WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR MARCH 6, 2010
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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.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
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. Emiliana Novas Winemaker's Selection Chardonnay/Viognier/Marsanne
2007 Casablanca: from organic grapes, dynamite body and oaky finish, a
big dense wine with flowers on the approach. +63909, $18.95, QPR: 90.
2. Errazuriz Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2008 Casablanca: good
balance with elegance, rewarding food wine, 13.5% ABV, twist top.
+143198, $14.95, QPR: 90.
3. Ingoldby Chardonnay 2008 McLaren Vale: balanced, tightly framed, low
oak. +47647, $14.95, QPR: 90.
4. Pfaffenheim Cuvee Bacchus Gewurztraminer 2008 Alsace: terrific
gewurztraminer tones, but drier than the MD indicated in the catalogue.
+996017, $19.95, QPR: 90.
5. Domaine des Aspes Viognier 2008 Vins de Pays D'Oc: delicious value,
complexity of peaches and citrus fruit. 13.5% ABV, twist top. +712638,
$15.95, QPR: 90.
6. Henri de Richemer Muscat Sec 2008 Vins de Pays des Cotes de Thau:
terrific floral and muscat complexity at this price level. +150169,
$12.95, QPR: 91.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Emiliana Novas Winemaker's Selection Chardonnay/Viognier/Marsanne
2007 Casablanca: from organic grapes, dynamite body and oaky finish, a
big dense wine with flowers on the approach. +63909, $18.95, QPR: 90.
2. Errazuriz Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2008 Casablanca: good
balance with elegance, rewarding food wine, 13.5% ABV, twist top.
+143198, $14.95, QPR: 90.
3. Ingoldby Chardonnay 2008 McLaren Vale: balanced, tightly framed, low
oak. +47647, $14.95, QPR: 90.
4. Pfaffenheim Cuvee Bacchus Gewurztraminer 2008 Alsace: terrific
gewurztraminer tones, but drier than the MD indicated in the catalogue.
+996017, $19.95, QPR: 90.
5. Domaine des Aspes Viognier 2008 Vins de Pays D'Oc: delicious value,
complexity of peaches and citrus fruit. 13.5% ABV, twist top. +712638,
$15.95, QPR: 90.
6. Henri de Richemer Muscat Sec 2008 Vins de Pays des Cotes de Thau:
terrific floral and muscat complexity at this price level. +150169,
$12.95, QPR: 91.
TOP VALUE RED WINES under $20 or so.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Rodney Strong Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 Sonoma: deep, deep textures,
very cabby, best with food. 13.8% ABV. +226944, $19.95, QPR: 90.
2. Casa Lapostolle Merlot 2008 Rapel: delicious merlot intensity, but
with old world character. 14.5% ABV. +405712, $16.95, QPR: 90.
3. Emiliana Novas Limited Selection Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot 2007
Central Valley Chile: first rate Bordeaux-styled blend, organic grapes.
+685792, $14.95, QPR: 90.
4. Emiliana Novas Limited Selection Carmenere/Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
Colchagua: earthy, but excellent blend and balanced with fruit.
Organic, of course. I think that this is the first time I've ever
recommended THREE wines from the same company in one release. +66746,
$14.95, QPR: 90.
5. Tabali Reserva Merlot 2006 Limari: good long food finish, lots of
black fruit and mocha and roasted vanilla. +93740, $14.95, QPR: 90.
6. Alkoomi Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 Frankland River: delicious Euro
style, with black fruit and smoke sitting on top. +904227, $19.95, QPR:
90.
7. Mulderbosch Faithful Hound 2005 WO Stellenbosch: excellent Bordeaux-
styled wine, with five classic grape varieties used. +922443, $20.95,
QPR: 90.
8. Chateau Fabre Cuvee des Jumelles 2008 Corbieres: basic quality red
for grilled meats and BBQ. +148783, $13.95, QPR: 90.
9. Aldo Marenco Pirun 2008 Dolcetto: plumy with raspberry component,
good tannins right to the finish, food. Organic. +161729, $17.95, QPR:
90.
