WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR MAY 29, 2010
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By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com.
Creator of Canada's award-winning wine satire site at http://fauxvoixvincuisine.blogspot.com. My
"Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net Compendium" is a guide to
thousands of news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers
and spirits, at www.deantudor.com since 1995. My tastings are based on
MVC (Modal Varietal Character); ratings are QPR (Quality-to-Price
Ratio). Prices are LCBO retail. Only my top rated wines are here. NOTE:
The LCBO does NOT put out all of the wines of the release for wine
writers or product consultants. Corked wines are not available for re-
tasting.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com.
Creator of Canada's award-winning wine satire site at http://fauxvoixvincuisine.blogspot.com. My
"Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net Compendium" is a guide to
thousands of news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers
and spirits, at www.deantudor.com since 1995. My tastings are based on
MVC (Modal Varietal Character); ratings are QPR (Quality-to-Price
Ratio). Prices are LCBO retail. Only my top rated wines are here. NOTE:
The LCBO does NOT put out all of the wines of the release for wine
writers or product consultants. Corked wines are not available for re-
tasting.
TOP VALUE WHITE WINES under $20 or so.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Catena Chardonnay 2008 Mendoza: minerals, body, oak, initial fruit
follows through on the length. +918805, $19.95, QPR: 90.
2. Vinecol Torrontes 2009 Mendoza: made form organic grapes, very good
tropical fruit set, finishes dry. +32748, $13.95, QPR: 90.
3. D'Arenberg The Olive Grove Chardonnay 2007 McLaren Vale: unoaked but
balanced fruit and acid, body from storage on lees. +702845, $17.95,
QPR: 90.
4. Domaine du Petit Coteau Les Grenouilles Sec Vouvray 2008 Loire:
organic grapes, body of chenin blanc but extra-dry with a long zesty
finish. +106815, $16.95, QPR: 90.
5. Domaine Lecomte Quincy 2008 Loire: very well developed, balance of
fruit and acid, with zest showing. Quite elegant. +172528, $18.95, QPR:
90.
6. Dr. Loosen Blue Slate Riesling Kabinett 2007 Moselle: Riesling with
a spicy kick and minerals, great body and a long finish. +160846,
$20.95, QPR: 89.
7. Librandi Critone Bianco Val di Neto 2008 OGT Calabria: interesting
and compelling blend of chardonnay and sauvignon blanc from a hot
climate, floral, lots of body, great finish for a sipper. +169169,
$13.95, QPR: 91.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Catena Chardonnay 2008 Mendoza: minerals, body, oak, initial fruit
follows through on the length. +918805, $19.95, QPR: 90.
2. Vinecol Torrontes 2009 Mendoza: made form organic grapes, very good
tropical fruit set, finishes dry. +32748, $13.95, QPR: 90.
3. D'Arenberg The Olive Grove Chardonnay 2007 McLaren Vale: unoaked but
balanced fruit and acid, body from storage on lees. +702845, $17.95,
QPR: 90.
4. Domaine du Petit Coteau Les Grenouilles Sec Vouvray 2008 Loire:
organic grapes, body of chenin blanc but extra-dry with a long zesty
finish. +106815, $16.95, QPR: 90.
5. Domaine Lecomte Quincy 2008 Loire: very well developed, balance of
fruit and acid, with zest showing. Quite elegant. +172528, $18.95, QPR:
90.
6. Dr. Loosen Blue Slate Riesling Kabinett 2007 Moselle: Riesling with
a spicy kick and minerals, great body and a long finish. +160846,
$20.95, QPR: 89.
7. Librandi Critone Bianco Val di Neto 2008 OGT Calabria: interesting
and compelling blend of chardonnay and sauvignon blanc from a hot
climate, floral, lots of body, great finish for a sipper. +169169,
$13.95, QPR: 91.
TOP VALUE RED WINES under $20 or so.
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1. Camelot Merlot 2006 California: toasty oak on nose and finish, words
"magisterial merlot" appear on the label, 13.5% ABV, good value for a
California merlot under $15 in Canada. +658070, $14.95, QPR: 91.
2. La Posta Pizzella Family Vineyard Malbec 2008 Uco Valley Mendoza:
soft, ready soon, very French and elegant. +166298, $15.95, QPR: 90.
3. Laura Hartwig Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 Colchagua: dynamite
tastes and finish, a bit taut right now, cellar for a year, 14% ABV.
+727495, $13.95, QPR: 90.
4. Zilzie Shiraz 2008 Barossa: quality but wavers between "shiraz" and
"syrah" depending on where it lands on your palate. A Gold Medal in a
competition that was "judged with food". 14.5% ABV. Twist top. +58016,
$17.95, QPR: 90.
