WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for NOVEMBER 30, 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 wine
MAJOR THEME: Holiday Gifts and Entertaining
Montes wines; Kosher wines
~120+ wines in total
Recommended Wines UNDER $20
=========================
FIZZ+39378 BERSANO MONTEOLIVO MOSCATO D'ASTI 2023 $18.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
W+22984 MOUNTADAM FIVE-FIFTY CHARDONNAY AUSTRALIA 2021 $18.95
W+398966 REDSTONE CHARDONNAY VQA 2022 $19.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
W+39765 STUDERT-PRÜM RIESLING TROCKEN 2023 $17.95
W+40788 AVELINO VEGAS MONTESPINA VERDEJO SOBRE LÍAS SPAIN 2023 $16.95
R+12842 ANGOVE FAMILY CREST SHIRAZ AUSTRALIA 2021$19.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
R+354191 DOMAINE LAFAGE CUVÉE NICOLAS VIEILLES VIGNES GRENACHE NOIR $19.95 R+143099 MAS DES BRESSADES CUVÉE TRADITION RHONE 2021 $17.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
Recommended Wines OVER $20
========================
FIZZ+175588 GRAHAM BECK MÉTHODE CAP CLASSIQUE BRUT PINOT NOIR SOUTH AFRICA $21.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
W+78535 PENINSULA RIDGE BEAL VINEYARDS RESERVE CHARDONNAY VQA 2021 $26.95
W+184549 LE CLOS JORDANNE LE GRAND CLOS CHARDONNAY VQA 2020 $52 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
W+389726 BOYA SAUVIGNON BLANC CHILE 2024 $15.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
W+370098 PAUL MAS SINGLE VINEYARD COLLECTION RÉSERVE VIOGNIER FRANCE 2022 $14.95
W+140889 DONATIEN BAHUAUD LES GRANDS MORTIERS VOUVRAY LOIRE 2023 $22.95
W+290296 E. GUIGAL CÔTES DU RHÔNE BLANC 2023 $22.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
W+447474 VILLA MARIA SOUTHERN CLAYS SINGLE VINEYARD SAUVIGNON BLANC NEW ZEALAND $26.95
R+377036 WAKEFIELD JARAMAN SHIRAZ AUSTRALIA 2022 $24.95
R+84996 WYNNS COONAWARRA ESTATE BLACK LABEL CABERNET SAUVIGNON $44.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
R+505610 HIDDEN BENCH TERROIR CACHÉ VQA 2020 $47.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
R+427500 WESTCOTT ESTATE PINOT NOIR VQA 2020 $31.95
R+86363 STRATUS WILDASS RED VQA 2019 $21.95
R+297945 CHÂTEAU LAROSE-TRINTAUDON BORDEAUX 2016 $34.95
R+38864 BROTTE LA ROLLANDE CROZES-HERMITAGE 2022 $32.95
R+930966 ROCCA DELLE MACÌE RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2021 $24.95
R+747030 LA VITE LUCENTE TUSCANY 2022 $32.95
LIMITED TIME OFFERS: Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO's Limited Time Offer selections...these are "better" value...on sale Nov 11 through Sunday December 1 -- last call -- better hurry....
+341743 Trius Rose VQA now $16.95, save $3
+326090 Oyster Bay Pinot Grigio now $17.95, save $3
+302380 Mezzacorona Pinot Grigio now $12.95, save $2
+573147 Malivoire Estate Grown Chardonnay VQA Beamsville Bench now $19.95, save $2
+40137 Stoneleigh Latitude Sauvignon Blanc New Zealand now $20.95, save $3
+619452 Matua Sauvignon Blanc Hawke's Bay now $15.95, save $2
+933077 Louis Jadot Chardonnay Bourgogne now $34.95, save $2
+225086 Umberto Cesari Liano Sangiovese/Cabernet Sauvignon now $24.95, save $5
+479766 Zenato Ripassa Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore now $26.95, save $3
+356220 Tommasi Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico now $48.5, save $5
+212480 Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais now $19.45, save $2
+478727 Catena Malbec now $21.95, save $2
+274753 Hidden Bench Estate Organic Pinot Noir VQA Beamsville Bench now $34.95, save $3
More (358 products on sale) can be found at https://www.lcbo.com/en/products#t=clp-products&sort=relevancy&layout=card&f:@lcbo_current_offer=[On%20Sale]
And FYI, here are the upcoming dates to watch out for LTOs sales promotions -- Dec 2 through January 5, 2025; January 6 through February 2, 2025; usually about every four weeks ---
** Some New Wines I Tasted Over the Past Season ---
REPORT ON MARK ANTHONY LUXURY WINE TASTING SEPTEMBER 2024
The Date and Time: Tuesday September 24 2P - 4:30P
The Event: Mark Anthony Wine & Spirits Luxury Portfolio Tasting
The Venue: National Club
The Target Audience: Private collectors, sommeliers, wine media
The Availability/Catalogue: there were several catalogues available, including Mark Anthony, Declaration Wine & Spirits Inc., Bacchus Frechette, plus a more complete emailed pictorial catalogue that included all of them, will label illustrations and prices.
