WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for OCTOBER 5, 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 recommendation
MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior
MAJOR THEME: FALL FAVOURITES
Recommended Wines UNDER $20
=========================
Fizz+281329 JOSEPH CATTIN BRUT CRÉMANT D'ALSACE NV $19.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior
Orange+30344 LANZADO ORGANIC ORANGE WINE 2022 Spain $19.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior
W+662775 D'ARENBERG THE HERMIT CRAB VIOGNIER/MARSANNE 2023 Australia $17.95
W+89011 FEATHERSTONE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2023 VQA $17.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior
W+89029 TAWSE SKETCHES OF NIAGARA RIESLING 2022 VQA $19.95
W+37755 EMILIANA NOVAS GRAN RESERVA CHARDONNAY 2022 Chile $17.95
W+644385 BORD ELEGANCE LAUDUN CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES BLANC 2022 $19.95 W+402677 MATAHIWI ESTATE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2023 New Zealand $18.55
W+37785 ADEGA PONTE DA BARCA LOUREIRO/ALVARINHO 2023 Portugal $13.95
R+167619 ZUCCARDI SERIE A MALBEC 2022 Argentina $18.95
R+15079 CAMELEON ORGANIC CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2022 Argentina $16.95
R+38468 ATAMISQUE SERBAL CABERNET FRANC 2023 Argentina $17.95
R+37867 CALCU TINY BLOCKS GRAN RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2020 Chile $17.95
R+37798 TABALÍ PEDREGOSO CARMENÈRE 2022 Chile $19.95
R+426247 CHÂTEAU LES TOURELLES 2019 Bordeaux $17.95
R+37240 FONJOYA HEMA GRAND VELOURS GRANDE RÉSERVE 2020 Languedoc $19.95
R+413211 XAVIER VIGNON VENTOUX Rhone 2021 $18.95
R+983742 L.A. CETTO PETITE SIRAH 2020 Mexico $14.95
R+39097 DOLIANOVA DOLIA CANNONAU DI SARDEGNA 2022 $18.95
Recommended Wines OVER $20
========================
Fizz+421032 CHARLES MIGNON PREMIUM RÉSERVE BRUT CHAMPAGNE NV $58.95
W+918805 CATENA HIGH MOUNTAIN VINES CHARDONNAY 2022 Argentina $20.95
W+39763 TRIUS SHOWCASE WILD FERMENT SAUVIGNON BLANC 2020 VQA $32.00 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior
W+256552 CAVE SPRING ESTATE GROWN CAVE SPRING VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2020 VQA $21.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior
W+302083 BACHELDER L'ARDOISE NIAGARA CHARDONNAY 2022 VQA $25.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior
R+390872 WOLF BLASS GREY LABEL SHIRAZ 2021 Australia $34.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior
R+317008 VERSADO MALBEC 2018 Argentina $21.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior
R+33894 LE CLOS JORDANNE JORDAN VILLAGE PINOT NOIR 2021 VQA $30.00
R+20422 HIDDEN BENCH ESTATE ORGANIC GAMAY 2022 VQA $29.95
R+38198 CHÂTEAU SUAU CADILLAC-CÔTES DE BORDEAUX 2009 $24.95
R+38194 CHÂTEAU COUFRAN HAUT-MÉDOC 2009 $43.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior
R+713354 TRAVAGLINI GATTINARA 2020 Piedmont $39.95
R+36916 FATTORIA SVETONI VINO NOBILE DI MONTEPULCIANO 2019 $28.50
R+19022 R. LÓPEZ DE HEREDIA VIÑA TONDONIA RESERVA 2012 $41.95
LIMITED TIME OFFERS: Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO's Limited Time Offer selections...these are "better" value...on sale through Sunday October 13 --
+20899 Closson Chase The Brock Chardonnay VQA Niagara now $22.95, save $2
+326728 Oyster Bay Chardonnay New Zealand now $17.95, save $3
+198853 Tawse Quarry Road Organic Riesling VQA Vinemount Ridge now $21.95, save $3
+24133 Thirty Bench Winemaker's Blend Riesling VQA Beamsville Bench now $19.95, save $3
+38117 Vineland Estates Elevation St. Urban Vineyard Riesling VQA Niagara now $19.95, save $3
+168716 M. Chapoutier Les Vignes de Bila-Haut Cotes du Roussillon Villages now $14.95, save $2
+149237 The Foreign Affair The Conspiracy VQA Niagara now $18.95, save $3
+50203 Beronia Reserva Rioja now $20.95, save $3
+976662 Faustino I Gran Reserva Rioja now $27.95, save $4
+166538 LAN Crianza Rioja now $16.95, save $2
+590414 Oyster Bay Pinot Noir New Zealand now $18.95, save $3
+130989 Tawse Growers Blend Pinot Noir VQA Niagara now $26.95, save $3
** Some New Wines I Tasted Over the Past Season ---
REPORT ON GAMBERO ROSSO VINI D'ITALIA 2024 MONDAY MAY 4 2024
The Date and Time: Monday May 6 2024, 1P-5P
The Event: Gambero Rosso Tre Bicchieri Itallian Wine Tasting
The Venue: Liberty Grand CNE grounds.
