WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for NOVEMBER 18, 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).
I was one of the first to jump on the Robert Parker bandwagon, using numerical indications for scores. Why? Because with a database I could rate, rank and order wines in any fashion. It was just so convenient using databases. Unfortunately, the numerical system has been shown to be disgraced, so I am quitting any ranking by number. From now on, it will just be GOOD, BETTER and BEST, which will give me some wiggle room (e.g. is this wine an 87, 88, 89, or 90? Or all of them...depends on my mood and time of day). With the rigorous standards and lab testing by the LCBO, I can safely say that every single wine at the LCBO is at least GOOD, which I would numerically rank at 75-85 points. For reasons of time and space, I will NOT be listing GOOD wines. Just the BETTER (86-89) and BEST (90+ ) wines. This spread of points will probably relate to SILVER and GOLD medals, with BRONZE being "GOOD". Significantly, this also fits into my scheme for trade tastings (as noted below).
MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
MVC/QPR: BEST (90+ )
MAJOR THEME: PREMIUM WINES FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Wines Under $20
=========
R+642421 CANTINA VALPANTENA TORRE DEL FALASCO VALPOLICELLA RIPASSO VENETO $18.95 MVC/QPR: BEST (90+ )
FIZZ+281329 JOSEPH CATTIN BRUT CRÉMANT D'ALSACE NV $18.95 MVC/QPR: BEST (90+ )
W+29823 BOECKEL RIESLING 2021 ALSACE $18.95 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
W+33294 IONA SOPHIE TE'BLANCHE 2022 SOUTH AFRICA $19.95 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
R+640854 SALENTEIN RESERVE MALBEC 2021 ARGENTINA $19.95 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
R+19274 SALENTEIN PORTILLO PINOT NOIR 2021 ARGENTINA $17.95 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
R+34814 VINALBA RESERVA MALBEC/SYRAH 2021 ARGENTINA $19.95 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
R+297317 XAVIER VIGNON CÔTES DU RHÔNE 2020 $17.95 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
R+35622 VIA CARITATIS VOX ANGELORUM 2020 RHONE $19.95 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
R+31701 CHÂTEAU LAVAL 2021 RHONE $17.95 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
R+32757 ANTONINI MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO 2020 $19.95 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
R+983742 L.A. CETTO PETITE SIRAH 2020 MEXICO 519B 12 $14.95 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
R+363168 TOM DE BATON 2021 PORTUGAL $16.95 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
R+31197 SOGEVINUS VEEDHA RED 2020 PORTUGAL $15.95MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
FIZZ+632265 VILLA CONCHI BRUT ROSÉ CAVA NV $17.95 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
Wines Over $20
=========
W+256552 CAVE SPRING ESTATE GROWN CHARDONNAY 2019 VQA NIAGARA $21.95 MVC/QPR: BEST (91+ )
W+290296 E. GUIGAL CÔTES DU RHÔNE BLANC 2022 $23.95 MVC/QPR: BEST (90+ )
R+505610 HIDDEN BENCH TERROIR CACHÉ 2019 $44.95 MVC/QPR: BEST (90+ )
FIZZ+15688 BENJAMIN BRIDGE MÉTHODE CLASSIQUE BRUT ROSÉ SPARKLING NV NOVA SCOTIA $34.95 MVC/QPR: BEST (90+ )
W+172338 SOUTHBROOK TRIOMPHE ORGANIC CHARDONNAY 2019 VQA NIAGARA $26.95 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
W+32959 ANDRÉ GOICHOT POUILLY-FUISSÉ 1ER CRU 2021 $49.95 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
W+994012 FALCHINI VIGNA A SOLATÌO VERNACCIA DI SAN GIMIGNANO 2022 TUSCANY $23.95 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
R+333229 WYNNS COONAWARRA ESTATE THE SIDING CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 24.95 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
R+32282 HAYWIRE SECREST MOUNTAIN PINOT NOIR 2020 VQA BC $33.95 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
R+21400 ORGANIZED CRIME CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019 VQA NIAGARA $24.95 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
FIZZ+12619 VILMART ET CIE GRANDE RÉSERVE 1ER CRU CHAMPAGNE NV $82.95 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
[The following LTOs are on sale from Nov 6 through Nov 26]:
Fizz+991562 Bailly Lapierre Brut Cremant de Bourgogne, now $21.45, save $3.50
W+958975 Mer Soleil Reserve Chardonnay Monterey, now $26.95, save $3
W+324228 Stoneleigh Latitude Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough NZ, now $19.95, save $3
R+274753 Hidden Bench Pinot Noir Beamsville Bench VQA, now $34.95, save $3
R+36483 Torres Gran Coronas Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon Penedes Spain, $20.95, save $3
Splurge+356220 Tommasi Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico Superiore Veneto, $47.95, save $5
Splurge+650432 Castelgiocondo Brunello de Montalcino Tuscany, $49.95, save $5
** Some New Wines I Tasted Over the Past Season ---
REPORT ON THE ANNUAL LIVING VINE ACID TRIP PORFOLIO TASTING, June 2023...
