The Date and Time: Friday, August 18, 2017
The Event: 2017 annual tasting of LCBO Vintages Essentials catalogue
The Venue: LCBO tasting lab
The Target Audience: wine writers
The Availability/Catalogue: all are available at the LCBO in the various Vintages sections or by order through the store or online.
The Quote/Background: I have reproduced the entire listing of wines from the VE catalogue below, taken from the LCBO spreadsheet that was sent to participating writers. Vintage dates were not listed by the LCBO, although, of course, they appear on the label. The supply to the LCBO is continuous, and new vintages supplant the older one when supplies are exhausted. In many cases, I added the date when I noted it. I did not taste every wine, and for some wines I did taste, I did not give a rating. I have listed the top wines judged by taste and by value, even though some wines are drinkable now and others must be cellared. Two wines were unfortunately corked: one a white, and one an icewine, both Ontario.
The Wines:
**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
Argentina 1834 SUSANA BALBO CRIOS TORRONTÉS $13.95 2016
Australia 142935 SMALL GULLY THE FORMULA ROBERT'S SHIRAZ $20.95 2014
Canada 24133 THIRTY BENCH RIESLING $20.85 2015
Canada 213983 CAVE SPRING BLANC DE BLANCS BRUT SPARKLING $29.95
Chile 694208 PÉREZ CRUZ RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON $14.95 2014
France 508614 VEUVE CLICQUOT PONSARDIN BRUT VINTAGE CHAMPAGNE $102.95 2008
France 268771 LOUIS ROEDERER BRUT PREMIER CHAMPAGNE $72.95 NV
Italy 111641 ROCCA DELLE MACÌE RISERVA CHIANTI $15.95 2014
Italy 425488 SELLA & MOSCA CANNONAU DI SARDEGNA RISERVA $16.95 2013
New Zealand 304469 CLOUDY BAY SAUVIGNON BLANC $35.95
Portugal 149047 TAYLOR FLADGATE 20-YEAR-OLD TAWNY PORT $69.95
Spain 82024 MONASTERIO DE LAS VIÑAS GRAN RESERVA $17.95 2007
Spain 36483 TORRES GRAN CORONAS RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON $19.95 2012
USA 258699 J. LOHR RIVERSTONE CHARDONNAY $19.95 2015
USA 84988 BERINGER NAPA VALLEY CHARDONNAY $23.95 2015
USA 678698 GNARLY HEAD OLD VINE ZINFANDEL $17.95 2015
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Argentina 985002 CATENA CABERNET SAUVIGNON $19.95
Argentina 1834 SUSANA BALBO CRIOS TORRONTÉS $13.95
Argentina 58339 KAIKEN MALBEC $15.95
Argentina 478727 CATENA MALBEC $19.95
Argentina 452672 LUIGI BOSCA MALBEC $18.95
Australia 142935 SMALL GULLY THE FORMULA ROBERT'S SHIRAZ $20.95
Australia 660043 TWO HANDS GNARLY DUDES SHIRAZ $24.95
Australia 142018 MAJELLA THE MUSICIAN CABERNET/SHIRAZ $19.95
Australia 84996 WYNNS COONAWARRA ESTATE BLACK LABEL CABERNET SAUVIGNON $28.95
Australia 606624 RINGBOLT CABERNET SAUVIGNON $22.95
Australia 659607 MITOLO JESTER SHIRAZ $22.95
Australia 925453 KILIKANOON KILLERMAN'S RUN SHIRAZ $19.95
Australia 943787 WAKEFIELD SHIRAZ $18.95
Canada 544791 REIF VIDAL ICEWINE $24.95
Canada 370361 TAWSE SPARK LIMESTONE RIDGE SPARKLING RIESLING $20.95
Canada 447441 CAVE SPRING RIESLING ICEWINE $49.95
Canada 274753 HIDDEN BENCH ESTATE PINOT NOIR $30.30
Canada 64618 FEATHERSTONE CABERNET FRANC $19.95
Canada 149237 THE FOREIGN AFFAIR THE CONSPIRACY $19.95
Canada 388306 INNISKILLIN VIDAL ICEWINE $49.95
Canada 389411 JACKSON-TRIGGS RESERVE VIDAL ICEWINE $39.95
Canada 258673 G. MARQUIS THE SILVER LINE PINOT NOIR $19.95
Canada 147504 13TH STREET CUVÉE BRUT ROSÉ $27.95
