WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR JUNE 22, 2013

WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR JUNE 22, 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

 

Graham Beck Brut Sparkling Wine NV: a 54/46 blend of PN and Chardonnay,
great yeastiness due to bottle re-fermentation, long lingering finish.
Drink all summer long. +593483, $18.95, QPR: 90+

 

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

 

Le Clos Jordanne Village Reserve Chardonnay 2010 VQA Niagara, +33936,
$30 retail.

 

TOP VALUE WHITE WINES under $20 or so.
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1. 13th Street White Palette 2011 VQA Niagara Peninsula: lovely blend of
five aromatic grapes (including sauvignon blanc for some spine),
grapefruit, herbs, some lychee. Enough acid for first course, but it is
mainly as an aperitif. 12.5% ABV. Twist top. +207340, $14.95, QPR: 89.
2. Henry of Pelham Estate Riesling 2010 VQA Short Hills Bench: juicy,
but with mostly a dry finish, peaches and flowers, value. Twist top,
11% ABV. +557165, $15.95, QPR: 89.
3. Lone Birch Pinot Gris 2012 Yakima Valley: zesty, full flavours on
the mid-palate, some overripe tones from melon family, pear drops.
Twist top, 13.5% ABV. +324905, $15.96, QPR: 89.
4. Familia Bianchi Chardonnay 2012 San Rafael Mendoza: new US oak, sur
lie treatment, malolactic, coconut and cloves. 14% ABV. +1461, $14.95,
QPR: 89.
5. Montes Kaiken Terroir Series Torrontes 2012 Salta: wonderful
aftertaste and crispness, lip-smacking flavours, muscat-like peach and
orange tones, 13.5% ABV, twist top. +330407, $15.95, QPR: 89.
6. Vinum Africa Chenin Blanc 2011 WO Stellenbosch: more on the savvy
zesty side, but with more fruit than savvy. Very credible. +739995,
$15.95, QPR: 89.
7. Mallory & Benjamin Talmard Macon-Uchizy 2011: another mouth-filling
value snapped up the by the LCBO. Softly fruited, tastes unoaked, 13%
ABV, cork finish. +733956, $14.95, QPR: 89.
8. Domaine de la Gravelle Vieilles Vignes Muscadet Sur Lie Sevre et
Maine 2011: textbook style Muscadet, great price for older vines. Gold
Medalist. +322610, $12.95, QPR: 89.
9. Barnier Fontaine du Clos Muscat Petits Grains 2011 IGP Vaucluse:
stylish, no oak, aperitif or cheese wine, even first course with a
crisp finish. Great muscat tones. +329078, $16.95, QPR: 90.
10. Villa Tonino Grillo 2010 IGT Sicilia: very aromatic, off-dry, a
crowd-pleaser, peaches and tropicality, 13% ABV. Slight refreshing
cleansing bitter on mid-palate. +289579, $14.95, QPR: 89.

 

TOP VALUE RED WINES under $20 or so.
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1. Vineland Pinot Meunier 2011 VQA Niagara Escarpment: delicious
earthiness, great tang of red fruit, 12% ABV. Cork finish. The back
label needs to give more hype to the grape variety. +225508, $17.95,
QPR: 89.
2. Juan Benegas Malbec 2010 Cuyo Mendoza: textbook style Malbec, 14.5%
ABV, dark fruit and mocha tones, +222273, $14.95, QPR: 89.
3. Concha y Toro Marques de Casa Concha Syrah 2009 Maipo: nicely aged
black fruit and plums, 14.5%, cork finished, some anise and smoke
lingers. Intense. +19042, $19.95, QPR: 89.
4. Peyres & Fils Chateau Correnson Reserve Speciale Cotes du Rhone
2011: delicious integration of three grapes, plummy flavours,
blackberries, long, long finish. Gold Medalist. 14.5% ABV. +334482,
$16.95, QPR: 89.
5. Maria Manuela Quinta do Roncao Reserva 2011 Douro: thick and
unctuous, 14% ABV, cork finish, meaty wine. +147942, $14.95, QPR: 89.
6. Vina Eguia Reserva 2007 Rioja: coconut nose, well-wooded, well-
rounded and well-evolved. 13.5% ABV. 30 year old vines, 2 years in US
barrels. Grab it…all you can…will not last long…but save some for me!!
+325845, $17.95, QPR: 90.

 

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. Marques de Murrieta Finca Ygay Reserva 2006 Rioja, +209148, $24.95
retail.
2. Stoneleigh Latitude Sauvignon Blanc 2012 Marlborough, +324228,
$21.95.
3. Domaines Schlumberger Kessler Pinot Gris 2008 Alsace Grand Cru,
+249623, $25.95.
4. Stoneleigh Latitude Pinot Noir 2011 Marlborough, +32564, $24.95.
5. Louis Jadot Beaune Theurons 1er Cru 2010, +42838, $45.95.
6. Chateau Mont-Redon Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2009, +959627, $36.95.
7. Banfi Brunello di Montalcino 2007, +378257, $59.95.

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com