WORLD WINE WATCH TOP 20/20 WINES: 20 under $20 and 20 over $20 for April 28, 2018

 

WORLD WINE WATCH TOP 20/20 WINES: 20 under $20 and 20 over $20 for April 28, 2018

 

By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com. My "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits, has been at http://www.deantudor.com since 1994.

These notes for wines available through the LCBO Vintages (on a bi-weekly basis)  can always be found at http://www.gothicepicures.blogspot.ca/ or at  http://www.deantudor.com

 

Scores are a combination of MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Southern Rhone tastes like a Southern Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace above or below its price).

 

THIS MONTH'S SPECIAL FINDS --

 

R+543710    BALBAS BARRICA 5 MESES OLD VINES TEMPRANILLO    DO Ribera del Duero        2015    $14.95    14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 92

R+552158    QUARISA TREASURES COONAWARRA CABERNET SAUVIGNON    Coonawarra, South Australia 2014    $17.95    14.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 91

R+964221    LE VOLTE DELL'ORNELLAIA    IGT Toscana    Tenuta dell'Ornellaia    2015    $29.95

14.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 92

 

20 under $20

=========

W+286278    FLAT ROCK CHARDONNAY    VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment        2016    $19.95     13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

W+544213    INDOMITA GRAN RESERVA SAUVIGNON BLANC    Casablanca Valley        2016    $16.95    12.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

W+108522    CHÂTEAU VIGNOL BLANC    AC Entre-Deux-Mers    Famille Doublet    2016    $15.95    12.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

W+46508    PUKLUS PINCÉSZET TOKAJI SEMI-SWEET YELLOW MUSCAT    PDO Tokaji        2016    $16.95    12.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

R+247882    HENRY OF PELHAM FAMILY TREE RED    VQA Ontario        2015    $18.95 13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+463000    14 HANDS MERLOT    Columbia Valley, Washington        2015    $19.95 13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+220376    DUSTED VALLEY BOOMTOWN CABERNET SAUVIGNON    Columbia Valley, Washington        2015    $19.95    14.2% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

R+546515    BISQUERT ECOS DE RULO CABERNET SAUVIGNON    Single vineyard, Colchagua Valley        2015    $18.95    14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+453209    ROCKCLIFFE THIRD REEF SHIRAZ    Great Southern, Western Australia        2015    $19.95    14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+434464    CHÂTEAU SAINT-ANTOINE RÉSERVE DU CHÂTEAU    AC Bordeaux Supérieur    2014    $16.95    13% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

R+538504    DOMAINE D'EN SÉGUR CUVÉE GERMAIN    IGP Côtes du Tarn        2015    $17.95    14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

R+538561    CANTINA DI VENOSA VERBO AGLIANICO DEL VULTURE    DOP        2015    $17.95    14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+541441    MESSIERI VISIONI RISERVA ROSSO PICENO SUPERIORE    DOC    Cocci Grifoni    2010    $18.95    14.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

R+540922    CECCHI STORIA DI FAMIGLIA CHIANTI CLASSICO    DOCG        2015    $17.95 13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+548834    ALIANÇA DÃO    DOC Dão    Caves Aliança    2014    $12.95    13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+209650    ELIAS MORA    DO Toro        2014    $17.95    14.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

R+383018    RAMIREZ DE LA PISCINA CRIANZA    DOCa Rioja        2013    $16.95 14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+547950    RAMON BILBAO LIMITED EDITION TEMPRANILLO    DOCa Rioja    2013    $17.00    14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

W+203901    BRAMPTON SAUVIGNON BLANC    WO Western Cape    2016    $15.95

13% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88

W+396275    ORGANIZED CRIME SAUVIGNON BLANC    VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment        2016    $18.95    12.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88

W+571422    DOMAINE GUY ALLION SAUVIGNON BLANC    AC Touraine        2016    $17.95    12% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88

W+556134    TRITTENHEIMER ALTÄRCHEN RIESLING KABINETT HALBTROCKEN    Prädikatswein    Familie Steffen    2017    $15.95    10% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88

R+546200    SEMÉLI OREINOS HELIOS AGIORGITIKO/SYRAH    PGI Peloponnese        2016    $16.95    13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88

 

20 over $20

=========

W+529941    CAVE SPRING CSV CHARDONNAY    VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment    2015    $29.95     13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