The Target Audience: wine trade, sommeliers, wine writers
The Availability/Catalogue: available via the QR quick-response code.
The Quote/Background: 60 wineries participated in today's event; over 200 wines were showed. Italy, of course, is the world's largest wine producer and exporter by volume. There was a masterclass of 12 wines offered up to an audience of 50 or so sommeliers and wine writers. This was a special tasting of wines that had won "special awards" such as "Sparkler of the Year" or "Winery of the Year". The 2024 edition of Gambero Rosso reviews some 2647 wineries and a total of 25, 231 blind-tasted wines. Scores range from 1 to 3 glasses according to quality. 2,300 samples made it to the finals, and 498 wines were awarded Tre Bicchieri - Three Glasses...so close...maybe 500 next year?
The Wines: I did not taste every wine offered.
**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Enrico Gatti Franciacorta Millesimo Brut Nature 2016
-Umani Ronchi Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi 2018 Marche
-Primosic Collio Chardonnay Riserva 2018 Friuli
-Cantina Reamin A.A. Gewurztraminer Nussbaumer 2021
-Dastello di Volpaia Chianti Classico Gran Riserva Selezione 2020 Tuscany
-Castello di Quercetto Chianti Classico Riserva 2020 Tuscany
-Ruffino Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Riserva Ducale 2019 Tuscany
-Giovanni Rosso Barolo Vigna Ester Canale Rosso 2019
-Camerani Corte Sant'Alda Amarone della Valpolicella Val**zzane 2016
-Florio Marsala Virgine Riserva 2011 Sicily [fortified]
-Luigi Baudana Barolo 2020 Cerretta Piedmont
-Luigi Baudana Barolo 2020 Baudana Piedmont
-Allegrini Amarone Della Vallipolicella Classico 2020 Veneto
-Barone Pizzini Animante NV
-Giusti Dei Carni Chardonnay IGT Trevenezie 2022
-Barone Pizzini Bagnadore Franciacortia 2016
-Il Borro IGT Toscana 2019 [Vintages]
-Monteti IGT Toscana 2018
-Polissena Sangiovese 2019 Valdarno di Sopra
-Pian di Nova IGT Toscana 2020
-Caburnio IGT Toscana 2017
***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (87 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Primosic Ribolla Gialla 2019 Friuli
-Fradiles Mandrolisai Rosso 2021 Tuscany
-Torgiano Rosso Freccia Degli Scacchi Riserva 2020 Terra Margaritelli Umbria
-Tenuta di Artimino Grumarello Carminiano Riserva 2019 Tuscany
-Vinchio Vaglio Barbera d'Asti, 2021 Piedmont
-Castello di Rada Chianti Classico 2017 Tuscany
-Azienda Agricola Pettinella Giuliano Pettinella Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo Tauma 2022 [rose]
-Tenuta Ceri Carmignano Arrendevole Riserva 2020
-Velenosi Ascoli Piceno Rosso Piceno Superiore Roggio del Filare 2020 [amarone]
-Barone Pizzini Rose 2019
-Luigi Baudana Langhe Dragon Bianco 2023 Piedmont
-Gorghi Tondi Grillo Riserva Sicilia Kheire 2022
-Gorghi Tondi Coste a Preola Grillo Sicilia 2022
-Gorghi Tondi Coste a Preola Nero d'Avola Sicilia 2021
-Monteti TM Rose IGT Toscana 2023
The Food: the cheese was served cold (a no-no) but the cold cuts were actually cold. For some reason, many boxes of room temperature Pizza Nova rectangular pizzas were served up to the trade crowds.
The Downside: this year, the audience was larger in number than usual (I have been going to Toronto's Gambero Rosso for many years), but there were many strange faces and some areas had an overwhelming smell of cologne and/or perfume.
The Upside: nevertheless, it was a good opportunity to taste some high end Italian wines.
