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Wednesday, January 30, 2013

WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR FEBRUARY 2, 2013

WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR FEBRUARY 2, 2013
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
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.
 

======>>>> ** BEST WINE VALUE OF THE RELEASE *UNDER* $20
 
Chateau de Poce Touraine Sauvignon Blanc 2011: MVC but a softer finish,
more herbal than most. +313569, $13.95, QPR : 92
 
======>>>> ** BEST WINE VALUE OF THE RELEASE *OVER* $20
 
Quintarelli Primofiore 2008 IGT Veneto, +20867, $56.95.
 
TOP VALUE WHITE WINES under $20 or so.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Tawse Sketches of Niagara Riesling 2010 VQA Niagara: succulent, off-
dry character, 10% ABV, enjoyable, twist top. +89029, $17.95, QPR: 89.
2. Familia Zuccardi Organica Torrontes 2011 Mendoza: 13% ABV for this
organic wine that exhibits some spritz, twist top, good long citric
finish, needs food. +232694, $13.95, QPR: 89.
3. Coopers Creek Sauvignon Blanc 2010 Marlborough: MVC grass and herbs,
or, as one wine writer notes for just about all the MVC savvies
reviewed, "rev your lawnmowers; this is pure grassy goodness" NM
+957407, $17.95, QPR: 89.
4. Man Vintners Chardonnay 2011 WO Coastal Region South Africa: useful,
balanced but with some marmalade and butterscotch moments, fruit and
oak, 13.5% ABV. +295329, $13.95, QPR: 89.
5. Chateau de Carolle Blanc 2010 Graves: uses all three grapes
(sauvignon, semillon, muscadelle) for a balanced blend without the
savvy hit. 12.5% ABV. +307256, $16.95, QPR: 89.
 
TOP VALUE RED WINES under $20 or so.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Emiliana Novas Gran Reserva Carmenere/Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
Colchagua Valley: soft, fruit, engaging, a mouthful of flavour,
organic, 14% ABV. +66746, $14.95, QPR: 89.
2. Remhoogte Estate Wine 2006 WO Simonsberg-Stellenbosch: plush and
lush, micro-oxygenated fruit, merlot 40%, cab sauv at 23, shiraz at 22,
pinotage at 15. 15% ABV. Gold Medalist. +694539, $18.95, QPR: 89.
3. Domaine Roumagnac Rencontres 2010 Fronton: nicely aged, 12.5% ABV,
spices and fed fruit. Gold Medalist. +311472, $14.95, QPR: 89.
4. Poderi Angelini Primitivo di Manduria 2008 Puglia: older style, some
raisins showing, 15% ABV. +268136, $17.95, QPR: 89.
5. Sampietrana 1952 Riserva Brindisi 2008 Puglia: combo of Negroamaro
and montepulciano grapes. 13.5% ABV. Gold Medalist. +310086, $15.95,
QPR: 89.
6. Beronia Reserva 2008 Rioja: fleshy, woody, palate filling, 18 months
in French and US oak. 14% ABV. +50203, $18.95, 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.
 
1. R. Pouillon & Fils 1er Cru Brut Rose Champagne, +314518, $44.95
retail.
2. Peller Estates Ice Cuvee Rose VQA Niagara MC, +113035, $34.95
3. La Crema Chardonnay 2010 Russian River Valley, +67231, $37.95
4. Arlewood Marsanne/Roussanne 2010 Margaret River, +313247, $22.95
5. Rodney Strong Merlot 2008 Sonoma County, +497933, $21.95.
6. Treana Red 2009 Paso Robles, +11221, $39.95.
7. Barossa Valley Estate Ebenezer Shiraz 2007, +971705, $40.95.
6. Best's Great Western Bin No. 1 Shiraz 2010, +222323, $24.95.
7. Cirrus Syrah 2007 WO Stellenbosch, +54338, $33.95.
8. Rocca Delle Macie Chianti Classico Riserva 2008, +930966, $21.95.
9. Villa Girardi Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2008, +159913,
$41.95.
 

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