WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for MARCH 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)=basic recommendation
MVC/QPR=BEST (90+)=superior wine
MAJOR THEME: Women in Wine
Recommended Wines UNDER $20
=========================
W+356873 FLAT ROCK GOOD KHARMA CHARDONNAY VQA 2023 $17.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+)=superior wine
W+42741 DOMAINE DE LA ROCHETTE SAUVIGNON BLANC LOIRE 2023 $14.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+)=superior wine
W+25710 DOMDECHANT WERNER HOCHHEIM ORTSWEIN RIESLING TROCKEN RHEINGAU 2022 $19.95
W+173252 VELENOSI VILLA ANGELA PECORINO MARCHE 2023 $17.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+)=superior wine
W+32553 SHEILD SAUVIGNON BLANC NEW ZEALAND 2023 $18.95
W+41444 NEDERBURG THE WINEMASTERS CHARDONNAY SOUTH AFRICA 2022 $18.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+)=superior wine
R+42109 LEYDA COASTAL VINEYARD CANELO SYRAH CHILE 2020 $18.95
R+309260 LE GRAVILLAS SÉGURET CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES 2021 $19.95
R+38859 PLAIMONT GÉOGLYPHE GRAND VIN SOUTHWEST FRANCE 2018 $19.95
R+278150 NIRO DI CITRA MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO 2021 $17.95
R+366955 MASSERIA ALTEMURA SASSEO PRIMITIVO PUGLIA 2021 $17.95
R+476002 LUNGAROTTI L'UM UMBRIA ROSSO UMBRIA 2022 $17.95
R+471854 RIOJA VEGA CRIANZA 2020 $15.95
R+190694 EVEL TINTO PORTUGAL 2021 $14.95
Recommended Wines OVER $20
========================
FIZZ+16602 ALBINO ARMANI EXTRA DRY CONEGLIANO VALDOBBIADENE PROSECCO FRIULI $21.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+)=superior wine
ROSE+43624 DREA'S ROSATO VQA 2023 $26.50 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+)=superior wine
W+384339 SUSANA BALBO SIGNATURE BARREL FERMENTED TORRONTÉS ARGENTINA 2024 $22.95
W+566026 CAVE SPRING CSV CAVE SPRING VINEYARD ESTATE GROWN RIESLING $34.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+)=superior wine
W+692632 PELLER PRIVATE RESERVE SAUVIGNON BLANC VQA 2023 $23.95
W+366419 DOMAINE DU COLOMBIER CHABLIS 2023 $32.95
R+492413 CATENA PARAJE ALTAMIRA MALBEC ARGENTINA 2022 $23.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+)=superior wine
R+142398 WAKEFIELD JARAMAN CABERNET SAUVIGNON AUSTRALIA 2022 $24.95
R+553313 MISSION HILL RESERVE MERLOT BC VQA 2021 $33
R+30252 TAWSE SKETCHES CABERNET/MERLOT VQA 2021 $22.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+)=superior wine
R+30073 THIRTY BENCH WINEMAKER'S BLEND CABERNET FRANC VQA 2021 $26.95
R+41424 STÉPHANE AVIRON JULIENAS BEAUJOLAIS 2022 $22.95
R+937128 FORIS ROGUE VALLEY PINOT NOIR OREGON 2023 $29.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+)=superior wine
R+525931 CHÂTEAU VIEUX CHEVROL BORDEAUX 2020 $34.95
R+330704 BENI DI BATASIOLO RISERVA BAROLO 2015 $45.95
R+994095 ALTESINO BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2019 $67.95
R+222109 MICHELE CASTELLANI COLLE CRISTI AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA $48.95
LIMITED TIME OFFERS: Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO's Limited Time Offer selections...these are "better" value...on sale now to March 2...Since this newsletter covers through March 1, then you had better hurry if you want to take advantage of the sale -- one day left !!
+35386 Kim Crawford Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc New Zealand now $18.95, save $3
+926626 Famille Perrin Les Sinards Chateauneuf-du-Pape Rhone now $40.95, save $3
+322586 Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon Chile now $20.95, save $2
+595280 Porcupine Ridge Syrah South Africa $13.95, save $3
+145920 Tenuta Frescobaldi di Castiglioni Tuscany now $21.95, save $3
+303800 Trius Red VQA Niagara now $25.95, save $2
+48793 Louis Bouillot Perle d'Aurore Brut Rose Cremant de Bourgogne $24.95, save $2
The next LTO dates are March 3 to March 29...
More LTO deals are at https://www.lcbo.com/en/products#t=clp-products&sort=relevancy&layout=card&f:@lcbo_current_offer=[On%20Sale]
** Some New Wines I Tasted Over the Past Season ---
REPORT ON THE CGU PORTFOLIO TASTING IN NOVEMBER
The Date and Time: November 1, 2024 2PM - 5 PM
The Event: 2024 Fall CGU Portfolio Tasting
The Venue: Vintage Conservatory - King Street
The Target Audience: private clients, restaurants, wine media and sommeliers
The Availability/Catalogue: we had a simple listing of some 26 wines with all relevant information about regions, vintage dates, and prices.