5. Chateau La Raze Beauvallet 2005 Medoc: good basic Bordeaux with
typical MVC plus some smoke and underbrush. +170316, $16.95, QPR: 90.
6. Domaine Bois Mayaid Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil 2008: gold medal
winner, with very good cabernet franc kick, red fruit tones, best
paired with food. +168971, $15.95, QPR: 90.
7. Mas del Perie Tradition Malbec Cahors 2006: rich and full but
tannic, needs cellaring time. This is what Malbec is like at home in
France, but do try it against a classy Argentine Malbec. +171561,
$18.95, QPR: 90.
8. Frescobaldi Castello di Pomino 2006 Rosso: compelling red fruit
flavours from the blend of pinot noir, sangiovese, and merlot. Longer
food finish and body. +939223, $19.95, QPR: 90
9. Vinha d'Ervideira Colheita Seleccionada 2007 Alentejo: rich and
ripe, smokey, complex enough to give your palate a workout, long
finish. +168773, $15.95, QPR: 90.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Camelot Merlot 2006 California: toasty oak on nose and finish, words
"magisterial merlot" appear on the label, 13.5% ABV, good value for a
California merlot under $15 in Canada. +658070, $14.95, QPR: 91.
2. La Posta Pizzella Family Vineyard Malbec 2008 Uco Valley Mendoza:
soft, ready soon, very French and elegant. +166298, $15.95, QPR: 90.
3. Laura Hartwig Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 Colchagua: dynamite
tastes and finish, a bit taut right now, cellar for a year, 14% ABV.
+727495, $13.95, QPR: 90.
4. Zilzie Shiraz 2008 Barossa: quality but wavers between "shiraz" and
"syrah" depending on where it lands on your palate. A Gold Medal in a
competition that was "judged with food". 14.5% ABV. Twist top. +58016,
$17.95, QPR: 90.
5. Chateau La Raze Beauvallet 2005 Medoc: good basic Bordeaux with
typical MVC plus some smoke and underbrush. +170316, $16.95, QPR: 90.
6. Domaine Bois Mayaid Saint-Nicolas-de-Bourgueil 2008: gold medal
winner, with very good cabernet franc kick, red fruit tones, best
paired with food. +168971, $15.95, QPR: 90.
7. Mas del Perie Tradition Malbec Cahors 2006: rich and full but
tannic, needs cellaring time. This is what Malbec is like at home in
France, but do try it against a classy Argentine Malbec. +171561,
$18.95, QPR: 90.
8. Frescobaldi Castello di Pomino 2006 Rosso: compelling red fruit
flavours from the blend of pinot noir, sangiovese, and merlot. Longer
food finish and body. +939223, $19.95, QPR: 90
9. Vinha d'Ervideira Colheita Seleccionada 2007 Alentejo: rich and
ripe, smokey, complex enough to give your palate a workout, long
finish. +168773, $15.95, QPR: 90.
VALUE: "RESTAURANT READY" or "BRING YOUR OWN WINE BOTTLE" over $20
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Restaurants should consider offering these FINE VALUE wines at a $10
markup over retail; the wines are READY to enjoy right NOW. Consumers
should buy these wines to bring to restaurants with corkage programs.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Restaurants should consider offering these FINE VALUE wines at a $10
markup over retail; the wines are READY to enjoy right NOW. Consumers
should buy these wines to bring to restaurants with corkage programs.
1. Luca Chardonnay 2008 Uco Valley Mendoza, +167338, $28.95 retail.
2. Kim Crawford Kim's Favourite SP Chardonnay 2007 Gisborne, +90126,
$24.95.
3. Domaine Raoul Gautherin Vaillons Chablis 1er Cru 2007, +159236,
$29.95.
4. Backsberg Pumphouse Shiraz 2006 WO Paarl, +652651, $21.95.
5. Vriesenhof Kallista 2004 WO Stellenbosch, +160093, $27.95.
6. Lan Gran Reserva 2003 Rioja, +928622, $28.95.
2. Kim Crawford Kim's Favourite SP Chardonnay 2007 Gisborne, +90126,
$24.95.
3. Domaine Raoul Gautherin Vaillons Chablis 1er Cru 2007, +159236,
$29.95.
4. Backsberg Pumphouse Shiraz 2006 WO Paarl, +652651, $21.95.
5. Vriesenhof Kallista 2004 WO Stellenbosch, +160093, $27.95.
6. Lan Gran Reserva 2003 Rioja, +928622, $28.95.
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