World Wine Watch Feb 14, 2009

WORLD WINE WATCH (VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR FEBRUARY, 14, 2009
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By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing <deantudor@deantudor.com>
Always at www.deantudor.com since 1995. Also visit my "Wines, Beers and
Spirits of the Net Compendium", a guide to thousands of news items and
RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits.
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. Also, some defective
or corked wines are not available for re-tasting.

 

WHITE WINES
^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Alamos Viognier 2007 Mendoza: Catena continues to release value-
priced varietals – off-dry mouthfeel, floral, finishes dry. +507830,
$13.95, QPR: 90.
2. D'Arenberg The Hermit Crab Viognier/Marsanne 2007 McLaren: lovely
depth and floral elegance, 13.5% ABV, twist top. +662775, $17.95, QPR:
90.
3. Delheim Sur Lie Chardonnay 2007 Simonsberg-Stellenbosch: good
balance, fullish flavours. +956219, $17.95, QPR: 90.
4. Graham Beck Sauvignon Blanc 2008 Coastal South Africa: zippy rass
and herbs, twist top. +948620, $13.95, QPR: 90
5. Gerard Neumeyer Riesling Les Hospices 2007 Alsace: slightly off dry
finish, but basic MVC. Organic wine. +106708, $18.95, QPR: 90.
6. Chateau Jarr 2007 Bordeaux: organic. Good value for its depth.
+106849, $15.95, QPR: 91.

 

RED WINES
^^^^^^^^^
1. Folie a deux Menage a Trois Red 2007 California: affordable
California fruit bomb, 13.5%. +665158, $19.95, QPR: 90.
2. Odfjell Armador Carmenere 2005 Maule/Maipo: dense, extractive, MVC
and nicely put together. 13.5% ABV. +83295, $13.95, QPR: 90.
3. Knappstein Cabernet/Merlot 2005 Clare Valley: minty wine, fruity
undertones of ripeness. +593350, $19.95, QPR: 90.
4. Water Wheel Memsie 2007 Victoria: quaffer, a 14.5% hit, twist top.
+656637, $13.95, QPR: 90.
5. Ayama Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 Paarl: 14% ABV, good MVC and aging
quality. +79517, $13.95, QPR: 90.
6. Delheim Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 Simonsberg-Stellenbosch: value wine,
Euro style but with upfront North American appeal on the approach.
+981357, $16.95, QPR: 90.
7. Slowine Shiraz 2006 Overberg South Africa: good Euro-style syrah.
+96503, $14.95, QPR: 90.
8. Stark-Conde Syrah 2005 Stellenbosch: quality, dense, black fruit.
Not filtered. +79525, $19.95, QPR: 90.
9. Chateau Vessiere Costieres de Nimes 2006: loaded with Northern Rhone
syrah appeal and character. Affordable. +104877, $15.95, QPR: 92.
10. Perrin Cotes du Rhone Nature 2006: delicious, ready now, and
certainly "green" as it is organic. Great house wine too. +948059,
$17.95, QPR: 90.
11. Pierre Laplace Madiran 2005: well-rounded, 13.5% ABV, Euro-style
with some fruit and length. +103705, $14.95, QPR: 90.
12. Vivallis Paris 4 Grapes 2006 Trentino: useful Bordeaux blend from
Italy. +105288, $17.95, QPR: 90.
13. Bod. Maretin Codax Cuatro Pasos Mencia 2006 Bierzo Spain: the
mencia grape is rare, even in Spain. Off-dry finish but definite NA
style and appeal. +39313, $16.95, QPR: 90.

 

 

 

VALUE: "RESTAURANT READY" or "BRING YOUR OWN WINE BOTTLE"
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Restaurants should consider offering these FINE VALUE wines at a $10
markup over retail; the wines are ready to enjoy right now. Consumers
could buy and bring to those restaurants with corkage programs.
1. Le Clos Jordanne Claystone Terrace Chardonnay 2006 Niagara, +56929,
$40 retail.
2. Maison Champy Pernand-Vergelesses 2006, +8151, $29.95.
3. Ridge Santa Cruz Mountains Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 Monte
Bello Vineyard, +89284, $60.95.
4. Rodney Strong Merlot 2004, +497933, $22.95.
5. Domaine Olivier Les Clos Lourioux 2005 Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil,
+82297, $20.95.
6. Barone Ricasoli Casalferro 2004 Tuscany, +469692, $39.95.
7. I Castei Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 2004, +739979, $44.95.

 

 

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com