TASTING: LCBO Vintages releases of June 20, 2009

WORLD WINE WATCH (VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR JUNE 20, 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.

 

TOP VALUE WHITE WINES under $20 or so.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Peninsula Ridge Viognier 2007 Niagara: great for booth food and
sipping, full flavours, long enough finish for several courses.
+662601, $14.95, QPR: 91.
2. La Chablisienne Saint-Bris Sauvignon Blanc 2007: MVC, still a curio
appellation. +641753, $15.95, QPR: 90.

 

TOP VALUE RED WINES under $20 or so.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Chakana Malbec 2008 Mendoza: mounds of flavour, North American
appeal, off-dry on mid-palate. +3509, $13.95.
2. Navarro Correas Alegoria Gran Reserva Malbec 2006 Mendoza: intense
smokey and anise flavours. +28928, $18.95, QPR: 90.
3. Evans & Tate Shiraz 2004 Margaret River: a food wine with a great
finish, some interesting mint and black fruit along the way. +606905,
$19.95, QPR: 90.
4. Nick Faldo Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 Coonawarra: delicious
off-dry cabernet with a woody underside. +1685, $19.95, QPR: 90.
5. Porcupine Ridge Syrah 2008 WO Coastal South Africa: intense Rhone
syrah complexity, twist top, 14.8% ABV, buy it all at this price. It's
a Friday wine. +595280, $15, QPR: 93.
6. Pierre Sourdais Tradition Chinon 2005: excellent cabernet franc
tones of strawbs and rasps and herbs. +108506, $20.95, QPR: 90.
7. Vesevo Beneventano Aglianico 2006 Campania: more delicious wine,
wood and black fruits, all in play. Great juice. Another Friday wine to
snap up, buy lots. +120907, $16.95, QPR: 93.
8. Rocca delle Macie Rubizzo Sangiovese di Toscana 2006: ripe, well
priced summer sipper, good with food too, soft cherries. Chianti for
the North American crowd. +913780, $14.95, QPR: 90.
9. Cunha Martins Red 2006 Dao: intriguingly dense, with wood and plums,
nice engaging finish. +114462, $14.95, QPR: 90.
10. Albet I Noya Lignum 2006 Penedes: enjoyable, light, summery,
fruity, southern Rhone style. Organic. +1313, $16.95, QPR: 90.
11. Sabor Real Vinas Centenarias Tempranillo 2005 Toro: a lumber wine
with manly flavours for dad. +122325, $19.95, QPR: 90.

 

VALUE: "RESTAURANT READY" or "BRING YOUR OWN WINE BOTTLE" over $20
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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. Stags' Leap Winery Chardonnay 2007 Napa, +655381, $29.95 retail.
2. Chateau St. Jean Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 Sonoma, +977173, $39.95
3. Greg Norman California Estates Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 North Coast,
+8722, $24.95.
4. Dominio del Plata Susana Balbo Signature Malbec 2007 Mendoza,
+79798, $27.95.
5. Vina Cobas Bramare Malbec 2006 Mendoza, +123729, $39.95.
6. Perez Cruz Reserva Limited Edition Carmenere 2007 Maipo, +670539,
$24.95.
7. Chateau Courreges 2005 Premieres Cotes de Bordeaux, +117606, $24.95.
8. Fontodi Chianti Classico 2006, +933317, $28.95.

 

 

 

 

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