WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for JANUARY 21, 2023 release. By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com. My "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits, has been at http://www.deantudor.com since 1994. These notes for good wines available through LCBO Vintages (on a bi-weekly basis) can always be found at http://www.gothicepicures.blogspot.ca or at http://www.deantudor.com No winery can buy their way into – or out of – this publication. Scores are a combination of MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Southern Rhone would taste like a Southern Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace above or below its price). Currently, the wine media have no access to the tasting samples usually provided to us in the LCBO lab on a fortnightly basis. This will go on for some time. HOWEVER, the wine media will still have access to the advance spreadsheet of the wines to be released. So I know what is to be released and when. SOME (but not many) of these 100 or so biweekly released wines I have recently tasted since January 2020 or so, and I can comfortably recommend them based on this prior sampling. ** Some Proseccos I Tasted Over the Past While --- ONE -- The Date and Time: Tuesday October 11, 2022 10:30AM - 4PM The Event: Milano Wine Week International Masterclass Program The Venue: Aria Ristorante, 25 York Street The Target Audience: sommeliers, wine agents, wine media The Availability/Catalogue: There were two wineries involved, one with an Ontario agent – VALDO (Wine Online) and MASSOTINA. The Quote/Background: The first seminar was a web show presentation seminar from Italy, “From Veneto to Friuli: exploring different terroirs and wine styles” by VALDO winery (a Bolla company) with various speakers such as their chief winemaker Gianfranco Zanon and Matteo Bolla. The second seminar was a blind tasting of six MASOTTINA wines, in “Exploring Prosecco styles and terroir”. It too was a web show, but with participation in Milan, London, New York and Toronto. Both seminars had simultaneous translations when needed. Cristina Mercuri with Filippo Bartolotta spoke on the wines, with emphasis on: Brut/Extra Dry is just a question of dosage and taste? The Wines: The six Masottina Proseccos were two different samples (Brut and Extra Dry) of three wine levels: Rive di Ogliano, Contrada Granda, and Calmaggiore, all Glera. But with different terroirs **** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms): -Valdo Cuvee 1926 Prosecco Valdobbiadene DOCG Extra Dry 16g/L RS, 90Glera/10Chardonnay -Valdo Elevantum Rose Prosecco DOC Brut 11.5g/L RS, 90Glera/10PinotNoir [MY FAVE] -Masottina Collezione RDO Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Rive di Ogliano DOCG Levante Extra Dry Millesimato. 13.5g/L all Glera [ANOTHER MY FAVE] -Masottina Collezione Contrada Granda Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Brut 10g/L all Glera -Masottina Collezione Contrada Granda Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Extra Dry 14g/L all Glera -Masottina Collezione Calmaggiore Prosecco DOC Treviso Brut 10g/L all Glera ***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms): -Valdo Amor Soli Prosecco Valdobbiadene DOCG Bio Brut 2021 10g/L RS, all Glera -Valdo Tenuta La Maredana Prosecco DOC Brut 9g/L RS, 85Glera/15PinotNoir $21.99 -Valdo Prosecco Cuvee I Magredi Extra Dry DOC Extra Dry 15g/L RS, all Glera $18.99 -Masottina Collezione RDO Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Rive di Ogliano DOCG Ponente Brut Millesimato. 6G/L all Glera -Masottina Collezione Calmaggiore Prosecco DOC Treviso Extra Dry 14g/L all Glera The Contact Person: Benedetta Marassi b.marassi@ice.it TWO -- The Date and Time: Monday November 21, 2022 10:30A to noon The Event: A tasting of Conegliano Valdobbiadene: the heart of Prosecco Superiore DOCG The Venue: SIPS, Maud Street The Target Audience: wine media and sommeliers (over two dozen in all) The Availability/Catalogue: this was a masterclass of higher-end Prosecco wines. These wines were generally not yet available for sale in Ontario, except as specified. The Quote/Background: Jennifer Huether, MS, was our speaker today, and she ran over the basics of what this Italian region was all about. The hills of CV are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. All of the wine made in this DOCG is white; 93% of the wine made here is sparkling. Two sub-regions produce the best Prosecco – Rive and Cartizze. The Martinotti Method (a variation of Charmat) is prescibed. While not every farmed area is organic, glyphosate has been totally banned and growers are moving toward a green sustainability. The overall top quality Proseccos come from these two regions of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene, both located between Venice and the Dolomites...and these are at the DOCG level. 105 million bottles are produced every year. Each bottle should have wine that is 85% Glera grape at a minimum, with 15% maximum allowable for other grapes such as pinot nero, chardonnay, and any of some four local varieties. Pronunciation was basically straightforward: val-doh-bee-ahhh-deh-ne The Wines: There were 9 wines, and in general I really enjoyed the dryer ones. Each wine had about 11.5% ABV. **** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms): -L'Antica Quercia Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Brut Nature Sui Lieviti “A” 2020 [organic wine, on lees, bone dry at 0g/L residual sugar] -Frassinelli Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Extra Brut Rive di Santa Maria di Feletto 2021 [1.5g/L residual sugar, modest finish] -Canevel Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Brut Biologico Campofalco Monfalcon Vineyard 2021 [90% glera, 10% verdiso, extended Charmat storage] -Bottega Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Extra Dry “Il Vino dei Poeti” [16-18 g/L RS, Noble Estates agency] -Col Vetoraz Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Extra Dry [16g/L RS, finishes drier, savoury] ***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms): -Sommariva Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Brut [9g/L RS, jes peachy with some lemon peel] -Ruggeri Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Brut Quartese [9g/L RS] -Perlage Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Extra Dry Col di Manza [16g/L RS] -Marsuret Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Extra Dry Il Soller [16g/L RS] The Contact Person: lisa@androscom.com ** Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO’s Limited Time Offers selections...these are good value...on sale now through Sunday January 29... W+258681 G. Marquis Chardonnay VQA The Silver Line $18.95 now $17.20 – save $1.75 W+462846 Columbia Crest Grand Estates Chardonnay Wash. State $18.95 now $16.95 -- save $2 R+30957 Concha Y Toro Winemaker's Lot 148 Carmenere Chile $19.95 now $16.95 -- save $3 R+360222 Ste Michelle Seven Falls Cabernet Sauvignon Wash. State $23.95 now $20.95-- save $3 R+258673 G. Marquis Pinot Noir VQA The Silver Line $19.95 now $17.95 – save $2 R+328567 Cathedral Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon South Africa $18.95 now $16.95 -- save $2 MAJOR THEME: California's Key Regions Wines Under $20 ========= W+492462 PELEE ISLAND WINERY VINEDRESSERS CHARDONNAY 2017 Ontario Vegan, sustainable, VQA South Islands, Lake Erie North Shore $17.95 MVC/QPR: 92. W+27626 FONTANAFREDDA CHARDONNAY 2021 Piedmont Vegan, sustainable, DOC Langhe $18.95 MVC/QPR: 89. R+273672 STORIA ANTICA SUPERIORE VALPOLICELLA RIPASSO 2020 Veneto DOC $18.95 MVC/QPR: 89. R+488015 QUINTA DO ESPÍRITO SANTO 2018 Lisboa Vinho Regional Lisboa $14.95 MVC/QPR: 89. Wines Over $20 ========= R+213132 LA PIEVE BAROLO 2018 Piedmont DOCG $39.95 MVC/QPR: 89. R+328385 COLCHESTER RIDGE CREW CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019 Ontario VQA Lake Erie North Shore $24.95 MVC/QPR: 89. R+26094 DELHEIM GRAND RESERVE 2017 Stellenbosch WO Stellenbosch $29.95 MVC/QPR: 89. Fizz+294181 ROEDERER ESTATE BRUT SPARKLING Anderson Valley, Mendocino, California $44.95 MVC/QPR: 90 Sherry+28617 LUSTAU RIO VIEJO OLOROSO Jerez DO, Spain $25.70 MVC/QPR: 90 Dean Tudor, Prof Emeritus T'karonto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson) School of Journalism Treasurer of Wine Writers' Circle of Canada http://www.deantudor.com http://gothicepicures.blogspot.com https://twitter.com/gothicepicures WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for JAN 7, 2023 release. By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com. My "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits, has been at http://www.deantudor.com since 1994. These notes for good wines available through LCBO Vintages (on a bi-weekly basis) can always be found at http://www.gothicepicures.blogspot.ca or at http://www.deantudor.com No winery can buy their way into – or out of – this publication. Scores are a combination of MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Southern Rhone would taste like a Southern Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace above or below its price). Currently, the wine media have no access to the tasting samples usually provided to us in the LCBO lab on a fortnightly basis. This will go on for some time. HOWEVER, the wine media will still have access to the advance spreadsheet of the wines to be released. So I know what is to be released and when. SOME (but not many) of these 100 or so biweekly released wines I have recently tasted since January 2020 or so, and I can comfortably recommend them based on this prior sampling. ** Some New Wines I Tasted Over the Past Season --- RECENT AND DECENT TASTING NOTES FOR SOME PAYS D'OC IGP WINES... 1.Gerard Bertrand Perles de Grenache Rose 2021 Pays D'Oc IGP Vintages 556209 $18.95: fresh, very fragrant with fruity elegance. The pale salmon colour was phenomenal, and very typical of South of France roses. All grenache grapes. Scored highly by the Wine Writers' Circle of Canada (over 90 points). Very dry, with residual sugar at 2 g/L. On the palate, strawberries dominate. A very good quaffer for parties, or for a wine pairing with fish and broiled foods. 12.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 2.Domaine de La Baume Elisabeth Viognier 2021 Pays D'Oc IGP Vintages 438796 $18.95: fresh stone fruit tones abound with peaches and apricots leading to a citric long finish. Cold fermentation done up in steel, with peachy aromas. We had it with squash soup and a roast (both poultry and pork). Dee-licious. But also good as an aperitif. 2g/L residual sugar. 14.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 92 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 3.Gabriel Meffre Le Fat Bastard Chardonnay 2021 Pays D'Oc IGP LCBO 563130 $15: a very satisfying and easy-breezy quaff on the LCBO's general wine list. Nutty butters on palate, some pear decadence, nuances of vanilla bean from a partial oak aging. No malolactic fermentation. Elegant balanced finish with good food depth. 2g/L residual sugar. 13% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 4.Fortant Terroir d'Altitude Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 Pays D'Oc IGP LCBO 17535 $15.45: made from hillside grapevines (250 – 600 metres). Complex cassis and pumpkin spices, along with forest floor mushrooms and some garrigue. Black fruit and long finish dominates. Aged four months in French oak. Perhaps best with grilled or broiled foods. 2g/L residual sugar. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 5.Sarl Le Loup Blanc Soif du Loup Rouge 2019 Pays D'Oc IGP Vintages 20955 $19.95: a combo of cabernet sauvignon and syrah, but extra-dry (unlike the Oz combo of cabernet and shiraz). “Soif du Loup” in English means “thirst of the wolf”. Here there are 35-year old vines, and red fruit with spices and minerality dominates. This is an organic wine, great as an all-purpose food red. 2 g/L residual sugar. 13.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. SOME NEW WINES FROM THE LOIRE VALLEY IN FRANCE..... 1.Chateau de Montgueret Cremant de Loire NV AOC Brut. LCBO +217760 $20.95: this has long been one of my fave French Cremants, done up in the same traditional method as Champagne. Not only has it been a gold medalist in Europe, but it has also been rated just as highly at the annual Wine Writers' Circle of Canada Christmas tastings. It uses chenin blanc, chardonnay and some cabernet grapes. Hand-picked, as a condition of its Cremant status. Very fine, persistent bubbles, with 1g/L residual sugar, aged 15-18 months, smooth and well-balanced. Expect to find a generous mix of green herbs, honey, citrus, with some orchard fruit on the back end before a lime finish. 12.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 92 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 2.Domaine Bouchaud Pont Caffino Chateau Thebaud Muscadet Sevre et Maine Sure Lie 2014 +24613 $25.95 Internet Order Online: a rare find – an over-the-top higher acid Muscadet that pairs with ANY style of seafood. Despite its age, it is still in that light and crisp and fresh category. Made from 80-year-old vines which emphasize citrus tones on the mid-palate. Most fruit is citric but there are also some crisp melons lurking there. Ripe, dry, clean finish. 12% ABV, 2g/L residual sugar. Top flight luxury packaging plus a cork closure. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 3.Famille Bougrier Vouvray Chenin Blanc 2020 LCBO +253229 $15.55: Vouvrays can be dry or off-sweet; this one is in the latter category and serves nicely as an aperitif with food or as a first course wine with some appropriate creamy dish. Pale in colour, unoaked. It's a nicely done affordable typical Vouvray, with an off-dry complexity in the honeyed finish. The fruit bowl contains quince aromas, pear and orchard/stone fruit such as apricots and peaches. My sample went very well with salted nuts (cashews and pistachios) and smoked gorgonzola cheese. 12% ABV, 36g/L residual sugar. Screwcap twist-off closure. Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. NEW WINES FROM ALSACE IN FRANCE... 1.Domaine Alliman-Laugner Cremant d'Alsace Brut NV +30593 Vintages $23.95: this is an elegant aperitif wine beginning with aromatic florals on the nose and continuing with apples and lemons on the mid-palate, and with a refreshingly tart length to the finish. For what it is worth, it costs more in the USA (nationally at retail). The grape blend is pinot blanc, pinot gris, and riesling. The lemon zest at the finish also makes it very useful as a first course wine. Under the new Alsatian rules, it is labelled “sec”, or dry. 6g/L residual sugar. 12.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 2.Wilm Riesling 2020 Reserve Alsace +11452 Vintages Essential $19.95 [on sale until Jan 1 @ $18.45]: This is a “welcome back” wine as Alsatian wine makes a comeback from being over-the-top sweet whites due to climate change. At 5g/L residual sugar it is virtually dry, noted “sec” on the back label. Its big body is citric and floral with some juniper, even some nuances of anise. Compelling with sushi, shellfish, fish, and poultry. 12.5% ABV. Twist-off closure. Quality/Price rating is 92 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 3.Pierre Sparr Gewurztraminer 2020 Grand Reserve Alsace +747600 Vintages $20.95: this wine gives a big bang for the buck: rose petals, tropicality, pear unctuousness, with “sweetness and spice on finish”. Remarkable with sushi, spicy dishes, foie gras and/or terrines. With such a great body, it should be more intense and flavourful after five more years. “Grande Reserve” indeed. With 16g/L residual sugar, this wine is at the low end of “moelleux” (12 – 45 g/L). 