WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR FEBRUARY 16, 2013

WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR FEBRUARY 16, 2013
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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.

 

======>>>> ** BEST WINE VALUE OF THE RELEASE *UNDER* $20

 

Rutherford Ranch Old Vine Zinfandel 2009 Napa: wow, with a 16% ABV,
you'd expect a hot finish. Not here. But just don't stand up too soon.
Bold power, old vines. +279828, $19.95, QPR: 90.

 

======>>>> ** BEST WINE VALUE OF THE RELEASE *OVER* $20

 

Castello d'Albola Chianti Classico Riserva 2006, +315150, $22.95
retail.

 

TOP VALUE WHITE WINES under $20 or so.
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1. Fielding Estate Riesling 2011 VQA Niagara: off-dry on mid-palate,
tons of aromas and fruits, 10% ABV, twist top. +251439, $18.95, QPR:
89.
2. Chateau Roquefort Blanc 2011 Bordeaux: a savvy Semillon blend, quite
tasty with lemons and herbs, long finish. +313346, $14.95, QPR: 89.
3. Domaine de la Tourlaudiere Muscadet Sevre et Maine Sur Lie 2011:
MVC, high acid but useful for food, fresh, fresh, fresh. +171694,
$13.95, QPR: 89.
4. Zenato Lugana San Benedetto 2011 Veneto: quite tasty and delicious
tones, melons, stone fruit, fresh, fresh, fresh. +707158, $14.95, QPR:
89.

 

TOP VALUE RED WINES under $20 or so.
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1. Boutari Grand Reserve 2007 Naoussa: from the distinguished xinomavro
grape, terrifically aged well, dried fruit but long finish. 13.5% ABV.
+140111, $16.95, QPR: 89.
2. Trapiche Fincas La Palmas Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 Mendoza: 14% ABV,
definite North American fresh and fruity fleshy appeal, best as sipper.
Gold Medalist. +143206, $16.95, QPR: 89.
3. Sol de Andes Reserva Especial Syrah 2008 Colchagua: definitely
Rhonish in attitude and style, with smoke, game and leather, plus
Provence/Rhone garrigue (how did that get there?). 13% ABV. +274159,
$17.95, QPR: 89.
4. Penmara Reserve Shiraz 2009 Orange New South Wales: juicy beyond
belief, with some spices moving into a long dry finish. 13.5% ABV.
+912782, $17.95, QPR: 89.
5. Château Le Grand Moulin 2009 Blaye Cotes de Bordeaux: very
attractive MVC oaky Bordeaux at affordable price. Gold Medalist. 13%
ABV. +307363, $16.95, QPR: 89.
6. Mas des Bressades Les Vignes de Mon Pere Cabernet/Syrah 2009 Vin de
Pays du Gard: done up in oak, very tasty with Bordeaux-like overtones.
A perennial winner. 14.5% ABV. +712174, $19.95, QPR: 89.

 

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. Pahlmeyer Chardonnay 2010 Napa Valley, +147454, $89.95 retail.
2. Tangley Oaks Chardonnay 2010 Sonoma Coast, +311589, $21.95.
3. Cicchitti Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 Mendoza, +301465,
$21.95.
4. Château Teyssier 2009 Montagne Saint Emilion, +226035, $23.95
5. Gemma Colarej Barolo 2007, +232447, $34.95.
6. Castello di Querceto Chianti Classico Riserva 2008, +650754, $27.95
7. Terre Nere Brunello di Montalcino 2006, +208462, $34.95.
8. Clos Floridene Blanc 2009 Graves, +189357, $31.85.

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com