WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for AUGUST 19, 2023 release.
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 https://pages.pathcom.com/~dtudor since 1994. These notes for good wines available through LCBO Vintages (on a bi-weekly basis) can always be found at http://www.gothicepicures.blogspot.ca or at https://pages.pathcom.com/~dtudor No winery can buy their way into – or out of – this publication.
Scores are a combination of MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Southern Rhone would taste like a Southern Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace above or below its price).
MAJOR THEME: SMART SUMMER BUYS (the August version of the first January release)
Wines Under $20
===============
Rose+172643 Tawse Sketches of Niagara Rose 2022 VQA Niagara $18.95 MVC/QPR: 90.
W+519025 Featherstone Phoenix 2022 VQA Niagara $18.95 MVC/QPR: 90.
W+370098 Paul Mas Single Vineyard Reserve Viognier 2021 Languedoc $16.95 MVC/QPR: 89.
W+499509 Famille Perrin Reserve Cotes du Rhone Blanc 2022 $17.95 MVC/QPR: 89.
W+10020 HaHa Hawke's Bay Chardonnay 2021 New Zealand $19.95 MVC/QPR: 89.
W+958736 Muga Barrel Fermented White 2021 Rioja $19.95 MVC/QPR: 89.
W+31664 Tilia Chardonnay 2022 Argentina $15.95 MVC/QPR: 88.
R+403345 Tapiz Alta San Pablo Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 Argentina $19.95 MVC/QPR: 89.
R+11851 Creekside Red Tractor Cabernet/Merlot 2020 VQA Niagara $17.95 MVC/QPR: 89.
R+648477 Cave du Chateau de Chenas Coeur de Granit Moulin-a-Vent 2020 $19.95 MVC/QPR: 89.
Wines Over $20
==============
Fizz+401018 Laboure-Gontard Brut Cremant de Bourgogne NV $21.95 MVC/QPR: 91.
W+523845 Charles Baker B-Side Riesling 2020 VQA Niagara $24.95 MVC/QPR: 91.
W+33226 Santo Wines 1911 Santorini Nykteri 2021 Greece $39.95 MVC/QPR: 90.
W+544312 Foris Pinot Gris 2021 Oregon $22.95 MVC/QPR: 90.
W+29829 Terres Secretes Les Sentinelles Macon-Villages 2020 $21.95 MVC/QPR: 89.
W+667212 Nederburg The Anchorman Chenin Blanc 2021 South Africa $24.95 MVC/QPR: 89.
R+261784 Papale Linea Oro Primitivo di Manduria 2019 Puglia $25.95 MVC/QPR: 91.
R+28837 Clarence Dillon Clarendelle Red 2016 Bordeaux $23.95 MVC/QPR: 90.
R+239277 Montecillo Gran Reserva 2011 Rioja $29.95 MVC/QPR: 90.
R+566844 Famille Perrin Les Cornudes Vinsobres 2020 Rhone $21.95 MVC/QPR: 89.
LIMITED TIME OFFERS: Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO's Limited Time Offers selections...these are good value...on sale through Sunday September 10...
Rose+325076 Whispering Angel Rose (Caves D'Esclans) Provence save $2.00, now $27.95
Fizz+991562 Cremant De Bourgogne Brut Reserve (Bailly Lapierre) save $3.50, $21.45
W+324228 Stoneleigh Latitude Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc NZ save $3.00, now $19.95
W+326090 Oyster Bay Pinot Grigio Hawke's Bay NZ save $3.00, now $18.95
W+367698 Boschendal 1685 Chardonnay South Africa, save $2.00, now $16.95 [A FAVE]
W+958975 Mer Soleil Reserve Chardonnay Monterey, save $3.00, now $26.95 [A BEST FAVE]
W+43281 Flat Rock Cellars Estate Riesling VQA, save $3.00, now $16.95
R+50203 Beronia Reserva (Gonzales Byass) Rioja save $3.00, now $19.95.
R+145920 Tenuta Frescobaldi Di Castiglioni Toscana save $3.00, now $21.95.