The Quote/Background: it was quite crowded shortly after 2PM
The Wines: several dozen producers and principals were in attendance -- a wealth of wines to be tasted. But of course I could not do them all -- about 200 plus wines spread over two large rooms. I only tasted table wines. Prices are licensee,not retail.
**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Jayson by Pahlmeyer Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 $104.97
-Louis M. Martini Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon NV $47.59
-Brotte Bord Elegance Cotes du Rhone Villages Laudin 2023 [white grenache] $19.95 Vintages
-Castel Freres Chateau Cavalier Rose Provence 2023 $24.29
-Castel Freres Plessis-Duval Sancerre 2023 $41.81
-Garzon Single Vineyard Albarino $42.95 Vintages +646802
-Mission Hill Perpetus BC VQA 2021 $66 +934090
-Checkmate Fool's Mate Chardonnay 2020 BC VQA $95 Spring 2025
-Lanson Champagne Le Black Creation Brut NV $72.50
-Lanson Champagne Le Rose Creation NV $99.75
-Lanson Champagne Le Vintage 2013 $109.95
-Louis Latour Simonnet Febvre Chablis 1er Cru Mont de Milieu 2021 $57.35
-Louis Latour Simonnet Febvre P100 $32.66
-Louis Latour Chateau Corton Grancey Red 2022 $250.60 Vintages Spring 2025
-Louis Latour Corton Charlemagne 2022 $461.35 Vintages Spring 2025
-Attems Ramato Rose 2023 $19.95 Vintages +111732
-Rodney Strong Davis Bynum Chardonnay $34.95
-Rodney Strong Davis Bynum Russian River Pinot Noir $39.95
-Sena 2021 $210 Vintages +496430
-Beringer Private Reserve Napa Valley Chardonnay 2022 $79.95 Vintages +26682
-Henkell-Freixenet Segura Heredad NV $39.95 +558825 Vintages November
-Henkell-Freixenet Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Noirs NV $23.85
***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (87 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Rombauer Carneros Chardonnay Napa 2021 $55.55
-Louis M. Martini Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon $20.51
-Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough NZ $17.24
-Alois Lageder Terra Alpina Pinot Grigio 2023 $23.26
-Alois Lageder Gaun Chardonnay 2022 $34.48
-Brumont Chateau Bouscasse Jardins Philo white 2018 $28.70
-Chateau St Jean Chardonnay Carneros 2022 $55.95
-Castel Freres Chateau Ferrande Graves White 2021 $34.97
-Garzon Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2023 $19.95 Vintages +12678
-Martin's Lane Winery Simes Vineyard Riesling 2023 $55 Spring 2025
-Louis Latour Marsannay White 2022 $56.10 Vintages Spring 2025
-Arboleda Chardonnay 2022 $18.95 Vintages November +606772
-Treasury Wine Estates Luxury Frank Family Vineyards Chardonnay 2023 $59.95 Vintages +40333
-Wolf Blass Grey Label Shiraz 2021 $34.95 Vintages +390872
The Food: there was an enormous table with cheeses (manchego, danish blue) and cold cuts, plus diverse dried fruit and breads and biscuits.
The Downside: it was warm inside with the air conditioning off.
The Upside: a chance to try some really rare and/or expensive wines.
