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Wednesday, May 9, 2012

WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR MAY 12, 2012


WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR MAY 12, 2012
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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 Internet compendium
"Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net" is a guide to thousands of news
items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits, at
www.deantudor.com since 1994. 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 normally available for a re-tasting.
 
BUT FIRST -- THIS MUM'S DAY SPECIAL --
 
Le Cidre St-Nicolas Rose, +275362, $19.95:  This fine apple cider from Quebec runs at 7% ABV. It is a gold medal winner. The apples are crushed cold pressed with raspberries and strawberries for added complexity and, of course, colour. A terrific social drink or with dessert, even brunch. A Mum's Day Treat.
 
TOP VALUE WHITE WINES under $20 or so.
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1. Angels Gate Mountainview Chardonnay 2010 VQA Beamsville Bench: rich
ripe fruit flavours, good balance with wood tones and longer length for
food. +116384, $18.95, QPR: 89.
2. Catena Alamos Torrontes 2011 Salta: fresh aromas and lively finish,
more a food wine (first course) than a social wine. 13.5% ABV, twist
top. +81539, $13.95, QPR: 89.
3. Wither Hills Wairau Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2011 Marlborough: typical
Kiwi Savvy in MVC style but with a lighter finish. 13.5% ABV, twist
top. +919514, $17.95, QPR: 89.
4. Helfrich Gewurztraminer 2010 Alsace: great aromatics, good on
palate, slightly bitterish finish. 12.5% ABV, twist top. +169748,
$18.95, QPR: 89.
5. Domaine Chenevieres Chablis 2010 La Chapelle Vaupeteigne: more
fruity than minerally, should appeal to a wider range of consumers.
Elegant, good body and finish. Classy labels too. +277913, $19.95, QPR:
89.
6. Monmousseau Vouvray 2010: peachy, peachy, peachy, off dry, some
lanolin. 12% ABV, twist top. +271940, $14.95, QPR: 89.
7. Sols & Sens Laudon Cotes du Rhones-Villages Blanc 2010: refreshing,
the viognier dominates (hot and jammy), appetizer or social wine. 13.5%
ABV. +272435, $14.95, QPR: 90.
8. Geil Bechtheimer Rosengarten Riesling Kabinett 2011 Prad.: sunshine
in a bottle with finishing acid, 10% ABV. Social or first course wine.
+994764, $14.95, QPR: 89.
 
TOP VALUE RED WINES under $20 or so.
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1. Graffigna Grand Reserve Malbec 2008 Pedernal Valley Argentina:
excellent character, jammy, plumy, black fruit, MVC all the way. 14.5%
ABV. +162149, $16.95, PR: 89.
2. Heartland Stickleback Red 2009 South Australia: good drinking blend
of four varieties, twist top, 14.5% ABV.
3. San Fabiano Calcinaia Chianti Classico 2008: needs a bit of time,
but the set is there. Good MVC, just under the Mendoza line. +23408,
$19.95, QPR: 89.
4. Arduini Ripasso Valpolicella Classico Superiore 2009: "Ripasso of
the Month". +267898, $18.95, QPR: 89.
5. Chapillon Cuvee Remy 2007 Priorat: deep and delicious flavours and
tones of grenache, carignan, and cabernet sauvignon. 15.4% ABV leads to
a hot finish. +271114, $18.95, QPR: 89.
6. Juan Gil White Label De Cepas Viejas Monastrell 2010 Jumilla: red
fruit, delicious vanilla and coconut (US oak), affordable, 14.5% ABV.
Buy it all!! +13656, $12.95, QPR: 92.
7. Muriel Reserva 2005 Rioja: juicy but a reserved finish of some
depth. 13% ABV, great price. +276030, $15.95, 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. Casa Marin Laurel Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2009 San Antonio Valley
Chile, +274050, $24.95 retail.
2. Domaine Herve Azo Beauroy Chablis 1er Cru 2010, +276451, $27.95
retail.
3. Roger & Didier Raimbault Sancerre 2010, +82255, $22.95.
4. Clos de Gat Chardonnay 2009 Judean Hills Israel, +280321, $47.95.
5. Ravenswood Old Vine Zinfandel 2009 Sonoma County, +673798, $23.95.
6. Rodney Strong Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 Sonoma County, +226944,
$21.95.
7. Cuvelier Los Andes Grand Vin 2006 Mendoza, +149831, $39.95.
8. Plaisir de Siaurac 2009 Lalande de Pomerol, +245886, $21.95.
9. Campo di Sasso Insoglio del Cinghiale 2010 Toscana, +277012, $29.95.
10. Heredad de Baroja Gran Reserva 2001 Rioja, +276113, $21.95.

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