WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR APRIL 27, 2013

WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR APRIL 27, 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

 

J. Geiler Medaille Pinot Gris Alsace: good body and balance, orchard
fruit, long length, sip or food, 13.5% ABV, gold medalist. +315119,
$18.95, QPR: 90.

 

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

 

Lammershoek Roulette Blanc 2010 WO Swartland, +225458, $21.95 retail

 

TOP VALUE WHITE WINES under $20 or so.
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1. Angels Gate Sauvignon Blanc 2011 VQA Niagara: a basic savvy, not
overly zested, may appeal to new wine drinkers. 13% ABV, slight hot
finish, twist top. +277590, $13.95, QPR: 89.
2. Loan Wines Unwooded Special Reserve Semillon 2004 Barossa: rustic,
nicely aged, a minor gem at this price; old Hunter style Semillon.
Twist top, 12.5% ABV. Organic. +301127, $15.95, QPR: 89.
3. Eradus Sauvignon Blanc 2011 Awatere Marlborough: a kiwi savvy that
pleases year in and year out, many lemons and zest, more body than most
on the mid-palate, twist top, 13.5%, good price. +225557, $17, QPR: 89.
4. Durnberg Gruner Veltliner 2011 Alte Reben Austria: 25-year old
vines, grapefruit and minerals, twist top, 12% ABV, good price.
+320374, $15.95, QPR: 89.
5. Tommasi Adorato Parziale Appassimento Bianco 2011 Veneto: partially
dried grapes make this wine worth a shot in only for its fruity
intensity and concentration. Very good value. +320721, $15.95, QPR: 89.
6. Domaine des Aspes Viognier 2011 IGP Pays d'Oc: 31-year old vines, on
the dry side of viognier but with good fruit and honey, a lift on the
finish. 13% ABV, twist top. +712638, $15.95, QPR: 89.
7. La Cappuccina Soave 2012 Veneto: good body, nicely shaped with
melons and plums, organic wine, 12% ABV. +81489, $14.95, QPR: 89.

 

TOP VALUE RED WINES under $20 or so.
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1. Wildass Red 2011 VQA NOTL: smooth, chocolate tones, 14% ABV. +86363,
$19.95, QPR: 89.
2. Familia Zuccardi Organica Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 Mendoza: organic,
full and fruity in the Cali style, 13.5% ABV. Twist top. +68452,
$13.95, QPR: 89.
3. Chilcas Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 Colchagua: good
intensity, black fruit, aged a year in new French oak, 14.5% ABV.
+309757, $17.95, QPR: 89.
4. Chateau Haut-Plaisance 2010 Montagne Saint-Emilion: good flavours
for that BBQ Cali appeal (juiced up merlot with a cab franc spine), 15%
ABV. Gold Medalist. +326587, $17, QPR: 89.
5. Mocali Morellino di Scansano 2010: trendy regional wine, evolving
cherries and mocha, affordable, 14% ABV. +317115, $16.95, QPR: 89.
6. Le Arche Atesio Appassimento Rosso 2010 IGT Veneto: delicious
Italianate wine, full of stuffing concentration, 14% ABV. +320747,
$16.95, QPR: 89.
7. Langa Tradicion Centenaria Garnacha 2008 DO Calatayud: there seems
to be a centenaria garnacha every month now. Here is the latest: North
American Cali appeal of sweetness, but firm, dry finish. Spicy mocha
and cherries. +194795, $14.95, 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. Miguel Torres Mas La Plana Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 Penedes, +129676,
$54.95 retail
2. Jean-Marc Brocard Mont de Millieu Chablis 1er Cru 2010, +265348,
$27.95.
3. Henri Bourgeois La Chapelle Des Augustins Sancerre 2010, +322628,
$29.95
4. Quails' Gate Merlot 2010 VQA Okanagan, +169961, $25.95
5. Burning Kiln Strip Room Merlot/Cabernet Franc 2011 VQA Ontario,
+327700, $24.95
6. Southbrook Triomphe Cabernet Franc 2011 VQA NOTL, +275958, $21.95
7. Morgenster Lourens River Valley 2005 WO Stellenbosch, +709303,
$25.95.
8. Clos du Roy 2010 Fronsac, +321307, $22.95
9. Domaine de Saint Siffrein Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2010, +169771, $41.95.
10. Masi Grandarella 2009 IGT Rosso delle Venezie Appassimento,
+606921, $25.95.

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com