WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR SEPTEMBER 15, 2012

WORLD WINE WATCH (LCBO VINTAGES TIP SHEET) FOR SEPTEMBER 15, 2012
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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 Internet compendium
"Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net" is a guide to thousands of news
items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits, at
www.deantudor.com since 1994. 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 normally available for a re-tasting.

 

======>>>> ** BEST WINE OF THE RELEASE *UNDER* $20

 

White – Domaine Jacky Marteau Sauvignon Touraine 2011, a bargain savvy
with herbs galore. +745349, $12.95, QPR: 91.

 

Red – Chateau d'Angles Grand Vin 2007 Languedoc La Clape: very good
mid-palate notes, long length, well-aged, 14.5% ABV. South of France
herbs and spices all the way. +286492, $19.95, QPR: 91.

 

======>>>> ** BEST WINE OF THE RELEASE *OVER* $20

 

Burgess Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 Estate Vineyards Napa, +291914, $37.95.

 

TOP VALUE WHITE WINES under $20 or so.
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1. 2017 Falls Vineyard Riesling 2011 VQA Vinemount Ridge: typical
Riesling MVC at a sterling pricepoint. Expect grapefruit, minerals,
some peaches. +294041, $18.95, QPR: 89.
2. Coffin Ridge Bone Dry Riesling 2011 VQA Ontario: from Bruce-Grey,
very good quality, an extra dry riesling with a bit of a bite. Needs
food. 11.9% ABV. +232744, $17, QPR: 89.
3. Lailey Vineyard Chardonnay 2010 VQA Niagara: honestly made well-
balanced, plush Chardonnay with kisses of oak and a lemony custard
finish. +193482, $19.95, QPR: 89.
4. Lakeview Cellars Reserve Riesling 2011 Roller Vineyards VQA Lincoln
Lakeshore: refreshing, extremely useful Riesling, 12.5% ABV, with all
the MVC. +294074, $16.95, QPR: 89.
5. Sebastiani Chardonnay 2010 Sonoma County: a very good in-your-face
California chardonnay, toasty finish, 13.5% ABV. +30791, $17.95, QPR:
89.
6. Domaine Seguinot-Bordet Chablis 2010: good definitive Chablis
character at this price point, 12.5% ABV, with minerality, fruity
flint, and unoaked. +289371, $19.95, QR: 89.
7. Martin Codax Burgans Albarino 2010 Rias Baixas: Burgans must be
Spanish for "bargains", as this is easily one of the better affordable
Albarinos around, with its peachy aromatic fruit forwardness. 12.5%
ABV. Twist top. +945063, $17.95, QPR: 89.

 

TOP VALUE RED WINES under $20 or so.
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1.Featherstone Cabernet Franc 2010 VQA Niagara: tannic finish, tight,
but herby nonetheless, 13% ABV. Could be juicier after cellaring.
+6468, $16.95, QPR: 89.
2. Wildass Red 2009 VQA Niagara: juicy sipper or with food from
Stratus, good mix of fruit and wood, a winemaker's treasure and
delight. Twist top, 13% ABV. +86363, $19.95, QPR: 89.
3. Chakana Maipe Reserve Malbec 2010 Mendoza: delicious balanced fruit,
14% ABV, matured in French oak. +247320, $17.95, QPR: 89.
4. Koyle Reserva Syrah 2009 Colchagua Valley Chile: very North Rhonish
with plump upfront syrah tones. 14% ABV. +273961, $15.95, QPR: 89.
5. The Black Chook Shiraz/Viognier 2010 McLaren Vale: surefire winner
of Parker points at 90 or over since 2003, great track record, twist
top, 14.5% ABV. What's not to like? +66738, $17.95, QPR: 89.
6. Chateau de Millegrand Minervois 2010: Gold Medalist, very good
balance, North American appeal of sweet oak. +288944, $16.95, QPR: 89.
7. Ferraton Pere & Fils Plan de Dieu Cotes du Rhone-Villages 2009: very
good consistency, 214.5% ABV, BBQ wine, simple North Rhone style.
+74229, $15.95, QPR: 89.
8. Azul Portugal Vinho Tinto 2007 Bairrada: modestly priced dense wine,
well-aged, delicious fruit, 13% ABV. +292060, $12.95, QPR: 89.

 

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.

 

1. Bachelder Niagara Chardonnay 2010 VQA Niagara, +302083, $29.95
retail.
2. Closson Chase Closson Chase Vineyard Chardonnay 2009 VQA PEC,
+148866, $29.95.
3.Rolly Gassmann Stegreben de Rorschwihr Gewurztraminer 2009 Alsace,
+289439, $27.95.
4. Domaine Michel Caillot Meursault 2009, +281139, $42.95.
5. Roland Tessier & Fils Sancerre 2011, +10851, $20.95.
6. Henry of Pelham Reserve Pinot Noir 2007 VQA Niagara, +268391,
$24.95.
7. Bodegas LAN Reserva 2007 Rioja, +42929, $21.95.
8. Thomas Fogarty Lexington Meritage 2006 Santa Cruz Mountains, +83352,
$49.95.
9. Charles Cimicky The Autograph Shiraz 2008 Barossa, +27326, $34.95.
10. Gemma Barolo 2007, +285502, $29.95.
11. Ruffino Ducale Oro Chianti Classico Riserva 2007, +353201, $43.95.
12. Michele Castellani Colle Cristi Amarone della Valpolicella Classico
2007, +222109, $44.95.

Chimo!  www.deantudor.com