14% ABV. Tasted chilled over several days. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. ** Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO’s Limited Time Offers selections...these are good value...on sale now through Sunday January 29... W+258681 G. Marquis Chardonnay VQA The Silver Line $18.95 now $17.20 – save $1.75 W+462846 Columbia Crest Grand Estates Chardonnay Wash. State $18.95 now $16.95 -- save $2 R+30957 Concha Y Toro Winemaker's Lot 148 Carmenere Chile $19.95 now $16.95 -- save $3 R+360222 Ste Michelle Seven Falls Cabernet Sauvignon Wash. State $23.95 now $20.95-- save $3 R+258673 G. Marquis Pinot Noir VQA The Silver Line $19.95 now $17.95 – save $2 R+328567 Cathedral Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon South Africa $18.95 now $16.95 -- save $2 MAJOR THEME: Smart Buys ========= W+645770 VITESE GRILLO 2020 Sicily DOC Sicilia $14.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+25639 VIÑA SIEGEL GRAN RESERVA CARMENÈRE 2019 Valle de Colchagua $15.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+471854 RIOJA VEGA CRIANZA 2019 Vegan, DOCa Rioja $15.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+492470 VINEDRESSERS CABERNET SAUVIGNON/PETIT VERDOT 2016 Ontario Vegan, sustainable, VQA South Islands, Lake Erie North Shore $19.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+27207 CONO SUR ORGANIC GRAN RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019 Vegan, carbon neutral, DO Valle de Colchagua $18.95 MVC/QPR: 89 Wines Over $20 ========= R+496414 CASALFORTE AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA 2018 Veneto DOCG $39.95 MVC/QPR: 89 WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for DECEMBER 17, 2022 release. By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com. My "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits, has been at http://www.deantudor.com since 1994. These notes for good wines available through LCBO Vintages (on a bi-weekly basis) can always be found at http://www.gothicepicures.blogspot.ca or at http://www.deantudor.com No winery can buy their way into – or out of – this publication. Scores are a combination of MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Southern Rhone would taste like a Southern Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace above or below its price). Currently, the wine media have no access to the tasting samples usually provided to us in the LCBO lab on a fortnightly basis. This will go on for some time. HOWEVER, the wine media will still have access to the advance spreadsheet of the wines to be released. So I know what is to be released and when. SOME (but not many) of these 100 or so biweekly released wines I have recently tasted since January 2020 or so, and I can comfortably recommend them based on this prior sampling. ** Some New Wines I Tasted Over the Past Month or so --- The Date and Time: Wednesday October 19 2022 2P - 9P The Event: STEM Wine Group Family of Wines Portfolio Tasting 2022 (Toronto) The Venue: Globe and Mail Centre 17th Floor The Target Audience: private clients, restaurants, wine media The Availability/Catalogue: everything was available by the case. There were over 250 wines, beers and spirits from 60 producers, 40 of them from Italy. Each had a page describing the attributes of their winery, and a page or so of illustrated labels with grape and vineyard designations, and prices per bottle. Over 40 suppliers sent representatives to show off their wines and guide tasters from behind their tables. The Quote/Background: For two years in a row, Stem Wine Group has been the number one Consignment Agency in Ontario. The wine tasting was extremely popular and got very crowded very early. I arrived at 2PM and stayed for two hours. The Wines: I did not (could not) taste every wine. What follows are highly recommended wines arrived at by my eclectic wanderings. I did not try beers or spirits. **** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms): -Tombacco Pecorino IGT Terre di Chieti Abruzzo 2020 $15.99 -Villabella Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG 2017 $64.99 -Villabella Fracastoro Riserva Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG 2012 $74.99 -Zyme Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG 2017 $189.99 -Corteaura Franciacorta Brut DOCG $37.99 -Corteaura Franciacorta Rose DOCG $42.99 -Corteaura Franciacorta Pas Dose DOCG $46.99 [my fave fizz of the day] -Ronco del Gelso Siet Vignis Chardonnay DOC 2020 Friuli Isonzo $32.99 -460 Casina Bric Sparkling Nebbiolo d'Alba Brut Rose $33.99 -460 Casina Bric Nebbiolo d'Alba Spumante Brut Rose Magnum Metodo Classico 1.5 litre bottle $144.99 -Gaja Rossj Bass Langhe DOP 2021 $119.99 -Gaja Barbaresco DOC 2019 $369.99 -Camarcanda Bolgheri DOP 2019 $269.99 -Masciarelli Marina Cvetic Cabernet Swauvignon 2017 Colline Teatine IGT Abruzzo $84.99 -Mandrarossa Passito di Pantelleria DOC 2020 $59.99 -Daniel Chotard Sancerre Blanc AOC 2020 $33.99 -La Manufacture “Blanchat” Chablis Grand Cru AOP 2019 $139.99 -Cassetania Cava Brut Reserva $21.99 -Citation Cornerstone Un-Oaked Chardonnay Willamette Valley OR 2017 $24.99 -Citation Pinot Noir Oregon 2006 $119.99 -Citation Chardonnay Oregon 2015 $59.99 -Precision Adorn Chardonnay California 2019 $16.99 -Grand Napa Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 $114.99 -Grand Napa Heir Apparent Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 $159.99 -Grand Napa Heir Apparent Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 $139.99 -Husic Chardonnay Sonoma Coast 2018 $99.99 -Husic Palm Terrace Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2016 $139.99 -Husic Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2016 $199.99 -Bella Terra Fume Blanc Corus Vineyard VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake $34.95 -Bella Terra Barrel Fermented Chardonnay Four Mile Creek 2018 VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake $39.95 ***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms): -Anno Domini Diamond Vino Spumante Rosato Bio Vegan $18.99 -Anno Domini Moscato IGT Veneto Frizzante $15.99 -Delibori Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Superiore DOCG 2017 $42.99 -Forchir Famiglia Bianchini Ribolla Gialla IGT 2021 $21.99 -Azienda Agricola Inama Vin Soave Classico DOC $24.99 -Ca' del Baio Autinbej Barbaresco DOCG 2019 $49.99 -Il Borro Toscana Lamelle Chardonnay IGT 2021 $34.99 -Feudi di San Gregorio Taurasi DOCG 2017 $54.99 -Daniel Chotard Sancerre Rouge AOC 2020 $44.99 -La Manufacture Petit Chablis AOP 2020 $34.99 -La Manufacture “Forets” Chablis Premier Cru AOP 2020 $59.99 -Vina Bujanda Petra de Valpiedra DO Rioja 2018 $79.99 -Cassetania Cava Gran Reserva 2018 $29.99 -Precision Calculated Chardonnay California 2021 $18.99 -Grand Napa Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 $84.99 -Husic Palm Terrace Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2017 $139.99 -Bella Terra Sparkling Brut VQA Niagara Peninsula 2020 $24.95 -Bella Terra Sauvignon Blanc Corus Vineyard VQA Niagara Peninsula 2021 $19.95 -Bella Terra Wild Ferment Riesling Four Mile Creek 2019 VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake $24.95 The Food: In the tasting room itself there was a scooped-out half-wheel of Parmigiano Reggiano with chunks of cheese. Outside, there were four stations: Grano Duro pasta by hand with elbow rigatoni ragu and polenta-filled twisted bows (culurgiones); Tutto Pronto with eggplant parmigiano and mozzarella sliders, truffled sauteed mushrooms on grilled crostini, and artichoke crostini with lemon ricotta; Mattachioni supplied a brilliant porchetta bun with pepperoncini; Francobello did a butternut squash risotto with peas and mushrooms. Rufino Espresso provided the coffee, while GP8 provided the bottled oxygen water. The Downside: lots of people, lots of chatter, and the 160 page catalogue was enormously heavy to play with (but useful, of course!). The Upside: a chance to re-connect with Stem and some of its producers who I have not seen for three years. The Contact Person: tania@stemwinegroup.com The Event’s Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 93. ** Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO’s Limited Time Offers selections...these are good value...on sale now through Sunday January 1, 2023 -- Fizz+224766 Chateau des Charmes Brut Methode Traditionelle normally $25.95 now $21.95 save $4 Fizz+48793 L.Bouillot Perle D'Aurore Rose Cremant Bourg normally $23.95 now $21.95 save $2 Fizz+370361 Tawse Riesling Sparkling Limestone Ridge VQA normally $21.95 now $19.95 save $2 Fizz+147504 13th Street Cuvee Rose Brut VQA normally $29.95 now $26.95 save $3 Fizz+687582 S. Margherita Prosecco Di Valdobbiadene Brut normally $20.95 now $18.95 save $2 White+608653 Sonoma-Cutrer Chardonnay Russian River Ranches normally $29.95 now $26.95 save $3 Red+413179 Zenato Amarone Classico Valpolicella normally $54.95 now $49.95 save $5 Red+149237 The Foreign Affair The Conspiracy Ripasso Style VQA normally $19.95 now $16.95 save $3 Splurge+708982 Stag's Leap Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon normally $89.95 now $84.95 save $5 Splurge+996405 Stags' Leap Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon normally $69.95 now $64.95 save $5 MAJOR THEME: Pop, sparkle, sip: Celebration Wines Wines Under $20 [of what I tasted, none to recommend] ========= Wines Over $20 ========= W+707950 ATTEMS PINOT GRIGIO 2021 DOC Friuli $20.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+638312 FONTANAFREDDA LANGHE NEBBIOLO 2020 Piedmont DOC $20.95 MVC/QPR: 90 R+426833 COLCHESTER RIDGE CREW MERITAGE 2018 VQA Lake Erie North Shore $21.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+73817 RUTHERFORD RANCH CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019 Napa Valley $43.95 MVC/QPR: 89 Fizz+53215 BELCANTO DI BELLUSSI SPECIAL CUVÉE EXTRA DRY PROSECCO DI VALDOBBIADENE SUPERIORE Veneto DOCG $21.95 MVC/QPR: 89 Fizz+18133 CHARLES MIGNON CUVÉE COMTE DE MARNE BRUT GRAND CRU CHAMPAGNE $69.95 MVC/QPR: 89 Fizz+15688 BENJAMIN BRIDGE MÉTHODE CLASSIQUE BRUT SPARKLING ROSÉ Nova Scotia Traditional method $34.95 MVC/QPR: 89 Fizz+234161 JACKSON-TRIGGS ENTOURAGE GRAND RESERVE BRUT SPARKLING 2017 Traditional method, VQA Niagara Peninsula $29.95 MVC/QPR: 91 Fizz+142679 13TH STREET PREMIER CUVÉE SPARKLING 2015 Traditional method, VQA Niagara Peninsula $39.95 MVC/QPR: 89 WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for DEC 3, 2022 release. By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com. My "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits, has been at http://www.deantudor.com since 1994. These notes for good wines available through LCBO Vintages (on a bi-weekly basis) can always be found at http://www.gothicepicures.blogspot.ca or at http://www.deantudor.com No winery can buy their way into – or out of – this publication. Scores are a combination of MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Southern Rhone would taste like a Southern Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace above or below its price). Currently, the wine media have no access to the tasting samples usually provided to us in the LCBO lab on a fortnightly basis. This will go on for some time. HOWEVER, the wine media will still have access to the advance spreadsheet of the wines to be released. So I know what is to be released and when. SOME (but not many) of these 100 or so biweekly released wines I have recently tasted since January 2020 or so, and I can comfortably recommend them based on this prior sampling. ** Some New Wines I Tasted Over the Past While --- NEW RELEASES FROM CHATEAU DES CHARMES, NOTL VQA: 1.Chateau des Charmes Rose Sparkling Traditional Method 2017 VQA NOTL winery and online $34.95: [I last sampled the 2016 vintage at same price] here half chardonnay and half pinot noir (blanc des noirs) from vines planted as early as 1991, very pretty colour from the pinot dosage, reminiscent of strawberry blush, 2 years lees contact and then re-fermented in the bottle. Full, rich, ripe yeasty biscuit complexity. Citric finish, best with food such as appetizers. Strawb fruit dominates. Recently disgorged. 10 g/L residual sugar. 12.5% ABV. Stunning. 250 cases available. Quality/Price rating is 93 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 2.Chateau des Charmes Brut Sparkling Methode Traditionelle NV Niagara-On-The-Lake VQA, +224766, $25.95: this Brut is a mix of about half each of chardonnay and pinot noir from vines planted as early as 1991 (and from at least four vineyards), exhibiting apple and orchard tones with citrus and toast. Some creamy texture. All wine mostly from the same vintage, and “Recently Hand Disgorged” after a year on lees, 12% ABV. Base wine for bubblies from both grapes is the same: just the skin contact varies. 9g/L residual sugar. 2877 cases. Quality/Price rating is 92 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 3.Chateau des Charmes Riesling “Old Vines” 2016 Estate Bottled VQA Niagara-On-The-Lake, $18.95: made from vines largely planted in 1978, so it is now a very mature vineyard. 12.5% ABV. Succulent, but off-dry Alsatian character (citric tones, spices), with now almost six years of aging. A beaut with spicy or higher acidic foods – lush and plush. Lots of orchard fruit character and some minerality. Best with Asiatic food. Twist top. 8.1 gm/L. 928 cases. Quality/price rating 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 4.Chateau des Charmes Gewurztraminer 2021 St.David’s Bench VQA, $21.95 winery and online: from older vines (26 years) in the St. David's Bench vineyards, done up in stainless steel. Alsatian in style, with concentrated fruit, off-dry on the mid-palate, spicy with a tad of bitter on the finish, great with Asiatic foods or any spicy foods. Or wonderful as a sipper/aperitif by the deck/patio/pool/terrace/balcony. Cork finish, and it should improve over the next five years. 4.6 gm/L residual sugar. 13.1% ABV. 318 cases produced. Quality/price rating 91 points by Dean Tudor. 5.Chateau des Charmes Pinot Noir 2017 Paul Bosc Estate Vineyard, VQA St.David's Bench, $44.95 at winery and online: Quite a powerful wine from the 60-acre vineyard, lots of stylish Burgundian forest floor (mushrooms, earth) to complement the red berry fruit. It was last produced in 2016. Currently, this vintage is 16 months in new French oak barrels. Still needs some time, maybe two more years. 13.5% ABV. It will also show better with food such as Asian salmon preps or veal or lamb. Cork closure. Residual sugar is 1.3g/L. 13.5% ABV. 1234 cases produced. Quality/Price rating is 92 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 6.Chateau des Charmes Gamay Noir “Droit” 2020 St. David's Bench Vineyard, VQA St. David’s Bench, $21.95 [winery and online]: medium-full-bodied, suggestive of Beaujolais grand cru wines such as Morgon or Moulin a Vent in the Droit's capacity for aging. Dark cherry-berry flavours dominate, but there is added spicing and even some nuances of earthiness and eucalyptus, although the wine is unoaked. “Gamey gamay” is probably the phrase! Cork finish. Good with BBQ, cheese, or something substantial, but some tannic structure is present to carry through a whole meal. Chateau des Charmes is the only winery in the world using this particular gamay clone. 1g/L residual sugar. 12.5% ABV. Earlier vintages were gold medal winners in Canada. 492 cases produced. