TASTING: APVSA in Toronto, April 23, 2009

The Time and Date: Thursday, April 23, 2009   10 AM to 6 PM
The Event: 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 try 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 were sales staff available to
comment on the prices and production.
The Wines: The problem I had with the wines, and one that must be
acknowledged, is that they were no better than the wines that we
already have here in Ontario. There really did not seem to be any price
advantages, either. These 40 or so wines could be made available
through Vintages or Consignment. Here were my faves, regardless of
price (Bordeaux dominated):

 

**** Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Domaine Huguet Saint Pierre Sancerre 2008 Pierre Prieur
-Champagne Sublime Mesnil Blanc de Blanc 2001
-Chat. Toumilon Graves 2005

 

***1/2 Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-J.P. Mauler Riesling 2007 Alsace
-J.P. Mauler Gewurztraminer 2007 Alsace
-Le Mesnil Champoagne Blanc de blanc
-Ch. Bellerose Figeac Prestige St. Emilion Grand Cru 2002, 2001, and
1999
-Ch. Chene Liege Pomerol 2000

 

*** Three Stars (85 – 87 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Domaine Huguet 2008 Cheverny
-Domaine Huguet Cuvee Marechal Prieur Sancerre 2006
-Chateau de Quincay 2008 Rose Pineau d'Annis
-Chateau de Quincay 2008 Sauvignon
-Chateau Les Alberts Bordeaux Blanc 2007
-Chat. De Salettes Gaillac 2006
-Chat. La Gontelle 2008 Premiere Cotes de Blaye
-Chat. Robert 2005 Pomerol
-Dom des Mimosasas Lalande de Pomerol 2006
-Ch. D'Estoublon 2005 Les Baux Provence
-Ch. De Quincay 2007 Opus Vinum

 

The Food: none.
The Downside: usually there is not enough space to sprawl out and write
notes. No paper was furnished, so I used some 3 by 5 cards.
The Upside: a chance to taste some engaging wines not available here.
There is a listing of wines with prices, but it is complicated.
The next show will be in June.
The Contact Person: for prices, etc, check with Pascal
p.fernand@apvsa.ca
The Effectiveness (numerical grade): 85.

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com