WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for SEPTEMBER 7 , 2024 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 better or best 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 – my 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 my scores in the early 1980s. 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 by overuse and "inflated numbers"; thus I have quit 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 the GOOD wines. Just the BETTER (86-89) and the BEST (90+ ) wines. This spread of points will relate to SILVER and GOLD medals, with GOOD being BRONZE. This also fits into my scheme for trade tastings.
MVC/QPR=BETTER (86-89)=my basic standard
MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior
MAJOR THEME: BRING HOME ONTARIO
Recommended Wines UNDER $20
=========================
Fizz+Vilarnau Barcelona Reserva Brut Organic Cava NV $16.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior
W+39741 Flat Rock Twisted Special Anniversary Edition 2023 VQA $19.95
W+485334 Kew Vineyards Marsanne VQA 2020 $19.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior
W+10964 Catena Appellation Chardonnay 2022 Argentina $19.95
W+37750 Caliterra Tributo Sauvignon Blanc Chile 2022 $17.95
W+12638 Esk Valley Sauvignon Blanc New Zealand 2022 $16.95
W+37420 Huber Vision Organic Gruner Veltliner Austria 2022 $16.95
W+10632 Lacheteau Les Cimes Haut-Poitou Sauvignon Blanc Loire 2022 $14.95
W+38396 Ormarine Carte Noire Picpoul de Pinet France 2023 $14.95
W+610295 Aveleda Alvarinho Portugal 2022 $14.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior
R+36311 Piedra Negra Alta Coleccion Organic Malbec Argentina 2023 $15.95
R+38260 Chateau Fleur Haut Gaussens Bordeaux 2015 $19.95
R+35902 Lacheteau Soleil des Vignes Chinon Cabernet Franc Loire 2022 $15.95
R+224592 Chateau Le Grand Retour Plan de Dieu Cotes du Rhone Villages 2021 $16.95
R+38260 Chateau Fleur Haut Gaussens Bordeaux 2015 $19.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior
R+35902 Lacheteau Soleil des Vignes Chinon Cabernet Franc Loire 2022 $15.95
R+224592 Chateau Le Grand Retour Plan de Dieu Cotes du Rhone Villages 2021 $16.95
R+452730 Jose Maria da Fonseca Domini Portugal 2019 $15.95
Recommended Wines OVER $20
========================
Fizz+39728 13th Street Gamay Blanc de Noir VQA 2021 $34.95
Fizz+178137 Louis Bouillot Perle Brut Crémant de Bourgogne 2020 $23.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior
W+286377 Cave Spring Estate Riesling VQA $21.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior
W+20899 Closson Chase The Brock Chardonnay VQA $24.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior
W+183491 Hidden Bench Estate Organic Riesling VQA 2020 $24.95
W+20455 Le Clos Jordanne Jordan Village Chardonnay VQA 2021 $30 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior
W+160846 Dr. Loosen Blue Slate Riesling Kabinett Mosel 2021 $23.95
W+155382 Marchesi de Barolo Gavi del Comune di Gavi Piedmont 2022 $24.95
R+523001 Cave Spring Estate Grown Cave Spring Vineyard Cabernet Franc VQA 2022 $20.95
R+417642 Cave Spring Pinot Noir VQA $21.95
R+392738 Domaine Queylus Tradition Pinot Noir VQA 2021 $35.70
R+633628 Mission Hill Family Estate Reserve Meritage BCVQA 2021 $32.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior
R+203364 Errazuriz Aconcagua Alto Cabernet Sauvignon Chile 2021 $22.95
R+142398 Wakefield Jaraman Cabernet Sauvignon Australia 2021 $24.95
R+36670 Ellena Giuseppe Ascheri Barolo Piedmont 2019 $53.95
R+157347 Enrico Serafino Sanavento Barbaresco Piedmont 2021 $37.95
R+14200 Cecchi Riserva di Famiglia Chianti Classico Tuscany 2018 $23.95
LIMITED TIME OFFERS: Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO's Limited Time Offer selections...these are "better" value wines...on sale through Sunday September 15. Some recommended wines are listed below, but you might also want to check the whole lot of 197 wines at
