TASTING: World Wine Watch for May 23, 2009 Vintages Release

WORLD WINE WATCH (VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR MAY 23, 2009
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
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 or so.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Greg Norman California Estates Chardonnay 2005 Santa Barbara: good
wood on this one, plus creamy minerals. +29264, $19.95, QPR: 90.
2. Concha y Toro Marques de Casa Concha Chardonnay 2007 Pirque Maipo:
well spiced and priced, balanced, lingering finish. +342857, $17.95,
QPR: 90.
3. Spy Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2008 Marlborough NZ: herbaceously
fragrant, adapted to sipping possibilities. +686675, $14.95, QPR: 90.
4. Andre Blanck Rosenberg Pinot Blanc 2007 Alsace: ripe and full, good
character, like a pinot gris. +626606, $15.95, QPR: 90.
5. Duca di Castelmonte Tripudium Bianco 2007 Sicily: great nose from
the zibibbo muscat grape, lingering floral fruit. +117531, $18.95, QPR:
90.

 

TOP VALUE RED WINES under $20 or so.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. G7 Reserva Carmenere 2006 Loncomilla Chile: deep, dense, chewy, long
finish. Ready now. +94177, $14.95, QPR: 90.
2. William Cole Columbine Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 Curico Chile:
velvety, dark fruit, mocha tones, longer length, much like a merlot.
+93856, $15.95, QPR: 91.
3. Ferngrove Shiraz 2007 Frankland River Australia: full, rich, and
delicious wine, somewhat Euro style. +90282, $16.95, QPR: 90.
4. C.J.Pask Gimblett Road Cabernet/Merlot/Malbec 2006 Hawkes Bay NZ:
great tasting blend, black fruit, Bordeaux styled. +120816, $19.95,
QPR: 90.
5. Linton Park Shiraz 2004 WO Paarl: Euro syrah-type wine, but richer.
+910844, $15.95, QPR: 90.
6. Maison des Princes Anjou 2007: good cab franc texture, classic MVC
(raspberry, smoke, herbs). +107094, $13.95, 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. Arrowood Chardonnay 2005 Sonoma, +270694, $34.95 retail.
2. Cuvaison Chardonnay 2007 Carneros Napa, +988261, $25.95.
3. Domaine Michel-Andreotti Montagny 1er Cru 2006, +112516, $23.95.
4. Ridgeline Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 Alexander Valley Sonoma, +54072,
$39.95.
5. Hazyblur Baroota Shiraz 2005 South Australia, +52126, $35.95.
6. Chateau Le Caillou 1998 Pomerol, +45682, $48.95.
7. Chateau Verdignan 1999 Haut-Medoc, +125286, $29.95.
8. Vincent Girardin Les Vergelesses Savigny-Les-Beaune 1er Cru 2006,
+110353, $44.95.
9. Marco Bonfante Barbaresco 2004, +117119, $39.95.
10. Baron de Ley Reserva 2004 Rioja, +958868, $21.95.
11. Rioja Bordon Gran Reserva 2001, +114454, $26.95.

 

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com