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. The Date and Time: Tuesday October 11, 2022 10:30AM - 4PM The Event: Milano Wine Week International Masterclass Program The Venue: Aria Ristorante, 25 York Street The Target Audience: sommeliers, wine agents, wine media The Availability/Catalogue: There were two wineries involved, each with Ontario agents –- VALDO (Wine Online) and FIAMBERTI (Cottonwood Agency). The Quote/Background: The first seminar was a web show presentation seminar from Italy, “From Veneto to Friuli: exploring different terroirs and wine styles” by VALDO winery (a Bolla company) with various speakers such as their chief winemaker Gianfranco Zanon and Matteo Bolla. They introduced the region's I Magredi winery's still wines. Both seminars had simultaneous translations when needed. Fiamberti's Buttafuoco range uses mainly the indigenous grapes Croatina (about 2/3), followed by Barbera, Uva Rare and Ughetta di Canneto. Giulio Flamberti spoke to us via the web show, and answered all questions. The Wines: **** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms): -Fiamberti Caristoro Metodo Classico DOCG Rose Brut NV 3g/L [pinot noir] $40 -Fiamberti Il Cavaliere Pinot Nero Vinificato In Bianco 2021 [frizzante white wine] $32 -Fiamberti Buttafuoco Storico Vigna Solenga DOC 2017 Oltrepo Pavese $88 -I Magredi Divinotello Trevenezie IGT 2017 [Bordeaux blended style] ***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms): -Fiamberti Buttafuoco Storico Vigna Sacca del Prete DOC 2017 Oltrepo Pavese $84 -Fiamberti Buttafuoco Storico Il Cacciatore DOC 2020 Oltrepo Pavese $44 -I Magredi Cabernet Sauvignon Friuli DOC Grave 2021 -I Magredi Pinot Grigio Friuli DOC Grave 2021 $16.99 The Food: Aria gave is a food box: inside there was a main course of roast chicken breast with excellent quinoa pilaff, followed by goat cheese cheddar from Lindsay Ontario accompanied by gluten-free crackers. Desserts included barreti al cioccolato (chocolate cake, salted caramel mousse, chocolate shell) and biscotti with orange zest and star anise. The Downside: it was a long day of watching a big video screen. The Upside: we tasted some unusual wines from two wineries in two different wine regions. The Contact Person: Benedetta Marassi b.marassi@ice.it The Event’s Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 89. ** Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO’s Limited Time Offers selections...these are good value...on sale now through Sunday January 1, 2023 -- Fizz+224766 Chateau des Charmes Brut Methode Traditionelle normally $25.95 now $21.95 save $4 Fizz+48793 L.Bouillot Perle D'Aurore Rose Cremant Bourg normally $23.95 now $21.95 save $2 Fizz+370361 Tawse Riesling Sparkling Limestone Ridge VQA normally $21.95 now $19.95 save $2 Fizz+147504 13th Street Cuvee Rose Brut VQA normally $29.95 now $26.95 save $3 Fizz+687582 S. Margherita Prosecco Di Valdobbiadene Brut normally $20.95 now $18.95 save $2 White+608653 Sonoma-Cutrer Chardonnay Russian River Ranches normally $29.95 now $26.95 save $3 Red+413179 Zenato Amarone Classico Valpolicella normally $54.95 now $49.95 save $5 Red+149237 The Foreign Affair The Conspiracy Ripasso Style VQA normally $19.95 now $16.95 save $3 Splurge+708982 Stag's Leap Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon normally $89.95 now $84.95 save $5 Splurge+996405 Stags' Leap Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon normally $69.95 now $64.95 save $5 MAJOR THEME: Gifts to celebrate Wines Under $20 ========= W+28583 CASAS DEL BOSQUE LA CANTERA BOTANIC SERIES SAUVIGNON BLANC 2021 Sustainable, Valle de Casablanca $19.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+523001 CAVE SPRING ESTATE GROWN CABERNET FRANC 2020 VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment $19.95 MVC/QPR: 90 Wines Over $20 ========= W+424507 WESTCOTT ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2020 VQA Niagara Escarpment $29.95 MVC/QPR: 90 W+172338 SOUTHBROOK TRIOMPHE ORGANIC CHARDONNAY 2018 Vegan, VQA Niagara Peninsula $24.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+28362 TENUTE SILVO NARDI 43° IGT Toscana Rosso $21.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+427500 WESTCOTT ESTATE PINOT NOIR 2018 VQA Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula $31.95 MVC/QPR: 90 Fizz+310334 FEATHERSTONE JOY PREMIUM CUVÉE BRUT SPARKLING 2016 Traditional method, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario $34.95 MVC/QPR: 89 Fizz+51565 LOUIS BOUILLOT PERLE D'OR BRUT CRÉMANT DE BOURGOGNE 2012 Traditional method, AC, Burgundy, France $26.95 MVC/QPR: 89 WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for NOV 19, 2022 release. By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com. My "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits, has been at http://www.deantudor.com since 1994. These notes for good wines available through LCBO Vintages (on a bi-weekly basis) can always be found at http://www.gothicepicures.blogspot.ca or at http://www.deantudor.com No winery can buy their way into – or out of – this publication. Scores are a combination of MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Southern Rhone would taste like a Southern Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace above or below its price). Currently, the wine media have no access to the tasting samples usually provided to us in the LCBO lab on a fortnightly basis. This will go on for some time. HOWEVER, the wine media will still have access to the advance spreadsheet of the wines to be released. So I know what is to be released and when. SOME (but not many) of these 100 or so biweekly released wines I have recently tasted since January 2020 or so, and I can comfortably recommend them based on this prior sampling. ** Some New Wines I Tasted Over the Past Month --- The Date and Time: Tuesday October 11, 2022 10:30AM - 4PM The Event: Milano Wine Week International Masterclass Program The Venue: Aria Ristorante, 25 York Street The Target Audience: sommeliers, wine agents, wine media The Availability/Catalogue: There were two wineries involved, each with Ontario agents – VALDO (Wine Online) and MASSOTINA (n/a) The Quote/Background: The first seminar was a web show presentation seminar from Italy, “From Veneto to Friuli: exploring different terroirs and wine styles” by VALDO winery (a Bolla company) with various speakers such as their chief winemaker Gianfranco Zanon and Matteo Bolla. The second seminar was a blind tasting of six MASOTTINA wines, in “Exploring Prosecco styles and terroir”. It too was a web show, but with participation in Milan, London, New York and Toronto. Both seminars had simultaneous translations when needed. Cristina Mercuri with Filippo Bartolotta spoke on the wines, with emphasis on: Brut/Extra Dry is just a question of dosage and taste? The Wines: The six Masottina Proseccos were two different samples (Brut and Extra Dry) of three wine levels: Rive di Ogliano, Contrada Granda, and Calmaggiore, all Glera. But with different terroirs **** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms): -Valdo Cuvee 1926 Prosecco Valdobbiadene DOCG Extra Dry 16g/L RS, 90Glera/10Chardonnay -Valdo Elevantum Rose Prosecco DOC Brut 11.5g/L RS, 90Glera/10PinotNoir [MY FAVE] -Masottina Collezione RDO Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Rive di Ogliano DOCG Levante Extra Dry Millesimato. 13.5g/L all Glera [ANOTHER MY FAVE] -Masottina Collezione Contrada Granda Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Brut 10g/L all Glera -Masottina Collezione Contrada Granda Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Extra Dry 14g/L all Glera -Masottina Collezione Calmaggiore Prosecco DOC Treviso Brut 10g/L all Glera ***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms): -Valdo Amor Soli Prosecco Valdobbiadene DOCG Bio Brut 2021 10g/L RS, all Glera -Valdo Tenuta La Maredana Prosecco DOC Brut 9g/L RS, 85Glera/15PinotNoir $21.99 -Valdo Prosecco Cuvee I Magredi Extra Dry DOC Extra Dry 15g/L RS, all Glera $18.99 -Masottina Collezione RDO Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Rive di Ogliano DOCG Ponente Brut Millesimato. 6G/L all Glera -Masottina Collezione Calmaggiore Prosecco DOC Treviso Extra Dry 14g/L all Glera The Food: Aria gave is a food box: inside there was a main course of roast chicken breast with excellent quinoa pilaff, followed by goat cheese cheddar from Lindsay Ontario accompanied by gluten-free crackers. Desserts included barreti al cioccolato (chocolate cake, salted caramel mousse, chocolate shell) and biscotti with orange zest and star anise. The Contact Person: Benedetta Marassi b.marassi@ice.it The Event’s Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 89. ** Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO’s Limited Time Offers selections...these are good value...on sale now through Sunday November 27: +149047 20 Year Old Tawny Port (Taylor Fladgate) 750ml normally $69.95, now $62.95, save $7. +43281 Flat Rock Riesling VQA normally $19.95, now $16.95, save $3. +976662 Faustino I Gran Reserve Rioja normally $32.95, now $28.95, save $4 +64618 Featherstone Cabernet Franc VQA normally $21.95, now $19.95, save $2. +177345 Muga Reserva Rioja (Bodegas Muga) normally $27.95, now $23.95, save $4 +71943 La Crema Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir normally $35, now $32, save $3. +324228 Stoneleigh Latitude Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc normally $21.95, now $18.95, save $3 +104299 The Prisoner Red Blend normally $54.95, now $49.95, save $5 MAJOR THEME: GIFTS to celebrate, finest holiday wines, Wines Under $20 ========= W+ 256552 CAVE SPRING ESTATE CHARDONNAY 2019 VQA $19.95 MVC/QPR: 90. W+5259788 JOSEPH CATTIN RIESLING 2020 Alsace $15.95 MVC/QPR: 90 W+454785 TOI TOI SAUVIGNON BLANC 2021 New Zealand $17.95 MVC/QPR: 89. W+28124 ELEMENTI ORGANIC TREBBIANO ORANGE WINE 2021 Italy $18.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+661892 BLEASDALE MULBERRY TREE LANGHORNE CREEK CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019 $19.95 MVC/QPR: 89. R+421388 CASTELLI DEL GREVEPESA CLEMENTE VII CHIANTI CLASSICO 2018 $18.95 MVC/QPR: 89. Wines Over $20 =========== Fizz+383315 FLAT ROCK RIDDLED SPARKLING 2020 VQA $34.95 MVC/QPR: 89. Fizz+528752 BENJAMIN BRIDGE MÉTHODE CLASSIQUE BRUT SPARKLING NV Gaspareau NS $34.95 MVC/QPR: 90 R+20757 J. LOHR HILLTOP CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2020 $24.95 MVC/QPR: 89. R+317008 VERSADO MALBEC Mendoza 2018 $24.95 MVC/QPR: 91. R+25640 CHOCALAN VITRUM BLEND Maipo 2019 $25.95 MVC/QPR: 90. +378919 VALDESPINO INOCENTE SINGLE VINEYARD FINO DRY SHERRY $29.95 MVC/QPR: 92 +25721 HOLDVÖLGY TOKAJ SIGNATURE 6 PUTTONYOS 2007 $47.95 MVC/QPR: 90 WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for NOVMBER 5, 2022 release. By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com. My "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits, has been at http://www.deantudor.com since 1994. These notes for good wines available through LCBO Vintages (on a bi-weekly basis) can always be found at http://www.gothicepicures.blogspot.ca or at http://www.deantudor.com No winery can buy their way into – or out of – this publication. Scores are a combination of MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Southern Rhone would taste like a Southern Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace above or below its price). Currently, the wine media have no access to the tasting samples usually provided to us in the LCBO lab on a fortnightly basis. This will go on for some time. HOWEVER, the wine media will still have access to the advance spreadsheet of the wines to be released. So I know what is to be released and when. SOME (but not many) of these 100 or so biweekly released wines I have recently tasted since January 2020 or so, and I can comfortably recommend them based on this prior sampling. ** Some New Wines I Tasted Over the Past Few Weeks --- The Date and Time: Thursday September 8, 2022 11AM - 5PM The Event: Grandi Marchi, Italy's Top Wineries Guided & Walk Around Tasting The Venue: Windsor Arms Hotel The Target Audience: wine trade (sommeliers, agents, LCBO, media) The Availability/Catalogue: it was an online catalogue, and some of the wines were not available in Ontario. The Quote/Background: There was a master class at 11AM for 80 attendees with 14 principals such as Helena Lageder, Alberto Chiarlo, Niccolo Antinori, Alberto Tasca, Piero Mastroberardino. Each spoke about their company and one of their wines, moderated by Michael Fagan. The slide show was also very informative. The Wines: We had one prosecco, three white wines, nine red wines, plus one sweetie. There were some 60+ walk around wines in the main show; I did not try them all. **** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms): -Umani Ronchi Centovie Pecorino Colli Aprutini IGT Abruzzo 2020 organic 13% ABV -Jermann Vintage Tunina Venezia Giulia IGT 2020 13.5% “great finish” from 5 varietals -Alois Lageder Cason Bianco Viognier-Petit Manseng Delle Dolomiti IGT 2019 Alto Adige biodynamic 13% ABV -Michele Chiarlo Tortoniano Barolo DOCG 2018 14% ABV -Marchese Antinori Guado al Tasso Bolgheri DOC Superiore 2019 Toscano 14.5% ABV -Ambrogio e Giovanni Folonari Tenute Cabreo il Borgo Toscana IGT 2018 15% ABV -Col d'Orcia Poggio al Vento Brunello di Montalcino DOCG Riserva 2013 organic 14.5% ABV -Mastroberardino Radici Taurasi DOCG Riserva 2015 Campania 13.5% ABV -Masi Riserva di Costasera Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico DOCG 2016 Veneto 15.5% -Donnafugata Ben Rye Passito di Pantelleria DOC 2020 Sicily 14.27% ABV -Carpene Malvolti 1868 Prosecco Superiore NV Conegliano Valdobbiadene DOCG Veneto 11% -Lungarotti Torre di Giano Vermentino/Grechetto/Trebbiano 2021 Umbria -Jermann Bianco Where Dreams Have No End Chardonnay IGT 2020 ***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms): -Carpene Malvolti 1924 Prosecco Superiore NV Conegliano Valdobbiadene DOCG Veneto 11% -Carpene Malvolti Prosecco Rose Brut 2020 DOCG Veneto 11% ABV -Lungarotti Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG 2018 Umbria organic 15.5% ABV -Rivera Il Falcone Castel del Monte Rosso Riserva DOCG 2016 Apulia 13.5% ABV -Tasca d'Almerita Rosso del Conte Rosso Contea di Sclafani DOC 2016 Sicily 14% ABV -Umani Ronchi Casal di Serra Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superior 2020 -Alois Lageder Porer Pinot Grigio 2020 Alto Adige -Antinori Bramito della Sala Chardonnay 2021 Umbria -Jermann Vinnae Ribolla Giulia Venezia Giulia 2021 The Food: we had tomato & bocconcini skewers; rice paper vegetable salad rolls and dip; roast beef tortilla pinwheel with peppers, creamy horseradish, arugula, goat cheese mini quiche; mushroom risotto (my fave); vegan sliders; salumi platter; cheeses; breads. The Downside: there were the inevitable sound problems that needed to be straightened out, and then later during the walk around it was announced that Elizabeth II had passed. The Upside: a chance to taste some rare and expensive wines, plus speak with winemakers and producers. The Contact Persons: info@ieemusa.com; b.marassi@ice.it The Event’s Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 90. ** Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO’s Limited Time Offers selections...these are good value...on sale through Sunday November 6 – ACT SOON!! [red] Columbia Crest H3 Cabernet Sauvignon Horse Heaven Hills Columbia Valley Washington State Vintages +210047 normally $19.95, now $17.95, save $2. [red] Trius Red VQA Niagara Peninsula Vintages +303800, normally $24.95, now $21.95, save $3 [red] Porcupine Ridge Syrah WO Swartland South Africa Vintages +595280 normally $16.95, now $13.95, save $3. [white] La Crema Sonoma Coast Chardonnay California Vintages +963886, normally $30, now $28, save $2. [splurge] Beringer Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma County California Vintages +352583, normally $46.95, now $41.95, save $5 ** And the next batch of Recommended Wines from the LCBO’s Limited Time Offers selections...these are good value...on sale from Monday November 7 through Sunday November 27: +149047 20 Year Old Tawny Port (Taylor Fladgate) 750ml normally $69.95, now $62.95, save $7. +43281 Flat Rock Riesling VQA normally $19.95, now $16.95, save $3. +976662 Faustino I Gran Reserve Rioja normally $32.95, now $28.95, save $4 +64618 Featherstone Cabernet Franc VQA normally $21.95, now $19.95, save $2. +177345 Muga Reserva Rioja (Bodegas Muga) normally $27.95, now $23.95, save $4 +71943 La Crema Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir normally $35, now $32, save $3. +324228 Stoneleigh Latitude Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc normally $21.95, now $18.95, save $3 +104299 The Prisoner Red Blend normally $54.95, now $49.95, save $5 MAJOR THEME: Gifts to Celebrate Wines Under $20 ========= W+341586 FEATHERSTONE FOUR FEATHERS 2021 VQA Ontario $14.95 MVC/QPR:90 W+389726 BOYA SAUVIGNON BLANC 2022 Sustainable, Coast Zone, DO Valle de Leyda $15.