TASTING: 4th Annual Stem Wine Group Portfolio, Toronto, Sept 22, 2009

The Time and Date: Tuesday, September 22, 2009   3PM to 10 PM

The Event: 4^th annual Stem Wine Group "Family of Wines" Gala Tasting

The Venue: Eglinton Grand event theatre

The Target Audience: wine media, restaurants, private clients.

The Availability/Catalogue: everything is here or will be via

consignment and private orders. The catalogue was a model of

efficiency, with a quick section on how to use the guide. All prices

were given, as well as the terms. The wines were listed by region and

producer, in table order. Helpful cards were placed at each table, with

more details about each wine. This really saved me a lot of time, and I

am sure the patrons appreciated it.

The Quote/Background: Partners Robert Tome and Tony Macchione have assembled one of the nicest portfolios of wines, specializing in highly sought after wines from Piedmont, Tuscany, Umbria, and the like. There are also a select few wines from other European countries plus the New World.

The Wines: I did not try all the wines, there were over 100 of them. Eight owners or export directors came over from Italy for this event. Prices are retail.

 

**** Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Boroli Barolo Villero Riserva 1999, $119.99

-Zyme Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2003, $225

-Villabella Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Fracastoro 2001, $64.99

-Villabella Passito del Fiordilej 2005, $25.99 (375 mL)

-Siro Pacenti Brunello di Montalcino 2004, $114.99

-Valdicava Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Madonna del Piano 2003, $219.99

-Az.Agr. Collemattioni Brunello di Montalcino 2004, $64.99

-Az.Agr. Collemattioni Brunello di Montalcino 2004 Riserva, $100 (not yet released, pre-orders only).

-Andeluna Cellars Grand Reserve Pasionado 2004 Mendoza, $54.99

 

***1/2 Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Boroli Barolo Cerequio 2003, $109.99

-Viberti Barolo Bricco Delle Viole Riserva 2003, $71.99

-Ca' del Baio Langhe Nebbiolo Bric del Baio 2007, $26.99

-Villabella Villa Cordevigo Rosso Veronese 2004, $46.99

-Valdicava Brunello di Montalcino 2004, $159 (other bottle sizes available, from 375 mL to jeroboam 3 L)

-La Fattoria de Magliano Poggio Bestiale IGT 2006, $56.99

-La Fattoria de Magliano Perenzo Syrah IGT 2006, $64.99

-Arnaldo Caprai Rosso Outsider IGT 2006 Umbria, $66.99 (50-50 cab/merlot)

-Arnaldo Caprai Sagrantino di Montefalco 25^th Anniversary 2005 Umbria, $124.99

-Arnaldo Caprai Montefalco Rosso 2006 Riserva Umbria, $59.99

-Az.Agr. Masciarelli Marina Cvetic Trebbiano d'Abruzzo 2006, $49.99

-Az.Agr. Masciarelli Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2004 Villa Gemma, $79.99

-Feudi di San Gregorio Serpico Aglianico 2003, $99.99

-Bodegas Darien Rioja Seleccion 2003, $39.99

-Jax Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 2006, $59.99

-Jax Vineyards Y3 Chardonnay Napa, 2007, $33.99

-Coup de Foudre Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 2007, $225

-Merry Edwards Meredith Estate Pinot Noir 2006, $98.99

-Andeluna Reserve Chardonnay 2005 Mendoza, $22.99

 

*** Three Stars (85 – 87 in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Viberti Barolo Buon Padre 2004, $65.88

-Ca' Del Baio Barbaresco Valgrande 2006, $59.99

-Delibori Vignetti Cantine Amarone della Valpolicella 2004, $35.99

-Tenuta Monteti Caburnio IGT 2006 Tuscany, $23.99

-Tenuta Monteti IGT 2005 Tuscany, $59.99

-Arnaldo Caprai Montefalco Rosso 2006 Umbria, $30.99

-Feudi di San Gregorio Taurasi 2003, $59.99

-Bodegas Darien Rioja Crianza 2005, $21.99

-David Franz Lehmann Barossa Benjamin's Promise Shiraz 2004, $51.99

-David Franz Lehmann Barossa Georgie's Walk Cabernet Sauvignon 2004, $51.99

-David Franz Lehmann Barossa Alexander's Reward Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon 2003, $51.99

-Michael Sullberg Merlot 2007 Central Coast, $16.99

-Hart & McGarry Chardonnay Napa Valley 2006, $25.99

-Merry Edwards Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2008, $59.99

 

Try http://gothicepicures.blogspot.com/2008/12/trade-tasting-stem-wine-group-gala.html for a look at what I thought about last year's tasting. My ratings are fairly consistent.

 

The Food: it is always about the porchetta! But there were also lobster bisque, semolina breads, a Parmigiano-Reggiano wheel, mushroom risotto with truffle oil, spring rolls and sausages.

The Upside: there was a jazz-pop guitar trio plus a historical slide show of older photos of the Stem company.

The Contact Person: robert@stemwinegroup.com

The Marketing Effectiveness (numerical grade): 96

 

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com