SOME NEW PRODUCTS TASTED THIS JANUARY --
-Sokol Blosser Evolution NV, +206870 LCBO, $16.95: here is the 15th
edition of this wine (marked on the label; there is no vintage date).
It's one of the leading US white wine blends, with elements of pinot
gris, pinot blanc, white riesling, Semillon, muscat canelli,
gewurztraminer, chardonnay, sylvaner and muller-thurgau. Probably only
muscat and gewurztraminer really matter when it comes to upfront grape,
tropical, and spicy tones. The balance changes each year depending on
what the vintage bears fruit, but the nine grapes apparently remain the
same. Lush, off-dry flavours of tropicality, perfect for summer sipping
(and light enough at 12.5% ABV). Goes with any food that is hot and/or
spicy. Quality/price rating 91 points by Dean Tudor.
-Sokol Blosser Meditrina NV, +206888 LCBO, $16.95: no, this is not the
red version of Evolution, although the concept is the same. It leans
more to a party wine, with its red fruit from the pinot noir and sweet
pie spices and vanilla from the added syrah and zinfandel (Red
Evolution is syrah-based). 13.5% ABV is enough to make you dance. If
you need food, try the grill for meats…or pastas. It has been around
since about 2005, but just recently here in Ontario, while Red
Evolution is just a couple of years old – and not available in Ontario.
Not sure why. Quality/price rating is 88 points by Dean Tudor.
red version of Evolution, although the concept is the same. It leans
more to a party wine, with its red fruit from the pinot noir and sweet
pie spices and vanilla from the added syrah and zinfandel (Red
Evolution is syrah-based). 13.5% ABV is enough to make you dance. If
you need food, try the grill for meats…or pastas. It has been around
since about 2005, but just recently here in Ontario, while Red
Evolution is just a couple of years old – and not available in Ontario.
Not sure why. Quality/price rating is 88 points by Dean Tudor.
-Puklus Pinceszet Tokaji Aszu 3 Puttonyos 2007, $20.95 (500 mL),
+980805): Hungarian nectar, full of apricot, dried peach and orange
peel. 13.5% ABV. Quality/price rating 89 points by Dean Tudor.
-Chateau des Charmes Cabernet Merlot 2009 NOTL VQA, +454991 LCBO,
$12.95: Equuleus was not made in 2009 since the grapes did not achieve
the brix level needed (they were off by only 0.4). So this CM (made
with cabernets franc and sauvignon plus merlot) is actually
declassified Equuleus. Here are 2079 voluptuous cases of most of
Chateau des Charmes' single vineyard red wine grapes (Paul Bosc and St.
David's). Expect terrific red fruit, cedar, and Bordeaux-like black
currant after 9 months in French oak. 12.5% ABV. Cork finished.
Quality/price rating 91 points by Dean Tudor.
$12.95: Equuleus was not made in 2009 since the grapes did not achieve
the brix level needed (they were off by only 0.4). So this CM (made
with cabernets franc and sauvignon plus merlot) is actually
declassified Equuleus. Here are 2079 voluptuous cases of most of
Chateau des Charmes' single vineyard red wine grapes (Paul Bosc and St.
David's). Expect terrific red fruit, cedar, and Bordeaux-like black
currant after 9 months in French oak. 12.5% ABV. Cork finished.
Quality/price rating 91 points by Dean Tudor.
-Chateau des Charmes Old Vines Riesling 2010 Estate Bottled, +277228,
$16.95: Made from vines largely planted in 1978, now a mature vineyard.
12.5% ABV. Succulence like you would not believe, but off-dry Alsatian
character (citric tones, spices), with now two years plus of aging. A
beaut. Twist top. Quality/price rating 90 points by Dean Tudor.
$16.95: Made from vines largely planted in 1978, now a mature vineyard.
12.5% ABV. Succulence like you would not believe, but off-dry Alsatian
character (citric tones, spices), with now two years plus of aging. A
beaut. Twist top. Quality/price rating 90 points by Dean Tudor.
From Mountain Road Wine Company, a comparative chardonnay tasting from
vines planted since 1983. They need to be opened early and not served
too cold:
vines planted since 1983. They need to be opened early and not served
too cold:
1. Mountain Road Chardonnay Barrel Fermented 2005 S. Kocsis Vineyard
Niagara, $12 at winery: some underbrush, mushrooms, forest floor,
higher acid, oaky wonder. Great value at this price. 13.7 % ABV. Gold
Medalist at 2010 Royal Winter Fair Toronto. Quality/price rating 91
points by Dean Tudor.
Niagara, $12 at winery: some underbrush, mushrooms, forest floor,
higher acid, oaky wonder. Great value at this price. 13.7 % ABV. Gold
Medalist at 2010 Royal Winter Fair Toronto. Quality/price rating 91
points by Dean Tudor.
2. Mountain Road Chardonnay Barrel Fermented 2006 S. Kocsis Vineyard
Niagara, $15.95 at winery: delicious, balanced, more fruit than most,
buttery and creamy. For the value of the dollar, best tasting wine of
the four. 13.9% ABV. Quality/price rating 90 points by Dean Tudor.
Niagara, $15.95 at winery: delicious, balanced, more fruit than most,
buttery and creamy. For the value of the dollar, best tasting wine of
the four. 13.9% ABV. Quality/price rating 90 points by Dean Tudor.