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+131540 FEATHERSTONE RED TAIL MERLOT 2020 Vegan, VQA Niagara Peninsula $19.95 MVC/QPR: 90 R+63537 CHÂTEAU HYOT 2019 AC Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux $16.95 MVC/QPR: 89 Fizz+16602 ALBINO ARMANI EXTRA DRY CONEGLIANO VALDOBBIADENE PROSECCO SUPERIORE DOCG, Friuli, Italy $18.95 MVC/QPR: 89 Wines Over $20 ========= W+241182 CHARLES BAKER PICONE VINEYARD RIESLING 2018 VQA Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula $39.95 MVC/QPR: 90 W+469023 CUDDY BY TAWSE CHARDONNAY 2016 VQA Niagara Peninsula $27.95 MVC/QPR: 90 R+418830 SOUTHBROOK TRIOMPHE MERLOT 2018 Vegan, VQA Niagara Peninsula $24.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+30145 SOUTHBROOK TRIOMPHE PINOT NOIR 2019 $29.95 MVC/QPR: 89 Fizz+15687 GRUET SAUVAGE BLANC DE BLANCS SPARKLING Zero dosage, traditional method, USA $29.95 MVC/QPR: 89 Fizz+593483 GRAHAM BECK BRUT SPARKLING Traditional method, WO Western Cape, South Africa $22.95 MVC/QPR: 89 WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for OCTOBER 22, 2022 release. By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com. My "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits, has been at http://www.deantudor.com since 1994. These notes for good wines available through LCBO Vintages (on a bi-weekly basis) can always be found at http://www.gothicepicures.blogspot.ca or at http://www.deantudor.com No winery can buy their way into – or out of – this publication. Scores are a combination of MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Southern Rhone would taste like a Southern Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace above or below its price). Currently, the wine media have no access to the tasting samples usually provided to us in the LCBO lab on a fortnightly basis. This will go on for some time. HOWEVER, the wine media will still have access to the advance spreadsheet of the wines to be released. So I know what is to be released and when. SOME (but not many) of these 100 or so biweekly released wines I have recently tasted since January 2020 or so, and I can comfortably recommend them based on this prior sampling. ** Some New Drinks I Tasted Over the Past Fortnight --- The Date and Time: August 16, 2022 3:30PM - 8PM The Event: Travel South USA Media Event The Venue: Malaparte TIFF The Target Audience: travel writers and spirits writers The Availability/Catalogue: we had three bourbons set before us as a tasting (see below), led by a very capable Mike McLean of MixxIT Canada By Beam Suntory. This was the major presentation from Kentucky, and, of course, the main reason for my attending. The Quote/Background: The Travel South USA states represented in Canada included Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia. There was also a rep from New Orleans and one from Atlanta. It was a trade fam tour to entice travel writers to explore the American south. There were many regional foods to be sampled (see below) and many cocktails to be tasted. The best appeared to be the Kentucky Bourbon Cocktail of Jim Beam Bourbon 1.5 oz, lime juice [no sugar] 1 oz., and topped up over ice with Gosling's no-al ginger beer. Dynamite. Hors d'oeuvre were passed while the reps were available for short talks with the travel writers. And then it was on to the bourbon tasting and thence to the BBQ buffet dinner. The Bourbons: **** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms): -Maker's Mark Kentucky Bourbon $45.45 LCBO +103747, 45ABV – very smooth, 70% corn and 30% red winter wheat. One of my personal faves. ***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms): -Basil Hayden Kentucky Bourbon $55.95 (on sale at LCBO at $50.95 until Sept 12) LCBO +326025, 40% ABV – 63% corn and 37% rye, and thereby introduces savoury herby rye notes finishing with some grassiness. -Jim Beam White Label Bourbon $30.95 (on sale at LCBO at $29.20 until Sept 12) LCBO +21378, 40% ABV – 77% corn The Food: Oliver and Bonacini did the catering, beginning with the multiple hors d'oeuvre platters: tuna salad on a lettuce leaf; BBQ short rib on polenta; shrimp and hot sausage; lightly battered fried okra; fried chicken drumettes; and cheddar cheese tarts with carmelized onions and piped goat cheese cream. Each came on a bed of a different sauce: these 5 BBQ sauces are available online (Carolina Gold Classic - South Carolina, Rendezvous Mild Barbecue Sauce - Memphis, Alabama White BBQ Sauce – Alabama, Sam Jones Vinegar Sauce – North Carolina, Fiorella’s Jack Stack BBQ Original – Kansas City). These sauces were also put out for the buffet, and were easily available for mixing and matching and savouring. So the major food of the evening was a small buffet of fried chicken and corn bread waffle with scallions, short ribs and grits with collard greens, and smoked brisket and potato bun slider with macaroni. To top it off, there was a variety at the dessert table: southern pies (key lime, coconut cream, blueberry) and peach cobbler. The Downside: music was too loud, and interfered with Mike's bourbon tasting seminar. The Upside: A chance to do wide tasting and nibbling around a variety of southern cuisine dishes. The Contact Person: katie@reachglobal.ca or ashton@reachglobal.ca The Event’s Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 93. ** Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO’s Limited Time Offers selections...these are good value...on sale through Sunday November 6: [red] Columbia Crest H3 Cabernet Sauvignon Horse Heaven Hills Columbia Valley Washington State Vintages +210047 normally $19.95, now $17.95, save $2. [red] Trius Red VQA Niagara Peninsula Vintages +303800, normally $24.95, now $21.95, save $3 [red] Porcupine Ridge Syrah WO Swartland South Africa Vintages +595280 normally $16.95, now $13.95, save $3. [white] La Crema Sonoma Coast Chardonnay California Vintages +963886, normally $30, now $28, save $2. [splurge] Beringer Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma County California Vintages +352583, normally $46.95, now $41.95, save $5 MAJOR THEME: California Gold – plus GIFT Wines in time for Christmas, etc. Wines Under $20 ========= W+20373 CHARLES BAKER RIESLING 2019 VQA Niagara Peninsula $19.95 MVC/QPR: 89. W+398966 REDSTONE CHARDONNAY 2020 VQA Niagara Peninsula $19.95 MVC/QPR: 89. W+928580 SANTA CAROLINA GRAN RESERVA CHARDONNAY 2019 Sustainable, carbon neutral, DO Valle de Itata $19.95 MVC/QPR: 91. W+95802 PETER ZEMMER PINOT GRIGIO 2020 DOC Alto Adige $17.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+83295 ODFJELL ARMADOR ORGANIC CARMENÈRE 2019 Central Valley $18.95 MVC/QPR: 89. R+300004 AMASTUOLA PRIMITIVO 2019 IGP Puglia $15.95 MVC/QPR: 90. R+25638 GARCÉS SILVA CATALINO PAÍS 2019 Coronel de Maule, DO Secano Interior, Valle del Maule $19.95 MVC/QPR: 89. Wines Over $20 Sparkling+421032 CHARLES MIGNON PREMIUM RÉSERVE BRUT CHAMPAGNE $47.95 MVC/QPR: 91. Sparkling+21858 BOTTEGA PINK GOLD ROSÉ PROSECCO Charmat method, DOC, Italy $29.95 MVC/QPR: 89. R+645218 SELVAPIANA BUCERCHIALE RISERVA CHIANTI RÙFINA 2018 DOCG $39.95 MVC/QPR: 89. R+60525 RUTHERFORD RANCH RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2018 Sustainable, Napa Valley $79.95 MVC/QPR: 90. R+155408 MARCHESI DI BAROLO BARBARESCO 2018 DOCG $39.95 MVC/QPR: 89. R+113357 DONATELLA CINELLI COLOMBINI BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2016 DOCG $69.95 MVC/QPR: 89. RECOMMENDED GIFT BOTTLES (not tasted this week) +27485 NIEPOORT VINTAGE PORT 2019 DOP, Portugal $135.95 [in-store discovery, online exclusive] +21861 MARCHESI DI BAROLO TRADIZIONE BAROLO & BARBARESCO 2017 Two bottles in wooden gift box, DOCG, Piedmont, Italy $109.95 +384578 REMO FARINA AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA & VALPOLICELLA RIPASSO Two bottles in wooden gift box, Veneto, Italy $79.95 +581561 TAYLOR FLADGATE HISTORIC LIMITED EDITION RESERVE TAWNY PORT DOP, Portugal $51.95 WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for OCTOBER 8, 2022 release. By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com. My "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits, has been at http://www.deantudor.com since 1994. These notes for good wines available through LCBO Vintages (on a bi-weekly basis) can always be found at http://www.gothicepicures.blogspot.ca or at http://www.deantudor.com No winery can buy their way into – or out of – this publication. Scores are a combination of MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Southern Rhone would taste like a Southern Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace above or below its price). Currently, the wine media have no access to the tasting samples usually provided to us in the LCBO lab on a fortnightly basis. This will go on for some time. HOWEVER, the wine media will still have access to the advance spreadsheet of the wines to be released. So I know what is to be released and when. SOME (but not many) of these 100 or so biweekly released wines I have recently tasted since January 2020 or so, and I can comfortably recommend them based on this prior sampling. ** Some New Wines I Tasted Over the Past While --- The Date and Time: Thursday June 23, 2020 1PM - 5PM The Event: Gambrero Rosso Tre Bicchieri Summer Edition The Venue: Liberty Grand The Target Audience: wine trade, sommeliers, wine media The Availability/Catalogue: one needed a QR code to access the catalogue which contained details for ordering wine. The Wines: I tasted mostly whites, roses, and sparkling (hey, it was summer!) and a few reds of my interests. **** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms): -Tenute Tomasella Pros-ecco Prosecco Treviso DOC -Cantina Tollo Roccaventosa 2020 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOP -Cantina Tollo Mo' 2018 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Riserva DOP -Monte del Fra Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ripasso Lena di Mezzo Estate DOC, $24.95 (Vintages) Signature Agency -Monte del Fra Ca' del Magro Custoza Superiore DOC 2019 -Varvaglione Vigne & Vini Papale Linea Oro Primtivo di Manduria 2019 DOP (Vintages) -Umani Ronchi Centoric Plenio Riserva 2018 -Francesco Tornatore Etna Bianco Pietrarizzo 2021 -Tenute Tomasella Friuli Furiliana 2021 -Bruni Marememma Toscana Vermentini Plinio 2021 -Varvaglione Vigne & Vini Salice Salentino 2019 -Varvaglione Vigne & Vini 12 e Mezzo Primtivo di Manduria 2020 DOP -Ferrari Brut MT Trento -Ferrari Brut Rose MT Trento [60chard/40pinot noir] -Tentiment CIVA Sauvignon Blanc 2020 Vigneto Bellazoia -Montenidoli Vernaccia di San Gimignano Carato 2019 -Cantine Lunae Bosoni et Grigia Colli de Luni Vermentino 2021 -Offida Pecorino Reve 2020 Single Vineyard -Casale del Giglio Anthium Bellone 2021 Lazio IGT -Casale del Griglio Satrico 2021 Lazio IGT -Tenute Borgo Conventi Sauvignon Blanc 2019 Collio ***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms): -Umani Ronchi Centoric Pecorino Colli Aprutini 2020 -Umani Ronchi Centoric Verdicchio 2018 -Francesco Tornatore Etna Bianco 2021 -Tenute Tomasella Prosecco NV [twist top, low Al -Tentiment CIVA Ribolla Giallo Friuli NV Extra Brut -Tentiment CIVA Ribolla Giallo Friuli 2021 -Montenidoli Vernaccia di San Gimignano Fiore 2020 -Montenidoli Vernaccia di San Gimignano Traditionale 2020 -Cantine Lunae Bosoni et Grigia Vermentino 2021 -Cantine Lunae Bosoni et Grigia La Bianca 2021 The Food: Catered by the Liberty Grand Entertainment Group....platters of food included pesto panini, mozzarella and tomatoes, polenta topped with crispy mushrooms, meat skewers with veggies, flatbread/focaccia with creamy Gorgonzola and arugula, rotini ragu with grilled cherry tomatoes, prosciutto-wrapped breadsticks, arancini, and tiramisu and cannoli for dessert. The Downside: I did not have a cell phone The Upside: just about all the wines were white, rose, sparkling or light reds from Northern or Central Italy, a great tasting in view of the sunny summer weather. The Contact Person: Benedetta The Event’s Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 90. ** Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO’s Limited Time Offers selections...these are good value...on sale from Monday October 10 through Sunday November 6... W+286278 Flat Rock Cellars Chardonnay normal $19.95 save $2.00 now $17.95 R+964221 Le Volte Dell'Ornellaia Igt Toscana normal $29.95 save $2.00 now $27.95 R302018 Pipeau St. Emilion(Ch. Pipeau) normal $43.95 save $3.00 now $40.95 [splurge]R+352583 Beringer Knight's Valley Cabernet Sauvignon normal $46.95 save $5.00 now $41.95 R+595280 Porcupine Ridge Syrah normal $16.95 save $3.00 now $13.95 R+303800 Trius Vqa Red (Andres Wines Ltd) normal $24.95 save $3.00 now $21.95 MAJOR THEME: Magnifico! Italian Wines Wines Under $20 ========= W+89011 FEATHERSTONE SAUVIGNON BLANC 2021 VQA Niagara Peninsula $17.95 MVC/QPR: 90 Sparkler +19031 CELENE BORDEAUX AMÉTHYSTE BRUT CRÉMANT DE BORDEAUX Traditional method, AP, France $16.95 MVC/QPR: 89 W+13429 SIEGEL SPECIAL RESERVE VIOGNIER 2021 Sustainable, DO Valle de Colchagua $15.95 MVC/QPR: 89 W+24245 THELEMA SAUVIGNON BLANC 2020 Estate grown, WO Stellenbosch, South Africa $16.95 MVC/QPR: 89 Wines Over $20 ========= Sparkling+28978 KEW VINEYARDS CUVÉE SPARKLING CHARDONNAY 2016 Traditional method, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario $23.95 MVC/QPR: 89 W+149302 FEATHERSTONE CANADIAN OAK CHARDONNAY 2020 VQA Niagara Peninsula $24.95 MVC/QPR: 92 R+18008 HASELGROVE FIRST CUT CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019 McLaren Vale, South Australia $24.95 MVC/QPR: 89 WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for SEPTEMBER 24, 2022 release. By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com. My "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits, has been at http://www.deantudor.com since 1994. These notes for good wines available through LCBO Vintages (on a bi-weekly basis) can always be found at http://www.gothicepicures.blogspot.ca or at http://www.deantudor.com No winery can buy their way into – or out of – this publication. Scores are a combination of MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Southern Rhone would taste like a Southern Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace above or below its price). Currently, the wine media have no access to the tasting samples usually provided to us in the LCBO lab on a fortnightly basis. This will go on for some time. HOWEVER, the wine media will still have access to the advance spreadsheet of the wines to be released. So I know what is to be released and when. SOME (but not many) of these 100 or so biweekly released wines I have recently tasted since January 2020 or so, and I can comfortably recommend them based on this prior sampling. ** Some New Wines I Tasted Over the Past Weeks --- --Bas-Armagnac de Montal Les Hauts de Montrouge 2003 700 mL. +11426 Vintages October 29, 2022 $109.60: comes in a red wood gift box for the Christmas holidays. There are about 181 producers of Armagnac in Gascony, and many make single vintage bottlings unlike in Cognac. Hence, there are many bottles of older Armagnac brandies (10, 15, 20, 30 year olds) that sell everywhere in the world -- but in small lots. Montal's 2003 was aged a minimum of 19.5 years in oak. Armagnac sells well in Quebec – they recognize a bargain. Extremely aromatic with overtones of roasted nuts, caramel, vanilla, dried fruits, and oak character. Exceptionally smooth on the mid-palate and great soft length on the finish. 