The Quote/Background: It was a quick tasting in that there were only two dozen or so wines, with no food. There were 4 tables with about 6 wines each.
The Wines: I tasted all the wines. Prices are retail.
**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Moritz Kissinger Winzersekt Extra Brut Nr. 2 NV $52.57
-Weingut A.J.Adam Hofberg CG 2022 $84.76
-Kinsman Eades 2022 Aisana Sauvignon Blanc $177.84
-Le Clos du Gravillas Lo Vielh Carignan de 100 Ans 2021 $45.17 (my fave red of this tasting)
-Jean-Baptiste Souillard Saint Joseph 2022 $58.12
-Jean-Baptiste Crozes-Hermitage Les Baties 2022 $84.02
-Domaine des Ardoisieres Schiste Blanc 2022 $99.23
-Champagne Dhondt-Grellet Dans Un Premier Temps NV $119.44
-Domaine Genot-Boulanger Pommard 2021 $131.35
-Domaine Genot-Boulanger Meursault Savigny Les Beaune Vieilles Vignes 2021 $105.45
-Domaine Genot-Boulanger Meursault Clos du Cromin 2021 $175.75
-Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux Bourgogne Pinot Fin 2020 $416.24
-Laurent Ponsot Griotte Chambertin Grand Cru Cuvee du Saule 2019 Rouge $989.76
-Laurent Ponsot Meursault 1er Cru Blagny Cuvee du Myosotis 2019 $220.33
-Domaine des Terres de Velle Auxey-Duresses Les Bulles par Terres de Velle Extra Brut NV $36.05
-Domaine des Terres de Velle Auxey-Duresses Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru 2021 $250.82
-
***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (87 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Weingut Peter Jakob Kuhn Jacobus Rheingau 2022 $37.77
-Moritz Kissinger OHM White 2022 $39.99
-Niew Vineyards Chardonnay 2022 Eola-Amity Hills $154.36
-Thiriet Bourgogne Rouge Les Chagniots 2022 $101.75
-Domaine David Duband Vosne-Romanee 2021 $154.48
-Domaine Garcia Aloxe Corton 1er Cru Le Calozieres 2022 $249.75
-Armand Heitz Morey-Saint Denis 1er Cru Monts Luisants 2021 $342.24
-Gautheron d'Anost Bourgogne Hautes Cotes de Beaune 2022 $64.76
The Food: none
The Downside: It was crowded with small tables.
The Upside: it was a small tasting which allowed me to taste everything!!
The Contact Person: jade@cgufinewines.com; info@cgufinewines.com; cgufinewines@gmail.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 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)=basic recommendation
MVC/QPR=BEST (90+)=superior wine
MAJOR THEME: Women in Wine
Recommended Wines UNDER $20
=========================
W+356873 FLAT ROCK GOOD KHARMA CHARDONNAY VQA 2023 $17.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+)=superior wine
W+42741 DOMAINE DE LA ROCHETTE SAUVIGNON BLANC LOIRE 2023 $14.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+)=superior wine
W+25710 DOMDECHANT WERNER HOCHHEIM ORTSWEIN RIESLING TROCKEN RHEINGAU 2022 $19.95
W+173252 VELENOSI VILLA ANGELA PECORINO MARCHE 2023 $17.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+)=superior wine
W+32553 SHEILD SAUVIGNON BLANC NEW ZEALAND 2023 $18.95
W+41444 NEDERBURG THE WINEMASTERS CHARDONNAY SOUTH AFRICA 2022 $18.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+)=superior wine
R+42109 LEYDA COASTAL VINEYARD CANELO SYRAH CHILE 2020 $18.95
R+309260 LE GRAVILLAS SÉGURET CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES 2021 $19.95
R+38859 PLAIMONT GÉOGLYPHE GRAND VIN SOUTHWEST FRANCE 2018 $19.95
R+278150 NIRO DI CITRA MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO 2021 $17.95
R+366955 MASSERIA ALTEMURA SASSEO PRIMITIVO PUGLIA 2021 $17.95
R+476002 LUNGAROTTI L'UM UMBRIA ROSSO UMBRIA 2022 $17.95
R+471854 RIOJA VEGA CRIANZA 2020 $15.95
R+190694 EVEL TINTO PORTUGAL 2021 $14.95
Recommended Wines OVER $20
========================
FIZZ+16602 ALBINO ARMANI EXTRA DRY CONEGLIANO VALDOBBIADENE PROSECCO FRIULI $21.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+)=superior wine
ROSE+43624 DREA'S ROSATO VQA 2023 $26.50 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+)=superior wine
W+384339 SUSANA BALBO SIGNATURE BARREL FERMENTED TORRONTÉS ARGENTINA 2024 $22.95
W+566026 CAVE SPRING CSV CAVE SPRING VINEYARD ESTATE GROWN RIESLING $34.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+)=superior wine
W+692632 PELLER PRIVATE RESERVE SAUVIGNON BLANC VQA 2023 $23.95
W+366419 DOMAINE DU COLOMBIER CHABLIS 2023 $32.95
R+492413 CATENA PARAJE ALTAMIRA MALBEC ARGENTINA 2022 $23.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+)=superior wine
R+142398 WAKEFIELD JARAMAN CABERNET SAUVIGNON AUSTRALIA 2022 $24.95
R+553313 MISSION HILL RESERVE MERLOT BC VQA 2021 $33
R+30252 TAWSE SKETCHES CABERNET/MERLOT VQA 2021 $22.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+)=superior wine
R+30073 THIRTY BENCH WINEMAKER'S BLEND CABERNET FRANC VQA 2021 $26.95
R+41424 STÉPHANE AVIRON JULIENAS BEAUJOLAIS 2022 $22.95
R+937128 FORIS ROGUE VALLEY PINOT NOIR OREGON 2023 $29.95 MVC/QPR=BEST (90+)=superior wine
R+525931 CHÂTEAU VIEUX CHEVROL BORDEAUX 2020 $34.95
R+330704 BENI DI BATASIOLO RISERVA BAROLO 2015 $45.95
R+994095 ALTESINO BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2019 $67.95
R+222109 MICHELE CASTELLANI COLLE CRISTI AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA $48.95
LIMITED TIME OFFERS: Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO's Limited Time Offer selections...these are "better" value...on sale now to March 2...Since this newsletter covers through March 1, then you had better hurry if you want to take advantage of the sale -- one day left !!
