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Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Aug 6/11: LCBO Vintages Release - some tasting notes

WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR AUGUST 6, 2011
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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.
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1. 13th Street White Palette 2010 Niagara: nicely priced white blend
wine, 12% ABV. Almost a field blend of gewurztraminer, riesling,
sauvignon blanc and chardonnay. +207340, $14.95, QPR: 89.
2. Peninsula Ridge McNally Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2009 Beamsville
Bench: California style succulence, a tame savvy with some body and
fair price, 13.5% ABV. Food or sip. +243147, $17.95, QPR: 90.
3. Villa Mt. Eden Grand Reserve Bien Nacido Chardonnay 2007 Santa Maria
Valley: a deft California chardonnay, toasty, good finish, restaurant
wine. 14.3% ABV.
4. Crios de Susana Balbo Torrontes 2010 Argentina: best value summer
sipper, although 13.5% ABV. A Toronto wine, so drink up! +1834, $11.95,
QPR: 89.
5. Vasse Felix Chardonnay 2009 Margaret River: classic burgundian
excellence and elegance. 13% ABV, with wild yeast fermentation and
French oak. +903617, $19.95, QPR: 90.
6. Dog Point Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2010 Marlborough: intense
grapefruit and grass quality, some lemons and green peppers. +677450,
$19.95, QPR: 89.
7. Glen Carlou Chardonnay 2008 WO Paarl: well-rounded chardonnay, 14%
ABV, wood lingers on the finish, but sip or food. +915231, $17.95, QPR:
90.
8. Domaine de Rochebin Clos Saint-Germain Vieilles Vignes Chardonnay
Bourgogne 2009: MVC entry-level burgundy, but medium-bodied with 12.5%
ABV, some depth due to older vines. +243873, $17.95, QPR: 89.
9. Domaine Bois-Malinge Muscadet Sur Lie Sevre et Maine 2009: lemon,
crisp, MVC with seafood. Good price. +224246, $13.95, QPR: 89.
10. Hoffman-Simon Riesling Spatlese 2009 Piesporter Goldtropfchen
Mosel: just in time for summer sipping, 8% ABV, delivers a lot of fruit
and MD sweetness. +216499, $19.95, QPR: 89.
11. Aveleda Follies Alvarinho 2010 Minho Portugal: very fruity and
refreshing, sip or with food, 12.5% ABV. +59048, $15.95, QPR: 89.
 
TOP VALUE RED WINES under $20 or so.
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1. Bogle Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 California: juicy, tasty,
the Vintages note correctly says it "really over-delivers". +904565,
$17.95, QPR: 89.
2. California Karma Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 Paso Robles: commercial
cabernet sauvignon, very rich tasting, 14.2% ABV. +213637, $15.95, QPR:
89.
3. Canepa Reserva Privada Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 Maipo: off-dry, fruit
fresh, needs a bit more time, still approachable. +412031, $13.95, QPR:
89.
4. Emiliana Adobe Reserva Syrah 2009 Rapel: tasty but lusty Euro-style
syrah, needs a bit of time, but pick some up at this modest price. 14%
ABV. Organic. +213553, $12.95, QPR: 90.
5. Peter Lehmann Layers Red 2008 Barossa: red wine blend (G-S-M plus
Tempranillo and carignane), 14.5% ABV, overheated Mediterranean style.
+138883, $17.95, QPR: 89.
6. Seigneurs d'Aiguilhe 2009 Castillon: intense fruit from a modestly-
priced second wine (Ch. D'Aiguilhe), 14% ABV. +195172, $19.95, QPR: 89.
7. Les Vignerons de Visan Visan 2007 Cotes du Rhone Villages: Gold
Medal winner, MVC all the way, excellent price. +179234, $12.95, QPR:
89.
8. Burgo Viejo Reserva 2004 Rioja: excellent value for an MVC Rioja.
All the points are there, 13.5% ABV. +168823, $18.95, 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
should buy these wines to bring to restaurants with corkage programs.
 
1. Burrowing Owl Chardonnay 2009 Okanagan, +208694, $32.95 retail.
2. Fielding Pinot Gris 2010 Niagara, +251108, $21.95.
3. Talbott Logan Chardonnay 2008 Santa Lucia California, +716290,
$26.95.
4. William Fevre Chablis 1er Cru 2008, +169805, $29.95.
5. Freemark Abbey Merlot 2008 Napa, +1602, $29.95
6. Chateau Monbrison 2001 Margaux, +235440, $43.95
7. Cave de Rasteau Ortas Les Hauts du Village Rasteau 2006 Cotes du
Rhone-Villages, +581785, $22.95.

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