40% ABV. Apparently, this 20-year old will be making its 23rd anniversary in the LCBO's Holiday release. Quality/Price rating is 93 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. --Redtail Vineyards Gamay Rose 2021 VQA Niagara Peninsula Although Redtail is in Prince Edward County, their Gamay Rose comes from Niagara grapes. Pretty pink fruit suggestive of watermelons and cut strawberries, both visually and gustatory. Redtail Rose exhibits the typical Gamay character of red berries on the palate, with aromatics of violets, tea and some rhubarb minerality. It is a light and balanced easy drinking wine for the patio/deck. Indeed, it can be an all-purpose free-standing social drink or aperitif or first-course wine. The Gamay grape is very, very food friendly. Screw cap, drink now. 10.3% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. --Byland Estate Winery Rose 2020 VQA Niagara This wine is pale but bright pink from the Pinot Noir grape, which had been harvested in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Lots of red fruit, such as cherry and sweet pomegranate. Fresh tones, a citric finish. While useful as an outdoors sipper, it could also double as a very interesting first course wine with finger food or white meats. That's the Pinot Noir talking. Gold Medalist at the All Canadian Wine Championships. 9g/L residual sugar. 12.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. --Nomad at Hinterbrook Winery Sparkling Firefly Rose 2021 VQA Ontario Produced using the Charmat Method (secondary fermentation in a tank), this sparkler is loaded with strawberry tones from the Cabernet Franc grapes used. The pale colour comes from the 2021 vintage (and it is rare that Charmat wines are vintage dated). Expect some intense cherry-berry fresh fruits as a summer or fall patio/terrace/deck social party wine. Or an in-house aperitif before the main event. 13% ABV. It's a good Ontario sparkler for under $20. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. The Date and Time: Wednesday June 15, 2022 2:30P to 5:30P The Event: Rendez-Vous Beaujolais Walk-Around Trade Tasting The Venue: St Andrew's Hall & Lounge, 150 King Street Wes The Target Audience: wine trade and wine media, sommeliers The Availability/Catalogue: There were four agents with presentations, while four other wineries were looking for representation. The catalogue was an interactive PDF file which allowed for more consistency. There was a description of each wine. The Quote/Background: It has been a decade or so since the last major Beaujolais tasting in Toronto. In that time, sales of Nouveau have flattened and the availability of wines from the number of villages (communes) had fallen off. It was a chance to re-discover the 12 appellations and 10 crus of Beaujolais. The Wines: Some wines did not arrive. I counted 42 wines at the show, and I tried to taste most of them in the limited time I had available. **** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms): -VINESCIENCE Beaujolais Blanc Signature 2021 Rogers & Co -VINESCIENCE Morgon Climats Grand Cras 2021 Rogers & Co -DOMAINE DE BOISCHAMPT Beaujolais Villages White 2020 [seeking] -DOMAINE DE BOISCHAMPT Beaujolais Morgon 2019 [seeking] -DOMAINE LATHUILIÈRE-GRAVALLON Beaujolais Morgon Corcelette 2020 [seeking] -LES VINS J.M. AUJOUX Collection Aujoux en Beaujolais-Villages Blanc 2021 [seeking] -LES VINS J.M. AUJOUX Collection Aujoux en Morgon 2021 – HVE 3 [seeking] -LES VINS J.M. AUJOUX Côte de Brouilly Douze Perles 2020 -LES VINS GEORGES DUBOEUF Domaine du Riaz Côte de Brouilly 2020 PDandurand -LES VINS GEORGES DUBOEUF Domaine des 4 vents Fleurie 2019 PDandurand -LES VINS GEORGES DUBOEUF Brouilly 2020 PDandurand -LES VINS GEORGES DUBOEUF Morgon 2018 PDandurand -DOMAINE THIVOLLE Morgon Charmeur 2020 [seeking] -ALLIANCE DE VIGNERONS BOURGOGNE BEAUJOLAIS Moulin-à-Vent Coeur de Granit 2020 Vinexx ***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms): -VINESCIENCE Beaujolais Rosé Signature 2021 Rogers & Co -VINESCIENCE Chiroubles Les Clochers du Beaujolais 2021 Rogers & Co -VINESCIENCE St-Amour Les Clochers 2021 Rogers & Co -DOMAINE DE BOISCHAMPT Beaujolais Chénas 2019 [seeking] -DOMAINE DE BOISCHAMPT Beaujolais Fleurie Charbonnière 2019 [seeking] -DOMAINE DE BOISCHAMPT Beaujolais Juliénas 4 Cerisiers 2019 [seeking] -DOMAINE DE BOISCHAMPT Beaujolais Juliénas Beauvernay 2019 [seeking] -DOMAINE DE BOISCHAMPT Beaujolais Juliénas Vayolette 2019 [seeking] -DOMAINE DE BOISCHAMPT Beaujolais St-Amour 2019 [seeking] -DOMAINE LATHUILIÈRE-GRAVALLON Beaujolais Blanc Roche Noire 2021 [seeking] -DOMAINES CHERMETTE Brouilly Pierreux 2021 [selection du maitre de chai PQ] -DOMAINES CHERMETTE Fleurie Poncié 2021 [selection du maitre de chai PQ] -DOMAINES CHERMETTE Moulin-à-Vent Les Trois Roches 2021[selection du maitre de chai PQ] -ALLIANCE DE VIGNERONS BOURGOGNE BEAUJOLAIS Chénas Coeur de Granit 2020 Vinexx -ALLIANCE DE VIGNERONS BOURGOGNE BEAUJOLAIS Beaujolais Villages 3 Madones 2021 Noble -ALLIANCE DE VIGNERONS BOURGOGNE BEAUJOLAIS Brouilly 3 Madones 2021 Noble The Food: There were two components – one was a combined fromage and charcuterie board, about two feet wide and six feet in length. Spectacular, to say the least. There were two of these. The boards also had crisps, breads, dried fruit, fresh fruit, and mustards. The only thing missing were the typical sausages. The other component were the individual platters of gamay smoked roasted salmon, beaujolais pork rillettes, rose smoked duck with stone fruit, and chardonnay crab and citrus salad. The Downside: I had to leave early. The Upside: the great fromage/charcuterie board! The Contact Person: liz@lluzzapr.com The Event’s Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 91. ** Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO’s Limited Time Offers selections...these are good value...on sale through Sunday October 9... [red] 7 Deadly Zins Old Vine Zinfandel Lodi, +59311, now $18.95, regularly $21.95, save $3 [red] Umberto Cesari Liano Sangiovese/Cabernet Sauvignon Rubicone Emilia-Romagna, +225086, now $23.95, regularly $28.95, save $5 (buy a case, save $60) [white] Beringer Napa Valley Chardonnay, +84988, now $25.95, regularly $28.95, save $3 [splurge] Banfi Brunello di Montalcino Tuscany, +378257, now $52.95, regularly $57.95, save $5 MAJOR THEME: Score! 20 90+ wines; Local Talent Thanksgiving Wines Wines Under $20 ========= Rose+117861 FEATHERSTONE ROSÉ 2021 VQA $15.95 MVC/QPR: 90 W+18794 FABRÈGUES SÉLECTION PICPOUL DE PINET 2021 LANGUEDOC $16.95 MVC/QPR: 89. W+356873 FLAT ROCK GOOD KHARMA CHARDONNAY 2021 VQA $16.95 MVC/QPR: 89. W+485334 KEW MARSANNE/VIOGNIER 2018 VQA $19.97 MVC/QPR: 89. R+981175 DOMAINE DE LA MADONE LE PERRÉON BEAUJOLAIS-VILLAGES 2020 $17.95 MVC/QPR: 89. Wines Over $20 ========= W+359794 CHARLES BAKER IVAN VINEYARD RIESLING 2019 VQA $29.95 MVC/QPR: 90 R+191700 RUTHERFORD RANCH CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2017 NAPA $26.95 375ml MVC/QPR: 90 WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for SEPTEMBER 10, 2022 release. By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com. My "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits, has been at http://www.deantudor.com since 1994. These notes for good wines available through LCBO Vintages (on a bi-weekly basis) can always be found at http://www.gothicepicures.blogspot.ca or at http://www.deantudor.com No winery can buy their way into – or out of – this publication. Scores are a combination of MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Southern Rhone would taste like a Southern Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace above or below its price). Currently, the wine media have no access to the tasting samples usually provided to us in the LCBO lab on a fortnightly basis. This will go on for some time. HOWEVER, the wine media will still have access to the advance spreadsheet of the wines to be released. So I know what is to be released and when. SOME (but not many) of these 100 or so biweekly released wines I have recently tasted since January 2020 or so, and I can comfortably recommend them based on this prior sampling. ** Some New Wines I Tasted Over the Past Weeks --- REPORT FROM The Living Vine Acid Trip: portfolio tasting & try-and-buy, June 15, 2022 The Date and Time: Wednesday June 15, 2022 11AM to 3PM for trade The Event: The Living Vine Acid Trip: portfolio tasting & try-and-buy The Venue: Birreria Volo, College Street The Target Audience: sommeliers, wine media The Availability/Catalogue: all wines are in stock. There was a two page order list, divided by country (France, Italy, Spain, New World, Hidden Bench). The Quote/Background: It was a great weather day, so all the tables were set up outside Volo in the street patio area, with umbrellas for shade. The Wines: There were 66 wines, ciders and no-al; I did not taste all of them. Prices are licensee. Delivery is free in Toronto, $6 a case outside Toronto. Wines listed are either 6 packs or 12 packs. **** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms): -Clos Roussely L'Escale Sauvignon Blanc 2020, $20.66 -Terres Dorees Beaujolais Le Ronsay, $17.96 -Fattoria Sardi Pet-Nat [sparkler], $23.36 -Massimago Garangega 2021, $26.96 -Raimones Orange NV Spain, $31.46 -Alta Alella Pet-Nat Rose 2021, $27.86 -Portal del Priorat Luno Montsant 2020, $23.36 -Bodegas Comenge Biberius 2020, $19.76 -Nikolaihof Terrassen Gruner Veltliner 2019, $25.16 -Mouflon Muscat 2021 [partial skin contact], $24.98 -Mouflon Pinot Gris+Riesling 2021 [orange], $26.79 -Mouflon Viognier60+Chardonnay20+Marsanne20 [orange, magnum], $56.35 -Bordlet Sidre Brut Tendre [France], $17.96 -Cambridge Road Peche Naturalist 2021 New Zealand, $33.36 -Folklore Chardonnay 2019 Western Australia, $15.99 [Vintages +19905 $17.95 retail] -Hidden Bench Bistro Riesling 2017 VQA, $15.05 -Hidden Bench Bistro Chardonnay 2019 VQA, $19.71 ***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms): -Langelier Polaris Muscadet 2020, $18.86 -Terres Dorees Bourgogne Pinot 2020, $26.96 -Orsogna Lunaria Ramoro Pinot Grigio, $19.76 -Cirelli Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo Rose 2021, $23.36 -Antica Enotria Bianco 2020, $18.86 -Finca Fabian Sparkling NV [sauvignon blanc, viognier, chardonnay], $15.26 -Alta Alella GX Garnacha 2020, $20.66 -Meinklang Gruner Veltliner, $22.46 -Decideret Hip Hop Cider [dry hopped], $31.46 -Folklore Shiraz Western Australia, $17.65 -Jumpin' Juice Sunset [orange] NV, $33.26 -Jumpin' Juice Riesling NV, $33.26 -Alpamanta Breva Pais Pet-Nat Criolla 2021 Mendoza, $29.66 -Hidden Bench Bistro Pinot Noir 2019 VQA, $20.71 -Hidden Bench Locust Lane Rose 2021 VQA, $19,71 -Hidden Bench Nocturne Rose 2021 VQA, $19.71 -Hidden Bench Sauvignon Blanc Beton Methode 2021 VQA [concrete egg], $22.10 -Rachis & Derma Chardonnay 2020 VQA, $27.88 The Food: no food, but there was water. The Downside: no food (bread cubes would have helped) The Upside: "taste and try before you buy" – as the song says... The Contact Person: mark@thelivingvine.ca or danielle@thelivingvine.ca The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 89 From Sopexa === ==M.Chapoutier Belleruche Blanc Cote du Rhone 2021, +245340 LCBO, $17.55 NOW on sale at $14.55 (save $3 a bottle) until September 11: "Belleruche" is French for "beautiful beehive". Chapoutier's company, which follows biodynamic principles such as night harvesting, has many beehives scattered throughout their sustainable properties in the Cote du Rhone. This is one of my fave white wines; my wife loves Belleruche Rouge with its grenache noir and syrah, also at the LCBO. The white uses grenache blanc, roussanne, viognier (with some light skin maceration), clairette and bourboulenc grapes, with the first two varieties dominating its vinous character. The nosing is strong, with botrytis-inflected bouquets of voluptuous flowers and aromas of grapefruit, pear, and melon leading to a mid-palate tasting of red fruit and honey (those bees!). On the nose, it seems sweet, but the residual sugar is a low 2 grams per litre. There is a modest acidity but some intense flavours from the wine being aged on its lees for half a year – just perfectly right for a refreshment on a hot summer day on the patio/deck/balcony/terrace/porch/beach etc. Also, some anise on the finish makes this a compelling accompaniment to grilled or poached fish. But do not overchill. It's one of the better values at the LCBO, and made even more so with its temporary price reduction of $3 a bottle. It is certainly worth buying by the case. 14% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 93 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. ==Vinho Verde from Portugal... Adega Ponte de Lima Grande Escolha Vinho Verde DOC 2021: this is a terrific vinho verde from a co-op that rises above the usual FFLLCC designation (Fresh and Fruity, Light and Lively, Crisp and Citrusy). It is all that and more, coming in at a reasonable 12% ABV with only 5 grams of residual sugar per litre. As an aromatic balanced blend of loureiro and alvarinho grape varieties, the latter contributes more than its share of complexity of tropical fruit, pear, and linden. The addition of alvarinho is a definite upgrade. The loureiro is from the Lima River valley while the alvarinho is from the Lima River slopes. Initial aromas are floral and citric, followed on the mid-palate with some passion fruit, and a long finish with some pear and lemon tones. Very refreshing for that patio/deck/terrace affair, or with light finger food such as sushi or shrimp, white meat skewered kebabs, or cold pasta salads. It's a winner. