TRADE TASTING: Porfolio of Profile Wine Group, Liberty Grand, Sept. 30, 2008

The Time and Date: Tuesday, September 30, 2008   1 PM to 9 PM
The Event: annual tasting of Profile Wine Group wines.
The Venue: Liberty Grand, Exhibition Place
The Target Audience: wine press, restaurants, LCBO, private clients.
The Availability/Catalogue: everything is available via LCBO,
consignment, or private order.
The Quote: "The event has gotten larger and more sophisticated every
year."
The Wines:  I did not taste all the wines as there were 19 suppliers
from Italy, 18 from the US, 5 from Australia, 2 from Chile, 2 from
Argentina, 4 from France, 3 from Spain, 1 each from Ontario, Quebec,
New Zealand, and South Africa. Something for everybody in all price
ranges and colours and styles.

 

**** Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Merryvale Chardonnay Carneros 2006 ($39)
-Cormons Pinot Grigio Sparkling NV Friuli ($36.95)
-Marguet Pere et Fils Champagne Grand Cru 2000 ($56, Vintages)
-Martin Ray Russian River Chardonnay 2006 ($29.95)
-Truchard Chardonnay 2006 ($43.95, Vintages)
-Aurelio Settimo Barolo Rocche Riserva 1999 ($98.95)
-Maverick Twins Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 ($32.95)
-Dominio del Plata Susana Balbo Brioso 2005 ($39)
-L'Ecole No. 41 Pepper Bridge Apogee 2005 ($62.95)
-Conn Creek Napa Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 ($31.95)
-Domaine Antolino Brongo Cryomalus Ice Cider 2007 ($38.95, 375 mL)
-Chateau Ste Michelle Ethos Merlot 2005 ($45.95)

 

***1/2 Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Merryvale Starmont Chardonnay Napa 2006 ($27.95)
-Cormons Chardonnay 2006 Friuli ($17.95)
-Marguet Pere et Fils Champagne ($42.95, Vintages)
-J. Lohr Chardonnay Riverstone 2006 ($17.85, LCBO)
-Oakville Ranch Napa Chardonnay 2007 ($44.95)
-Miner Family Napa Chardonnay 2006 ($40.95)
-Wakefield Chardonnay 2007 South Australia ($18.95)
-Penmara Semillon Reserve 2007 Hunter Valley ($18.95)
-Amity Pinot Blanc 2006 Oregon ($21.95)
-J. Bouchon Sauvignon Blanc Chile Reserva 2007 ($18.95)
-L'Ecole No. 41 Semillon Washington 2007 ($21.95)
-J. Lohr Cabernet Sauvignon Hilltop 2005 ($38.95)
-Merryvale Starmont Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 2005 ($32.95)
-Peter Franus Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 California ($60.95)
-Peter Franus Brandlin Zinfandel 2005 ($42.95)
-Martin Ray Tri-County Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 ($29.95)
-Signorello Edge Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 California ($29.95)
-Oakville Napa Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 and 2005 [2 different
bottles]($61.95)
-Truchard Cabernet Franc 2004 ($29.95)
-Miner Oracle Napa Red 2005 ($99.95)
-Le Dome St. Emilion Grand Cru 2004 ($250)
-Colonial Estate Explorateur Old Vine Shiraz 2006 Australia ($33.95,
Vintages, Feb 2009)
-Colonial Estate Émigré 2006 ($94.95)
-Penmara Shiraz Marawarpina 2005 ($37.95)
-Fuedi di San Marzano Passito Aleatico 2006 ($32.95)
-Amity Pinot Noir Sunnyside Oregon ($49.95)
-Pierre Sparr Gewurztraminer 2007 ($15.85, LCBO)

 

*** Three Stars (85 – 87 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Merryvale Sauvignon Blanc Napa 2007 ($31)
-Castellunio Lunaria Sauvignon Blanc 2007 ($22.95)
-Marquis de Perlada Brut Sparkling
-Sparr Cremant Brut Rose NV ($22.95)
-Painter Bridge Chardonnay California 2006 ($15.95)
-Stonehedge Chardonnay 2007 California ($17.95)
-Miner Family Viognier Simpson Vyd Napa 2007 ($28.95)
-Pares Balta Cava Brut NV ($18.95)
-Maverick Barossa Twins Eden Valley 2007 Chardonnay ($32.95)
-Chateau Ste. Michelle Washington Chardonnay 2006 ($17.95, Vintages)
-J. Bouchon Sauvignon Blanc Chile 2008 ($8.50)
-Argento Chardonnay 2007 Argentina ($9.50, LCBO)
-Stag's Leap Cellars Napa Chardonnay Karia 2007 ($70.95)
-Villa Mt. Eden Grand Reserve Chardonnay 2006 ($21.95)

 

The Food: bread was from the delightful St. John Bakery, Monforte Dairy
sheep cheese (Toscano, Paradiso, and Don's Blue), B Espresso Bar,
Niagara Food Specialties (pingue prosciutti), and a dozen olive oils
from wineries repped at the show.
The Downside: there was no catalogue, just a lined booklet. This meant
that we had to write down ALL of the information. My shorthand may not
have been exact.
The Upside: lots of time to taste and schmooze, especially since the
press was invited to attend an hour early.
The Contact Person: portfoliotasting@profilewinegroup.com
The Marketing Effectiveness (numerical grade): 90.

 

 

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com