Canada 1545 FLAT ROCK PINOT NOIR $20.95
Canada 1578 FLAT ROCK TWISTED WHITE $17.95
Canada 18564 PELLER ESTATES PRIVATE RESERVE VIDAL ICEWINE $27.30
Canada 24133 THIRTY BENCH RIESLING $20.85
Canada 89037 TAWSE SKETCHES OF NIAGARA CHARDONNAY $21.95
Canada 286377 CAVE SPRING ESTATE BOTTLED RIESLING $18.95
Canada 302083 BACHELDER NIAGARA CHARDONNAY $24.95
Canada 303800 TRIUS RED $24.95
Canada 430561 HENRY OF PELHAM RIESLING ICEWINE $49.95
Canada 522672 LAKEVIEW CELLARS VIDAL ICEWINE $21.95
Canada 545004 MISSION HILL RESERVE CHARDONNAY $23.95
Canada 553321 MISSION HILL RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON $30.95
Canada 559088 MALIVOIRE LADYBUG ROSÉ $16.95
Canada 563247 KITTLING RIDGE VIDAL ICEWINE $39.95
Canada 573147 MALIVOIRE CHARDONNAY $19.95
Canada 587154 MAGNOTTA VIDAL ICEWINE $32.95
Canada 591313 MALIVOIRE GAMAY $17.95
Canada 198853 TAWSE QUARRY ROAD ORGANIC RIESLING $24.50
Canada 213983 CAVE SPRING BLANC DE BLANCS BRUT SPARKLING $29.95
Canada 565861 CHÂTEAU DES CHARMES VIDAL ICEWINE $26.95
Chile 322586 MONTES ALPHA CABERNET SAUVIGNON $20.00
Chile 30957 CONCHA Y TORO WINEMAKER'S LOT 148 CARMENÈRE $17.95
Chile 337238 CONCHA Y TORO MARQUES DE CASA CONCHA CABERNET SAUVIGNON $22.95
Chile 694208 PÉREZ CRUZ RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON $14.95
Chile 408658 SANTA CAROLINA RESERVA DE FAMILIA CABERNET SAUVIGNON $19.95
Chile 974717 CASAS DEL BOSQUE RESERVA SAUVIGNON BLANC $14.95
France 681643 CHÂTEAU ARGADENS $17.95
France 162073 LOUIS JADOT BOURGOGNE PINOT NOIR $23.95
France 11452 WILLM RÉSERVE RIESLING $15.95
France 50575 CHANSON RÉSERVE DU BASTION PINOT NOIR $19.95
France 158550 LAURENT-PERRIER CUVÉE BRUT ROSÉ CHAMPAGNE $99.95
France 215525 LA CHABLISIENNE LES VENERABLES, VIEILLES VIGNES $26.95
France 259721 E. GUIGAL CÔTES DU RHÔNE $19.95
France 268755 CRISTAL BRUT VINTAGE CHAMPAGNE $304.95
France 268771 LOUIS ROEDERER BRUT PREMIER CHAMPAGNE $72.95
France 280461 DOM PÉRIGNON BRUT VINTAGE CHAMPAGNE $231.95
France 302018 CHÂTEAU PIPEAU $39.95
France 363457 DOMAINES PERRIN RÉSERVE $16.95
France 365924 LOUIS JADOT BEAUJOLAIS-VILLAGES $17.95
France 508614 VEUVE CLICQUOT PONSARDIN BRUT VINTAGE CHAMPAGNE $102.95
France 542548 HENRI BOURGEOIS LES BARONNES SANCERRE $27.95
France 926626 FAMILLE PERRIN LES SINARDS CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE $36.95
France 933077 LOUIS JADOT CHARDONNAY BOURGOGNE $23.95
France 220244 ARMAND DE BRIGNAC ACE OF SPADES BRUT GOLD CHAMPAGNE $305.95
Italy 912956 RUFFINO MODUS $29.95
Italy 951319 BOLLINI PINOT GRIGIO $17.95
Italy 111641 ROCCA DELLE MACÌE RISERVA CHIANTI $15.95
Italy 650713 MONTE ZOVO SA' SOLIN RIPASSO VALPOLICELLA $18.95
Italy 729392 FOSS MARAI EXTRA DRY PROSECCO $19.95
Italy 168179 MARCHESI DI BAROLO LA TRADIZIONE BAROLO $39.95
Italy 69377 MONTE ANTICO $15.95
Italy 106450 SANTA MARGHERITA PINOT GRIGIO $19.95
Italy 413179 ZENATO AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO $52.95
Italy 425488 SELLA & MOSCA CANNONAU DI SARDEGNA RISERVA $16.95
Italy 433417 TEDESCHI AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA $44.95
Italy 479766 ZENATO RIPASSA VALPOLICELLA SUPERIORE $26.95
Italy 606541 ANTINORI PÈPPOLI CHIANTI CLASSICO $19.95
Italy 650432 CASTELGIOCONDO BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO $52.95
Italy 687582 SANTA MARGHERITA BRUT VALDOBBIADENE PROSECCO SUPERIORE $19.95
