WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for FEBRUARY 1, 2025 release.
By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com. My "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of wine 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: Top French Wine Regions
Recommended Wines UNDER $20
=========================
Fizz+42007 CELENE CUVÉE ROYAL BRUT CRÉMANT DE BORDEAUX NV $17.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
W+37912 D'ARENBERG THE STUMP JUMP SAUVIGNON BLANC AUSTRALIA 2023 $14.95
W+224626 JOSEPH CATTIN GEWURZTRAMINER ALSACE 2023 $18.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
W+38155 CHÂTEAU MARIE PLAISANCE LE BRIN SOUTH OF FRANCE 2022 $14.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
W+19691 PATERNOSTER VULCANICO FALANGHINA BASILICATA 2022 $19.95
W+707950 ATTEMS PINOT GRIGIO FRIULI 2023 $19.95
W+231282 KEN FORRESTER OLD VINE RESERVE CHENIN BLANC SOUTH AFRICA 2024
$18.95
R+35672 EMILIANA NOVAS STELLAR SELECTION CABERNET CHILE $17.95 2022 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
R+38266 CAVE DU CHÂTEAU DES LOGES LES 3 MADONES BEAUJOLAIS-VILLAGES 2022
$19.95
R+32040 FONCALIEU VIA NOSTRUM LANGUDOC 2020 $18.95
R+539916 ROC DES TEMPLIERS PLAN DE DIEU CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES 2022 $15.95
R+134544 MONTE DEL FRÀ BARDOLINO VENETO 2023 $16.95
R+431064 HERDADE PESO TRINCA BOLOTAS TINTO PORTUGAL 2022 $16.95
Recommended Wines OVER $20
========================
Fizz+267039 NICOLAS FEUILLATTE BRUT ROSÉ NV CHAMPAGNE $64.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
W+17633 LAKEVIEW BARREL-AGED CHARDONNAY VQA 2020 $24.95
W+38077 DEUX ROCHES TRADITION MACON-VILLAGES 2022 $27.95
W+695908 JEAN PABIOT ET FILS DOMAINE DES FINES CAILLOTTES POUILLY-FUMÉ 2022
$30.20
R+42612 HINTERBROOK RESERVE CABERNET FRANC VQA 2017 $49.95
R+418111 TRIUS SHOWCASE CLARK FARM PINOT NOIR VQA 2022 $45.00
R+42111 MORANDÉ VITIS ÚNICA PINOT NOIR CHILE 2022 $20.95
R+41082 CHÂTEAU HAUTS DE PLAISANCE BORDEAUX 2016 $24.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
R+38093 VIGNERONS DE BEL-AIR BOURGOGNE PINOT NOIR 2022 $29.95
R+643205 CASTELLI DEL GREVEPESA CLEMENTE VII RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO $24.95
2020
R+132597 ESCONDIDO TEMPRANILLO SPAIN 2020 $18.95
LIMITED TIME OFFERS: Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO's Limited Time Offer selections...these are "better" value...especially since there is also no HST in the price (most of these wines are now about $5 less on "double" sale through Sunday February 2 -- better hurry!!
W+158683 La Crema Monterey Chardonnay 2023, now $27.95. save $2...now $24.50 since there is no HST! a total savings of $5.45 a bottle.
W+18947 Kim Crawford Illuminate Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough New Zealand, now $17.95, save $3
R+36483 Torres Gran Coronas Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon Penedes, now $17.95, save $2
R+328567 Cathedral Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon South Africa, now $16.95, save $3
R+295410 Michel Gassier Nostre Pais 2021 Costieres de Nimes, now $23.95, save $2
R+383018 Ramirez de la Piscina Crianza Rioja $16.95, save $4
FIZZ+302752 Santa Margherita Brut Rose Sparkling Italy, now $19.95, save $2
** Some New Wines I Tasted Over the Past Season ---
REPORT ON STEM WINE PORTFOLIO TASTING OCTOBER 30, 2024
The Date and Time: October 30, 2024, 2PM to 9PM
The Event: 20th Anniversary Edition of Stem Wine Group Inc.'s Portfolio Tasting
The Venue: Globe & Mail Event Centre
The Target Audience: wine media, sommeliers, collectors, private clients, etc.