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. ** Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO’s Limited Time Offers selections...these are good value...on sale through Sunday September 11, 2022... [red] Concha y Toro Marques de Casa Concha Cabernet Sauvignon Maipo +337238, regularly $23.95, now $20.95, save $3. [rose] Tawse Sketches of Niagara Rose VQA Niagara Peninsula +172643, regularly $18.95, now $16.95, save $2. [white] Flat Rock Riesling VQA Twenty Mile Bench +43281, regularly $19.95, now $16.95, save $3. [fizz] MARTINI PROSECCO DOC +384651, regularly $15.95, now $13.95, save $2. [splurge] Sterling Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon +314575, regularly $46.95, now $41.95, save $5. MAJOR THEME: Ontario Wines Note: This is what I call a New Moon release...A once-a-month release of physical wines to the LCBO shelves, unlike the Blue Moon releases of three-a-month...I'll cover mostly the in-store wines since the “Online Curated Assortment” has only small quantities...If I do mention an online order wine, then it will have OCA initials and a date in front of it. Wines Under $20 ========= W+483834 CREW Riesling 2019 VQA Lake Erie North Shore $16.95 MVC/QPR: 89 W+82461 Pierre-Luc Bouchaud Sur Lie Muscadet Sèvre et Maine 2020 AC $15.95 MVC/QPR: 89 W+485532 Château Saint-Nabor Côtes du Rhone Blanc 2020 AC $15.95 MVC/QPR: 89 W+25249 Valcatrina by Santos Lima 2020 Vinho Regional Alentejano $15.95 MVC/QPR: 90 Wines Over $20 W+20455 Le Clos Jordanne Jordan Village Chardonnay 2019 VQA Niagara Peninsula $27.95 MVC/QPR: 89 W+155382 Marchesi di Barolo Gavi del Comune di Gavi 2020 DOCG $23.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+157347 Enrico Serafino Sanavento Barbaresco 2019 DOCG $29.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+922054 Tenute Silvio Nardi Brunello di Montalcino 2016 DOCG $49.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+14002 Biscardo Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2016 DOCG $43.95 MVC/QPR: 90 R+133033 Mas Estela Quindals 2016 DO Empordà $21.95 MVC/QPR: 89 WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for AUGUST 13, 2022 release. By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com. My "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits, has been at http://www.deantudor.com since 1994. These notes for good wines available through LCBO Vintages (on a bi-weekly basis) can always be found at http://www.gothicepicures.blogspot.ca or at http://www.deantudor.com No winery can buy their way into – or out of – this publication. Scores are a combination of MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Southern Rhone would taste like a Southern Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace above or below its price). Currently, the wine media have no access to the tasting samples usually provided to us in the LCBO lab on a fortnightly basis. This will go on for some time. HOWEVER, the wine media will still have access to the advance spreadsheet of the wines to be released. So I know what is to be released and when. SOME (but not many) of these 100 or so biweekly released wines I have recently tasted since January 2020 or so, and I can comfortably recommend them based on this prior sampling. ** Some New Wines I Tasted Over the Past Little While --- --REPORT FROM THE NORTHWEST WINE EXPEDITION TRADE SHOW JUNE 6 2022 The Date and Time: Monday June 6 Noon to 4PM The Event: Northwest Wine Expedition Trade Show The Venue: Steam Whistle Brewing, Locomotive Hall, Bremner Blvd The Target Audience: wine media, sommeliers, agents The Availability/Catalogue: The BottleBooks catalogue of 192 products was online and accessible by mobile. Information was provided on the name of the product, AVA, types of grapes used, suggested pricing, and the like. The Quote/Background: The potential usefulness of BottleBooks was shown by the host information on the event and making connections digitally. The Wines: There were 192 wines (plus or minus, as there were last minute additions and subtractions). Many wineries were seeking representation in Ontario. Few had tech/sales sheets. I only tasted Chardonnays and Sparkling wines. Among the latter, I certainly enjoyed: Treveri Cellars Blanc de Blancs (Chardonnay) NV Four Stars 91+ Treveri Cellars Blanc de Noir (Pinot Noir) NV Four Stars 91+ Treveri Cellars Brut Zero (Chardonnay) NV Four Stars 91+ Sokol Blosser Bluebird Cuvee Sparkling 2019 (Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling, Müller- Thurgau, Muscat) Three and a half Stars 88 – 90 **** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms): -Revana Vineyards Alexana Chardonnay Terroir Series 2020 $46 retail Le Sommelier. -A to Z Wineworks REX HILL Seven Soils Chardonnay 2019 -Adelsheim Vineyard Staking Claim Chardonnay 2018 -Chateau Ste Michelle Canoe Ridge Chardonnay 2018 -Milbrandt Estates Chardonnay 2018 -Milbrandt Family Chardonnay 2020 -Centerstone Willamette Valley Un-Oaked Chardonnay 2017 -Citation Oregon Chardonnay Cristom Vineyards 2015 -Eola-Amity Hills Chardonnay 2020 -Domaine Drouhin Oregon Roserock Chardonnay 2018 $26.95 -Foris Vineyards and Winery Chardonnay 2019 $23.95 DB Wine and Spirits -Phelps Creek Lynette Chardonnay 2018 -Sokol Blosser Estate Dundee Hills Chardonnay 2019 -Stoller Family Estate DUNDEE HILLS CHARDONNAY 2020 -The Eyrie Vineyards Chardonnay "The Eyrie" 2018 -Chateau Bianca Wetzel Estate Chardonnay 2019 ***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms): -A to Z Wineworks Oregon Chardonnay 2021 -Adelsheim Vineyard 2019 Willamette Valley -Chateau Ste Michelle Chardonnay 2020 -J. Bookwalter Readers Chardonnay 2020 (Chardonnay, 24% Viognier) -K Vintners Substance 'Ch' Chardonnay 2020 -Woodward Canyon Washington State Chardonnay 2020 -Division Chardonnay Un 2020 -Phelps Creek Chardonnay Columbia Gorge 2019 -Elk Cove Vineyards Pike Road Willamette Valley Chardonnay 2019 -Westmount Wine Co Westmount Chardonnay 2020 The Food: The Food Dudes provided many samples of hors d'oeuvre, such as reuben sliders, halloumi flatbreads with pears, chimichurri shrimp, tomato toasts with ricotta, prime steak tartare, seed crusted tuna, and avocados with veggies. Some food was provided by Pacific Northwest suppliers looking for agents. But no one seemed to have any bread or other platform to display the large number of sauces and dips and preserves. Overall, my favourite was Cardamon Hills Chutney which had a variety of chutneys that included apricot, apple-ginger, tomato, mango and quince. Laurel Brand had a great series of hazelnut spreads, macadamia butter, and hazel nut chocolates. The Downside: BottleBooks was affectionately known as BottleNecks by the Luddites The Upside: it was a large space and there was plenty of room for elbowing. The Contact Person: kelly@predhomme.ca and events@thefooddudes.com The Event’s Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 92 --Case-Wine.com is... ... a new online platform connecting Ontario VQA boutique wineries to new customers. They've asked me to review some of the VQA wine bottle products they have listed on their website, and to let people know about the availability of these wines through Case-Wine.com. I earn no money from the reviews listed below. They are not resellers but a platform that provides a service to both the local VQA craft wineries and the customers as an intermediary. This should have great appeal to Ontario residents, especially for those who have ever wanted to buy VQA boutique wines (about 17 wineries are currently listed for Niagara, 2 for Prince Edward County, and Lake Erie North Shore will be listed soon), but cannot or don't feel like travelling to the individual wineries (such as myself, with no car). Here is their URL: https://www.case-wine.com/index --Konzelmann Estate Winery Gewurztraminer Late Harvest 2019 VQA Niagara Peninsula. Very aromatic with some tropical tones of melons and lychees, very much in the fruity Alsatian style of gewurztraminer. Yum. Cool fermentation in stainless steel, with typical concentrated gewurztraminer tones of spices, limes, some roses on the mid-palate. Best as an off-dry aperitif by the deck or porch or pool, or with fragrant cheeses, spicy and/or creamy foods, with a tad of bitter on the finish. Great with Asiatic foods. Twist-off closure. 11.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 92 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. --Strewn Premium Riesling Lively 2020 VQA Niagara Peninsula. Here is a basic, all purpose semi-dry Ontario riesling that is lightly acidic with a smooth sweet tone on the mid-palate, and with some zestiness coming off the tongue. It's got all the elements of stone fruit (peaches, apricots, nectarines) plus the “lively” character of the lime-citrus mineral complex. 11.7% ABV. Residual sugar is 11.6 g/L. Probably best with all manner of light and white food such as white-fleshed fish, cooked pork roast, chicken. And, of course, extremely useful as a drink on the deck/patio/balcony/terrace/pool. Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. --Icellars Estate Rose 2020 VQA Niagara Peninsula. The current blend contains 9 different unspecified grape varieties from the Niagara Peninsula, which gives the producer much leeway in crafting a final blend. The label says strawberries and burnt sugar, and when I first opened the bottle I was immediately hit with the overpowering aromas of strawberries. Wow. Each of the grape varieties contributes distinctive fruit to the mix. So – depending on the vintage and the grapes available, the blend can change over the years. Very aromatic, emphasizing cherry-berry and orchard fruit layered under a tart bone dry cranberry-ish finish-length. A nice cheese wine from a very hot and dry vintage year. 13.1% ABV. Residual sugar is 5.9g/L. 100 cases made. Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. --2027 Cellars Gamay Rose 2021 VQA Twenty Mile Bench. [$22] This wine (all Gamay Noir) comes from the Foxcroft Block of the Wismer Vineyard on the Twenty-Mile Bench. It has undergone a cold fermentation to complete dryness, and exhibits the typical red Gamay character of red berries on the palate, with some aromatics of violets, black tea and some earthy rhubarb minerality. It is a light and balanced easy drinking wine for the patio/deck. Indeed, it can be an all-purpose free-standing social drink or aperitif or first-course wine. 394 cases. 12.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. --Leaning Post Rose 2021 VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake. [$22] A first-time production for Leaning Post, and using all Pinot Noir: an immediately overwhelming sensation of strawberries and raspberries on the nose. Almost made me want to douse myself with this “perfume”. Undertones of orange and lemons. Some sweetness on the mid-palate. Fermentation was begun in stainless steel before 43% of the wine was transferred to concrete for finishing and roundness (emulating the fired-clay vessels of early winemaking). The porous nature of the storage added to the length of the minerality, and also suggested some sour tart cherries on the finish. An excellent wine for socializing. Personally, I loved it. Vegan-friendly. 5.5 g/L residual sugar. 12% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 92 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. --Nomad at Hinterbrook Winery Garden Rose 2021 VQA Niagara Lakeshore. [$17.95] Amazingly enough, this wine comes with a cork finish – very unusual in a sea of Ontario roses that use twisttops/screwcaps for what is basically a fresh quaffing wine. This suggests that aging is ok and might be a possibility, changing the aromatics to bouquets and promoting change to the wine's structure. I only had one bottle, so I might never know for sure. My first sense on tasting was the presence of some petillance, not enough to affect the nosing but enough to suggest that any light carbonation could actually enhance its ageability potential. The prickliness enhanced the cherry-berry basket of fruit flavours, and provided some refreshing melon tones to my palate. A very good wine for the patio/deck. 12.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. ** Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO’s Limited Time Offers selections...these are good value...on sale through Sunday August 14-- [red] Rodney Strong Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon +226944, regularly $27.95, now $24.95, save $3 [red] Santa Carolina Reserva de Familia Cabernet Sauvignon Maipo Valley Chile +408658, regularly $19.95, now $16.95, save $3 [white] Flat Rock Chardonnay VQA Niagara Peninsula +286278, regularly $19.95, now $17.95, save $2 [rose] JULIET PROSECCO ROSE DOC Italy +20979 regularly $14.95, NOW $12.95, SAVE $2 [splurge] La Crema Sonoma Coast Chardonnay +962886, regularly $29.95, now $27.95, save $2 [splurge] Zenato Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico DOC Veneto +413179, regularly $52.95, now $49.95, save $3 AUGUST 13 MAJOR THEME: White Wine Magic Note: This is what I call a New Moon release...A once-a-month release of physical wines to the LCBO shelves, unlike the Blue Moon releases of three-a-month...I'll cover mostly the in-store wines since the “Online Curated Assortment” has only small quantities...If I do mention an online order wine, then it will have OCA initials and a date in front of it. OCA July 30, 2022 Sparkling+514323 BERLUCCHI '61 BRUT FRANCIACORTA DOCG Lombardy Italy 49 cases $39.95. MVC/QPR: 91. Wines Under $20 ========= W+20599 FEATHERSTONE PINOT GRIGIO Vegan, VQA Niagara Peninsula 2021 $17.95 MVC/QPR: 90 W+25613 MARTIN CODAX MARA MARTIN GODELLO Vegan, DO Monterrei 2020 $17.95 MVC/QPR: 89 Rose+333260 CHÂTEAU DES CHARMES CUVÉE D'ANDRÉE ROSÉ VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake 2021 $18.95 MVC/QPR: 91 R+15763 BON COURAGE ESTATE CABERNET SAUVIGNON WO Robertson 2017 $15.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+134544 MONTE DEL FRÁ BARDOLINO DOC 2020 $16.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+424960 CANTINA DI VERONA RIPASSO VALPOLICELLA SUPERIORE DOC 2019 $17.95 MVC/QPR: 89 Wines Over $20 ========= Sparkling+421032 CHARLES MIGNON PREMIUM RÉSERVE BRUT CHAMPAGNE $47.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+973214 DI MAJO NORANTE RAMITELLO DOP Biferno Rosso 2016 $25.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+261784 PAPALE LINEA ORO PRIMITIVO DI MANDURIA DOP Varvaglione Vigne & Vini 2017 $21.95 MVC/QPR: 90 R+353201 RUFFINO RISERVA DUCALE ORO GRAN SELEZIONE CHIANTI CLASSICO DOCG 2017 $49.95 MVC/QPR: 89 WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for JULY 16, 2022 release. By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com. My "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits, has been at http://www.deantudor.com since 1994. These notes for good wines available through LCBO Vintages (on a bi-weekly basis) can always be found at http://www.gothicepicures.blogspot.ca or at http://www.deantudor.com No winery can buy their way into – or out of – this publication. Scores are a combination of MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Southern Rhone would taste like a Southern Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace above or below its price). Currently, the wine media have no access to the tasting samples usually provided to us in the LCBO lab on a fortnightly basis. This will go on or some time. HOWEVER, the wine media will still have access to the advance spreadsheet of the wines to be released. So I know what is to be released and when. SOME (but not many) of these 100 or so biweekly released wines I have recently tasted since January 2020 or so, and I can comfortably recommend them based on this prior sampling. ** Some New Wines I Tasted Over the Past Fortnight --- Varvaglione 12E MEZZO Primitivo del Salento 2020 IGT Puglia, $14.95 +395053: This full-bodied red has a dried herbal character, and also shows its warm ripe fruit (plums, cherries) and spicy mocha vanilla tones from three months in US oak barriques. It is very smooth in that over-the-top California zinfandel manner, very BBQ friendly. Sip or drink with red-based food such as pasta and pizza, or anything BBQ. Very affordable price. 12.