The Contact Person: Giovanni Silvestri [gamberorossocanada@sogood.it]
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 82
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 recommendation
MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior
MAJOR THEME: FALL FAVOURITES
Recommended Wines UNDER $20
=========================
Fizz+281329 JOSEPH CATTIN BRUT CRÉMANT D'ALSACE NV $19.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior
Orange+30344 LANZADO ORGANIC ORANGE WINE 2022 Spain $19.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior
W+662775 D'ARENBERG THE HERMIT CRAB VIOGNIER/MARSANNE 2023 Australia $17.95
W+89011 FEATHERSTONE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2023 VQA $17.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior
W+89029 TAWSE SKETCHES OF NIAGARA RIESLING 2022 VQA $19.95
W+37755 EMILIANA NOVAS GRAN RESERVA CHARDONNAY 2022 Chile $17.95
W+644385 BORD ELEGANCE LAUDUN CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES BLANC 2022 $19.95 W+402677 MATAHIWI ESTATE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2023 New Zealand $18.55
W+37785 ADEGA PONTE DA BARCA LOUREIRO/ALVARINHO 2023 Portugal $13.95
R+167619 ZUCCARDI SERIE A MALBEC 2022 Argentina $18.95
R+15079 CAMELEON ORGANIC CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2022 Argentina $16.95
R+38468 ATAMISQUE SERBAL CABERNET FRANC 2023 Argentina $17.95
R+37867 CALCU TINY BLOCKS GRAN RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2020 Chile $17.95
R+37798 TABALÍ PEDREGOSO CARMENÈRE 2022 Chile $19.95
R+426247 CHÂTEAU LES TOURELLES 2019 Bordeaux $17.95
R+37240 FONJOYA HEMA GRAND VELOURS GRANDE RÉSERVE 2020 Languedoc $19.95
R+413211 XAVIER VIGNON VENTOUX Rhone 2021 $18.95
R+983742 L.A. CETTO PETITE SIRAH 2020 Mexico $14.95
R+39097 DOLIANOVA DOLIA CANNONAU DI SARDEGNA 2022 $18.95
Recommended Wines OVER $20
========================
Fizz+421032 CHARLES MIGNON PREMIUM RÉSERVE BRUT CHAMPAGNE NV $58.95
W+918805 CATENA HIGH MOUNTAIN VINES CHARDONNAY 2022 Argentina $20.95
W+39763 TRIUS SHOWCASE WILD FERMENT SAUVIGNON BLANC 2020 VQA $32.00 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior
W+256552 CAVE SPRING ESTATE GROWN CAVE SPRING VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2020 VQA $21.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior
W+302083 BACHELDER L'ARDOISE NIAGARA CHARDONNAY 2022 VQA $25.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior
R+390872 WOLF BLASS GREY LABEL SHIRAZ 2021 Australia $34.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior
R+317008 VERSADO MALBEC 2018 Argentina $21.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior
R+33894 LE CLOS JORDANNE JORDAN VILLAGE PINOT NOIR 2021 VQA $30.00
R+20422 HIDDEN BENCH ESTATE ORGANIC GAMAY 2022 VQA $29.95
R+38198 CHÂTEAU SUAU CADILLAC-CÔTES DE BORDEAUX 2009 $24.95
R+38194 CHÂTEAU COUFRAN HAUT-MÉDOC 2009 $43.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )=superior
R+713354 TRAVAGLINI GATTINARA 2020 Piedmont $39.95
R+36916 FATTORIA SVETONI VINO NOBILE DI MONTEPULCIANO 2019 $28.50
R+19022 R. LÓPEZ DE HEREDIA VIÑA TONDONIA RESERVA 2012 $41.95
LIMITED TIME OFFERS: Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO's Limited Time Offer selections...these are "better" value...on sale through Sunday October 13 --
+20899 Closson Chase The Brock Chardonnay VQA Niagara now $22.95, save $2
+326728 Oyster Bay Chardonnay New Zealand now $17.95, save $3
+198853 Tawse Quarry Road Organic Riesling VQA Vinemount Ridge now $21.95, save $3
+24133 Thirty Bench Winemaker's Blend Riesling VQA Beamsville Bench now $19.95, save $3
+38117 Vineland Estates Elevation St. Urban Vineyard Riesling VQA Niagara now $19.95, save $3
+168716 M. Chapoutier Les Vignes de Bila-Haut Cotes du Roussillon Villages now $14.95, save $2
+149237 The Foreign Affair The Conspiracy VQA Niagara now $18.95, save $3
+50203 Beronia Reserva Rioja now $20.95, save $3
+976662 Faustino I Gran Reserva Rioja now $27.95, save $4
+166538 LAN Crianza Rioja now $16.95, save $2
+590414 Oyster Bay Pinot Noir New Zealand now $18.95, save $3
+130989 Tawse Growers Blend Pinot Noir VQA Niagara now $26.95, save $3
** Some New Wines I Tasted Over the Past Season ---
REPORT ON GAMBERO ROSSO VINI D'ITALIA 2024 MONDAY MAY 4 2024
The Date and Time: Monday May 6 2024, 1P-5P
The Event: Gambero Rosso Tre Bicchieri Itallian Wine Tasting
The Venue: Liberty Grand CNE grounds.