W+556084    VIGNERONS DE BUXY BUISSONNIER MONTAGNY 1ER CRU    AC        2016    $23.95  13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

R+626325    OSOYOOS LAROSE LE GRAND VIN    BC VQA Okanagan Valley        2014    $47.95    14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

R+944843    KENWOOD JACK LONDON VINEYARD CABERNET SAUVIGNON    Sonoma Mountain    2014    $39.95    14.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+497933    RODNEY STRONG MERLOT    Sonoma County 2014    $23.95 13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

R+526905    CHÂTEAU GODEAU DUCARPE    AC Saint-Émilion Grand Cru    Famille Florisoone    2014    $31.95    14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+526871    GRAND VIN DE MARGAUX    AP Margaux    Maison Ginestet    2015    $38.95 13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

W+232439    CHATEAU STE. MICHELLE CHARDONNAY    Columbia Valley        2016    $21.95    13% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88

R+402180    PRIMARIUS PINOT NOIR    Oregon    2015    $29.95    13.6% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88

R+930966    ROCCA DELLE MACÌE ZINGARELLI RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO    DOCG        2014    $23.95    14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88

W+27888    XANADU CHARDONNAY    Margaret River, Western Australia        2014    $39.95 13% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

W+524959    DOMAINE BÈGUE-MATHIOT VAILLONS CHABLIS 1ER CRU 2014    $37.95    12.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+999730    BREZZA SARMASSA BAROLO    DOCG        2013    $87.95    14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88

R+540849    TENUTA DI RENIERI CHIANTI CLASSICO    DOCG        2013    $22.95 14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88

R+356220    TOMMASI AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO    DOCG        2013    $49.95    15% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88

R+216291    ÁLVARO PALACIOS CAMINS DEL PRIORAT    DOQ Priorat        2016    $30.95 14.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 88

 

Chimo! www.deantudor.com

The Event: Ogier Winemaker Tasting and Lunch April 16, 2018

The Date and Time:  Monday April 16, 2018  Noon - 3PM

The Event: Ogier Winemaker Tasting and Lunch

The Venue: Wine Academy

The Target Audience: wine writers and influencers

The Availability/Catalogue: wines are available through the LCBO or the agency, Select Wines.

The Quote/Background: Ogier was founded in 1859 in Chateauneuf-du-Pape and purchased in 1995 by JeanJean. Raphael Pommier, an associate winemaker at Ogier, gave us a seminar on his terroir-driven wines for Ogier. They have a focus on grenache (70% of their vines, cultivated for a fruity late harvest style) which is co-fermented with syrah and/or mourvedre, cinsault, and other varieties when needed. Pommier works with 44 other "associate" winemakers, each with their own levels of responsibility. He makes his wines in the north Ardeche. He's in Toronto as a promoter this time, with presentations to the LCBO and other customers. Pommier took us through the various plots of land with different strata. The Safres has compressed sand, the Gres Rouge has everything (sand, gravel, rocks, and red clay). The Vinolithic is here in its second vintage – only 15 300-litre barrels were made (6000 bottles). Each year will be slightly different while they experiment to find an upscale Cotes du Rhone. This year – 2015 – had 15% ABV.

The Wines: We had eight wines plus the new vintage of Ventoux Rose 2017.

 

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

-Clos de l'Oratoire des Papes Chateauneuf-du-Pape White 2016 [five grapes] $54.95

-Gres Rouge Chateauneuf-du-Pape Red 2015 $57.95

-Safres Chateauneuf-du-Pape Red 2015 $57.95

-Domaine Notre Dame de Cousignac Vinolithic Cotes-du-Rhone Villages Red 2015 $26.95

 

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

-Clos de l'Oratoire des Papes Chateauneuf-du-Pape Red 2015 $49.95

-Ogier Heritages Cotes du Rhone 2016 $14.95

-Ogier Ventoux Rose 2017 $13.95 [coming soon]

 

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

-Ogier Ventoux Red 2016 $11.95

-Ogier Ventoux Rose 2016 $13.95

 

The Food: we ordered from a special menu. I had ham croquettes and a pork chop. Others had Cornish hen, salads, and veggies.

The Downside: bad weather made it a struggle to get downtown.

The Upside: the postponement of the Wine Writers' Circle of Canada annual rose tasting due to the bad weather gave me the opportunity to attend this terrific luncheon.

