WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR MARCH 29 2014 – BLUE MOON RELEASE

WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR MARCH 29 2014 – BLUE MOON RELEASE

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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 LCBO 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

 

WHITE – Coopers Creek Select Vineyards Dillons Point Sauvignon Blanc 2012 Marlborough, +66092, $19.95: a kiwi savvy with a great gusto on the finish, terrific tartish flavours on the mid-palate. Twist top. QPR: 90.

 

RED – Arturo Garcia Solar de Sael Crianza Mencia 2007 Bierzo, +311902, $16.95: well-aged beauty, 14% ABV, made from older vines (80 years old or more), some raisins showing. QPR: 90.

 

 

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

 

Maison Roche de Bellene Vieilles Vignes Chassagne-Montrachet 2011, +241158, $49.95.

 

TOP VALUE WHITE WINES under $20 or so.

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1.Featherstone Four Feathers 2011 VQA Niagara, +341586, $14.95: an engaging blend of riesling, with sauvignon blanc, chardonnay and gewurztraminer. Orchard fruit all the way, twist top, 12% ABV. A summery wine. QPR: 89.

2.Casa Silva Cuvee Colchagua Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2013, +24216, $14.95: savvy green tones (apples, grass, herbs, gooseberries) are fresh, good with food. Twist top. QPR: 89.

3.Cave du Haut-Poitou Vallee Loire Sauvignon Blanc 2012, +357293, $16.95: the last time I had Haut-Poitou the region was VDQS. Now it is AC, and still represents good value in a savvy. 13% ABV. Tangy and long citric finish with diminished grass tones. It must be savvy month at the LCBO: summer is upon us!!! QPR: 89.

 

TOP VALUE RED WINES under $20 or so.

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1.Vina Tarapaca Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 Maipo, +18721, $17.95: lots of black fruit here, juicy blackberry and cassis. Aged in French and US oak for a year. 14.5% ABV. QPR: 89.

2.Wakefield Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 Clare Valley, +744235, $17.95: a multiple gold winner and Decanter fave. 14% ABV, twist top, and leaning to the savoury side, a good match with food. QPR: 89.

3.Cathedral Cellar Shiraz 2009 WO Western Cape, +561142, $15.95: an undervalued mid-priced wine series from KWV, here with 14.5% ABV, already five years old. Many ripe tones, and can keep even more in your cellar.

4.Chateau Argadens 2009 Bordeaux Superieur, +681643, $17.95: from Sichel (since 2002), a pleasant blend of 63merlot/32cabernetsauvignon/5cabernetfranc. 14% ABV. Very fruity and capable of further aging. QPR: 89.

5.Sogrape Quinta Dos Carvalhais Colheita 2010 Dao, +13474, $17.95: great length and finish, fruity food wine. 13.5% ABV. 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.Kim Crawford SP Spitfire Sauvignon Blanc 2013 Marlborough, +38240, $24.95 retail.

2.Planeta Chardonnay 2010 IGT Sicilia, +109652, $38.95 ISD.

3.Fries Family Duck Pond Pinot Noir 2010 Willamette Valley, +427872, $25.95.

4.Ringbolt 21 Barriques Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 Margaret River, +367870, $44.95.

5.Yangarra Shiraz 2010 McLaren Vale, +911974, $29.95

6.Cloudy Bay Pinot Noir 2012 Marlborough, +598813, $39.95.

7.Chateau Fleur de Jean Gue 2010 Lalande-de-Pomerol, +729137, $24.95.

8.Clos Lunelles 2010 Cotes de Bordeaux-Castillon, +258053, $49.85.

9.Gemma Giblin Riserva Barolo 2006, +185025, $40.95.

10.Tenuta Vitanza Andretta Brunello di Montalcino 2007, +367367, $53.95.

11.Tommasi Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2010, +356220, $49.95.

12.Beronia Gran Reserva 2006 Rioja, +940965, $34.95.

Chimo! www.deantudor.com