabernet Sauvignon California, $54.95 Cons

-Signorello Fuse Cabernet 2010 California, $38.95 Cons

-Signorello Estate Cabernet 2010 California, $115 Cons

-Signorello Padrone 2010 California, $199.95 Cons

-Columbia Crest Grand Estate Cabernet 2011 Washington, $16.95 Cons

-Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells Cabernet 2011 Washington, $26.95 Cons

-Stag's Leap Karia Chardonnay 2009 California, $34.95 Cons

-Stag's Leap Cabernet Estate Artemis 2010 California, $65.95 Cons

-Conn Creek Herrick Red 2010 California, $29.95 PO

-Erath Pinot Noir 2011 Oregon, $26.95 Cons

-Young Inglewood Vineyards Estate Cabernet 2009 California, $119.95 Cons

-World's End If Six Was Nine Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2009, $58.95 Cons

-World's End Against the Wind Cabernet Franc Reserve 2009, $58.95 PO

-Somerston Wine Priest Ranch Grenache Blanc 2012, $29.95 PO

-Somerston Wine Priest Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, $53.95 Cons

-Somerston Estate Cabernet 2010, $149.95 PO

-Somerston Stornoway Red 2010, $114.95 PO

 

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

-Rosehall Run Cuvee County Pinot Gris 2011 VQA PEC, $16.67  Cons

-Rosehall Run Solid Ground Riesling 2012 VQA, $14.95 Cons

-J Bouchon Carmenere Reserva Especial 2011 Chile, $16.95

-Grand Regnard Chablis 2011, $44.95 Cons

-Pierre Sparr Riesling Altenbourg 2010, $16.95 Vintages

-Pierre Sparr Muscat Reserve 2011, $15.95 Vintages

-Chateau Peyros Magenta Madiran 2009, $14.95 PO

-Chateau Haut Selve Graves Blanc 2012, $23.95 PO

-Chateau Haut Selve Graves Rouge 2009, $20.95 Vintages

-Aurelio Settimo Barolo Rocche 2005, $56.95 Cons

-Bersano Barbaresco Mantico 2009, $38.95 PO

-Concillo Lagrein Conoidi 2010, $19.95  PO

-Fantinel Frontiere Collio Bianco Sant'Helena 2011, $29.95 PO

-Fantinel La Roncaia Refosco 2010, $30.95 Cons

-Livio Sassetti Brunello di Montalcino 2008, $63.95 Cons

-LAN Crianza 2009 Rioja, $17.95 Cons

-Coriole Redstone Cabernet 2009, $19.95 Vintages March

-Donatien Bahuaud Vouvray Grand Mortiers, $15.95 Vintages June

-Jam Cellars Red Blend 2011 California, $23.95 Cons

 

The Food: there was a large table for serrano ham, Manchego cheese, and bread, from SALT Gourmet Foods in Concord, ON. And a separate table for coffees.

The Downside: few media attendees.

The Upside: a more focused approach to food.

The Contact Person:  mbasten@profilewinegroup.com

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

 
Chimo!  www.deantudor.com

Tasting KWV Wines of South Africa, Sept 23/13 at Biff's

7. The Date and Time:  Monday, September 23, 2013   6PM to 9PM

The Event: Tasting KWV of South Africa wines with Richard Rowe, chief winemaker, followed by dinner paired with wines.

The Venue: Biff's Bistro, Front Street

The Target Audience: wine writers

The Availability/Catalogue: most wines are here at LCBO or Vintages.

The Quote/Background: Richard Rowe spoke about the changes in South Africa and at KWV.

The Wines: We tasted 11 wines. The Classics wine series is currently being proposed, coming in at $11.95 or $12.95 depending on currency.

 

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

-KWV Café Culture 2013 [tank sample, current vintage 2012 is $12.95]

-KWV Cathedral Cellars Chardonnay 2012, $14.95 Vintages

 

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

-KWV Classic Sauvignon Blanc 2013, $12.95

-KWV Classic Chardonnay 2013, $12.95

-KWV Cathedral Cellars Sparkling 2010 [2009 vintage $12.75]

-KWV Roodeberg Rose 2013, $12.95 [coming next year]

-KWV Cathedral Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, $15.95 Vintages Essential

 

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

-KWV Chenin Blanc 2013, $9.45 LCBO [new vintage]

-KWV Classic Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, $12.95

-KWV Classic Pinotage 2012, $12.95

-KWV Cathedral Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 [new vintage], $15.95

 

The Food: we ate off a small menu. I had the steak tartare with lentils, the roasted lamb sirloin, and the yoghurt panna cotta. Before dinner we had a variety of five cheeses from France and Quebec (Bleu de Bresse, goat Riopelle from PQ, goat Pave from PQ, Cantal, and Mimonette) plus fruit. We got pours of whatever wine we wanted. I tried the Café Culture with the panna cotta, a terrific match surprise.

The Downside: it was my third winetasting of the day, and second meal.

The Upside: a chance to talk with Richard Rowe.

The Contact Person: rsandham@thekirkwoodgroup.com

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

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com