Italy 741769 ROCCA DELLE MACÌE CHIANTI CLASSICO $18.95
Italy 910430 TOMMASI RIPASSO VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO SUPERIORE $22.95
Italy 948158 ANSELMI SAN VINCENZO $16.95
Italy 986786 TIGNANELLO $105.95
Italy 145920 MARCHESI DE' FRESCOBALDI TENUTA DI CASTIGLIONI $21.95
New Zealand 650325 KIM CRAWFORD PANSY! ROSÉ $17.95
New Zealand 991950 KIM CRAWFORD CHARDONNAY $19.95
New Zealand 10421 ASTROLABE PROVINCE SAUVIGNON BLANC $22.95
New Zealand 35386 KIM CRAWFORD SAUVIGNON BLANC $19.95
New Zealand 304469 CLOUDY BAY SAUVIGNON BLANC $35.95
New Zealand 316570 OYSTER BAY SAUVIGNON BLANC $19.95
New Zealand 326728 OYSTER BAY CHARDONNAY $14.95
New Zealand 626390 KIM CRAWFORD PINOT NOIR $19.95
Portugal 121749 TAYLOR FLADGATE 10-YEAR-OLD TAWNY PORT $35.95
Portugal 149047 TAYLOR FLADGATE 20-YEAR-OLD TAWNY PORT $69.95
Portugal 606590 ESPORÃO RESERVA RED $25.95
South Africa 328567 CATHEDRAL CELLAR CABERNET SAUVIGNON $16.95
South Africa 595280 PORCUPINE RIDGE SYRAH $15.95
Spain 82024 MONASTERIO DE LAS VIÑAS GRAN RESERVA $17.95
Spain 166538 LAN CRIANZA $16.95
Spain 50203 BERONIA RESERVA $20.90
Spain 36483 TORRES GRAN CORONAS RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON $19.95
Spain 177345 MUGA RESERVA $25.95
Spain 479014 JULIÁN CHIVITE GRAN FEUDO RESERVA $17.95
USA 294298 CONUNDRUM RED $24.95
USA 212126 MCMANIS CABERNET SAUVIGNON $19.95
USA 369686 KENDALL-JACKSON VINTNER'S RESERVE CHARDONNAY $19.95
USA 210047 COLUMBIA CREST H3 CABERNET SAUVIGNON $20.95
USA 130138 MEIOMI PINOT NOIR $27.95
USA 521021 FRANCIS COPPOLA DIAMOND COLLECTION IVORY LABEL CABERNET SAUVIGNON $24.95
USA 232371 LOUIS M. MARTINI NAPA VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON $33.95
USA 958975 MER SOLEIL RESERVE CHARDONNAY $34.95
USA 59311 MICHAEL DAVID 7 DEADLY ZINS OLD VINE ZINFANDEL $25.95
USA 255513 ROBERT MONDAVI NAPA VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON $37.95
USA 258699 J. LOHR RIVERSTONE CHARDONNAY $19.95
USA 314575 STERLING NAPA VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON $30.95
USA 342428 BONTERRA CABERNET SAUVIGNON $21.95
USA 342436 BONTERRA CHARDONNAY $19.95
USA 352583 BERINGER KNIGHTS VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON $43.95
USA 359257 RAVENSWOOD VINTNERS BLEND OLD VINE ZINFANDEL $18.95
USA 594341 TOASTED HEAD CHARDONNAY $18.95
USA 608653 SONOMA-CUTRER RUSSIAN RIVER RANCHES CHARDONNAY $27.95
USA 656561 J. LOHR SEVEN OAKS CABERNET SAUVIGNON $23.95
USA 710426 CAKEBREAD CELLARS CABERNET SAUVIGNON $119.95
USA 738823 LIBERTY SCHOOL CABERNET SAUVIGNON $21.95
USA 954834 RODNEY STRONG ESTATE RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY PINOT NOIR $25.95
USA 996405 STAGS' LEAP WINERY CABERNET SAUVIGNON $55.95
USA 84988 BERINGER NAPA VALLEY CHARDONNAY $23.95
USA 188110 FIRST PRESS CABERNET SAUVIGNON $25.95
USA 222877 CAYMUS CABERNET SAUVIGNON $104.95
USA 678698 GNARLY HEAD OLD VINE ZINFANDEL $17.95
USA 27516 J. LOHR LOS OSOS MERLOT $22.95
Chimo! www.deantudor.com
AND http://gothicepicures.blogspot.com
AND https://twitter.com/gothicepicures
Dean Tudor, Ryerson University Journalism Professor Emeritus
Treasurer, Wine Writers' Circle of Canada http://winewriterscircle.ca
Look it up and you'll remember it; screw it up and you'll never forget it.
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