10. Rivera Cappellaccio Riserva Aglianico 2004 Castel del Monte Puglia:
extremely Italianate, good aged complexity, jam and leather. +984120,
$17.95, QPR: 90.
11. Vignalta Rosso Riserva 2005 Veneto: a 60/40 blend of cabernet
sauvignon and merlot, 13.5% ABV, generous fruit. +52571, $19.95, QPR:
90.
12. Guelbenzu Azul 2006 Ribera del Queiles Spain: juicy, North American
style, modestly herby and black currant notes. +146225, $18.95, QPR:
90.
13. Heredad de Baroja Cautivo Crianza 2005 Rioja: woody tones, upfront
on the nose, along with tempranillo fruit. +148510, $13.95, QPR: 90.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Rodney Strong Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 Sonoma: deep, deep textures,
very cabby, best with food. 13.8% ABV. +226944, $19.95, QPR: 90.
2. Casa Lapostolle Merlot 2008 Rapel: delicious merlot intensity, but
with old world character. 14.5% ABV. +405712, $16.95, QPR: 90.
3. Emiliana Novas Limited Selection Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot 2007
Central Valley Chile: first rate Bordeaux-styled blend, organic grapes.
+685792, $14.95, QPR: 90.
4. Emiliana Novas Limited Selection Carmenere/Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
Colchagua: earthy, but excellent blend and balanced with fruit.
Organic, of course. I think that this is the first time I've ever
recommended THREE wines from the same company in one release. +66746,
$14.95, QPR: 90.
5. Tabali Reserva Merlot 2006 Limari: good long food finish, lots of
black fruit and mocha and roasted vanilla. +93740, $14.95, QPR: 90.
6. Alkoomi Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 Frankland River: delicious Euro
style, with black fruit and smoke sitting on top. +904227, $19.95, QPR:
90.
7. Mulderbosch Faithful Hound 2005 WO Stellenbosch: excellent Bordeaux-
styled wine, with five classic grape varieties used. +922443, $20.95,
QPR: 90.
8. Chateau Fabre Cuvee des Jumelles 2008 Corbieres: basic quality red
for grilled meats and BBQ. +148783, $13.95, QPR: 90.
9. Aldo Marenco Pirun 2008 Dolcetto: plumy with raspberry component,
good tannins right to the finish, food. Organic. +161729, $17.95, QPR:
90.
10. Rivera Cappellaccio Riserva Aglianico 2004 Castel del Monte Puglia:
extremely Italianate, good aged complexity, jam and leather. +984120,
$17.95, QPR: 90.
11. Vignalta Rosso Riserva 2005 Veneto: a 60/40 blend of cabernet
sauvignon and merlot, 13.5% ABV, generous fruit. +52571, $19.95, QPR:
90.
12. Guelbenzu Azul 2006 Ribera del Queiles Spain: juicy, North American
style, modestly herby and black currant notes. +146225, $18.95, QPR:
90.
13. Heredad de Baroja Cautivo Crianza 2005 Rioja: woody tones, upfront
on the nose, along with tempranillo fruit. +148510, $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
should buy these wines to bring to restaurants with corkage programs.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Restaurants should consider offering these FINE VALUE wines at a $10
markup over retail; the wines are READY to enjoy right NOW. Consumers
should buy these wines to bring to restaurants with corkage programs.
1. Beringer Sbragia Limited-Release Chardonnay 2007 Napa, +79178,
$54.95 retail.
2. Mulderbosch Chardonnay 2006 WO Stellenbosch, +717090, $21.95.
3. Domaine Marechal-Caillot Savigny-Les-Beaune 2006, +159707, $34.95.
4. Cennatoio Chianti Classico 2006, +121210, $24.95.
5. I Castei Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 2005, +739979, $38.95.
$54.95 retail.
2. Mulderbosch Chardonnay 2006 WO Stellenbosch, +717090, $21.95.
3. Domaine Marechal-Caillot Savigny-Les-Beaune 2006, +159707, $34.95.
4. Cennatoio Chianti Classico 2006, +121210, $24.95.
5. I Castei Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 2005, +739979, $38.95.
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