WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR MAY 25, 2013

WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR MAY 25, 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

 

Domaines Schlumberger Les Princes Abbes Pinot Gris 2010 Alsace:
excellent typicity, PG as it used to be in Alsace, with tropical fruit,
soft but long finish, nothing cloying. 13.5% ABV. +21253, $19.95, QPR:
91.

 

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

 

Santa Sofia Arleo Rosso 2003 IGT Rosso del Veronese, +320846, $25.95.

 

TOP VALUE WHITE WINES under $20 or so.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. G. Marquis The Silver Line Chardonnay 2011 Single Vineyard Niagara
Stone Road VQA NOTL: lightly oaked six months, elegant orchard fruit,
slightly off-dry, creamy. +258681, $16.95, QPR: 89.
2. Domaine Le Comte Quincy 2011 Loire: great elegance, smooth, not at
all racy. Perfect as aperitif. +172528, $18.95, QPR: 89.
3. Henri Poiron Fief Giraud Muscadet Sevre & Maine Sue Lie 2011: light
and crisp, great with seafood or first course, 12% ABV. +327726,
$14.95, QPR: 89.
4. Miopasso Fiano 2011 IGT Sicilia: well-rounded, thickly concentrated,
aromatic, 14.5% ABV. Orchard fruit and minerals in the finish. +326793,
$14.95, QPR: 89.

 

TOP VALUE RED WINES under $20 or so.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Don Cristobal 1492 Oak Reserve Shiraz 2010 Mendoza: in new French
oak for one year, more in shiraz style as labeled. +236133, $13.95,
QPR: 89.
2. Wakefield Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 Clare Valley South Australia: a
juicy big wine, lots of cherries and vanilla. +744235, $17.95, QPR: 89.
3. Chateau Belair-Coubet 2010 Cotes de Bourg: a typical Bordeaux, and
affordable. Ripeness and fruit on the front palate from merlot, spice
from cabernet sauvignon. 13.5% ABV. Gold medalist. +321414, $16.95,
QPR: 89.
4. Château La Grange de Bessan 2009 Medoc: another Gold Medalist, 13.5%
ABV. Delicious modern NA style, upfront juiciness of red and black
berries, mocha, vanilla, wood. +321331, $19.95, QPR: 90.
5. Pipoli Aglianico del Vulture 2010 Basilicata: slightly off-dry, made
in modern style (older vultures were heavy-styled). 13.5% ABV. +320507,
$14.95, QPR: 89.
6. Tedeschi Capitel San Rocco Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore 2011: the
LCBO Ripasso of the month, 14.5% ABV. +719294, $18.95, QPR: 89.

 

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. Saint-Clair Pioneer Block 10 Chardonnay 2010 Marlborough NZ,
+317651, $25.95 retail.
2. Domaine Zind-Humbrecht Calcaire Gewurztraminer 2009 Alsace, +320481,
$29.95
3. Dr. Hermann Urziger Wurzgarten Riesling Auslese 2005, +324285,
$21.95.
4.Siglas Santorini Assyrtiko 2011 Greece, +74781, $21.95.
5. Domaine Bousquet Grande Reserve Malbec 2010 Mendoza, +303701,
$21.95.
6. Chateau Philippe-le-Hardi Hautes Cotes de Beaune 2010, +330852,
$22.95.
7. Piccini Vila al Cortile Brunello di Montalcino 2006, +164855,
$36.95.
8. Ruffino Ducale Oro Chianti Classico Riserva 2007, +353201, $44.95.

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com