WORLD WINE WATCH (VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR FEBRUARY 28, 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.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
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.
TOP VALUE WHITE WINES under $20
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1.Ajello Majus Grillo/Catarrato 2007 Sicily: firm grip, lots of fruit,
but finishes dry. First course white. +670844, $16.95, QPR: 90.
2. Folie a Deux Menage a Trois White 2007 California: off-dry moscato
with chardonnay and chenin blanc is very good, long length, sociable
wine. +665166, $19.95, QPR: 90.
3. Casa Lapostolle Chardonnay 2007 Casablanca: balancing act of fruit-
wood-acid, vanilla and spice tones. +396986, $15.95, QPR: 90.
4. Berton Vineyards The White Viognier 2007 SE Australia: off-dry
tastes, typical viognier tones of oranges and peaches. +93435, $14.95,
QPR: 90.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1.Ajello Majus Grillo/Catarrato 2007 Sicily: firm grip, lots of fruit,
but finishes dry. First course white. +670844, $16.95, QPR: 90.
2. Folie a Deux Menage a Trois White 2007 California: off-dry moscato
with chardonnay and chenin blanc is very good, long length, sociable
wine. +665166, $19.95, QPR: 90.
3. Casa Lapostolle Chardonnay 2007 Casablanca: balancing act of fruit-
wood-acid, vanilla and spice tones. +396986, $15.95, QPR: 90.
4. Berton Vineyards The White Viognier 2007 SE Australia: off-dry
tastes, typical viognier tones of oranges and peaches. +93435, $14.95,
QPR: 90.
TOP VALUE RED WINES under $20
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1.Domaine Faillenc Sainte Marie Rouge 2006 Corbieres: an organic
product with full extractive density and juicy flavours. +711671,
$13.95, QPR: 90.
2. Domaine des Aires Hautes Les Combelles 2005 Minervois: dominated by
dark syrah tones. +701706, $13.95, QPR: 90.
3. Camplazens Syrah 2006 Pays d’Oc: peppery, herby in mid-palate, more
syrah-based character than most. +104752, $14.95, QPR: 90.
4. Chateau Calissanne 2006 Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence: juicy but not the
nougat candy, raspberries stand out. +61283, $17.95, QPR: 90.
5. Ajello Majus Nero d’Avola Sicily: soft fruit extract, depth beyond
the mid-palate, good food wine. +100545, $16.95, QPR: 90.
6. Inniskillin Reserve Series Meritage 2006 Niagara: juicy blend of 70%
merlot and balance cabernet franc. Long finish, but soft. +91132,
$17.95, QPR: 90.
7. Sileni Cellar Selection Pinot Noir 2008 Hawkes Bay: unbeatable pinot
as it should be (light bodied, 12.5% ABV). +694901, $15, QPR: 91.
8. Seven Sisters Carol Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 WO Western Cape: mocha
tones, 13% ABV, densely extractive. +79681, $13.95, QPR: 90.
9. Stellenrust Shiraz 2005 WO Stellenbosch: aged syrah complexity,
14.6% ABV, long finish, ready now. +96552, $16.95, QPR: 90.
10. Chateau Bouissel Classic 2005 Fronton: tannat backed with cab
franc, syrah, and Malbec, herby and intense. +693986, $14.95, QPR: 90.
11. Rocca Delle Macie Chianti Riserva 2005: not really chianti in
style, more North American blend of sangiovese and Bordeaux varieties,
but there is balance and the price is appealing. +111641, $15, QPR: 90.
12. Cantina Tudernum Merlot 2006 Umbria: tight and a bit leans, but a
year more should produce the silk and velvet. +101253, $14.95, QPR: 90.
13. 1707 Seleccion de Barricas 2004 Almansa Spain: excellent blend of
mourvedre, petit verdot, syrah, cabernet sauvignon and merlot. Some
anise. +94854, $16.95, QPR: 90.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1.Domaine Faillenc Sainte Marie Rouge 2006 Corbieres: an organic
product with full extractive density and juicy flavours. +711671,
$13.95, QPR: 90.