The Target Audience: wine trade, sommeliers, wine writers
The Availability/Catalogue: available via the QR quick-response code.
The Quote/Background: 60 wineries participated in today's event; over 200 wines were showed. Italy, of course, is the world's largest wine producer and exporter by volume. There was a masterclass of 12 wines offered up to an audience of 50 or so sommeliers and wine writers. This was a special tasting of wines that had won "special awards" such as "Sparkler of the Year" or "Winery of the Year". The 2024 edition of Gambero Rosso reviews some 2647 wineries and a total of 25, 231 blind-tasted wines. Scores range from 1 to 3 glasses according to quality. 2,300 samples made it to the finals, and 498 wines were awarded Tre Bicchieri - Three Glasses...so close...maybe 500 next year?
The Wines: I did not taste every wine offered.
**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Enrico Gatti Franciacorta Millesimo Brut Nature 2016
-Umani Ronchi Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi 2018 Marche
-Primosic Collio Chardonnay Riserva 2018 Friuli
-Cantina Reamin A.A. Gewurztraminer Nussbaumer 2021
-Dastello di Volpaia Chianti Classico Gran Riserva Selezione 2020 Tuscany
-Castello di Quercetto Chianti Classico Riserva 2020 Tuscany
-Ruffino Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Riserva Ducale 2019 Tuscany
-Giovanni Rosso Barolo Vigna Ester Canale Rosso 2019
-Camerani Corte Sant'Alda Amarone della Valpolicella Val**zzane 2016
-Florio Marsala Virgine Riserva 2011 Sicily [fortified]
-Luigi Baudana Barolo 2020 Cerretta Piedmont
-Luigi Baudana Barolo 2020 Baudana Piedmont
-Allegrini Amarone Della Vallipolicella Classico 2020 Veneto
-Barone Pizzini Animante NV
-Giusti Dei Carni Chardonnay IGT Trevenezie 2022
-Barone Pizzini Bagnadore Franciacortia 2016
-Il Borro IGT Toscana 2019 [Vintages]
-Monteti IGT Toscana 2018
-Polissena Sangiovese 2019 Valdarno di Sopra
-Pian di Nova IGT Toscana 2020
-Caburnio IGT Toscana 2017
***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (87 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Primosic Ribolla Gialla 2019 Friuli
-Fradiles Mandrolisai Rosso 2021 Tuscany
-Torgiano Rosso Freccia Degli Scacchi Riserva 2020 Terra Margaritelli Umbria
-Tenuta di Artimino Grumarello Carminiano Riserva 2019 Tuscany
-Vinchio Vaglio Barbera d'Asti, 2021 Piedmont
-Castello di Rada Chianti Classico 2017 Tuscany
-Azienda Agricola Pettinella Giuliano Pettinella Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo Tauma 2022 [rose]
-Tenuta Ceri Carmignano Arrendevole Riserva 2020
-Velenosi Ascoli Piceno Rosso Piceno Superiore Roggio del Filare 2020 [amarone]
-Barone Pizzini Rose 2019
-Luigi Baudana Langhe Dragon Bianco 2023 Piedmont
-Gorghi Tondi Grillo Riserva Sicilia Kheire 2022
-Gorghi Tondi Coste a Preola Grillo Sicilia 2022
-Gorghi Tondi Coste a Preola Nero d'Avola Sicilia 2021
-Monteti TM Rose IGT Toscana 2023
The Food: the cheese was served cold (a no-no) but the cold cuts were actually cold. For some reason, many boxes of room temperature Pizza Nova rectangular pizzas were served up to the trade crowds.
The Downside: this year, the audience was larger in number than usual (I have been going to Toronto's Gambero Rosso for many years), but there were many strange faces and some areas had an overwhelming smell of cologne and/or perfume.
The Upside: nevertheless, it was a good opportunity to taste some high end Italian wines.
The Contact Person: Giovanni Silvestri [gamberorossocanada@sogood.it]
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 82
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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