The Availability/Catalogue: everything in the catalogue is available. The book itself weighs over a pound.
The Quote/Background: It was a walkaround tasting, moving at its own pace, with plenty of wine to sample. The majority of wines came from Italy, followed by France, Spain, Chile, Argentina, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, USA, and Ontario Canada. The book gave us a label reproduction, grape names, regions, vintage dates and prices. Many producers and/or their North American reps were pouring. It's always an interesting experience.
The Wines: I could only taste a few of the wines: there were so many, plus beers and spirits and sparklers. Prices do not include HST or bottle deposit.
**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Anno Domini Vyds Moscato IGT Veneto Frizzante $14.99
-Tombacco Pecorino IGT Terre di Chieti $16.99
-Delibori Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Superiore DOCG $52.99
-Zyme From Black to White Il Bianco 2020 IGP $33.99
-Zyme 60 20 20 Cabernet IGP 2020 $82.99
-Zyme Kairos IGP 2020 $132.99
-Zyme Amarone dell Valpolicella Classico 2018 DOCG $209.99
-Zyme La Mattonara Amarone Classico Riserva 2009 DOP $519.99
-Zyme Harlequin 2016 IGP $519.99
-Corteaura Franciacorta Brut DOCG $39.99
-Corteaura Franciacorta Rose DOCG $47.99
-Ronco Del Gelso Siet Vignis Chardonnay 2022 DOC $36.99
-La Chiara Gavi del Comune di Gavi 2023 DOCG $23.99
-Giulia Negri La Tartufaia Barolo 2020 DOCG $89.99
-Giulia Negri Serradenari Barolo 2020 DOCG $129.99
-Giulia Negri Marassio Barolo 2020 DOCG $189.99
-Arnaldorivera Rocche di Castiglione Barolo 2020 DCG $184.99
-Gaja Alteni di Brassica 2021 DOP $239.99
-Castello Monsanto Il Poggio Gran Selezione Chianti Classico 2018 DOCG $109.99
--Settesoli Vermentino 2022 IGT $14.99
-La Manufacture Blanchot Chablis Grand Cru 2022 $139.99
-Tome Arzabal Albarino 2023 Yakima Valley AVA $34.99
-Citation Chardonnay Oregon 2015 $59.99
-Citation Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2015 $61.99
***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (87 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Delibori Garda Chardonnay IGT 2023 $13.99
-Schreckbichl Colterenzio Altikirch Chardonnay 2023 $24.99
-Deltetto Il Fondatore Barolo 2017 DOCG $74.99
-Ca' del Baio Luna d'Agosto Langhe Chardonnay 2023 DOC $23.99
-Villa a Sesta Sarleone Gran Selezione Chianti Classico 2018 $59.99
-Gaja Rossj Bass 2022 DOP $139.99
-Gaja Dagromis Barolo 2020 DOP $169.99
-La Manufacture Bourgogne 2022 Cote d'Auxerre $33.99
-Castell d'Or Cava Rose NV $18.99
-Precision Adorn Chardonnay 2021 California $18.99
-Butternut Chardonnay 2021 California $23.99
The Food: Piano Piano was present with rigatoni Bolognese and cavatelli mushrooms and truffles; Edna + Vita fed us with tuna crudo, whipped ricotta and beet crostini, mortadella grissini and pistachio pesto, polpette and polenta; kb from Whitby provided us with beef tartare, wild boar crisps, deep-fried rabbit and polenta balls. Amazing food.
The Downside: it got crowded really fast
The Upside: I could not taste every wine that I wanted to - I ran out of palate. So sad.