3. Mountain Road Chardonnay Reserve 2005 S. Kocsis Vineyard Niagara,
$22 at winery: on the label, this is also known as cHard Times. Short
nose, but intense, long finish with higher acid. Very oaky, great for
those who like the wood. 14.3% ABV. Quality/price rating 89 points by
Dean Tudor.
$22 at winery: on the label, this is also known as cHard Times. Short
nose, but intense, long finish with higher acid. Very oaky, great for
those who like the wood. 14.3% ABV. Quality/price rating 89 points by
Dean Tudor.
4. Mountain Road Chardonnay Reserve 2006 S. Kocsis Vineyard VQA
Beamsville Bench Niagara, $25.95 at winery: buttery, toasty, very
complex and still evolving, no real sign of aging. 13.4% ABV. Gold
Medalist at 2010 Cuvee (Niagara). Quality/price rating 91 points by
Dean Tudor.
Beamsville Bench Niagara, $25.95 at winery: buttery, toasty, very
complex and still evolving, no real sign of aging. 13.4% ABV. Gold
Medalist at 2010 Cuvee (Niagara). Quality/price rating 91 points by
Dean Tudor.
From Amethyst Wine Agency,
1. Gann Family Cellars Chardonnay Russian River Valley 2007, $29.95,
+311571 Jan Vintages: one of my recommended top wine values over $20 in
the Jan 19 release, with full BF and BA, caramel, vanilla and
butterscotch (but not too heavy), 14% ABV, from vines planted in 1978.
There is to be a $3 LTO in Period 13. Quality/price rating 92 points by
Dean Tudor.
+311571 Jan Vintages: one of my recommended top wine values over $20 in
the Jan 19 release, with full BF and BA, caramel, vanilla and
butterscotch (but not too heavy), 14% ABV, from vines planted in 1978.
There is to be a $3 LTO in Period 13. Quality/price rating 92 points by
Dean Tudor.
2. McNab Ridge Winery Roussanne Mendocino 2009, $18.95, +312892 Jan
Vintages: honeyed peach tones, some pie spices, all done up in
stainless steel. This Rhone variety comes in at 14.5% ABV, bound to
give viognier a run for its money. Aperitif wine or first course.
Quality/price rating 89 points by Dean Tudor.
Vintages: honeyed peach tones, some pie spices, all done up in
stainless steel. This Rhone variety comes in at 14.5% ABV, bound to
give viognier a run for its money. Aperitif wine or first course.
Quality/price rating 89 points by Dean Tudor.
3. Quinta da Baixo 2008 Bairrada Tinto, $14.95, +293415 Vintages: from
the baga and touriga nacional grapes, unfiltered, aged six months in
French oak, 13% ABV, shows off top notes of red fruit and vanilla,
could be served with meaty main, cheeses, or mocha-inspired desserts.
Quality/price rating 87 points by Dean Tudor.
the baga and touriga nacional grapes, unfiltered, aged six months in
French oak, 13% ABV, shows off top notes of red fruit and vanilla,
could be served with meaty main, cheeses, or mocha-inspired desserts.
Quality/price rating 87 points by Dean Tudor.
4. Southbank Estates Chardonnay 2010 Hawkes Bay New Zealand, $17.95,
+278523 Vintages: aged 7 months in French oak, good balance between
acid-vanilla-fruit, perhaps best in summer or with summer-y salad food,
with a whopping 14.5% ABV (but no hot finish). Sustainable-produced,
hand harvested Gold Medalist at New World Wine Awards. Quality/price
rating 88 points by Dean Tudor.
+278523 Vintages: aged 7 months in French oak, good balance between
acid-vanilla-fruit, perhaps best in summer or with summer-y salad food,
with a whopping 14.5% ABV (but no hot finish). Sustainable-produced,
hand harvested Gold Medalist at New World Wine Awards. Quality/price
rating 88 points by Dean Tudor.
From Groupe Kolonaki,
1. Eradus Sauvignon Blanc 2011 Awatere Valley New Zealand, +225557, $17
April 27 Vintages: fairly typical of Kiwi Savvies, but with
tropical/floral top notes and a lingering herbal finish that is best
with food (not as a sipper). Usually a proven winner since the 2006
vintage. 13.5% ABV, a bit higher this time around than before (about
13%). 2408 cases available! Quality/price rating is 90 points by Dean
Tudor.
April 27 Vintages: fairly typical of Kiwi Savvies, but with
tropical/floral top notes and a lingering herbal finish that is best
with food (not as a sipper). Usually a proven winner since the 2006
vintage. 13.5% ABV, a bit higher this time around than before (about
13%). 2408 cases available! Quality/price rating is 90 points by Dean
Tudor.
2. Casale Dello Sparviero Chianti Classico Riserva 2009, $18.95,
+317313 March 2 Vintages: rare to find such value in Chianti Riserva
under $20, selected as WOM by LCBO, 1400 cases available. Intervin Gold
Medalist 2012, but still needs some time to come around with the
tannins and 14% ABV. Berries dominate with pepper coming at the finish.
If drinking now, do a double decant before serving. Quality/price
rating 89 points by Dean Tudor.
+317313 March 2 Vintages: rare to find such value in Chianti Riserva
under $20, selected as WOM by LCBO, 1400 cases available. Intervin Gold
Medalist 2012, but still needs some time to come around with the
tannins and 14% ABV. Berries dominate with pepper coming at the finish.
If drinking now, do a double decant before serving. Quality/price
rating 89 points by Dean Tudor.
Chimo! www.deantudor.com
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