R+425488 Cannonau Riserva Sardinia (Sella& Mosca) save $2.50, now $17.45
R+337238 Marques De Casa Concha Cabernet Sauvignon Chile, save $3.00, now $21.95
R+595280 Porcupine Ridge Syrah South Africa $18.95, save $3.00, now $15.95
Splurge+314575 Sterling Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, save $5.00, $46.95
Splurge+996405 Stags' Leap Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, save $5.00, now $66.95
** Some New Wines I Tasted Over the Past While ---
REPORT ON THE CRU WINE MERCHANTS PORTFOLIO TASTING 2023
The Venue: Constantine Toronto
The Target Audience: sommeliers, wine media, wine trade
The Availability/Catalogue: a good looking catalogue laid out by country and then producer, with details on pricing for licensees.
The Quote/Background: there were 64 wine producers showing anywhere from one wine to a dozen wines each.
The Wines: I could not taste every wine, most notably many of the reds. Prices are licensee net in most cases.
**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Versado Reserva Malbec 2010 Mendoza (+316984 Vintages, $78 retail)
-Charles Baker Wines Riesling Ivan Vineyard 2020 VQA Niagara Peninsula, $25.49
-Charles Baker Wines Riesling Picone Vineyard 2013 VQA Vinemount Ridge, $39.03
-Charles Baker Wines Riesling Blanc de Blanc Cuvee du Boulanger 2020 VQA Niagara Peninsula, $31.67 [my fave fizz of the day]
-Stratus White 2021 VQA NOTL $25.49
-Stratus Skin Contact Viognier 2021 VQA NOTL $27.88
-Stratus Red 2017 VQA NOTL $39.03
-Wiston Estate Sparkling Rose Brut NV Sussex $69.95
-Champagne Monmarthe Secret de Famille Brut NV $49.95
-Jeaunaux-Robin Fil de Brume Brut NV $69.95
-Domaine Albert Mann Gewurztraminer 2020 Alsace $38.95
-Domaine Albert Mann Cremant Extra Brut 2018 $47.95
-Domaine Oudin Vaugirault 1er cru Chablis 2021 $59.95
-Domaine Francois Gay et Fils Beaune 1er cru Les Teurons Blanc 2018 $89.95
-Barth Charta Riesling 2019 Rheingau $30.95
-Sorelle Bronca Difetto Perfetto Sur Lie Prosecco 2021 Conegliano Valdobbiadene $28.95
-Agricola Molino Moscato d'Asti Mistral 2022 Trersio $24.95
-Vina Costeira Lua Jazz Brut Treixadura Sparkling NV Rias Baixas [not yet priced]
-Raventos Blanc de Blanc Brut 2020 $27 Penedes
-Can Sumoi Ancestral Sparkling 2018 $31.95 Penedes
-Bethel Heights Estate Chardonnay 2019 Oregon $54.95
-Kongsgaard Chardonnay 2019 Napa $230
-San Felo Tuscany Le Stoppie Vermentino [not yet priced]
***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Versado Malbec 2018 Mendoza (+317008 Vintages, $21.25 retail)
-Stratus Chardonnay 2020 VQA NOTL $39.03
-Stratus Field Blend Ancestral 2022 $27.88
-Jeaunaux-Robin Le Dessous de la Cabane Rose NV $74.95
-Domaine Oudin Chablis 2021 $37.95
-Domaine Oudin Les Serres Chablis 2021 $47.95
-Sorelle Bronca Modi Brut Prosecco NV $21.95
-Vini Bossanova Pet Nat Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2021 $41.95
-Rippon Sauvignon Blanc Lake Wanaka 2021 $39.95
-Kleinood Tamboerskloof Viognier Stellenbosch 2022 $33.95
-Favia-Erickson Carbone Chardonnay 2020 Combsville $79.95
-Hudson Chardonnay 2021 Napa $124.95
-Precision Wine Co. Introvert White 2020 California AVA $21.95
-Brokenwood Hunter Valley Australia Semillon 2022 [not yet priced]
The Food: from Constantine's menu – a variety of flatbreads, including a pomodoro pizza and a mushroom pizza, along with bites of cheese and pate mousse on breads. The charcuterie platter included more cheese, pate, sausages, and salami as well as sundried tomatoes.
The Downside: many wines were physically collated together but split apart by the catalogue listing; this meant a lot of to-ing and fro-ing through the booklet.
The Upside: a great opportunity to taste great wines.
The Contact Person: kasiakoziara@cruwinemerchants.com; Charles Baker<charlesbaker@stratuswines.com>
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 92
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 https://pages.pathcom.com/~dtudor since 1994. These notes for good wines available through LCBO Vintages (on a bi-weekly basis) can always be found at http://www.gothicepicures.blogspot.ca or at https://pages.pathcom.com/~dtudor No winery can buy their way into – or out of – this publication.