The Contact Person: mitchell@selectwines.ca  raphaelpommierusa@gmail.com

The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 90

Chimo! www.deantudor.com

The Event: The First Kolonaki Group Portfolio Tasting – trade show component April 11, 2018

The Date and Time: Wednesday, April 11 2018  11:30 AM – 3:30PM

The Event: The First Kolonaki Group Portfolio Tasting – trade show component

The Venue: The Addison's Residence, Wellington St West

The Target Audience: sommeliers and media, food and beverage managers

The Availability/Catalogue: Ontario Licensee Price List for April 2018 had all the products in convenient bottle shots, region, price, and availability (consignment, et al).

The Quote/Background: There were stations scattered through some small rooms, which gave us a sense of both coziness and convenience.

The Wines: There were over 50 different products (wines, beers, spirits). I only tried some of the wines. 

 

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

-Luc Belaire Rose Brut Provence $38 +395384 June 9 Vintages

-Luc Belaire Gold Brut Burgundy $38 Consignment

-Argyros Estate Atlantis White Assyrtiko-Athiri-Aidani 2017 Santorini $20.95 Consignment

-Boutari 1879 Legacy 2007 $60 Consignment

-Domaine Karanika Brut Amydeon $32.95 Consignment

-Domaine Karanika Rose Brut Amydeon $32.95 Consignment

-Kir Yianni Akakies Rose Brut 2017 Amydeon $19.95 Consignment

-Kir Yianni Two Olives Xinomavro-Syrah-Merlot 2015 Imathia $32.95 Consignment

-Kir Yianni Diaporo Xinomavro 90% Syrah 10% 2013 Imathia $46.95 consignment

-Santo Santorini Grand Reserve Assyrtiko $44.95 consignment

-Thalia Syrah-Kotsifali Rose 2016 Crete $9.75 consignment

-Wine Art Estate Pink Bang 2017 [touriga nacional] $22.95 Consignment

-Eradus Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough Awatere $18.95 Vintages

-Ego Bodegas Goru Blend Chardonnay Muscat 2017 Jumilla $13.95 Vintages Fall 2018

-Ego Bodegas Goru Blend Monastrell-Syrah-Petit Verdot 2015 Jumilla $13.95 Vintages

 

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

-Eradus Ana Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough Awatere 2017 $17.95 consignment

-Wine Art Estate Techni Alipias Assyrtiko Sauvignon Blanc 2017 Drama $19.95 Consign

-Wine Art Estate Plano Malagousia 2016 Drama $20.95 Consignment

-Santo Nykteri Santorini 2017 $29.95  Private Order

-Skouras St. Georges Nemea Agiorgitiko 2014 $18.95 consignment

-Skouras Armyra Chardonnay 2016 Peloponesse $21.95 consignment

-Skouras Megas Oenos Cabernet St.Georges 2014 Peloponesse $48.95 consignment

-Boutari Grand Reserve Naoussa-Xinomavro 2012 $24.95 Late spring 2018

-Argyros Estate Atlantis Assyrtiko 2016 Santorini $29.95 Consignment

-Argyros Estate Santorini 2016 $31.95 Consignment

-Domaine Mega Spileo Red Blend 2012 Acahaia $28.95 Consignment

-Domaine Mega Spileo Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 Acahaia $27.95 Vintages

 

The Food: charcuterie and cheeseboards, breads and biscuits, dried fruit, shrimp spoons, platter passarounds.

The Downside: unfortunately, Papaioannou wines (some of my faves) were not available for tasting.

The Upside: one of the last wines I had was based on a Portuguese grape variety, thus providing a fortuitous segue to my next tasting 20 minutes later...

The Contact Person: steve.kriaris@kolonakigroup.com

The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 91

Chimo! www.deantudor.com

The Event: Taste Oregon; a journey of discovery April 10, 2018

 

The Date and Time: Tuesday April 10, 2018   12PM  - 3:30 PM

The Event: Taste Oregon; a journey of discovery

The Venue: Berkeley Church, Queen Street East

The Target Audience: wine trade and media

The Availability/Catalogue: it was a great looking catalogue, loaded with details about the wineries and their wines, arranged alphabetically by winery or company. Only price ranges were given, which is a great idea for these vague times of currency fluctuations and markups and transportation, etc. So – the recommended retail price in the US would be as $$ = 10 – 15 USD, or $$$$$ = more than $50, Five price ranges were suggested. Importers were listed by company name only, and only a few had walkaway price lists.

