LCBO Vintages Release Oct 24, 2009: some notes

WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR OCTOBER 24, 2009
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By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com.
"Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net Compendium" is guide to thousands
of news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and
spirits, at www.deantudor.com (since 1995). Creator of Canada's leading wine
satire site at http://fauxvoixvincuisine.blogspot.com. 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. Corked wines are not available for re-tasting.

 

TOP VALUE WHITE WINES under $20 or so.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Stella Bella Skuttlebutt Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon 2008 Margaret
River: much like an upscale Graves, great MVC flavours. +47621, $15.95,
QPR: 90.
2. Xanadu Chardonnay 2008 Margaret River: delicious, Burgundian
character, toast in the length. +27888, $19.95, QPR: 90.
3. Sticks Chardonnay 2006 Yarra Valley: oaking dissipates over time,
fruit shines through. +141274, $19.94, QPR: 90.
4. Chateau des Charmes St. David's Bench Chardonnay 2006 Niagara:
Burgundian quality, deliciously fruit forward, 14% ABV. +430991,
$19.95, QPR: 90.
5. Casa Lapostolle Sauvignon Blanc 2009 Rapel: grassy but fresh, young
vintage, good buy. +396994, $13.95, QPR: 90.
6. Crabilis Vermentino 2008 Sardinia: aromatic, floral, longer length,
best with crab. +52068, $13.95, QPR: 90.

 

TOP VALUE RED WINES under $20 or so.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Chateau des Charmes Old Vines Cabernet/Merlot 2005 Niagara-on-the-
Lake: a food wine, like an aged Bordeaux, quality for the value
pricing, already 4 years old. +222372, $19.95, QPR: 90.
2. Huntington Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 California: lovely off-dry
chocolate and cherries. +994491, $18.95, QPR: 90.
3. Chakana Reserve Malbec 2008 Mendoza: soft, Merlot-like, affordable.
+18671, $16.95, QPR: 90.
4. Cathedral Cellar Triptych 2006 Coastal Region South Africa: fruity,
aged well, not many oak tones. +53124, $16.95, QPR: 90.
5. Chateau Begadanet 2005 Medoc: MVC, good vintage, approachable now,
what more could you ask for at this price? +138875, $19.95, QPR: 90.
6. Estate Papaioannou Single Vineyard Agiorgitiko 2005 Nemea Greece:
delicious fruity components with a dose of underbrush, garrigue, and
forests. +47977, $18.95, QPR: 90.
7. Monte Antico Sangiovese/Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 Tuscany:
engaging North American blend. +69377, $14.95, QPR: 90.
8. Sogrape Callabriga 2005 Dao: black fruit, well-developed and aged
wine, best with food. +43638, $19.95, QPR: 90.
9. Beronia Reserva 2005 Rioja: and older feel to the wine, smoke,
mocha, plums, delicious and under-priced. +50203, $17.95, QPR: 91.

 

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. Pirathon Shiraz 2005 Barossa Valley, +130278, $38.95 retail.
2. Shaw & Smith Sauvignon Blanc 2008 Adelaide Hills, +965335, $24.95.
3. Tamar Ridge Kayena Vineyard Pinot Noir Tasmania, +962415, $26.95
4. Megalomaniac Sonofabitch Pinot Noir 2007 Niagara, +85134, $24.95
5. 7 Deadly Zins 2007 Old Vines Lodi, +59311, $24.95.
6. Nicolas Maillet Macon Verze 2007, +702605, $22.95.
7. Max Ferd. Richter Riesling Spatlese 1992 Mulheimer Sonnenlay Mosel,
+140780, $23.95.
8. Le Serre Nuove Dell'Ornellaia 2007 Bolgheri Rosso, +606194, $59.95.
9. Stratus Riesling 2007 Niagara, +131011, $35.50.

 

 

 

 

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