Oct 24/11: Tasting seminar on Concha y Toro's new releases

 The Date and Time: Monday, October 24, 2011  11:30 AM to 3 PM
The Event: Tasting seminar on Concha y Toro's new releases (Marques de
Casa Concha, Casillero del Diablo, and the new premium wines from
Maycas del Limari), with winemaker Marcelo Papa, one of the four chief
winemakers with Concha y Toro.
The Venue: Fairmont Royal York, Salon 2
The Target Audience: wine media
The Availability/Catalogue: most wines are (or will be) available
through the LCBO channels.
The Quote/Background: The award winning Papa is known for his premium
wines; he developed the seminar wines, and spoke to them with his
insight. He expounded on the new Maycas del Limari series, wines made
only from coastal Limari-grown grapes. I also enjoyed his talk on
jousts with the marketing team at Concha y Toro.
The Wines: We tasted 7 wines in the Casillero series before the event
(all lined price, except where noted, at $11.95), plus 10 wines in the
seminar.

 

**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Marques de Casa Concha Chardonnay 2009 Limari, $17.95 Vintages
-Marques de Casa Concha Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, $19.95 Vintages
Essential
-Maycas del Limari Reserva Especial Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, $19.95
Vintages February 4, 2012
-Maycas del Limari Reserva Especial Chardonnay 2009, $19.95 Vintages
-Maycas del Limari Reserva Especial Syrah 2009, $19.95 Vintages June 9,
2012.

 

***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price
Rating terms):
-Casillero del Diablo Merlot 2010 Reserva Rapel, LCBO
-Casillero del Diablo Carmenere 2010 Reserva Rapel, LCBO
-Casillero del Diablo Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 Reserva Central, LCBO
-Casillero del Diablo Brut Reserva NV Limari, $13.95 private order
-Marques de Casa Concha Pinot Noir 2010 Limari, $19.95 private order
-Marques de Casa Concha Syrah 2008 Maipo, $19.95 Vintages
-Marques de Casa Concha Merlot 2009 Rapel, $19.95 Vintages June 9, 2012
-Marques de Casa Concha Carmenere 2009 Rapel, $19.95 Vintages

 

*** GOOD -- Three Stars (85 – 87 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Casillero del Diablo Sauvignon Blanc 2011 Reserva Central, LCBO $10.95
-Casillero del Diablo Malbec 2010 Reserva Rapel, LCBO
-Casillero del Diablo Shiraz 2010 Reserva Rapel, LCBO
-Casillero del Diablo Cabernet Syrah Reserva Privada 2009 Maipo, $15.95
private order.

 

The Food: we had an open menu lunch at Epic, with some of the wines
from the seminar. I had seafood risotto and black cod. The food and
white wines were fabulous together.
The Downside: it was one of many wine tastings that day.
The Upside: a chance to talk with Marcelo Papa
The Contact Person: csimard@selectwines.ca
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade):
92.

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com AND http://gothicepicures.blogspot.com