The Quote/Background: More than 35 wineries were on board today, with about 200 wines. Eight food purveyors showed off their skills.

The Wines: I did not taste every wine. Prices are mostly licensee, or at least within as USD retail dollar price range.

 

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

-Elk Cove Goodrich Chardonnay 2015 Yamhill-Carlton $65 licensee Breakthru Beverage

-Elk Cove Fibe Mountain Pinto Noir 2015 Chehalem Mountain $73 licensee Breakthru Bev

-Alexana Winery Terroir Series Chardonnay Barrel Fermented 2015 Willamette $25 – 50 USD Le Sommelier

-Archery Summit Arcus Pinot Noir 2015 Dundee Hills $125 CAD Andrew Peller Imports

-Archery Summit Eola Amit Hills Chardonnay 2016 $45 USD Andrew Peller

-Archery Summit Dundees Hills Pinot Noir 2016 $60 USD Andrew Peller

-Argyle Vintage Brut PN/C/PM 2016 Willamette $40 Andrew Peller

-Argyle Brut Rose 2013 PN/C/PM Dundee Hills $50 Andrew Peller

-Bachelder Oregon Mineralite of Oregon Chardonnay 2014 Willamette $?? Lifford

-Bachelder Oregon Parfum de Oregon Pinot Noir 2014 Willamette $?? Lifford

-Division Winemaking Pinot Noir Trois 2015 Eola Amity Hills more than $50 USD Lifford

-Hyland Estates Winery Old Vine Chardonnay 2016 McMinnville $39.95 CAD N Pearce

-Hyland Estates Winery Old Vine Riesling 2016 McMinnville $34.95 CAD N Pearce

-Phelps Creek Vineyards Columbia Gorge Chardonnay 2015 $34 US  Wines Online Canada

-R.Stuart Rose d'Or Brut NV PN/C Willamette $25 – 50  Epic

-Trisaetum Coast Range Estate Riesling 2015 Yamhill-Carlton $45 CAD N Pearce

-Trisaetum Willamette Valley Chardonnay 2016 $45 CAD N Pearce

-Walter Scott Wines X Novo Chardonnay 2016 Eola Amity Hills $45 USD Kinsale Oregon

 

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

-Winderlea Vineyard Pinot Noir 2014 Dundee Hills more than $50 USD Katy Moore

-Winderlea Vineyard Chardonnay 2015 Barrel Fermented Willamette Valley more than $50 USD Katy Moore

-Valley View Winery Viognier 2015 Applegate Valley $18 USD  Eurovintage

-Stoller Family Estate Dundee Hills Chardonnay 2016 $25 CAD The Vine Agency

-Solena Estate Chardonnay Willamette 2015 $39.95 CAD  N Pearce

-R.Stuart Big Fire Pinot Gris 2015 Willamette $10USD  Epic

--Phelps Creek Vineyards Lynette Chardonnay 2014 Columbia Gorge $38 US  Wines Online Canada

-Rex Hill Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2015 $25 – 50USD  N Pearce

-Rex Hill Seven Soils Chardonnay 2015 Willamette $39.95 CAD N Pearce

-Adelsheim Vineyard Caitlin's Reserve Chardonnay 2015 Willamette more than $50USD Mark Anthony

-Adelsheim Vineyard Staking Claim Chardonnay 2015 Chehalem more than $50USD Mark Anthony

-Adelsheim Vineyard Elizabeth's Reserve Pinot Noir 2013 Willamette $80  Mark Anthony

-Chehalem Winery Ian's Reserve Chardonnay 2015 Dundee Hills $25 – 50 USD Living Vine

-Chehalem Winery Reserve Pinot Noir 2015 Ribbon Ridge $85 CAD Living Vine

-Citation Oregon Chardonnay Barrel Fermented 2014  $25 – 50  Intervino

-Division Winemaking Chardonnay Trois 2016 Willamette $25 - $50 USD Lifford

-Domaine Drouhin Oregon Arthur Chardonnay 2015 Dundee Hills Dandurand

-Domaine Drouhin Oregon Dundee Hills Pinot Noir 2015 $50 CAD Dandurand

-Domaine Oregon Roserock Pinot Noir 2015 Eola Amity Hills $41CAD Dandurand

-Domaine Roy et Fils Chardonnay 2016 Willamette $25 – 50 USD  Univins

 

