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Monday, December 6, 2010

Dec 11/10: LCBO Vintages Releases - some Tasting Notes

WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR DECEMBER 11, 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. Anne Boecklin Reserve Gewurztraminer 2008 Alsace: Gold medalist
shows some good dynamics, off-dry, solid contender, 13.5% ABV. +141226,
$17.95, QPR: 90.
2. Vincent Lacombe Bourgogne Vieilles Vignes Chardonnay 2009: a good
basic MVC from burgundy, 13% ABV, well-worth the money. +185645,
$18.95, QPR: 90.
3. Bougrier Signature Vouvray 2009: an original aromatic wine from
Chenin Blanc grapes, shows both orchard and stone fruit. +106880,
$13.95, QPR: 89.
4. McManis Family Vineyards Viognier 2009 California: very juicy,
upfront but developing still, stainless steel. 13.5% ABV. +658112,
$19.95, QPR: 89.
5. Cooper Creek SV The Limeworks Chardonnay 2008 Hawkes Bay: one for
the woodies, needs balancing. +179804, $19.95, QPR: 89.
6. Eikendal Vineyards Reserve Chardonnay 2008 WO Stellenbosch: 14% ABV,
MVC, and wood in balance, vanilla. Expressive. +984773, $18.95, QPR:
90.
 

TOP VALUE RED WINES under $20 or so.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
1. Château de Gourgazaud Reserve 2006 Minervois: needs more time to
evolve, but the potential is there as a sort-of combo Bordeaux and
Rhone wine (with the fruit, anyway). Value. +986083, $17.95, QPR; 90.
2. De Martino Legado Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 Maipo: good
varietal character, wood tones. The three Cs: complicated,
concentrated, and currently drinking. +205674, $14.95, QPR: 90.
3. Domenico Filippino Nebbiolo 2007 Langhe: great version of a light
Barolo, aged nicely, 13.5% ABV. Long finish. +184952, $15.95, QPR: 91.
4. Juan Gil White Label de Cepas Viejas Monastrell 2009 Jumilla: some
undergrowth, fungal quality shines, toasty, full and warm. +13656,
$14.95, QPR: 90.
5. Bodegas Terras Gauda Pittacum Barrica 2006 Bierzo: black fruit, some
Spanish garrigue tones, soft finish. 60 year old vines. 14.5% ABV.
+190751, $18.95, QPT: 90.
6. Vina Vilanco Crianza 2006 Ribero del Duero: the highlight of the
month, great price, buy it! Delicious, toasty wood, jump-up fruit of
Tempranillo at MVC consistency. +190777, $14.95, QPR: 93.
 
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. Cliff Lede Sauvignon Blanc 2009 Napa, +675025, $29.95 retail.
2. Fog Crest Chardonnay 2006 Russian River Valley, +211292, $47.95.
3. Domaine Marteket de Cherisey Meursault-Blagny La Genelotte 1er Cru
2007, +206250, $74.95
4. Jean-Marc Brocard Chablis Montmains 1er cru 2008, +983882, $33.95.
5. Domaine Besancenot Beaune Clos du Roi 1er Cru 2006, +183772, $32.95.
6. Domaine Chante Cigale Tradition Chateauneuf du Pape 2007, +194993,
$37.95.
7. Beringer Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 Napa, +149955,
$119.95.
8. Corte Riva Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 Napa/Sonoma County blend, +89318,
$77.95.
9. Trapiche Fausto Orellana de Escobar Single Vineyard Malbec 2007
Mendoza, +178145, $39.95.
10. Gemma Giblin Riserva Barolo 2001, +185025, $37.95.
11. Il Poggione Riserva Vigna Paganelli Brunello di Montalcino 2003,
+198416, $59.95.
12. Baron de Ley Gran Reserva 2001 Rioja, +642496, $29.95.
 

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