https://www.lcbo.com/en/products#t=clp-products&sort=relevancy&layout=card&f:@ec_category=[Wine]&f:@lcbo_current_offer=[On%20Sale%5D%20]
-Flat Rock Twisted White VQA Sale Price $14.95 Save $3.00
-Luc Belaire Rare Rosé Sparkling Sale Price $39.95 Save $3.00
-Zonin Ripasso Valpolicella Superiore DOC Price $18.95 Save $3.00
-Wolf Blass Yellow Label Cabernet Sauvignon Sale Price $14.95 Save $3.00
-Trius Rosé VQA Sale Price $16.95 Save $3.00
-Oyster Bay Pinot Grigio Sale Price $17.95 Save $3.00
-Barón de Ley Reserva 2019 Sale Price $19.95 Save $4.00
-Stags' Leap Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Sale Price $64.95 Save $5.00
-Umberto Cesari Liano Sangiovese/Cabernet Sauvignon Sale Price $24.95 Save $5.00
-Moillard Chablis Les Coteaux D'Or Sale Price $29.35 Save $3.00
-Mitolo Jester Shiraz 5 stars Sale Price $19.95 Save $3.00
-Jacob's Creek Double Barrel Shiraz 5 stars Sale Price $17.00 Save $3.00
-J-Harden Cabernet Sauvignon Sale Price $16.95 Save $3.00
-A to Z Wineworks Pinot Noir Sale Price $28.95 Save $3.00
-Jacob's Creek Reserve Shiraz Sale Price $16.00 Save $3.00
-Concha y Toro Marques de Casa Concha Cabernet Sauvignon Sale Price $20.95 Save $3.00
-Tommasi Ripasso Valpolicella Classico Superiore Sale Price $25.95 Save $2.00
-Stoneleigh Latitude Sauvignon Blanc Sale Price $20.95 Save $3.00
** Some New Wines I Tasted Over the Past Spring Season ---
REPORT ON THE OREGON AND WASHINGTON WINE EXPEDITION April 2024
The Date and Time: April 8, 2024 Noon to 4PM
The Event: Oregon & Washington Wine Tasting
The Venue: El Mocambo
The Target Audience: wine writers/media, sommeliers, agents
The Availability/Catalogue: online by request, although many of the producers had their own notes with prices, etc.
The Quote/Background: it was really crowded and spread over three floors and levels. The quest for the partial solar eclipse proved to be a relief.
The Wines: I did not taste all the wines. Many were not available at the LCBO but some will be soon.
**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-A-Z Oregon Chardonnay 2022\
-Rex Hill Chardonnay 2022
-Goose Ridge Columbia Vineyard 2022
-Tome Wines Albarino Arzabal Yakima Valley 2023 fave aromatic white of the day]
-Cristom Pinot Noir Dessier Vineyard Oregon 2021
-Cristom Eola-Amity Pinot Noir Oregon2021
-Chateau Ste. Michelle Intrinsic Cabernet Sauvignon Washington 2020
-Chateau Ste. Michelle Columbia Valley 2022 Washington $22 at LCBO now
-Chateau Ste. Michelle Canoe Ridge Horse Heaven Wash. 2021 $45 CAD
-Gramercy Cellars Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Washington 2018
-Tome Wines Lip Out Riesling Anchient Lakes 2022 Washington
-Citation Oregon Chardonnay 2015 Oregon $60
-Westmount Willamette Valley Chardonnay 2022 $35
-Valdemar Entre Nosotros Chardonnay 2022
-Sokol Blosser Brut Willamette 2021 Trad Meth
***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (87 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Centerstone Unoaked Chardonnay 2018 Willamette Valley Oregon $25
-Adelsheim Vineyard Chardonnay 2022
-Eve Washington State Chardonnay 2022
-Foris Rogue Valley Chardonnay 2022
-Rock Point Pinot Gris 2022 Oregon
-Stoller Family Estate Dundee Hills Chardonnay 2022
-Avni Chardonnay 2022 Oregon
-Stone Cap Riesling 2022 Washington
-Pearce-Predhomme Oregon Pinot Gris 2022
-Valdemar Estate Washington Syrah 2021
-Adelsheim Breaking Ground Pinot Noir 2021 Oregon
-Chateau Ste. Michelle Artiste Series Red Wine 2015 Washington
-Suzar ther Sunflower 2021 Willamette
The Food: there were Bymark hamburger sliders, salmon on cuke slices, and deep fried crab cakes. I only stayed for half the time, so maybe there was other food as well -- but later in the day.
The Downside: the venue was small and consequently crowded in its arrangement, with a main stage, a mezzanine tiki bar, a main long bar, and a mezzanine studio. It took awhile to get through to the producer tables and request samples.
The Upside: good overall quality wines.