 

The Food: Food was inventive. Small bites came from Richmond Station (roasted carrots), LBS (pickled mussels on potato), Mad Crush (lamb tartare on crostini), Barque (pulled pork tortilla), and Sweet Jesus (six types of ice cream, none of which went with any wine, but it was a good afterthought: I enjoyed my serving of the chocolate, peanut butter, peanuts, and caramel ice cream). In a separate serving area The Cheese Boutique produced a range of cheeses (soft through hard, some blues, sausages, Pingue prosciutto, biscuits, dried fruit and nuts. Best food for me was the lamb tartare from Mad Crush.

The Downside: when will the trade shows ever learn the importance of walkaway price lists for landed wines? How much does a piece of paper cost?

The Upside: good wines, good food.

The Contact Person: info@predhomme.ca

The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 89

 

Chimo! www.deantudor.com

* FOOD BOOK OF THE MONTH! Appalachian Cooking by John Tullock, The Countryman Press

 

APPALACHIAN COOKING (The Countryman Press, 2018, 196 pages, ISBN 978-1-68268-100-8 $22.95 USD paperbound) is by John Tullock, who teaches food gardening courses for the University of Tennessee. These are both new and traditional recipes for a specific USA region: mountains of eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina (also known as Southern Appalachia. Here the greens are cooked with ham hocks, but they may be turnip greens rather than collards. More local black walnuts are used than Georgian pecans. Pintos are more common than black-eyed peas. BBQ is different. It's a cuisine reflective of local ramps, berries, greens, nuts and game as used by both the Indigenous and the Scotch-Irish traditions. Tullock has 100 or so classics with new variations. Arranged by  food groups – preserved foods (such as jams and pickles), beans-squash-corn (Three Sisters), potatoes and other veggies, meat from sticks and cricks, and desserts. And of course, biscuits. The book could have been improved if it also used metric in the recipes, or at least had a metric conversion chart.

Audience and level of use: collectors of regional cuisine cookbooks

Some interesting or unusual recipes/facts: summer vegetable casserole; bread-and-butter sweet pepper relish; blackberry crumble; sweet whiskey butter; Knoxville full house beef; ultimate meatloaf sandwich; cracklin corn bread; hog-jowl and black-eyed peas; peppercorn pork roast with mornay sauce.

The downside to this book: I really wanted more

The upside to this book: a good assortment of foods, coupled with excellent illustrations. No photos.

Quality/Price Rating: 90.

Chimo! www.deantudor.com

WORLD WINE WATCH TOP 20/20 WINES: 20 under $20 and 20 over $20 for April 14, 2018

 

WORLD WINE WATCH TOP 20/20 WINES: 20 under $20 and 20 over $20 for  April 14, 2018

 

By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com. My "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits, has been at http://www.deantudor.com since 1994.

These notes for wines available through the LCBO Vintages (on a bi-weekly basis)  can always be found at http://www.gothicepicures.blogspot.ca/ or at  http://www.deantudor.com

 

Scores are a combination of MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Southern Rhone tastes like a Southern Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace above or below its price).

 

THIS MONTH'S SPECIAL FINDS --

R+270645    LEGÓN PREMIUM    DO Ribera del Duero    2014    $32.95 14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 92

R+443945    EL GORÚ MONASTRELL/SYRAH/PETIT VERDOT    DOP Jumilla    2015    $13.95 13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 92

W+616466    HENRY OF PELHAM SPECK FAMILY RESERVE CHARDONNAY    VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Escarpment    2016    $29.95 13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 92

 

20 under $20

=========

W+80234    FEATHERSTONE BLACK SHEEP RIESLING    VQA Niagara Peninsula    2017    $16.95 10 % ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

W+483875    THE TRAGICALLY HIP AHEAD BY A CENTURY CHARDONNAY    VQA Niagara Peninsula    2016    $19.95    12.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

W+376814    WILDASS SAUVIGNON BLANC    VQA Niagara Peninsula    2016    $18.95 12.9% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

W+128421    CLINE VIOGNIER    North Coast    2016    $18.95    14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

W+231282    KEN FORRESTER OLD VINE RESERVE CHENIN BLANC    WO Stellenbosch    2016    $17.95     14.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