The Date and Time: Sunday June 18, 2023 1P - 5PM
The Event: The Annual Living Vine Acid Trip Try-and-Buy Portfolio Tasting
The Venue: Society Clubhouse, College Street
The Target Audience: wine media, private clients, restaurants.
The Availability/Catalogue: everything was available on some 15 tables, with label names, vintage dates, case quantities (6 or 12), and retail/licensee prices for each wine.
The Quote/Background: Mark Cuff, who runs The Living Vine, has been a sustainable/green/organic/biodynamic wiz for a couple of decades now. His annual portfolio tasting is one of the best in town, with many new brands and a diversified audience (in attendance, there were as many babies as seniors!).
The Wines: I did not taste all the 100 or so wines and ciders. As is my wont, I concentrated on the summery white wines. The ciders from Cidre Fleuri were phenomenal: Piccolino, Joe, Klaus, Willie, Rosie – all in 473ml containers at $7.75 each. There were also 750 ml bottles of cider: Terrain Vague, Niagara Place, Villefranche, and Franconia at $20 each. I did not taste the non-alcoholic wines ("Proxies") or the kombucha or the spirits. Prices are retail...
**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Chateau Grand Launay Blanc 2022, $27.95 [my fave of the show]
-Poggio Piccolo Chianti 2020, $29.95
-Poggio Piccolo Vermentino 2020, $28.95
-Antica Enotria Bianco 2021, $20.95
-Montesecondo 2021, $32.95
-Villa Papiano Strada Corniolo 2020, $39.95
-Cantina Fiorentino Madreterra 2021, $24.95
-Patch Pinot Grigio 2022, $21.95
-Poivre d'Ane White 2021, $26.95
-Texier Chateauneuf du Pape VV 2020, $94.95
-Supernatural Sauvignon Blanc 2020, $32.95
-Smallfry Tangerine Dream 2022, $39.95
-El Bandito Cortez 2022, $59.95
-Rigour and Whimsey Thus Spoke Veruca 2020, $52.95
-Lagasca Viognier 2021, $17.95
-Pomelado Orange Wine 2021, $18.95 [at LCBO}
-Badenhorst Secateurs Chenin Blanc 2022 South Africa, $25.95
-JC Wickens Wines Swerwer White 2023 South Africa, $33.95
-Hidden Bench R & D Chardonnay 2020 VQA, $30
***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Foradori Manzoni Bianco 2021, $43.95
-Dettori Renosu Bianco NV, $38.95
-Domaine Flo Busch Lou Bragalou 2021, $30.95
-Domaine Pinte Chardonnay Arbois 2020, $37.95
-Stephan Rocher Lemon Tree 2022, $31.95
-Mas Goma Cosi Joan Orange NV, $36.95
-Makarounas Aerides 2022, $29.95
-Cam Rd Down the Rabbit Hole 2021, $42.95
-El Bandito Skin 2022, $59.95
-Cellar Credo Volaina Spain 2019, $24.95
-Norte Sur Rosado 2021, $17.95
-Lanzado Orange 2021, $19.95 [at LCBO]
-Badenhorst Curator White 2022 South Africa, $23.95
-Hidden Bench Chardonnay Beton 2021 VQA, $27.95
The Food: some to be purchased
The Downside: the room was surrounded by mirrors, which made it look much more crowded than it actually was.
The Upside: taste and try before you buy
The Contact Person: mark@thelivingvine.ca
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 90
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).
