WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR MAY 11, 2013

WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR MAY 11, 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

 

San Jose de Aguaron Monasterio de las Vinas Reserva 2006 DO Carinena:
good value from an aged Spanish garnacha (70%) that is not Cali in
style. 13% ABV. +166579, $14.95, QPR: 91.

 

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

 

Balbas Reserva 2001 DP Ribera del Duero, +85183, $20.95. Rated: 92+

 

TOP VALUE WHITE WINES under $20 or so.
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1. La Consulta San Polo Auka Torrontes 2012 Mendoza: the latest
sunshine in a bottle to arrive from Argentina, a value sipper for its
summer aromatics. At 13.5% ABV, not a light wine, but good for a
demanding crowd. +322842, $13.95, QPR: 89.
2. Bodegas Vetus Flor de Vetus Verdejo 2012 DO Rueda: light and crisp,
12.5% ABV, more a first course or appetizer wine, not a solo sipper.
+320259, $14.95, QPR: 89.

 

TOP VALUE RED WINES under $20 or so.
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1. Columbia Crest Grand Estates Merlot 2008 Columbia Valley Washington
State: nicely aged wine commonly found in many US restaurants. With
strong MVC Merlot tones, some herbs and crisp-dryness for food. 13.5%
ABV. +263418, $15.95, QPR: 89.
2. Robert Oatley Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 Margaret River: a good value
MVC cabernet sauvignon done up in Euro style, twist top, 14.5% ABV.
3. Chateau Saint-Nicolas 2009 Cotes de Bordeaux Cadillac: North
American fruity style but definitely Bordeaux in quality and taste. 14%
ABV. +138602, $17.95, QPR: 89.
4. Tenimenti Baroque Primitivo 2011 IGP Salento: great name for a 
primitivo, but this is a food one, not the fleshy-flashy style for
North American appeal. Detailed spicing and a super long dry finish.
13.5% ABV.
5. Manuel Martinez Vinos Sin Ley Puerta Bonita Garnacha 2009 DO Vinos
de Madrid: not as off-dry as other garnacha that come through the LCBO
system. This one is made from 120-year-old vines, 14.5% ABV, more to
regular Euro tastes. +132266, $18.95, 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. Blue Mountain Chardonnay 2011 VQA Okanagan Valley, +350108, $23.95
retail. Rated: 89.
2. Dr. Pauly-Bergweiler Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Auslese 2010
Mosel, +678011, $29.95. Rated: 88.
3. Colchester Ridge Crew Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 VQA Lake Erie North
Shore, +328385, $25. Rated: 89.
4. Domaine Terlato & Chapoutier Shiraz/Viognier 2011 Victoria
Australia, +18887, $24.95. Rated: 90.
5. Chateau Vieux Sarpe 2010 Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, +943662, $39.95.
Rated: 89.
6. San Silvestro Riserva Barbaresco 2007, +317123, $29.95. Rated: 90
7. Canonica a Cerreto Sandiavolo 2006 IGT Toscana, +270256, $24.95.
Rated: 91.
8. Lazzeretti Brunello di Montalcino 2006, +318352, $37.95. Rated: 89.
9. La Marquesa Valserrano Reserva 2007 Rioja, +314963, $25.95. Rated:
90.

 

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com