W+722413    DOMDECHANT WERNER HOCHHEIMER RIESLING KABINETT    Prädikatswein    2015    $19.95    12% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

W+707158    ZENATO SAN BENEDETTO LUGANA    DOC    2016    $18.95    13% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

W+673236    LAURENT MIQUEL NORD SUD VIOGNIER    IGP Pays d'Oc    2015    $14.95 13.5%

% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

R+546432    VINA CONO SUR RESERVA ESPECIAL PINOT NOIR    San Antonio Valley    2015    $18.95    13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

R+15495    3 RINGS SHIRAZ    Barossa Valley, South Australia    2015    $19.95    14.6% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+540286    ENCHANTED TREE SHIRAZ    South Australia    2014    $17.95    14.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

R+548495    FLEUR DU CAP UNFILTERED CABERNET SAUVIGNON    WO Stellenbosch    2014    $19.95    14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

R+299917    VILLA PONCIAGO LA RÉSERVE FLEURIE    AC    2015    $19.95    13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+528000    BERTRAND AMBROISE LETTRE D'ÉLOÏSE    AC Coteaux Bourguignons    2015    $19.95    13% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+537993    FRANÇOIS LURTON MJ MAS JANEIL LE PETIT PAS    AP Côtes du Roussillon    2015    $17.95    14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

R+538017    MAISON VENTENAC LES HAUTS DE VENTENAC CUVÉE JULES    AP Cabardès    2014    $16.95    13% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+678086    MICHEL GASSIER LES PILIERS SYRAH    AC Costières de Nîmes    2015    $17.95    13.4% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+539916    ROC DES TEMPLIERS PLAN DE DIEU CÔTES DU RHÔNE VILLAGES    AC    2016    $14.95    14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+541524    BARTALI RISERVA CHIANTI    DOCG    2013    $19.95    13% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+536250    ANTICA VIGNA APPASSIONATO    IGP Veneto Rosso    2011    $16.95    13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

R+999946    REMO FARINA RIPASSO VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO SUPERIORE    DOC    2016    $18.95    13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

R+532283    FONTE DA LOBA VINHO TINTO    DOC Douro    2015    $14.95    13% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+488007    PERIQUITA RESERVA    Vinho Regional Península de Setúbal    2015    $15.95 13% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

 

20 over $20

=========

R+477620    BOSCARELLI VINO NOBILE DI MONTEPULCIANO    DOC    2013    $39.95

13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

R+511568    URBINA RESERVA ESPECIAL    DOCa Rioja    2001    $39.95    14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

W+962886    LA CREMA SONOMA COAST CHARDONNAY    Sonoma Coast    2016    $29.95    13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

W+661322    DOMAINE BOUCHARD PÈRE & FILS LES CLOUS MEURSAULT    AC    2015    $62.95    13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

R+548529    KWV THE MENTORS ORCHESTRA    WO Western Cape    2014    $24.95 14.5%ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+527994    ROUX PÈRE & FILS BEAUREPAIRE SANTENAY 1ER CRU    AC Côte de Beaune    2015    $54.95    13% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+743385    CHÂTEAU BOUSCASSÉ    AP Madiran    2013    $21.95    13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

R+539387    VITE COLTE SPEZIE RISERVA BARBARESCO    DOCG    2008    $42.95    14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+541078    CANTALICI BARUFFO RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO    DOCG    2012    $35.95 14.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 91

R+306852    COL D'ORCIA BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO    DOCG    2012    $49.95    14.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+234898    NOVAIA CORTE VAONA AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO    DOCG    2012    $49.95    15% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+445122    SÃO MIGUEL ESCOLHA DOS ENOLOGOS    Vinho Regional Alentejano    2015    $22.95    14.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

R+642496    BARÓN DE LEY GRAN RESERVA    DOCa Rioja    2010    $29.95    13.5% ABV, MVC/QPR: 90

R+424390    CVNE IMPERIAL RESERVA    DOCa Rioja    2012    $39.95    14% ABV, MVC/QPR: 89

Chimo! www.deantudor.com

The Event: Down the Rabbit Hole/Reverie at the Park first anniversary dinner party.

The Date and Time: Thursday April 5, 2018  6PM - 9PM

The Event: Down the Rabbit Hole/Reverie at the Park first anniversary dinner party.