+35386 Kim Crawford Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc New Zealand now $18.95, save $3
+926626 Famille Perrin Les Sinards Chateauneuf-du-Pape Rhone now $40.95, save $3
+322586 Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon Chile now $20.95, save $2
+595280 Porcupine Ridge Syrah South Africa $13.95, save $3
+145920 Tenuta Frescobaldi di Castiglioni Tuscany now $21.95, save $3
+303800 Trius Red VQA Niagara now $25.95, save $2
+48793 Louis Bouillot Perle d'Aurore Brut Rose Cremant de Bourgogne $24.95, save $2
The next LTO dates are March 3 to March 29...
More LTO deals are at https://www.lcbo.com/en/products#t=clp-products&sort=relevancy&layout=card&f:@lcbo_current_offer=[On%20Sale]
** Some New Wines I Tasted Over the Past Season ---
REPORT ON THE CGU PORTFOLIO TASTING IN NOVEMBER
The Date and Time: November 1, 2024 2PM - 5 PM
The Event: 2024 Fall CGU Portfolio Tasting
The Venue: Vintage Conservatory - King Street
The Target Audience: private clients, restaurants, wine media and sommeliers
The Availability/Catalogue: we had a simple listing of some 26 wines with all relevant information about regions, vintage dates, and prices.
The Quote/Background: It was a quick tasting in that there were only two dozen or so wines, with no food. There were 4 tables with about 6 wines each.
The Wines: I tasted all the wines. Prices are retail.
**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Moritz Kissinger Winzersekt Extra Brut Nr. 2 NV $52.57
-Weingut A.J.Adam Hofberg CG 2022 $84.76
-Kinsman Eades 2022 Aisana Sauvignon Blanc $177.84
-Le Clos du Gravillas Lo Vielh Carignan de 100 Ans 2021 $45.17 (my fave red of this tasting)
-Jean-Baptiste Souillard Saint Joseph 2022 $58.12
-Jean-Baptiste Crozes-Hermitage Les Baties 2022 $84.02
-Domaine des Ardoisieres Schiste Blanc 2022 $99.23
-Champagne Dhondt-Grellet Dans Un Premier Temps NV $119.44
-Domaine Genot-Boulanger Pommard 2021 $131.35
-Domaine Genot-Boulanger Meursault Savigny Les Beaune Vieilles Vignes 2021 $105.45
-Domaine Genot-Boulanger Meursault Clos du Cromin 2021 $175.75
-Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux Bourgogne Pinot Fin 2020 $416.24
-Laurent Ponsot Griotte Chambertin Grand Cru Cuvee du Saule 2019 Rouge $989.76
-Laurent Ponsot Meursault 1er Cru Blagny Cuvee du Myosotis 2019 $220.33
-Domaine des Terres de Velle Auxey-Duresses Les Bulles par Terres de Velle Extra Brut NV $36.05
-Domaine des Terres de Velle Auxey-Duresses Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru 2021 $250.82
-
***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (87 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Weingut Peter Jakob Kuhn Jacobus Rheingau 2022 $37.77
-Moritz Kissinger OHM White 2022 $39.99
-Niew Vineyards Chardonnay 2022 Eola-Amity Hills $154.36
-Thiriet Bourgogne Rouge Les Chagniots 2022 $101.75
-Domaine David Duband Vosne-Romanee 2021 $154.48
-Domaine Garcia Aloxe Corton 1er Cru Le Calozieres 2022 $249.75
-Armand Heitz Morey-Saint Denis 1er Cru Monts Luisants 2021 $342.24
-Gautheron d'Anost Bourgogne Hautes Cotes de Beaune 2022 $64.76
The Food: none
The Downside: It was crowded with small tables.
The Upside: it was a small tasting which allowed me to taste everything!!
The Contact Person: jade@cgufinewines.com; info@cgufinewines.com; cgufinewines@gmail.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
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