2. Domaine des Aires Hautes Les Combelles 2005 Minervois: dominated by
dark syrah tones. +701706, $13.95, QPR: 90.
3. Camplazens Syrah 2006 Pays d’Oc: peppery, herby in mid-palate, more
syrah-based character than most. +104752, $14.95, QPR: 90.
4. Chateau Calissanne 2006 Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence: juicy but not the
nougat candy, raspberries stand out. +61283, $17.95, QPR: 90.
5. Ajello Majus Nero d’Avola Sicily: soft fruit extract, depth beyond
the mid-palate, good food wine. +100545, $16.95, QPR: 90.
6. Inniskillin Reserve Series Meritage 2006 Niagara: juicy blend of 70%
merlot and balance cabernet franc. Long finish, but soft. +91132,
$17.95, QPR: 90.
7. Sileni Cellar Selection Pinot Noir 2008 Hawkes Bay: unbeatable pinot
as it should be (light bodied, 12.5% ABV). +694901, $15, QPR: 91.
8. Seven Sisters Carol Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 WO Western Cape: mocha
tones, 13% ABV, densely extractive. +79681, $13.95, QPR: 90.
9. Stellenrust Shiraz 2005 WO Stellenbosch: aged syrah complexity,
14.6% ABV, long finish, ready now. +96552, $16.95, QPR: 90.
10. Chateau Bouissel Classic 2005 Fronton: tannat backed with cab
franc, syrah, and Malbec, herby and intense. +693986, $14.95, QPR: 90.
11. Rocca Delle Macie Chianti Riserva 2005: not really chianti in
style, more North American blend of sangiovese and Bordeaux varieties,
but there is balance and the price is appealing. +111641, $15, QPR: 90.
12. Cantina Tudernum Merlot 2006 Umbria: tight and a bit leans, but a
year more should produce the silk and velvet. +101253, $14.95, QPR: 90.
13. 1707 Seleccion de Barricas 2004 Almansa Spain: excellent blend of
mourvedre, petit verdot, syrah, cabernet sauvignon and merlot. Some
anise. +94854, $16.95, 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
could buy and bring to those restaurants with corkage programs.
1.Bridlewood Reserve Syrah 2004 Central Coast, +90084, $27.95 retail.
2. Paul Dolan Vineyards Zinfandel 2006 Mendocino/Amador, $46342, $21.95
3. St.Francis Merlot 2005 Sonoma County, $422014, $32.95.
4. D’Arenberg The Lucky Lizard Chardonnay 2007 Adelaide Hills, +683011,
$26.95.
5. Kilikanoon Covenant Shiraz 2006 Clare, +674747, $49.95.
6. The Colonial Estate Explorateur Old Vine Shiraz 2006 Barossa,
+18648, $29.95.
7. Domaine Berthet-Rayne Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2005, +78741, $43.95.
8. Il Borro Rosso 2005 Tuscany, +661769, $59.95.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
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.Bridlewood Reserve Syrah 2004 Central Coast, +90084, $27.95 retail.
2. Paul Dolan Vineyards Zinfandel 2006 Mendocino/Amador, $46342, $21.95
3. St.Francis Merlot 2005 Sonoma County, $422014, $32.95.
4. D’Arenberg The Lucky Lizard Chardonnay 2007 Adelaide Hills, +683011,
$26.95.
5. Kilikanoon Covenant Shiraz 2006 Clare, +674747, $49.95.
6. The Colonial Estate Explorateur Old Vine Shiraz 2006 Barossa,
+18648, $29.95.
7. Domaine Berthet-Rayne Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2005, +78741, $43.95.
8. Il Borro Rosso 2005 Tuscany, +661769, $59.95.
Chimo! www.deantudor.com
Dean Tudor, Ryerson University Journalism Professor Emeritus
Treasurer, Wine Writers' Circle of Canada
Look it up and you'll remember it; screw it up and you'll never forget it.
http://gothicepicures.blogspot.com
Treasurer, Wine Writers' Circle of Canada
Look it up and you'll remember it; screw it up and you'll never forget it.
http://gothicepicures.blogspot.com
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