The Contact Person: amanda@predhomme.ca
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 89
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 better or best 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 – my 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 my scores in the early 1980s. 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 by overuse and "inflated numbers"; thus I have quit 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 the GOOD wines. Just the BETTER (86-89) and the BEST (90+ ) wines. This spread of points will relate to SILVER and GOLD medals, with GOOD being BRONZE. This also fits into my scheme for trade tastings.
MVC/QPR=BETTER (86-89)=my basic standard
MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior
MAJOR THEME: BRING HOME ONTARIO
Recommended Wines UNDER $20
=========================
Fizz+Vilarnau Barcelona Reserva Brut Organic Cava NV $16.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior
W+39741 Flat Rock Twisted Special Anniversary Edition 2023 VQA $19.95
W+485334 Kew Vineyards Marsanne VQA 2020 $19.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior
W+10964 Catena Appellation Chardonnay 2022 Argentina $19.95
W+37750 Caliterra Tributo Sauvignon Blanc Chile 2022 $17.95
W+12638 Esk Valley Sauvignon Blanc New Zealand 2022 $16.95
W+37420 Huber Vision Organic Gruner Veltliner Austria 2022 $16.95
W+10632 Lacheteau Les Cimes Haut-Poitou Sauvignon Blanc Loire 2022 $14.95
W+38396 Ormarine Carte Noire Picpoul de Pinet France 2023 $14.95
W+610295 Aveleda Alvarinho Portugal 2022 $14.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior
R+36311 Piedra Negra Alta Coleccion Organic Malbec Argentina 2023 $15.95
R+38260 Chateau Fleur Haut Gaussens Bordeaux 2015 $19.95
R+35902 Lacheteau Soleil des Vignes Chinon Cabernet Franc Loire 2022 $15.95
R+224592 Chateau Le Grand Retour Plan de Dieu Cotes du Rhone Villages 2021 $16.95
R+38260 Chateau Fleur Haut Gaussens Bordeaux 2015 $19.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior
R+35902 Lacheteau Soleil des Vignes Chinon Cabernet Franc Loire 2022 $15.95
R+224592 Chateau Le Grand Retour Plan de Dieu Cotes du Rhone Villages 2021 $16.95
R+452730 Jose Maria da Fonseca Domini Portugal 2019 $15.95
Recommended Wines OVER $20
========================
Fizz+39728 13th Street Gamay Blanc de Noir VQA 2021 $34.95
Fizz+178137 Louis Bouillot Perle Brut Crémant de Bourgogne 2020 $23.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior
W+286377 Cave Spring Estate Riesling VQA $21.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior
W+20899 Closson Chase The Brock Chardonnay VQA $24.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior
W+183491 Hidden Bench Estate Organic Riesling VQA 2020 $24.95
W+20455 Le Clos Jordanne Jordan Village Chardonnay VQA 2021 $30 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior
W+160846 Dr. Loosen Blue Slate Riesling Kabinett Mosel 2021 $23.95
W+155382 Marchesi de Barolo Gavi del Comune di Gavi Piedmont 2022 $24.95
R+523001 Cave Spring Estate Grown Cave Spring Vineyard Cabernet Franc VQA 2022 $20.95
R+417642 Cave Spring Pinot Noir VQA $21.95
R+392738 Domaine Queylus Tradition Pinot Noir VQA 2021 $35.70
R+633628 Mission Hill Family Estate Reserve Meritage BCVQA 2021 $32.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior
R+203364 Errazuriz Aconcagua Alto Cabernet Sauvignon Chile 2021 $22.95
R+142398 Wakefield Jaraman Cabernet Sauvignon Australia 2021 $24.95
R+36670 Ellena Giuseppe Ascheri Barolo Piedmont 2019 $53.95
R+157347 Enrico Serafino Sanavento Barbaresco Piedmont 2021 $37.95
R+14200 Cecchi Riserva di Famiglia Chianti Classico Tuscany 2018 $23.95
LIMITED TIME OFFERS: Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO's Limited Time Offer selections...these are "better" value wines...on sale through Sunday September 15. Some recommended wines are listed below, but you might also want to check the whole lot of 197 wines at
https://www.lcbo.com/en/products#t=clp-products&sort=relevancy&layout=card&f:@ec_category=[Wine]&f:@lcbo_current_offer=[On%20Sale%5D%20]