Scores are a combination of MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Southern Rhone would taste like a Southern Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace above or below its price).
MAJOR THEME: SMART SUMMER BUYS (the August version of the first January release)
Wines Under $20
===============
Rose+172643 Tawse Sketches of Niagara Rose 2022 VQA Niagara $18.95 MVC/QPR: 90.
W+519025 Featherstone Phoenix 2022 VQA Niagara $18.95 MVC/QPR: 90.
W+370098 Paul Mas Single Vineyard Reserve Viognier 2021 Languedoc $16.95 MVC/QPR: 89.
W+499509 Famille Perrin Reserve Cotes du Rhone Blanc 2022 $17.95 MVC/QPR: 89.
W+10020 HaHa Hawke's Bay Chardonnay 2021 New Zealand $19.95 MVC/QPR: 89.
W+958736 Muga Barrel Fermented White 2021 Rioja $19.95 MVC/QPR: 89.
W+31664 Tilia Chardonnay 2022 Argentina $15.95 MVC/QPR: 88.
R+403345 Tapiz Alta San Pablo Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 Argentina $19.95 MVC/QPR: 89.
R+11851 Creekside Red Tractor Cabernet/Merlot 2020 VQA Niagara $17.95 MVC/QPR: 89.
R+648477 Cave du Chateau de Chenas Coeur de Granit Moulin-a-Vent 2020 $19.95 MVC/QPR: 89.
Wines Over $20
==============
Fizz+401018 Laboure-Gontard Brut Cremant de Bourgogne NV $21.95 MVC/QPR: 91.
W+523845 Charles Baker B-Side Riesling 2020 VQA Niagara $24.95 MVC/QPR: 91.
W+33226 Santo Wines 1911 Santorini Nykteri 2021 Greece $39.95 MVC/QPR: 90.
W+544312 Foris Pinot Gris 2021 Oregon $22.95 MVC/QPR: 90.
W+29829 Terres Secretes Les Sentinelles Macon-Villages 2020 $21.95 MVC/QPR: 89.
W+667212 Nederburg The Anchorman Chenin Blanc 2021 South Africa $24.95 MVC/QPR: 89.
R+261784 Papale Linea Oro Primitivo di Manduria 2019 Puglia $25.95 MVC/QPR: 91.
R+28837 Clarence Dillon Clarendelle Red 2016 Bordeaux $23.95 MVC/QPR: 90.
R+239277 Montecillo Gran Reserva 2011 Rioja $29.95 MVC/QPR: 90.
R+566844 Famille Perrin Les Cornudes Vinsobres 2020 Rhone $21.95 MVC/QPR: 89.
LIMITED TIME OFFERS: Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO's Limited Time Offers selections...these are good value...on sale through Sunday September 10...
Rose+325076 Whispering Angel Rose (Caves D'Esclans) Provence save $2.00, now $27.95
Fizz+991562 Cremant De Bourgogne Brut Reserve (Bailly Lapierre) save $3.50, $21.45
W+324228 Stoneleigh Latitude Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc NZ save $3.00, now $19.95
W+326090 Oyster Bay Pinot Grigio Hawke's Bay NZ save $3.00, now $18.95
W+367698 Boschendal 1685 Chardonnay South Africa, save $2.00, now $16.95 [A FAVE]
W+958975 Mer Soleil Reserve Chardonnay Monterey, save $3.00, now $26.95 [A BEST FAVE]
W+43281 Flat Rock Cellars Estate Riesling VQA, save $3.00, now $16.95
R+50203 Beronia Reserva (Gonzales Byass) Rioja save $3.00, now $19.95.
R+145920 Tenuta Frescobaldi Di Castiglioni Toscana save $3.00, now $21.95.
R+425488 Cannonau Riserva Sardinia (Sella& Mosca) save $2.50, now $17.45
R+337238 Marques De Casa Concha Cabernet Sauvignon Chile, save $3.00, now $21.95
R+595280 Porcupine Ridge Syrah South Africa $18.95, save $3.00, now $15.95
Splurge+314575 Sterling Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, save $5.00, $46.95
Splurge+996405 Stags' Leap Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, save $5.00, now $66.95
** Some New Wines I Tasted Over the Past While ---
REPORT ON THE CRU WINE MERCHANTS PORTFOLIO TASTING 2023
The Venue: Constantine Toronto
The Target Audience: sommeliers, wine media, wine trade
The Availability/Catalogue: a good looking catalogue laid out by country and then producer, with details on pricing for licensees.
