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Wednesday, May 6, 2015

The Event: California Wine Fair 2015 Tour, April in Toronto

The Date and Time: Monday, April 13, 2015  1Pm to 5:30 PM
The Event: California Wine Fair 2015 Tour
The Venue: Fairmont Royal York
The Target Audience: wine trade
The Availability/Catalogue: everything seemed to be available through the LCBO channels or as private orders, consignments, etc.
The Quote/Background: I did not taste every wine, but we did have a media room where it was quiet enough to do some tasting beyond sampling. At appropriate moments, I ventured into the main hall to taste some whites and then some reds.
The Wines:
 
**** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Davis Bynum Chardonnay 2013 Russian River   Mark Anthony
-Robert Mondavi Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon To Kalon Oakville 2011 Napa Constellation
-Acacia Chardonnay 2013 Carneros   Diageo
-Far Niente Chardonnay 2013 Oakville   Noble Estates
-Gloria Ferrer Sonoma Brut NV, $27.95 Airen
-Heitz Martha's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 Napa Oakville   Lifford
-La Crema Chardonnay 2012 Russian River   B & W
-Silver Oak Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 Napa   Halpern
-Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon FAY 2011 Napa   Profile
-Beringer Knights Valley Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 Napa  TWE
 
***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Heitz Martha's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 Napa Oakville  Lifford
-Rodney Strong Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 Sonoma County  Mark Anthony
-Rodney Strong Brothers 2011 Alexander $99.95  Mark Anthony
-Carol Shelton Rockpile Rocky Reserve Zinfandel 2011 Sonoma, +394510, $48
-Siduri Pinot Noir 2012 Sonoma Coast, +253369, $50
-Dunn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 Napa, +193896, $95
-Artesa Chardonnay 2013 Carneros Woodman
-Benziger Tribute 2012 Sonoma Mountain   Charton Hobbs
-Copain Kiser en Haut Pinot Noir 2012 Anderson  Barrel Select
-Pine Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon Estate 2012 Napa  Lifford
-Daou Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 Paso Robles  The Vine
-Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 Alexander Valley  Kirkwood
-Domaine Chandron Rose NV  Charton-Hobbs
-William Hill Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 Napa   Gallo
-Geyser Peak Walking Tree Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 Alexander  Mondia
-Halter Ranch Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 Paso Robles    Trialto
-Peju Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 Napa   Le Sommelier
-Schug Pinot Noir 2013 Carneros  Lifford
-Signorello Estate Padrone 2012 Napa  Profile
-Silver Oak Cellars Twomey Merlot 2010 Napa  Halpern
-Somerstron Estate Priest Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 Napa   Profile
-St. Supery Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2014 Napa Von Terra
-Chateau St.Jean Cinq Cepages Merlot 2011 Sonoma  TWE
-Stag's Leap Winery Chardonnay 2013 Napa   TWE
-Etude Lyric Pinot Noir 2013 Carneros   TWE
-Trinchero Family Estates Merlot 2010 Napa   Dandurand
-Kenwood Chardonnay 2013 Sonoma     Rogers
-Crossbarn by Paul Hobbs Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 Napa   Authentic
 
*** GOOD -- Three Stars (85 – 87 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Rodney Strong Chardonnay 2012 Sonoma County  Mark Anthony
-Ca'Momi Zinfandel 2012 Napa Kylix
-Cline Cellars Zinfandel Ancient Vines 2013 North Coast  Vinexx
-Grgich Hills Estate Chardonnay 2012 Napa $55.95 Rogers
-Wente Vineyards Morning Fog Chardonnay 2013 Livermore   Churchill
-Paul Hobbs Pinot Noir 2012 Russian River  Authentic
-Pedroncelli Zinfandel 2012 Dry Creek Valley  Kylix
-Waterstone Winery Pinot Noir 2012 Carneros   Small Winemakers
-Rutherford Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 Napa   Majestic
-Buena Vista The Count's Red Blend 2012 Sonoma  Tandem
 
The Food: terrines, cheeses, breads.
The Downside: it was difficult to challenge the large and loud crowds.
The Upside: the media room was quiet.
The Contact Person: paula@praxispr.ca
The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 87.

Chimo! www.deantudor.com

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