The Contact Person: hprice@markanthony.com
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 91
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 wine
MAJOR THEME: Holiday Gifts and Entertaining
Montes wines; Kosher wines
~120+ wines in total
Recommended Wines UNDER $20
=========================
FIZZ+39378 BERSANO MONTEOLIVO MOSCATO D'ASTI 2023 $18.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
W+22984 MOUNTADAM FIVE-FIFTY CHARDONNAY AUSTRALIA 2021 $18.95
W+398966 REDSTONE CHARDONNAY VQA 2022 $19.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
W+39765 STUDERT-PRÜM RIESLING TROCKEN 2023 $17.95
W+40788 AVELINO VEGAS MONTESPINA VERDEJO SOBRE LÍAS SPAIN 2023 $16.95
R+12842 ANGOVE FAMILY CREST SHIRAZ AUSTRALIA 2021$19.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
R+354191 DOMAINE LAFAGE CUVÉE NICOLAS VIEILLES VIGNES GRENACHE NOIR $19.95 R+143099 MAS DES BRESSADES CUVÉE TRADITION RHONE 2021 $17.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
Recommended Wines OVER $20
========================
FIZZ+175588 GRAHAM BECK MÉTHODE CAP CLASSIQUE BRUT PINOT NOIR SOUTH AFRICA $21.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
W+78535 PENINSULA RIDGE BEAL VINEYARDS RESERVE CHARDONNAY VQA 2021 $26.95
W+184549 LE CLOS JORDANNE LE GRAND CLOS CHARDONNAY VQA 2020 $52 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
W+389726 BOYA SAUVIGNON BLANC CHILE 2024 $15.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
W+370098 PAUL MAS SINGLE VINEYARD COLLECTION RÉSERVE VIOGNIER FRANCE 2022 $14.95
W+140889 DONATIEN BAHUAUD LES GRANDS MORTIERS VOUVRAY LOIRE 2023 $22.95
W+290296 E. GUIGAL CÔTES DU RHÔNE BLANC 2023 $22.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
W+447474 VILLA MARIA SOUTHERN CLAYS SINGLE VINEYARD SAUVIGNON BLANC NEW ZEALAND $26.95
R+377036 WAKEFIELD JARAMAN SHIRAZ AUSTRALIA 2022 $24.95
R+84996 WYNNS COONAWARRA ESTATE BLACK LABEL CABERNET SAUVIGNON $44.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
R+505610 HIDDEN BENCH TERROIR CACHÉ VQA 2020 $47.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
R+427500 WESTCOTT ESTATE PINOT NOIR VQA 2020 $31.95
R+86363 STRATUS WILDASS RED VQA 2019 $21.95
R+297945 CHÂTEAU LAROSE-TRINTAUDON BORDEAUX 2016 $34.95
R+38864 BROTTE LA ROLLANDE CROZES-HERMITAGE 2022 $32.95
R+930966 ROCCA DELLE MACÌE RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2021 $24.95
R+747030 LA VITE LUCENTE TUSCANY 2022 $32.95
LIMITED TIME OFFERS: Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO's Limited Time Offer selections...these are "better" value...on sale Nov 11 through Sunday December 1 -- last call -- better hurry....
+341743 Trius Rose VQA now $16.95, save $3
+326090 Oyster Bay Pinot Grigio now $17.95, save $3
+302380 Mezzacorona Pinot Grigio now $12.95, save $2
+573147 Malivoire Estate Grown Chardonnay VQA Beamsville Bench now $19.95, save $2
+40137 Stoneleigh Latitude Sauvignon Blanc New Zealand now $20.95, save $3
+619452 Matua Sauvignon Blanc Hawke's Bay now $15.95, save $2
+933077 Louis Jadot Chardonnay Bourgogne now $34.95, save $2
+225086 Umberto Cesari Liano Sangiovese/Cabernet Sauvignon now $24.95, save $5
+479766 Zenato Ripassa Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore now $26.95, save $3
+356220 Tommasi Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico now $48.5, save $5
+212480 Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais now $19.45, save $2
+478727 Catena Malbec now $21.95, save $2
+274753 Hidden Bench Estate Organic Pinot Noir VQA Beamsville Bench now $34.95, save $3
More (358 products on sale) can be found at https://www.lcbo.com/en/products#t=clp-products&sort=relevancy&layout=card&f:@lcbo_current_offer=[On%20Sale]
And FYI, here are the upcoming dates to watch out for LTOs sales promotions -- Dec 2 through January 5, 2025; January 6 through February 2, 2025; usually about every four weeks ---
** Some New Wines I Tasted Over the Past Season ---
REPORT ON MARK ANTHONY LUXURY WINE TASTING SEPTEMBER 2024
The Date and Time: Tuesday September 24 2P - 4:30P
The Event: Mark Anthony Wine & Spirits Luxury Portfolio Tasting
The Venue: National Club
The Target Audience: Private collectors, sommeliers, wine media
The Availability/Catalogue: there were several catalogues available, including Mark Anthony, Declaration Wine & Spirits Inc., Bacchus Frechette, plus a more complete emailed pictorial catalogue that included all of them, will label illustrations and prices.