The Contact Person: tania@stemwinegroup.com or tony@stemwinegroup.com
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 94
By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com. My "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of wine 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: Top French Wine Regions
Recommended Wines UNDER $20
=========================
Fizz+42007 CELENE CUVÉE ROYAL BRUT CRÉMANT DE BORDEAUX NV $17.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
W+37912 D'ARENBERG THE STUMP JUMP SAUVIGNON BLANC AUSTRALIA 2023 $14.95
W+224626 JOSEPH CATTIN GEWURZTRAMINER ALSACE 2023 $18.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
W+38155 CHÂTEAU MARIE PLAISANCE LE BRIN SOUTH OF FRANCE 2022 $14.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
W+19691 PATERNOSTER VULCANICO FALANGHINA BASILICATA 2022 $19.95
W+707950 ATTEMS PINOT GRIGIO FRIULI 2023 $19.95
W+231282 KEN FORRESTER OLD VINE RESERVE CHENIN BLANC SOUTH AFRICA 2024
$18.95
R+35672 EMILIANA NOVAS STELLAR SELECTION CABERNET CHILE $17.95 2022 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
R+38266 CAVE DU CHÂTEAU DES LOGES LES 3 MADONES BEAUJOLAIS-VILLAGES 2022
$19.95
R+32040 FONCALIEU VIA NOSTRUM LANGUDOC 2020 $18.95
R+539916 ROC DES TEMPLIERS PLAN DE DIEU CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES 2022 $15.95
R+134544 MONTE DEL FRÀ BARDOLINO VENETO 2023 $16.95
R+431064 HERDADE PESO TRINCA BOLOTAS TINTO PORTUGAL 2022 $16.95
Recommended Wines OVER $20
========================
Fizz+267039 NICOLAS FEUILLATTE BRUT ROSÉ NV CHAMPAGNE $64.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
W+17633 LAKEVIEW BARREL-AGED CHARDONNAY VQA 2020 $24.95
W+38077 DEUX ROCHES TRADITION MACON-VILLAGES 2022 $27.95
W+695908 JEAN PABIOT ET FILS DOMAINE DES FINES CAILLOTTES POUILLY-FUMÉ 2022
$30.20
R+42612 HINTERBROOK RESERVE CABERNET FRANC VQA 2017 $49.95
R+418111 TRIUS SHOWCASE CLARK FARM PINOT NOIR VQA 2022 $45.00
R+42111 MORANDÉ VITIS ÚNICA PINOT NOIR CHILE 2022 $20.95
R+41082 CHÂTEAU HAUTS DE PLAISANCE BORDEAUX 2016 $24.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+ )
R+38093 VIGNERONS DE BEL-AIR BOURGOGNE PINOT NOIR 2022 $29.95
R+643205 CASTELLI DEL GREVEPESA CLEMENTE VII RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO $24.95
2020
R+132597 ESCONDIDO TEMPRANILLO SPAIN 2020 $18.95
LIMITED TIME OFFERS: Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO's Limited Time Offer selections...these are "better" value...especially since there is also no HST in the price (most of these wines are now about $5 less on "double" sale through Sunday February 2 -- better hurry!!
W+158683 La Crema Monterey Chardonnay 2023, now $27.95. save $2...now $24.50 since there is no HST! a total savings of $5.45 a bottle.
W+18947 Kim Crawford Illuminate Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough New Zealand, now $17.95, save $3
R+36483 Torres Gran Coronas Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon Penedes, now $17.95, save $2
R+328567 Cathedral Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon South Africa, now $16.95, save $3
R+295410 Michel Gassier Nostre Pais 2021 Costieres de Nimes, now $23.95, save $2
R+383018 Ramirez de la Piscina Crianza Rioja $16.95, save $4
FIZZ+302752 Santa Margherita Brut Rose Sparkling Italy, now $19.95, save $2
** Some New Wines I Tasted Over the Past Season ---
REPORT ON STEM WINE PORTFOLIO TASTING OCTOBER 30, 2024
The Date and Time: October 30, 2024, 2PM to 9PM
The Event: 20th Anniversary Edition of Stem Wine Group Inc.'s Portfolio Tasting
The Venue: Globe & Mail Event Centre
The Target Audience: wine media, sommeliers, collectors, private clients, etc.
