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Tuesday, May 17, 2011

May 28/11: LCBO Vintages Releases (I'm early; I'm going to hospital)

WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR MAY 28, 2011
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com.
Creator of Canada's award-winning wine satire site at http://fauxvoixvincuisine.blogspot.com. My
"Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net Compendium" is a guide to
thousands of news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers
and spirits, at www.deantudor.com since 1995. 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. Mike Weir Riesling 2008 VQA NOTL: very Euro in mode, great Riesling
MVC. Softer finish than expected, not shrill like many Ontario
Rieslings. +229286, $14.95, QPR: 90.
2. Robert Oatley Sauvignon Blanc 2010 Margaret River/Pemberton: body
and soul of savvy, but the bizarre zest. Good finish. Sip or food.
+186106, $17.95, QPR: 89.
3. The Winery of Good Hope Bush Vine Chenin Blanc 2009 Stellenbosch:
lots more complexity here than expected at this modest price level.
Orchard fruit and long length. +158121, $11.95, QPR: 89.
4. Faller Geisberg Riesling 2007 Alsace Grand Cru: excellent Riesling
MVC, dry intense flavours, slightly honeyed. +225169, $20.95, QPR: 90.
5. Joseph Cattin Muscat 2009 Alsace: good peachy flavours from the
muscat grape, intense grape flavours at times, floral and fragrant.
+224634, $14.95, QPR: 89.
6. Domaine Roux Pere et Fils Montagny 1er Cru 2009: very well made for
the price level, and indeed it is a complex burgundian chardonnay.
Butter and fruit, good length. +208017, $18.95, QPR: 91.
7. Domaine de la Grange Vieilles Vignes Muscat Sevre & Maine 2009 Sur
Lie: body and flavour are emphasized, great price for an experienced
melon de Bourgogne. Longer length. +682625, $13.95, QPR: 89.
 
TOP VALUE RED WINES under $20 or so.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Bommarito Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 Napa: 14.5% ABV makes this a heavy
chocolate-smokey modern wine with some berries. +213918, $19.95, QPR:
89.
2. Emiliana Winemaker's Selection Syrah 2009 La Quebrada Casablanca:
old world Rhone syrah, complexity and long length, 14.5% ABV, plus it
is organic as well. +212407, $18.95, QPR: 92.
3. Chateau La Tour de L'Eveque Vendanges Manuelles 2005 Cotes de
Provence: mouthfilling mix of syrah and cabernet sauvignon, good
maturity. +440123, $17.95, QPR: 90.
4. Domaine Mercouri Red 2006 Letrinon Greece: a fairly complex, mature
wine of 13% ABV, long length to the finish, mature berry flavours.
+652974, $18.95, QPR: 89.
5. Drei Dona Tenuta La Palazza Notturno Sangiovese 2008 IGT Forli
Emilia-Romagna: some complex cherries and spices, with its North
American appeal it has a bit of fruitcake. +39958, $17.95, QPR: 89.
6. Bod. Alitus Ardal Crianza 2005 Ribera del Duero: nicely aged and
affordable blend of Tempranillo and cab sauvignon. 14% ABV. Sweet
vanilla and coconut on the finish from US oak.
7. Antiche Terre Ripasso Valpolicella 2008: the LCBO's "Ripasso of the
month". +178459, $14.95, QPR: 89.
 
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.
 
1. Clos du Bois Sonoma Reserve Chardonnay 2008 Russian River Valley,
+479527, $22.95 retail.
2. Nobilo Icon Sauvignon Blanc 2010 Marlborough, +912337, $24.95
3. Domaine Latour-Giraud Les Narvaux Meursault 2008, +12369, $44.95
4. Domaine Sylvain Bailly Terroirs Sancerre 2009, +223859, $24.95
5. 7 Deadly Zins Old Vine Zinfandel 2008 Lodi, +59311, $24.95
6. Fess Parker Rodney's Vineyard Syrah 2007 Santa Barbara, +232546,
$39.95
7. Freemark Abbey Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 Napa, +238758, $29.95
8. Gamble Family Vineyards Paramount 2005 Napa, +221143, $59.95
9. Brothers in Arms Sixth Generation Reserve Shiraz 2003 Langhorne
Creek, +222000, $27.95
10. La Castellina Squarcialupi Chianti Classico Riserva 2006, +214627,
$27.95
11. Alvaro Palacios Camins del Priorat 2008, +216291, $22.95
12. Leza Garcia Gran Reserva 2001 Rioja, +681601, $27.95

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