I was one of the first to jump on the Robert Parker bandwagon, using numerical indications for scores. Why? Because with a database I could rate, rank and order wines in any fashion. It was just so convenient using databases. Unfortunately, the numerical system has been shown to be disgraced, so I am quitting any ranking by number. From now on, it will just be GOOD, BETTER and BEST, which will give me some wiggle room (e.g. is this wine an 87, 88, 89, or 90? Or all of them...depends on my mood and time of day). With the rigorous standards and lab testing by the LCBO, I can safely say that every single wine at the LCBO is at least GOOD, which I would numerically rank at 75-85 points. For reasons of time and space, I will NOT be listing GOOD wines. Just the BETTER (86-89) and BEST (90+ ) wines. This spread of points will probably relate to SILVER and GOLD medals, with BRONZE being "GOOD". Significantly, this also fits into my scheme for trade tastings (as noted below).
MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
MVC/QPR: BEST (90+ )
MAJOR THEME: PREMIUM WINES FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Wines Under $20
=========
R+642421 CANTINA VALPANTENA TORRE DEL FALASCO VALPOLICELLA RIPASSO VENETO $18.95 MVC/QPR: BEST (90+ )
FIZZ+281329 JOSEPH CATTIN BRUT CRÉMANT D'ALSACE NV $18.95 MVC/QPR: BEST (90+ )
W+29823 BOECKEL RIESLING 2021 ALSACE $18.95 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
W+33294 IONA SOPHIE TE'BLANCHE 2022 SOUTH AFRICA $19.95 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
R+640854 SALENTEIN RESERVE MALBEC 2021 ARGENTINA $19.95 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
R+19274 SALENTEIN PORTILLO PINOT NOIR 2021 ARGENTINA $17.95 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
R+34814 VINALBA RESERVA MALBEC/SYRAH 2021 ARGENTINA $19.95 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
R+297317 XAVIER VIGNON CÔTES DU RHÔNE 2020 $17.95 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
R+35622 VIA CARITATIS VOX ANGELORUM 2020 RHONE $19.95 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
R+31701 CHÂTEAU LAVAL 2021 RHONE $17.95 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
R+32757 ANTONINI MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO 2020 $19.95 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
R+983742 L.A. CETTO PETITE SIRAH 2020 MEXICO 519B 12 $14.95 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
R+363168 TOM DE BATON 2021 PORTUGAL $16.95 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
R+31197 SOGEVINUS VEEDHA RED 2020 PORTUGAL $15.95MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
FIZZ+632265 VILLA CONCHI BRUT ROSÉ CAVA NV $17.95 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
Wines Over $20
=========
W+256552 CAVE SPRING ESTATE GROWN CHARDONNAY 2019 VQA NIAGARA $21.95 MVC/QPR: BEST (91+ )
W+290296 E. GUIGAL CÔTES DU RHÔNE BLANC 2022 $23.95 MVC/QPR: BEST (90+ )
R+505610 HIDDEN BENCH TERROIR CACHÉ 2019 $44.95 MVC/QPR: BEST (90+ )
FIZZ+15688 BENJAMIN BRIDGE MÉTHODE CLASSIQUE BRUT ROSÉ SPARKLING NV NOVA SCOTIA $34.95 MVC/QPR: BEST (90+ )
W+172338 SOUTHBROOK TRIOMPHE ORGANIC CHARDONNAY 2019 VQA NIAGARA $26.95 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
W+32959 ANDRÉ GOICHOT POUILLY-FUISSÉ 1ER CRU 2021 $49.95 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
W+994012 FALCHINI VIGNA A SOLATÌO VERNACCIA DI SAN GIMIGNANO 2022 TUSCANY $23.95 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
R+333229 WYNNS COONAWARRA ESTATE THE SIDING CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2021 24.95 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
R+32282 HAYWIRE SECREST MOUNTAIN PINOT NOIR 2020 VQA BC $33.95 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
R+21400 ORGANIZED CRIME CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019 VQA NIAGARA $24.95 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
FIZZ+12619 VILMART ET CIE GRANDE RÉSERVE 1ER CRU CHAMPAGNE NV $82.95 MVC/QPR: BETTER (86-89)
[The following LTOs are on sale from Nov 6 through Nov 26]:
Fizz+991562 Bailly Lapierre Brut Cremant de Bourgogne, now $21.45, save $3.50
W+958975 Mer Soleil Reserve Chardonnay Monterey, now $26.95, save $3
W+324228 Stoneleigh Latitude Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough NZ, now $19.95, save $3
R+274753 Hidden Bench Pinot Noir Beamsville Bench VQA, now $34.95, save $3
R+36483 Torres Gran Coronas Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon Penedes Spain, $20.95, save $3
Splurge+356220 Tommasi Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico Superiore Veneto, $47.95, save $5
Splurge+650432 Castelgiocondo Brunello de Montalcino Tuscany, $49.95, save $5
** Some New Wines I Tasted Over the Past Season ---
REPORT ON THE ANNUAL LIVING VINE ACID TRIP PORFOLIO TASTING, June 2023...