The Availability/Catalogue: everything in the catalogue is available. The book itself weighs over a pound.
The Quote/Background: It was a walkaround tasting, moving at its own pace, with plenty of wine to sample. The majority of wines came from Italy, followed by France, Spain, Chile, Argentina, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, USA, and Ontario Canada. The book gave us a label reproduction, grape names, regions, vintage dates and prices. Many producers and/or their North American reps were pouring. It's always an interesting experience.
The Wines: I could only taste a few of the wines: there were so many, plus beers and spirits and sparklers. Prices do not include HST or bottle deposit.
**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Anno Domini Vyds Moscato IGT Veneto Frizzante $14.99
-Tombacco Pecorino IGT Terre di Chieti $16.99
-Delibori Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Superiore DOCG $52.99
-Zyme From Black to White Il Bianco 2020 IGP $33.99
-Zyme 60 20 20 Cabernet IGP 2020 $82.99
-Zyme Kairos IGP 2020 $132.99
-Zyme Amarone dell Valpolicella Classico 2018 DOCG $209.99
-Zyme La Mattonara Amarone Classico Riserva 2009 DOP $519.99
-Zyme Harlequin 2016 IGP $519.99
-Corteaura Franciacorta Brut DOCG $39.99
-Corteaura Franciacorta Rose DOCG $47.99
-Ronco Del Gelso Siet Vignis Chardonnay 2022 DOC $36.99
-La Chiara Gavi del Comune di Gavi 2023 DOCG $23.99
-Giulia Negri La Tartufaia Barolo 2020 DOCG $89.99
-Giulia Negri Serradenari Barolo 2020 DOCG $129.99
-Giulia Negri Marassio Barolo 2020 DOCG $189.99
-Arnaldorivera Rocche di Castiglione Barolo 2020 DCG $184.99
-Gaja Alteni di Brassica 2021 DOP $239.99
-Castello Monsanto Il Poggio Gran Selezione Chianti Classico 2018 DOCG $109.99
--Settesoli Vermentino 2022 IGT $14.99
-La Manufacture Blanchot Chablis Grand Cru 2022 $139.99
-Tome Arzabal Albarino 2023 Yakima Valley AVA $34.99
-Citation Chardonnay Oregon 2015 $59.99
-Citation Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2015 $61.99
***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (87 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Delibori Garda Chardonnay IGT 2023 $13.99
-Schreckbichl Colterenzio Altikirch Chardonnay 2023 $24.99
-Deltetto Il Fondatore Barolo 2017 DOCG $74.99
-Ca' del Baio Luna d'Agosto Langhe Chardonnay 2023 DOC $23.99
-Villa a Sesta Sarleone Gran Selezione Chianti Classico 2018 $59.99
-Gaja Rossj Bass 2022 DOP $139.99
-Gaja Dagromis Barolo 2020 DOP $169.99
-La Manufacture Bourgogne 2022 Cote d'Auxerre $33.99
-Castell d'Or Cava Rose NV $18.99
-Precision Adorn Chardonnay 2021 California $18.99
-Butternut Chardonnay 2021 California $23.99
The Food: Piano Piano was present with rigatoni Bolognese and cavatelli mushrooms and truffles; Edna + Vita fed us with tuna crudo, whipped ricotta and beet crostini, mortadella grissini and pistachio pesto, polpette and polenta; kb from Whitby provided us with beef tartare, wild boar crisps, deep-fried rabbit and polenta balls. Amazing food.
The Downside: it got crowded really fast
The Upside: I could not taste every wine that I wanted to - I ran out of palate. So sad.
The Contact Person: tania@stemwinegroup.com or tony@stemwinegroup.com
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 94
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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