The Quote/Background: it was quite crowded shortly after 2PM
The Wines: several dozen producers and principals were in attendance -- a wealth of wines to be tasted. But of course I could not do them all -- about 200 plus wines spread over two large rooms. I only tasted table wines. Prices are licensee,not retail.
**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Jayson by Pahlmeyer Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 $104.97
-Louis M. Martini Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon NV $47.59
-Brotte Bord Elegance Cotes du Rhone Villages Laudin 2023 [white grenache] $19.95 Vintages
-Castel Freres Chateau Cavalier Rose Provence 2023 $24.29
-Castel Freres Plessis-Duval Sancerre 2023 $41.81
-Garzon Single Vineyard Albarino $42.95 Vintages +646802
-Mission Hill Perpetus BC VQA 2021 $66 +934090
-Checkmate Fool's Mate Chardonnay 2020 BC VQA $95 Spring 2025
-Lanson Champagne Le Black Creation Brut NV $72.50
-Lanson Champagne Le Rose Creation NV $99.75
-Lanson Champagne Le Vintage 2013 $109.95
-Louis Latour Simonnet Febvre Chablis 1er Cru Mont de Milieu 2021 $57.35
-Louis Latour Simonnet Febvre P100 $32.66
-Louis Latour Chateau Corton Grancey Red 2022 $250.60 Vintages Spring 2025
-Louis Latour Corton Charlemagne 2022 $461.35 Vintages Spring 2025
-Attems Ramato Rose 2023 $19.95 Vintages +111732
-Rodney Strong Davis Bynum Chardonnay $34.95
-Rodney Strong Davis Bynum Russian River Pinot Noir $39.95
-Sena 2021 $210 Vintages +496430
-Beringer Private Reserve Napa Valley Chardonnay 2022 $79.95 Vintages +26682
-Henkell-Freixenet Segura Heredad NV $39.95 +558825 Vintages November
-Henkell-Freixenet Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Noirs NV $23.85
***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (87 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Rombauer Carneros Chardonnay Napa 2021 $55.55
-Louis M. Martini Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon $20.51
-Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough NZ $17.24
-Alois Lageder Terra Alpina Pinot Grigio 2023 $23.26
-Alois Lageder Gaun Chardonnay 2022 $34.48
-Brumont Chateau Bouscasse Jardins Philo white 2018 $28.70
-Chateau St Jean Chardonnay Carneros 2022 $55.95
-Castel Freres Chateau Ferrande Graves White 2021 $34.97
-Garzon Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2023 $19.95 Vintages +12678
-Martin's Lane Winery Simes Vineyard Riesling 2023 $55 Spring 2025
-Louis Latour Marsannay White 2022 $56.10 Vintages Spring 2025
-Arboleda Chardonnay 2022 $18.95 Vintages November +606772
-Treasury Wine Estates Luxury Frank Family Vineyards Chardonnay 2023 $59.95 Vintages +40333
-Wolf Blass Grey Label Shiraz 2021 $34.95 Vintages +390872
The Food: there was an enormous table with cheeses (manchego, danish blue) and cold cuts, plus diverse dried fruit and breads and biscuits.
The Downside: it was warm inside with the air conditioning off.
The Upside: a chance to try some really rare and/or expensive wines.
The Contact Person: hprice@markanthony.com
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 91
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
