Churchill Cellars Portfolio tasting, May 13/13

9. The Date and Time: Monday, May 13, 2013  3PM to 7 PM

The Event: Churchill Cellars Portfolio tasting, 11^th annual.

The Venue: Ed Mirvish Theatre lobby

The Target Audience: wine media, clients of Churchill

The Availability/Catalogue: everything is available through the LCBO or from Sue-Ann Staff Winery.

The Quote/Background: it was a gorgeous location for a wine tasting.

The Wines: I did not try all the wines.

 

**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-CigarZin Zinfandel 2009 Napa Valley, +269340, $19.95

-Michael David 7 Deadly Zins 2010 Lodi, +59311, $24.95

-Sue-Ann Staff Estate Grace's Dry Riesling 2011, $18.95 winery

-Sue-Ann Staff Estate Viognier Riesling 2011, $35 [Fr oak]  winery

 

***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Tiki Estate Pinot Gris 2011 Waipara NZ, +295279, $17.95

-Waimea Sauvignon Blanc 2011 Nelson NZ, +714295, $17.95

-Wente Morning Fog Chardonnay 2011 Livermore, +175430, $16.95

-Kunde Estate Chardonnay 2011 Sonoma, +745406, $21.95

-Bold Vine Old Vine Zinfandel 2011 Lodi, +281600, $17.95

-Sue-Ann Staff Estate Robert's Block 2011, $26   winery

-Sue-Ann Staff Estate Sassy and Sparkling Riesling 2011, +344622 $27

-Pierre Chainier Clos de Nouys Vouvray Demi-sec 2011, +322669 $19.95

-Willm Gewurztraminer Reserve 2011 Alsace, +269852, $15.95

-La Maison du Cremant de Bourgogne Brut Blanc NV, +127811, $17.95

-Marques de Riscal Reserva 2001 Rioja, +32656, $22.05

 

*** GOOD -- Three Stars (85 – 87 in Quality/Price Rating terms):

-Segura Viudas Brut Rose Cava, $13.75

-d'Arenberg The Olive Grove Chardonnay 2011, $18.95

-d'Arenberg The Stump Jump G.S.M. 2009, $14.95

-Chapel Hill Shiraz 2010 McLaren Vale, $26.95

-Chapel Hill Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 McLaren Vale, $25.95

-Sue-Ann Staff Estate Merlot 2010, $18   winery

-Sue-Ann Staff Estate Cabernet Franc 2010, $18   winery

-Willm Riesling Reserve 2011 Alsace, $15.95

-Balthasar Ress Hattenheimer Schutzenhaus Riesling Kabinett 2011 Rheingau, $17.95

-Chivite Gran Feudo Reserva 2007 Navarra, $16.95

 

The Food: Monforte cheeses, crackers, breads, pulled pork or BBQ brisket sliders.

The Downside: I had just come from a Greek wine tasting.

The Upside: a chance to catch up with the Churchill portfolio.

The Contact Person: mark@churchillcellars.com

The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 88.

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com