The Venue: Reverie at the Park, College Street

The Target Audience: food media (I was one of the older folk, but I did note Dick Snyder and Sara Waxman as attending).

The Quote/Background: David Mulock provided us with inspired cocktails such as Sweet Lou's wet Negroni or A Forager's Find with bourbon, shiso, lemon, sugar, and High Park wild ginger. Beer and wine were also available. Most media had a cocktail followed by wine at dinner. While others were nursing their cocktails, I talked with Executive Chef Jef Edwards who has been here about a year. This was Reverie's first anniversary dinner, followed by a music party upstairs at 9PM (I had to go home: busy day on Friday at the LCBO tasting lab and at the Green Living Show). Chef Jef comes from Winnipeg and spent some time in creating the sharing menu at Reverie.  He also spoke before each dish, giving its history and creation notes. Previously, he had told me about his fab "chef's selection", a menu of some 11 courses for four persons ($204 total), which included sea scallops, salmon croquette, pork belly, Alaskan trout, duxelle chicken, muscovy dick, rack of lamb, venison, and dessert. He had a printed menu for it so that he could compromise on any allergies or dislikes by patrons. So there is a lot to play around with – even with a comparable seafood menu of "chef's selection". Currently, though, they have no corkage license rider so you would be limited to the short house wine list.

The Wines: I tried tasting samples of five wines. I did not see the labels --

 

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

-Charles & Charles Chardonnay Washington

 

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

-Pfaff Riesling Pfaffenheim Cuvee Jupiter Alsace

-Santa Margherita Prosecco Superiore

-George Deboeuf Hob Nob Pinot Noir Languedoc

 

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

-Santa Margherita Valdadige Pinot Grigio

 

The Food: It was a five course dinner for about 36 – 40 attendees, with excellent table service and significant plates. We began with house made focaccia and breads with pesto and then moved on to s lovely smoked beef tartare and enoki with crisps and hot mustard (served in a beef bone where the marrow would have been). This was followed by a scallop surf and turf with pea and piccata and oyster mushrooms. There was more: cured mackerel and artichoke with kohlrabi and pickled blueberry, and a light gnocchi and ricotta with spinach and palm hearts, like a gnudi. The ending was a veal and porcini aligot (potatoes, cheese, white wine) with peaches. Kudos all round, as well as the applause...

The Downside: typical for the area was the excessive music level, not very enjoyable when eating, and especially when it goes on and on for three hours and more. But then, that's just me...

The Upside: a chance to talk to Chef Jef Edwards.

The Contact Person:  olivia@nordstrommatte.com

The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 89

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.

SOME NEW BEVERAGE SAMPLES SENT TO ME FOR TASTING ...

 

1.La Bise Wines The Thief Grenache-Shiraz-Mataro 2015 Barossa Valley, +534768 April 28 Vintages $24.95: a nifty wine from Oz that's been marketed as pairing with beef and pizza. That makes it a "guy" wine ready now. Mataro is also the name given for Mourvedre and Monastrell – expect jump-out flavours of berries (on the nose) resolving to mushrooms and forest floor with a long length. I suspect the evolving nature of this wine (good for a few more years) will lean towards more aged characteristics. Some 25-year old Shiraz is used; all three grape have been vinified separately in a spicy oak program.  Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

 

 

 

2.Luigi Bosca Gala 2 2014 Mendoza, +542647 Vintages, $36.95: a Bordeaux-styled blend of cab sauvignon (85%), and equal amounts of cab franc and merlot [but not always; there is wiggle room for different annual proportions of these last two]. While each variety is vinified separately, only the cab sauvignon is aged 14 months in oak with malolactic. The other two are stainless. It's definitely a New World take on Bordeaux, but with upfront jammy and partially baked black fruit (berries, plums) and spicy wood. The producer says it should cellar well for 15 years; try it after two more. A good competitor to similar California wines but better adaptable to food with is long length. 14% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

 

 

3.Dievole Novecento Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG 2014, +213926 Vintages, $37.95: a very sound, firmly based Chianti Classico Riserva for the cellar, could be aged 10 or more years. Fifteen year old vines, 13.5% ABV. Stored in untoasted French oak for about 17 months. Typical Chianti complexity but with more minerals and a longer length. Red fruit such as dark cherries dominates the richly concentrated flavours. Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

 

 

