TASTING: Hobbs & Co Portfolio Wines, April 20, 2009

The Time and Date: Monday, April 20, 2009  2PM to 4:30 PM
The Event: Hobbs & Co 3rd Annual Portfolio Tasting
The Venue: St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts, Bluma Appel lobby.
The Target Audience: wine press, sommeliers.
The Availability/Catalogue: everything is available. The catalogue had
full notes, label reproductions, price information for licensees and
retail, etc.
The Quote/Background: I was impressed that for a small portfolio
tasting of some 68 wines, representatives came from 9 wineries,
including Tyler Galts from Quails Gate in BC, Hazel Murphy from
Australia, plus Ontarians Larry Horne (Calamus), Matt Loney
(Creekside), and David Johnson (Featherstone).
The Wines: all prices are licensee.

 

**** Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Quails' Gate Chardonnay 2007 Okanagan, $17.99
-Quails' Gate Pinot Noir 2007 Okanagan, $21.99
-Takutai Pinot Noir 2006 Nelson NZ, $18.75.
-Tall Poppy Hillside Merlot 2005 Victoria, $13.25
-Franschhoek Vineyards Chenin Blanc 2008 South Africa, $10.99
-Chateau Grand Moulin Rose La Tour 2008 Corbieres, $13.50
-Chateau Grand Moulin Vieilles Vignes 2005 Corbieres, $18.99
-Bioghetto RN13 Blanc 2007 Vin de Pays de l'Herault, $15.99 organic
-Domaine Francois Lichtle Gewurztraminer 2007 Alsace, $20.99
-Domaine Lafond Roc-Epine Rose 2007 Tavel, $19.99
-Chateau Balestard la Tonnelle St. Emilion Grand Cru Classe 2001,
$56.99
-Villa Buonasera Chianti Classico Riserva 2001, $34.99

 

***1/2 Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Quails' Gate Chenin Blanc 2008 Okanagan, $17.99
-Quails' Gate Stewart Family Reserve Chardonnay 2007 Okanagan, $25.99.
-Calamus Half Penny Rose 2007 Niagara, $12.10
-Creekside Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2007 Niagara, $11.21
-Creekside Estate Shiraz 2007 Niagara, $12.84
-Creekside Estate Broken Press Shiraz 2006 St.David's Bench, $32.41
-Featherstone Estate Black Sheep Riesling 2008 Twenty Mile Bench, $15
-Featherstone Estate Cabernet Franc 2007 Twenty Mile Bench, $16.95
-Tinpot Hut Sauvignon Blanc 2008 Marlborough, $18.99
-Chalkers Crossing Hilltops Semillon 2008 New Siouith Wales, $19.99
-Chalkers Crossing Hilltop Shiraz 2006 New South Wales, $25.99
-Hartenberg Estate Weisser Riesling 2006 Stellenbosch, $15.75
-Leitz Rudesheimer Magdalenenkreuz Riesling Spatlese 2007 Rheingau,
$25.99
-Domaine Cherrier Pere et Fils Sancerre 2007, $23.99
-Chateau de Montmirail 2006 Vacqueyras, $26.99
-Alpha Zeta Amarone della Valpolicella 2005, $50.99

 

*** Three Stars (85 – 87 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Calamus Riesling 2007 Niagara, $14.55
-Calamus Red 2006 Niagara, $13.75
-Featherstone Estate Merlot 2007 Twenty Mile Bench, $19.40
-Wayne Gretzky Estate Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, $34.99
-Clairaut Wines Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2008 Margaret River, $19.99
-Tall Poppy Hillside Unwooded Chardonnay 2006 Victoria, $13.25
-Slowine Shiraz 2006 Overberg South Africa, $12.90
-Bodegas Barreda Torre de Barreda Amigos 2005 Toledo, $19.99
-Herdade do Perdigao Villa Romanu Branco 2007 Alentejo, $13.99

 

The Food: cheeses and terrines, breads.
The Downside: Because I talked with many reps, I ran out of time.
The Upside: a good looking portfolio for all levels of needs.
The Contact Person: www.hobbswines.com
The Marketing Effectiveness (numerical grade): 94.

 

 

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com