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Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Sept 18/10 LCBO Vintages Release Tasting Notes

WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR SEPT 18, 2010
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
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. Henry of Pelham Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 2007 VQA Niagara
Escarpment: terrific balance of fruit and wood, vanilla, spices. Puts
the plank back into salmon, etc. +268342, $19.95, QPR: 90.
2. Tawse Sketches of Niagara Chardonnay 2008 VQA Niagara Peninsula: a
smart wine with lots of fruit and longer length. +89037, $19.95, QPR:
90.
3. Chateau des Charmes Old Vines Riesling 2007 VQA NOTL: very
successful Alsatian style, loaded with concentration. +277228, $16.95,
QPR: 90.
4. Alamos Chardonnay 2009 Mendoza: useful and youthful, hits all the
right buttons. +801571, $13.95, QPR: 89.
5. Chateau du Juge Blanc 2008 Bordeaux: lovely MVC of sauvignon blanc
and Semillon, balance. +171082, $15.95, QPR: 90.
 
TOP VALUE RED WINES under $20 or so.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Vinecol Organic Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 Mendoza: MVC consistency,
off-dry finish, plumy but red fruit. +167270, $13.95, QPR: 89.
2. Ringbolt Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 Margaret River: excellent fruit
set, lovely persistent finish. It engaged me. +606624, $19.95, QPR: 90.
3. The Ruins Syrah/Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 WO Robertson SA: anoher
organic wine winner, good hit of Rhone Syrah here. Twist top. 14.8%
ABV. +18739, $14.95, QPR: 91.
4. Bod. Corral Don Jacobo Crianza 2005 Rioja: nicely aged, rich and
raisiny, plumy and pruney too. Delightful MVC Rioja. +937714, $13.95,
QPR: 91.
 
VALUE: "RESTAURANT READY" or "BRING YOUR OWN WINE BOTTLE" over $20
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
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. Le Clos Jordanne Talon Ridge Vineyard Chardonnay 2008 VQA, +143974,
$37 retail.
2. Cave Spring CSV Cave Spring Vineyard Riesling 2008 VQA, +566026,
$29.95 retail.
3. Landmark Overlook Chardonnay 2008 Sonoma, +356501, $32.95 retail.
4. Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Karia Chardonnay 2007 Napa, +54585, $37.95.
5. Buoncristiani O.P.C. 2006 Napa, +196063, $47.95.
6. Ferrari-Carano Tresor 2006 Sonoma, +928150, $59.95.
7. Robert Sinskey Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 Vandal Vineyard Napa,
+196048, $39.95.
8. Dom. Jean-Marc Brocard Cote de Lechet Chablis 1er Cru 2008, +181305,
$26.95,
9. Chateau Barateau 2005 Haut-Medoc, +170282, $23.95
10. Antinori Castello Della Sala Bramito Del Cervo Chardonnay 2009
Umbria, +176792, $21.95.
11. San Biagio Montersino Barbaresco 2006, +181370, $34.95.
12. Banfi Brunello di Montalcino 2004, +378257, $59.95.
13. San Fabiano Calcinaia Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 Toscana IGT, +181420,
$22.95.
14. Descendientes de J. Palacios Petalos 2008 Bierzo Spain, +675207,
$21.95.
 
 

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