4.Pelee Island Vinedressers Meritage VQA South Islands 2016, +317933 Winery, $24.95:

typical MVC for a Bordeaux-styled blend (50% cabernet sauvignon, 30% merlot and 20% cabernet franc), with black fruit and toastiness. Some mocha tones and forest floor. But it needs more time, certainly, to fully enjoy. One to lay down, or do a double-decant and taste over several days: then try it with a roast or mushrooms. 13.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

 

 

5.Pelee Island LOLA Cabernet Franc Rose 2017 VQA South Islands, +552497 $15.95 April 30 LCBO: as a major new player in the Ontario domestic rose category, this rose is derived from Pelee Island vineyards on the island itself at 42 degrees North latitude, similar to appellations in Spain, France, Italy and California. Stainless steel, all cabernet franc, residual sugar of 9g/l for that mid-weight feel. A good touch of strawberries with a off-pink colour. Tastes fresh all the way to the long finish. 12.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

 

6.Chateau des Charmes Pinot Noir 2016 Estate Grown &  Bottled VQA NOTL, +454967, $16.95 LCBO: A nifty young wine, with some forest floor and mushrooms to complement the red fruit of strawberries. Estate grown and bottled. Good written notes on the back label are spot on. Just under some subtle oaking, with a moderate intensity of medium flavours. It could use more time in the bottle.  Cork closure, 13% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures.

 

Chimo! www.deantudor.com

The Event: 6th edition of FOOD SENSATIONS at Sub-Zero March 21

The Date and Time:  Wednesday March 21 2018  4PM to 7PM

The Event: 6th edition of FOOD SENSATIONS

The Venue: SUB-ZERO Showroom, King St East

The Target Audience: food writers and bloggers, lifestyle opinion shapers.

The Availability/Catalogue: There were good notes on the food, with descriptive details. Most would be available through Whole Foods, Organic Garage, The Big Carrot, Sobeys, and others.

The Quote/Background: Not unlike the movies SENSATION HUNTERS (1933) and SENSATIONS OF 1945, both of which dealt with cabaret girls...here, it was a mini-trade show of select foods new to the Toronto-Ontario markets. The collective presentation gave us some insight into what is new for spring here in Hogtown. The wines were not part of the show presentations, but all three were Italian (white, two reds).

The Food: AGROPUR was there showing off its "world's best Camembert", the L'Extra 170gr, fresh from its camembert tasting at the World Championship Cheese Contest (Madison, Wisconsin) March 6 – 8. Delicious with apricots and figs, biscuits, walnuts. Terrific paste. Les Viandes DU BRETON (with its ethical and responsible agriculture) showed off its "rustic" boneless pork loin filet" (pigs from family farms. No antibiotics, grain-fed, Certified Humane for pigs in Canada) a category available in three flavours of chipotle & lime, Mexican BBQ, and curry ($16.39 per kg). They also have a "rustic Black Forest smoked bacon" ($6.99 250g) and an "organic bacon" ($8.99 250g). Mounds of flavour in the bacon. For dessert, we had LACREM vegan ice cream, made from soy milk. You really could not tell the difference between dairy-egg ice cream and vegan ice cream. Real flavours are derived from Chai Tea, Earl Grey Tea, Lemon Meringue Pie, Vanilla and Maple. I loved the Maple but my ultimate fave was the Lemon and Poppy Seed ice cream. Available in 473 mL cup portions. At the end there was CAMELLIA SINENSIS tea, with teapots. They offered a number of Bristol Chais, based on either black tea or green tea. And also  herbs (rooibos, cardamom, cinnamon, etc.). Good palate cleansers. We also tried the CAFFITALY System of coffee. They have their own machines but the capsules are also compatible with Nespresso. We had the Robusto coffee blend, presumably named after the robusto varietal of coffee bean – full intense espresso flavours with bitter cocoa and dark chocolate. Plus whipped milk. And on the way out, we had the amazing AMARELLI liquirizia, created in 1731 in Calbria. It's a licorice candy, good for the digestion. There's a mint-flavoured version as well as a dark chocolate, all coming in a 20g or 40g metal box.

The Downside: I think we were the oldest people there, and we did not have any cameras.

The Upside: a great experience to taste what's upcoming in this region.

The Contact Person: nadia.edwards@natapr.com

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

 

Chimo! www.deantudor.com