-Flat Rock Twisted White VQA Sale Price $14.95 Save $3.00
-Luc Belaire Rare Rosé Sparkling Sale Price $39.95 Save $3.00
-Zonin Ripasso Valpolicella Superiore DOC Price $18.95 Save $3.00
-Wolf Blass Yellow Label Cabernet Sauvignon Sale Price $14.95 Save $3.00
-Trius Rosé VQA Sale Price $16.95 Save $3.00
-Oyster Bay Pinot Grigio Sale Price $17.95 Save $3.00
-Barón de Ley Reserva 2019 Sale Price $19.95 Save $4.00
-Stags' Leap Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Sale Price $64.95 Save $5.00
-Umberto Cesari Liano Sangiovese/Cabernet Sauvignon Sale Price $24.95 Save $5.00
-Moillard Chablis Les Coteaux D'Or Sale Price $29.35 Save $3.00
-Mitolo Jester Shiraz 5 stars Sale Price $19.95 Save $3.00
-Jacob's Creek Double Barrel Shiraz 5 stars Sale Price $17.00 Save $3.00
-J-Harden Cabernet Sauvignon Sale Price $16.95 Save $3.00
-A to Z Wineworks Pinot Noir Sale Price $28.95 Save $3.00
-Jacob's Creek Reserve Shiraz Sale Price $16.00 Save $3.00
-Concha y Toro Marques de Casa Concha Cabernet Sauvignon Sale Price $20.95 Save $3.00
-Tommasi Ripasso Valpolicella Classico Superiore Sale Price $25.95 Save $2.00
-Stoneleigh Latitude Sauvignon Blanc Sale Price $20.95 Save $3.00
** Some New Wines I Tasted Over the Past Spring Season ---
REPORT ON THE OREGON AND WASHINGTON WINE EXPEDITION April 2024
The Date and Time: April 8, 2024 Noon to 4PM
The Event: Oregon & Washington Wine Tasting
The Venue: El Mocambo
The Target Audience: wine writers/media, sommeliers, agents
The Availability/Catalogue: online by request, although many of the producers had their own notes with prices, etc.
The Quote/Background: it was really crowded and spread over three floors and levels. The quest for the partial solar eclipse proved to be a relief.
The Wines: I did not taste all the wines. Many were not available at the LCBO but some will be soon.
**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-A-Z Oregon Chardonnay 2022\
-Rex Hill Chardonnay 2022
-Goose Ridge Columbia Vineyard 2022
-Tome Wines Albarino Arzabal Yakima Valley 2023 fave aromatic white of the day]
-Cristom Pinot Noir Dessier Vineyard Oregon 2021
-Cristom Eola-Amity Pinot Noir Oregon2021
-Chateau Ste. Michelle Intrinsic Cabernet Sauvignon Washington 2020
-Chateau Ste. Michelle Columbia Valley 2022 Washington $22 at LCBO now
-Chateau Ste. Michelle Canoe Ridge Horse Heaven Wash. 2021 $45 CAD
-Gramercy Cellars Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Washington 2018
-Tome Wines Lip Out Riesling Anchient Lakes 2022 Washington
-Citation Oregon Chardonnay 2015 Oregon $60
-Westmount Willamette Valley Chardonnay 2022 $35
-Valdemar Entre Nosotros Chardonnay 2022
-Sokol Blosser Brut Willamette 2021 Trad Meth
***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (87 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Centerstone Unoaked Chardonnay 2018 Willamette Valley Oregon $25
-Adelsheim Vineyard Chardonnay 2022
-Eve Washington State Chardonnay 2022
-Foris Rogue Valley Chardonnay 2022
-Rock Point Pinot Gris 2022 Oregon
-Stoller Family Estate Dundee Hills Chardonnay 2022
-Avni Chardonnay 2022 Oregon
-Stone Cap Riesling 2022 Washington
-Pearce-Predhomme Oregon Pinot Gris 2022
-Valdemar Estate Washington Syrah 2021
-Adelsheim Breaking Ground Pinot Noir 2021 Oregon
-Chateau Ste. Michelle Artiste Series Red Wine 2015 Washington
-Suzar ther Sunflower 2021 Willamette
The Food: there were Bymark hamburger sliders, salmon on cuke slices, and deep fried crab cakes. I only stayed for half the time, so maybe there was other food as well -- but later in the day.
The Downside: the venue was small and consequently crowded in its arrangement, with a main stage, a mezzanine tiki bar, a main long bar, and a mezzanine studio. It took awhile to get through to the producer tables and request samples.
The Upside: good overall quality wines.
The Contact Person: amanda@predhomme.ca
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 89
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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