The Date and Time: Sunday June 18, 2023 1P - 5PM
The Event: The Annual Living Vine Acid Trip Try-and-Buy Portfolio Tasting
The Venue: Society Clubhouse, College Street
The Target Audience: wine media, private clients, restaurants.
The Availability/Catalogue: everything was available on some 15 tables, with label names, vintage dates, case quantities (6 or 12), and retail/licensee prices for each wine.
The Quote/Background: Mark Cuff, who runs The Living Vine, has been a sustainable/green/organic/biodynamic wiz for a couple of decades now. His annual portfolio tasting is one of the best in town, with many new brands and a diversified audience (in attendance, there were as many babies as seniors!).
The Wines: I did not taste all the 100 or so wines and ciders. As is my wont, I concentrated on the summery white wines. The ciders from Cidre Fleuri were phenomenal: Piccolino, Joe, Klaus, Willie, Rosie – all in 473ml containers at $7.75 each. There were also 750 ml bottles of cider: Terrain Vague, Niagara Place, Villefranche, and Franconia at $20 each. I did not taste the non-alcoholic wines ("Proxies") or the kombucha or the spirits. Prices are retail...
**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Chateau Grand Launay Blanc 2022, $27.95 [my fave of the show]
-Poggio Piccolo Chianti 2020, $29.95
-Poggio Piccolo Vermentino 2020, $28.95
-Antica Enotria Bianco 2021, $20.95
-Montesecondo 2021, $32.95
-Villa Papiano Strada Corniolo 2020, $39.95
-Cantina Fiorentino Madreterra 2021, $24.95
-Patch Pinot Grigio 2022, $21.95
-Poivre d'Ane White 2021, $26.95
-Texier Chateauneuf du Pape VV 2020, $94.95
-Supernatural Sauvignon Blanc 2020, $32.95
-Smallfry Tangerine Dream 2022, $39.95
-El Bandito Cortez 2022, $59.95
-Rigour and Whimsey Thus Spoke Veruca 2020, $52.95
-Lagasca Viognier 2021, $17.95
-Pomelado Orange Wine 2021, $18.95 [at LCBO}
-Badenhorst Secateurs Chenin Blanc 2022 South Africa, $25.95
-JC Wickens Wines Swerwer White 2023 South Africa, $33.95
-Hidden Bench R & D Chardonnay 2020 VQA, $30
***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Foradori Manzoni Bianco 2021, $43.95
-Dettori Renosu Bianco NV, $38.95
-Domaine Flo Busch Lou Bragalou 2021, $30.95
-Domaine Pinte Chardonnay Arbois 2020, $37.95
-Stephan Rocher Lemon Tree 2022, $31.95
-Mas Goma Cosi Joan Orange NV, $36.95
-Makarounas Aerides 2022, $29.95
-Cam Rd Down the Rabbit Hole 2021, $42.95
-El Bandito Skin 2022, $59.95
-Cellar Credo Volaina Spain 2019, $24.95
-Norte Sur Rosado 2021, $17.95
-Lanzado Orange 2021, $19.95 [at LCBO]
-Badenhorst Curator White 2022 South Africa, $23.95
-Hidden Bench Chardonnay Beton 2021 VQA, $27.95
The Food: some to be purchased
The Downside: the room was surrounded by mirrors, which made it look much more crowded than it actually was.
The Upside: taste and try before you buy
The Contact Person: mark@thelivingvine.ca
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 90
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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