The Quote/Background: there were 64 wine producers showing anywhere from one wine to a dozen wines each.
The Wines: I could not taste every wine, most notably many of the reds. Prices are licensee net in most cases.
**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Versado Reserva Malbec 2010 Mendoza (+316984 Vintages, $78 retail)
-Charles Baker Wines Riesling Ivan Vineyard 2020 VQA Niagara Peninsula, $25.49
-Charles Baker Wines Riesling Picone Vineyard 2013 VQA Vinemount Ridge, $39.03
-Charles Baker Wines Riesling Blanc de Blanc Cuvee du Boulanger 2020 VQA Niagara Peninsula, $31.67 [my fave fizz of the day]
-Stratus White 2021 VQA NOTL $25.49
-Stratus Skin Contact Viognier 2021 VQA NOTL $27.88
-Stratus Red 2017 VQA NOTL $39.03
-Wiston Estate Sparkling Rose Brut NV Sussex $69.95
-Champagne Monmarthe Secret de Famille Brut NV $49.95
-Jeaunaux-Robin Fil de Brume Brut NV $69.95
-Domaine Albert Mann Gewurztraminer 2020 Alsace $38.95
-Domaine Albert Mann Cremant Extra Brut 2018 $47.95
-Domaine Oudin Vaugirault 1er cru Chablis 2021 $59.95
-Domaine Francois Gay et Fils Beaune 1er cru Les Teurons Blanc 2018 $89.95
-Barth Charta Riesling 2019 Rheingau $30.95
-Sorelle Bronca Difetto Perfetto Sur Lie Prosecco 2021 Conegliano Valdobbiadene $28.95
-Agricola Molino Moscato d'Asti Mistral 2022 Trersio $24.95
-Vina Costeira Lua Jazz Brut Treixadura Sparkling NV Rias Baixas [not yet priced]
-Raventos Blanc de Blanc Brut 2020 $27 Penedes
-Can Sumoi Ancestral Sparkling 2018 $31.95 Penedes
-Bethel Heights Estate Chardonnay 2019 Oregon $54.95
-Kongsgaard Chardonnay 2019 Napa $230
-San Felo Tuscany Le Stoppie Vermentino [not yet priced]
***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Versado Malbec 2018 Mendoza (+317008 Vintages, $21.25 retail)
-Stratus Chardonnay 2020 VQA NOTL $39.03
-Stratus Field Blend Ancestral 2022 $27.88
-Jeaunaux-Robin Le Dessous de la Cabane Rose NV $74.95
-Domaine Oudin Chablis 2021 $37.95
-Domaine Oudin Les Serres Chablis 2021 $47.95
-Sorelle Bronca Modi Brut Prosecco NV $21.95
-Vini Bossanova Pet Nat Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2021 $41.95
-Rippon Sauvignon Blanc Lake Wanaka 2021 $39.95
-Kleinood Tamboerskloof Viognier Stellenbosch 2022 $33.95
-Favia-Erickson Carbone Chardonnay 2020 Combsville $79.95
-Hudson Chardonnay 2021 Napa $124.95
-Precision Wine Co. Introvert White 2020 California AVA $21.95
-Brokenwood Hunter Valley Australia Semillon 2022 [not yet priced]
The Food: from Constantine's menu – a variety of flatbreads, including a pomodoro pizza and a mushroom pizza, along with bites of cheese and pate mousse on breads. The charcuterie platter included more cheese, pate, sausages, and salami as well as sundried tomatoes.
The Downside: many wines were physically collated together but split apart by the catalogue listing; this meant a lot of to-ing and fro-ing through the booklet.
The Upside: a great opportunity to taste great wines.
The Contact Person: kasiakoziara@cruwinemerchants.com; Charles Baker<charlesbaker@stratuswines.com>
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 92
Dean Tudor, Prof Emeritus T'karonto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson) School of Journalism
Treasurer of Wine Writers' Circle of Canada http://www.deantudor.comhttp://gothicepicures.blogspot.com
https://twitter.com/gothicepicures
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