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. KACABA Rebecca Rose VQA Niagara Peninsula 2021+227025 July 16 Vintages, $20.15: a nicely pale-coloured gamay wine (formerly a blend of cabernets), coming in at 11.7% ABV. Dry (3g/L residual sugar) style red fruits: strawbs, red currant, sweet cherries, cranberry (hey, it's Ontario) with a touch of pink watermelon for added complexity. Stainless steel used for storage. Goes with just about everything. A nicely balanced rose which reminded me of Provence. And it gets high scores at the Wine Writer's Circle of Canada rose tastings. 60 cases at the LCBO, more at the winery. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. KACABA Susan's Sauvignon Blanc VQA Niagara Peninsula 2021 winery and online at kacaba.com, $20.15: another summer series wine, quaffable in its tropicality and lowered zesty herbaceousness. Good mouthfeel, nice dry finish for appetizers on the patio/deck/balcony/porch. Stainless steel storage. No malolactic fermentation, thus the crispness and freshness has been preserved. It has Good Memories of Sauvignon Blanc, making it another social wine for the patio or with first-course food. 3g/L residual sugar. 10.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. Available through Case-Wine.COM -- 1.Southbrook Triomphe Chardonnay Organic 2018 VQA Niagara Peninsula, $25: fruit is from two contracted growers, all barrel fermented in oak (2d and 3rd year barrels). Wild fermentation, wild malolactic fermentation, lees aging one year, all vegan friendly. Very soft and engaging, much like the 2016 in its youth, some toast but a longish length. Showing some orchard fruit (such as pears) on the mid-palate. Burgundian in style with citric zest in the mid-palate, long finish. Best tasted in contemplation, underpriced. Do not overchill. Twist top. Try with creamy cow's milk (Brie, Camembert) or Alpine Gruyere; also, simple roasted chicken. 12.7% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 92 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 2.King's Court Estate Winery Sauvignon Blanc 2017 VQA Niagara Peninsula, $20.95: there are many different fruit profiles for savvies in the world, ranging from the kiwi herbal zestiness to blowsy fruit-forward flavours. This one is a bit more open and approachable, showing some green orchard fruit, some stone fruits, citric tones on the finish, and a crispness that needs food. It is well-within the range of North American sauvignon blanc wines. But do not overchill when you serve it on the patio/deck/terrace. Try with BBQ, creamy pasta, or grilled sandwiches. 12.5% ABV. Twist top. Quality/Price rating is 88 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 3.Waupoos Estate Winery Riesling 2021 VQA Prince Edward County {$19.95]: with grapes planted in 2015, still young and fresh, somewhat crisp and dry at this point. Light bodied, with a stainless steel ferment. Various aromatics abound from a young riesling on the green side: fresh apples, lime, nuances of lemongrass. Crisp food finish, but also good for those hot summery days as an aperitif for the deck/patio/balcony. Very food-worthy with assorted seafood (shrimp on the barbee?), light but not spicy pork, chicken in different styles. 5 g/L residual sugar, very dry. 11.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 4.Nomad at Hinterbrook Winery Sauvignon Blanc 2021 VQA Niagara Lakeshore [$17.95]: bone-dry, light aromas of tropicality such as pineapple, some gooseberry, even grassy or herbaceous. Stainless steel fermentation. Grapefruit and other citric tones on the mid-palate. Apples, finishing with lemons. Great with all manner of veggies, especially green ones. 300 cases made. 12% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. REPORT ON THE 2022 CHIANTI CLASSICO ESPERIENZE, MAY 30, 2022 -- The Date and Time: Monday May 30, 2022  Noon - 4PM The Event: 2022 Chianti Classico Esperienze The Venue: The Globe and Mail Centre, King Street The Target Audience: wine trade, wine writers, sommeliers. The Availability/Catalogue: as with all the current wine shows in Toronto, there was no print catalogue – it was all virtual for specific data about terroir, history, DOC coverage, production, etc. (facts and figures). Prices were available but from the sgents in attendance. The Quote/Background: There were 35 wineries promoting Chianti Classico at three or so levels (regular, reserve, and gran selezione. Also, there were dedicated tables for Vin Santo DOC (12 of them) plus Olive Oil DOP (14 of them). The tables were arranged by the 11 appellations. The Wines: I did not try every wine, although I did try at least one wine per winery.   **** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms): -Castello di Gabbiano Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Bellezza Cavaliere d'Oro San Casciano 2015 -Colli Fiorentini Chianti Classico San Casciano3 Riserva La Verita 2014 -Villa Mangiacane Chianti Classico San Casciano Riserva 2017 -Villa Mangiacane Chianti Classico San Casciano Gran Selezione 2016 -Carpineto Chianti Classico Greve Gran Selezione 2016 -Castello di Querceto Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Il Picchio Greve 2018 -Castello Vicchiomaggio Chianti Classico Gtan Selezione La Prima Greve 2018 -Castello di Verrazzano Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Sassello Montefioralle 2016 -Fontodi Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigna del Sorbo Panzano 2018 -Il Molino di Grace Chianti Classico Riserva Panzano 2018  $29 Le Sommelier Licensee -Il Molino di Grace Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Il Margone Panzano 2016  $49 Le Sommelier Licensee -Tenuta Carobbio Chianti Classico Riserva Panzano 2015 -Arillo in Terrabianca Chianti Classico Riserva Poggio Croce Radda 2019 -Badia a Coltibuono Chianti Classico Gaiole 2019 -Badia a Coltibuono Chianti Classico Riserva Gaiole 2017 -Badia a Coltibuono Chianti Classico Riserva Cultus Gaiole 2017 -Castello di Cacchiano Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Millennio Gaiole 2015 -Fèlsina Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Colonia Rancia Castelnuovo Berardenga 2018 -Lecci e Brocchi Chianti Classico Riserva Il Chiorba Castelnuovo Berardenga 2018 -Lecci e Brocchi Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Celerarium Castelnuovo Berardenga 2015 -San Felice Chianti Classico Riserva Il Grigio Castelnuovo Berardenga 2018 -San Felice Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Il Grigio Castelnuovo Berardenga 2017 -Borgo Scopeto Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vagliagli 2016 -Dievole Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigna di Sessina Vagliagli 2016 -Casale dello Sparviero Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Castellina 2018 -Castello di Fonterutoli Chianti Classico Riserva Ser Lapo Castellina 2019 -Castello di Fonterutoli Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Ser Lapo Castellina 2018 -Cecchi Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Valore di Famiglia Castellina 2016 -Rocca delle Macìe Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Sergio Zingarelli Sergioveto Castellina 2016 -Tenuta Villa Trasqua Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Nerento Castellina 2016 -Isole e Olena Chianti Classico Gran Selezione San Donato in Poggio 2015     ***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms): -Isole e Olena Chianti Classico San Donato in Poggio 2019 -Tenuta Villa Trasqua Chianti Classico Riserva Fanatico Castellina 2017 -Rocca delle Macìe Chianti Classico Riserva Sergioveto Castellina 2018 -Lornano Chianti Classico Riserva Le Bandite Castellina 2017 -Lornano Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Castellina 2015 -Casale dello Sparviero Chianti Classico Riserva Castellina 2018 -Cecchi Chianti Classico Villa Cerna Primocolle Castellina 2017 -Fattoria della Aiola Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Cancello Rosso 2017 -Dievole Chianti Classico Riserva Novecento Vagliagli 2018 -Borgo Scopeto Chianti Classico Riserva Vigna Misciano Vagliagli 2018 -Tolaini Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigna Montebello Sette Castelnuovo Berardenga 2018 -Tenuta Casenuove Chianti Classico Riserva Panzano 2017 -Capannelle Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Gaiole 2016 -Il Molino di Grace Chianti Classico Panzano 2019  $22 Le Sommelier Licensee -Lamole di Lamole Chianti Classico Riserva Lamole 2017 -Castello di Cacchiano Chianti Classico Riserva Gaiole 2018 -Fèlsina Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia Castelnuovo Berardenga 2018 -Conti Capponi - Villa Calcinaia Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Vigna Bastignano Montefioralle 2016 -Fontodi Chianti Classico Filetta di Lamole Panzano 2019 -Castello di Verrazzano Chianti Classico Riserva Montefioralle 2017 -Vecchie Terre di Montefili Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Panzano 2017 -Querciabella Chianti Classico Riserva Greve 2017 -Castelli del Grevepesa Chianti Classico Riserva San Casciano Clemente VII 2018 -Castelli del Grevepesa Chianti Classico Gran Selezione San Casciano Clemente VII 2016 -Castello di Gabbiano Chianti Classico Riserva d'Oro San Casciano 2016 -Carpineto Chianti Classico Greve Riserva 2017 -Lanciola Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Le Masse di Greve 2016 -Castello di Querceto Chianti Classico Greve Riserva 2018 -Castello Vicchiomaggio Chianti Classico Riserva Agostino Petri Greve 2018 -Lanciola Chianti Classico Riserva Le Masse di Greve 2016     The Food: Catering was by the always excellent Ascari – -Crostini neri (chicken liver and fried sage on toast) -Farinata – rosemary and chickpea pancake, whipped ricotta, sundried olives -Funghi pizza slices – cremini mushroom, gorgonzola DOP, garlic, chives -Ribolita – kale and white bean stew on sourdough toast -Coccoli prosciutto & stracchino – cheese-filled fried dough ball covered with cured ham. Plus coffee... The Downside: I had no time to try the vin santo DOCs on offer, nor the olio DOP The Upside: there was a media room with all the bottles, and there were chairs. So it was relatively easy to taste and appraise. The Contact Person: kelly@predhomme.ca or amanda@predhomme.ca The Event’s Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 93   ** Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO’s Limited Time Offers selections...these are good value...on sale through Sunday July 17... [red] Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon Colchagua Valley Chile +322586, regularly $19.95, now $16.95, save $3. [rose] 13th Street Cuvee Brut Sparkling Rose Trad Method VQA Niagara Peninsula +147504, regularly $29.95, now $26.95, save $3. [white] Quail's Gate Chardonnay VQA Okanagan Valley British Columbia +377770, regularly $26.95, now $23.95, save $3. [fizz] Chateau des Charmes Brut Sparkling Trad Method VQA NOTL +224766, regularly $25.95, now $21.95, save $4. [splurge] Beringer Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma +352583, regularly $46.95, now $41.95, save $5. MAJOR THEME: Sunny Mediterranean Wines Note: This is what I call a New Moon release...A once-a-month release of physical wines to the LCBO shelves, unlike the Blue Moon releases of three-a-month...I'll cover mostly the in-store wines since the “Online Curated Assortment” has only small quantities...If I do mention an online order wine, then it will have OCA initials and a date in front of it. Wines Under $20 ========= W+225557 ERADUS SAUVIGNON BLANC Awatere Valley, Marlborough, South Island 2021 $19.95 MVC/QPR: 89 W+391987 MIDDLE-EARTH SAUVIGNON BLANC Vegan, sustainable, Nelson, South Island 2021 $18.95 MVC/QPR: 89 W+315119 JEAN GEILER PINOT GRIS AC Alsace 2019 $17.95 MVC/QPR: 90 W+390625 DOMAINE LA HAUTE FÉVRIE SUR LIE MUSCADET SÈVRE ET MAINE AC 2020 $15.95 MVC/QPR: 89 W+25703 ORSOGNA ZEROPURO CLOROFILLAE MALVASIA ORANGE Vegan, IGP Terre di Chieti 2020 $18.95 MVC/QPR: 89. Rose+515288 RIVAROSE BRUT PRESTIGE SPARKLING ROSÉ Salon de Provence, IGP Mediterranean, Provence, France $19.95 MVC/QPR: 89. R+642421 VALPANTENA TORRE DEL FALASCO VALPOLICELLA RIPASSO DOC 2020 $18.95 MVC/QPR: 89. R+450155 TAPIZ ALTA COLLECTION MALBEC Mendoza 2019 $19.95 MVC/QPR: 89. R+273672 STORIA ANTICA SUPERIORE VALPOLICELLA RIPASSO DOC 2019 $18.95 MVC/QPR: 90. R+668780 BISCARDO ROSAPASSO IGT Veneto 2021 $15.95 MVC/QPR: 90 Wines Over $20 ========= W+20899 CLOSSON CHASE THE BROCK CHARDONNAY VQA Niagara River, Niagara-on-the-Lake 2019 $24.95 MVC/QPR: 90. W+238642 INNISKILLIN MONTAGUE VINEYARD CHARDONNAY Single vineyard, VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara-on-the-Lake 2020 $25.95 MVC/QPR: 89. Rose+668426 VILLA AIX EN PROVENCE ROSÉ AP Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence 2021 $20.95 MVC/QPR: 89. Rose+279117 SOUTHBROOK TRIOMPHE ORGANIC CABERNET FRANC ROSÉ Vegan, VQA Niagara Peninsula 2021 $20.95 MVC/QPR: 89 Rose+227025 KACABA SUMMER SERIES REBECCA ROSÉ VQA Niagara Peninsula 2021 $20.15 MVC/QPR: 90 R+73817 RUTHERFORD RANCH CABERNET SAUVIGNON Napa Valley, California 2018 $42.95 MVC/QPR: 90. OCA June 30 R+25678 TUA RITA ROSSO DEI NOTRI IGT Toscana 2019 $29.95 MVC/QPR: 90 WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for JUNE 18, 2022 release. By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com. My "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits, has been at http://www.deantudor.com since 1994. Note: This is what I call the New Moon release...A once a month release of physical wines to the LCBO shelves, unlike April's Blue Moon releases (three !!). These notes for good wines available through LCBO Vintages (on a bi-weekly basis) can always be found at http://www.gothicepicures.blogspot.ca or at http://www.deantudor.com No winery can buy their way into – or out of – this publication. Scores are a combination of MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Southern Rhone would taste like a Southern Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace above or below its price). Currently, the wine media have no access to the tasting samples usually provided to us in the LCBO lab on a fortnightly basis. This will go on or some time. HOWEVER, the wine media will still have access to the advance spreadsheet of the wines to be released. So I know what is to be released and when. SOME (but not many) of these 100 or so biweekly released wines I have recently tasted since January 2020 or so, and I can comfortably recommend them based on this prior sampling. ** Some New Wines I Tasted Over the Past Month --- 1.Cantina Goccia 3Q Rosso 2018 Umbria IGT $16.95 LCBO +22878: a basic entry level “SuperUmbrian” wine made with unoaked sangiovese, cabernet and merlot grapes. So there is some red and black fruit and some dark chocolate, augmented at 2 g/L residual sugar. It is available only in a recycled paperboard bottle; there are instructions on the Frugalpac bottle on how to recycle if you are not bringing it back to The Beer Store for a deposit return. It's a great idea, first launched in Italy in June 2020. And it's a more sustainable form of packaging [packaging and transportation is more than half of the wine carbon footprint]. Frugalpac bottles are 94% recycled paper, and are used (with a separate liner) for wines, spirits and olive oils. 13.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 2.SUNDAY SAIL SAUVIGNON BLANC    Marlborough, South Island    2021  +22850  $19.95 Vintages: this is an exceptionally fresh savvy just loaded with citrus peel zest character (think lime, grapefruit, lemon) and that distinctive Kiwi herbal taste base. Just released at Vintages, and perfect for summer patio/deck/bbq/outdoors imbibing. Make sure you get some before they run out! Try as a refreshing sipper or (because of its long finish)  with first course foods. I had mine with an herbal salad of microgreens and piquant leaves, chopped hard boiled eggs, and some squash soup with house made croutons. 13% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 3.Chateau des Charmes Rose Cuvee d’Andree 2021 Estate Grown VQA NOTL, $18.95 +333260 at winery, online, and LCBO: this fresh and vibrant rose (named after Madame Andree Bosc) continues to please year over year as I have said before. It is still 100% pinot noir, dry “old style” as in Europe, but loaded with Ontario cranberry, red fruit strawberry, and some discreet black cherry tones from the hot summer, coming in at 12.2% ABV. Stainless steel fermentation of course, and twist top. Refreshing. A previous Ontario Wine Awards Gold Winner in 2016. 4.2g/L residual sugar. Vegan friendly: no animal products used in filtering. 675 cases produced. Quality/Price rating is 92 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 4.Chateau des Charmes Pinot Noir 2017 Paul Bosc Estate Vineyard VQA St.David's Bench, +332858, $44.95 at winery and online: Quite a powerful wine, lots of stylish Burgundian forest floor (mushrooms, earth) to complement the red berry fruit. It was last produced in 2016. Needs some time, maybe three more years. 13.5% ABV. It will also show better with food such as Asian salmon preps or veal or lamb. Cork closure. Residual sugar is 1.2g/L. 1200 cases produced. Quality/Price rating is 92 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 5.Chateau des Charmes Chardonnay 2020 Paul Bosc Estate Vineyard VQA St David's Bench, +287268, $34.95 (online and winery): one of several chardonnays at different price points from Chateau des Charmes. My last vintage tasted was the 2016. Barrel fermented and barrel aged in French oak for almost a year, with lees stirring. 30-year old vines. Expect soft balance with nuances of minerality and some muted tropicality, served up with orchard fruit and melons. Cork closure. Long finish. One of my fave chards, but do not serve overchilled. 474 cases. 0.4g/L residual sugar. 12.2% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 93 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 6.KACABA IRRESISTIBLE SPARKLING 2019, $30.15 winery and online: [also known as Joanne's Blend, formulated for Joanne Kacaba herself] an amazingly “irresistible” sparkling rose with fresh aromas of strawberries and summer peaches. The blend is 66% chardonnay, 20% pinot noir, and 14% pinot meunier, fermented separately and blended in stainless steel for 22 months. Then it was transferred to a Charmat tank for two months, aging on its lees. A great aperitif for the patio/deck/balcony/terrace/boat, or paired with light cheeses (especially a baked brie). Off-dry complexity. 12% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 7.KACABA Rebecca Rose VQA Niagara Peninsula 2021+227025 July 16 Vintages, $20.15: a nicely pale-coloured gamay wine (formerly a blend of cabernets), coming in at 11.7% ABV. Dry (3g/L residual sugar) style red fruits: strawbs, red currant, sweet cherries, cranberry (hey, it's Ontario) with a touch of pink watermelon for added complexity. Stainless steel used for storage. Goes with just about everything. A nicely balanced rose which reminded me of Provence. And it gets high scores at the Wine Writer's Circle of Canada rose tastings. 60 cases at the LCBO, more at the winery. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 8.KACABA Susan's Sauvignon Blanc VQA Niagara Peninsula 2021 winery and online at kacaba.com, $20.15: another summer series wine, quaffable in its tropicality and lowered zesty herbaceousness. Good mouthfeel, nice dry finish for appetizers on the patio/deck/balcony/porch. Stainless steel storage. No malolactic fermentation, thus the crispness and freshness has been preserved. It has Good Memories of Sauvignon Blanc, making it another social wine for the patio or with first-course food. 3g/L residual sugar. 10.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. ** Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO’s Limited Time Offers selections...these are good value...on sale through Sunday June 19 (just a day away!) [red]WOLF BLASS YELLOW LABEL CABERNET SAUVIGNON LCBO 251876 WAS: $ 17.05 | NOW: $ 14.05 | SAVE: $ 3.00 [white]VILLA MARIA PRIVATE BIN CHARDONNAY EAST COAST New Zealand LCBO 13293 WAS: $ 18.05 | NOW: $ 16.05 | SAVE: $ 2.00 [domestic white]ROSEHALL RUN CHARDONNAY VQA Rosehall Run Vineyards LCBO 303776 WAS: $ 15.95 | NOW: $ 13.95 | SAVE: $ 2.00 [rose]SAINTLY ROSÉ VQA LCBO 14882 WAS: $ 19.00 | NOW: $ 17.00 | SAVE: $ 2.00 [fizz]TRIUS BRUT VQA LCBO 284539 Was: $ 29.95 Now: $ 26.95 Save: $ 3.00 Until June 19, 2022 MAJOR THEME: Southern Hemisphere Wines Under $20 ========= W+734798 THORNBURY SAUVIGNON BLANC Marlborough, South Island 2021 $18.95 MVC/QPR: 89 W+328559 CATHEDRAL CELLAR CHARDONNAY WO Western Cape 2020 $17.95 MVC/QPR: 91 W+23098 FILAREE ITALIA RIBOLLA GIALLA IGT Venezia Giulia 2020 $14.95 MVC/QPR: 92 Rose+650655 REDSTONE ROSÉ VQA Niagara Peninsula 2021 $17.95 MVC/QPR: 89 Wines Over $20 ========= W+20455 LE CLOS JORDANNE JORDAN VILLAGE CHARDONNAY VQA Niagara Peninsula 2019 $24.95 MVC/QPR: 89 W+172338 SOUTHBROOK TRIOMPHE ORGANIC CHARDONNAY Vegan, VQA Niagara Peninsula 2018 $24.95 MVC/QPR: 92 R+155408 MARCHESI DI BAROLO BARBARESCO DOCG 2018 $38.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+216309 CASTELLO DI GABBIANO RISERVA CHIANTI CLASSICO DOCG 2016 $24.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+438580 QUERCECCHIO BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO DOCG 2017 $32.95 MVC/QPR:89 WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for MAY 21, 2022 release. The New Moon LCBO release of wines -- By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com. My "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits, has been at http://www.deantudor.com since 1994. These notes for good wines available through LCBO Vintages (on a bi-weekly basis) can always be found at http://www.gothicepicures.blogspot.ca or at http://www.deantudor.com No winery can buy their way into – or out of – this publication. Scores are a combination of MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Southern Rhone would taste like a Southern Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace above or below its price). Currently, the wine media have no access to the tasting samples usually provided to us in the LCBO lab on a fortnightly basis. This will go on or some time. HOWEVER, the wine media will still have access to the advance spreadsheet of the wines to be released. So I know what is to be released and when. SOME (but not many) of these 100 or so biweekly released wines I have recently tasted since January 2020 or so, and I can comfortably recommend them based on this prior sampling. ** Some New Wines I Tasted Over the Past Fortnight --- 1.Featherstone Estate Winery Four Feathers 2021 VQA Niagara Peninsula $14.95 +341586 Vintages on May 21 and again on November 19: a summer social sipper or quaffer (and for Thanksgiving too), combining 54% riesling and 18% chardonnay with 15% pinot grigio and 13% gewurztraminer – all highly aromatic grapes. The percentages change from vintage to vintage depending on vineyard conditions. Stainless steel fermentation. Typical fruit flavours to be found include pineapple, melon, lemon, some mango, and some sweet parts of citric tones near the finish. A popular seller with 1282 cases. Incredibly fresh and fruity tones for summer. 14g/L residual sugar. 12% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 2.Featherstone Estate Winery Rose 2021 VQA Niagara Peninsula $15.95 +117861 Vintages May 21 and again on September 10: over the years, this rose has had different and varying amounts of grape varieties – all dependent on what wily winemaker David Johnson sees as the best possible blend. In the past it has had pinot noir and cabernet sauvignon, as well as gamay noir, merlot, chardonnay, and cabernet franc. This latest vintage (2021) has cabernet sauvignon 33.3%, gamay noir 60%, and pinot noir 6.7%. It's extremely useful for any event, any occasion, with any food, or just alone as a sipper on the beach/patio/deck/terrace/backyard/porch/balcony – even in front of a roaring fireplace (as I did just this week when the snow dropped in High Park North a few days before Earth Day). Expect plenty of red fruit tones in its deliciousness. Great price. 1662 cases. 7g/L residual sugar, 13% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 3.KACABA CABERNET/SYRAH 2017 +26424 Vintages May 21, $30.15 also at winery and online: this is a blend of cabernet franc and cabernet sauvignon (27% each) with syrah (46%), the latter being the oldest planting in Ontario. At one time it was a blend of cabernet/merlot/syrah, but this changes every year depending on the grapes available and the harvest conditions. Matured in French and American oak barrels for 13 months or so. You'll get a whiff of anise and red fruit, and with the franc it is a bit savoury. Definitely a red meat wine. What I usually do is make a double-decant, taste, and then leave it in a re-sealed bottle for a week or so, with daily tastings. The wine itself will be at its peak in a few more years. 5.4 g/L residual sugar. 12.8% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. ** Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO’s Limited Time Offers selections...these are good value...on sale through Sunday May 22...better get them now! [red]CHÂTEAU DES CHARMES GAMAY NOIR VQA LCBO +57349 WAS: $ 15.95 | NOW: $14.45 SAVE: $ 1.50. [rose]CAVE SPRING DRY ROSÉ VQA LCBO +295006 WAS: $ 15.95 | NOW: $ 13.95 | SAVE: $ 2.00 [white] PENINSULA RIDGE INOX CHARDONNAY VQA LCBO +594200 | WAS: $ 15.95 | NOW: $ 13.95 | SAVE: $ 2.00 MAJOR THEME: ROSE Note: This is what I call the New Moon release...A once a month release of physical wines to the LCBO shelves, unlike April's Blue Moon releases (three last month!!)...I'll cover mostly the in-store wines since the “Online Curated Assortment” has only small quantities...If I do mention an online order wine, then it will have OCA initials and date in front of it. Wines Under $20 ========= W+341586 FEATHERSTONE FOUR FEATHERS VQA Niagara Peninsula 2021 $14.95 MVC/QPR: 90. W+389726 BOYA SAUVIGNON BLANC Sustainable, Coast Zone, DO Valle de Leyda Garcés Silva 2021 $14.95 MVC/QPR: 89. Rose+177840 PENINSULA RIDGE BEAL VINEYARD CABERNET ROSÉ VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment 2021 $15.95 MVC/QPR: 90 Rose+16250 THE TRAGICALLY HIP FLAMENCO ROSÉ VQA Niagara Peninsula Stoney Ridge Estate Winery 2021 $19.95 MVC/QPR: 89 Rose+117861 FEATHERSTONE ROSÉ VQA Niagara Peninsula 2021 $15.95 MVC/QPR: 90 Rose+19846 CONFIDENCIAL RESERVA ROSÉ Vinho Regional Lisboa 2021 $15.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+ 542183 RAVANAL GRAN RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON Valle de Colchagua 2019 $15.95 MVC/QPR: 89. R+395053 12 E MEZZO PRIMITIVO DEL SALENTO IGP Varvaglione 2020 $15.95 MVC/QPR: 89 Wines Over $20 OCA May 14 - +19618 MUDDY WATER CHARDONNAY Waipara, South Island 2018 $39.95 OCA May 14 - +19622 MUDDY WATER PINOT NOIR Waipara, South Island 2018 $39.95 OCA May 14 - +24613 CHÂTEAU THÉBAUD SUR LIE MUSCADET SÈVRE ET MAINE AC, Loire, France Domaine Pierre-Luc et Valérie Bouchaud 2014 $25.95 W+181289 DOMAINE LE VERGER CHABLIS AC Alain Geoffroy, prop.-vitic. 2019 $26.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+26503 SOUTHBROOK TRIOMPHE GAMAY Vegan, VQA Niagara Peninsula 2019 $27.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+213132 LA PIEVE BAROLO DOCG 2018 $39.95 MVC/QPR: 89. Hey, it's the BLUE MOON release at the LCBO....!!!! WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for APRIL 30, 2022 release. By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com. My "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits, has been at http://www.deantudor.com since 1994. These notes for good wines available through LCBO Vintages (on a bi-weekly basis) can always be found at http://www.gothicepicures.blogspot.ca or at http://www.deantudor.com No winery can buy their way into – or out of – this publication. Scores are a combination of MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Southern Rhone would taste like a Southern Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace above or below its price). Currently, the wine media have no access to the tasting samples usually provided to us in the LCBO lab on a fortnightly basis. This will go on or some time. HOWEVER, the wine media will still have access to the advance spreadsheet of the wines to be released. So I know what is to be released and when. SOME (but not many) of these 100 or so biweekly released wines I have recently tasted since January 2020 or so, and I can comfortably recommend them based on this prior sampling. **Some recently reviewed wine bottles, from Featherstone (all available NOW at LCBO and winery) -- 1.Featherstone Estate Winery Sauvignon Blanc 2021 VQA Niagara Peninsula $17.95 +89011 Vintages April 30 and and again on October 8: 20% of this wine went into neutral Canadian oak barrel fermentation, leaving 80% for stainless steel. That contributed to the softness and to the muted tones of grassiness. Tropical flowers are accented rather than tropical fruit, and this too adds to its dryness culminating with ending citrus notes for a long finish. It's a great wine for savvy lovers who go for complexity rather than just herbs. At the same time, this allows for more food choices. Only 542 cases. 4g/L residual sugar, 12% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 92 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 2.Featherstone Estate Winery Black Sheep Riesling 2020 VQA Niagara Peninsula $18.95 +80234 Vintages Essential: more in the Mosel mode than Rhine wine, this delicious sipper is loaded with a nose of citrus highlights (lemon, plentiful lime, grapefruit) evolving to Ontario orchard fruit on the mid-palate with some minerality and a long lean-ish finish which also makes it nifty food wine for many Asiatic dishes. Medium body, off-dry. Suitable for aging, to get that “petrol” character. 2573 cases made. 10.5% ABV. RS 20.7g/L. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 3.Featherstone Estate Winery Sauvignon Blanc 2021 VQA Niagara Peninsula $17.95 +89011 Vintages April 30 and and again on October 8: 20% of this wine went into neutral Canadian oak barrel fermentation, leaving 80% for stainless steel. That contributed to the softness and to the muted tones of grassiness. Tropical flowers are accented rather than tropical fruit, and this too adds to its dryness culminating with ending citrus notes for a long finish. It's a great wine for savvy lovers who go for complexity rather than just herbs. At the same time, this allows for more food choices. Only 542 cases. 4g/L residual sugar, 12% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 92 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 4.Featherstone Estate Winery Cabernet Franc 2020 VQA Niagara Peninsula $19.95 +64618 Vintages Essential: a blend of 95% cabernet franc and 5% merlot. All US oak was used – 25% new, balance into 1 to 4 year old barrels. Full malolactic fermentation. Medium-bodied with an assortment of tastes of cherry-berries and plums, leafy qualities. Black pepper. Long, long finish showing tart-ish food-loving acid balances. Vegan. Should go well with BBQ veggies. Keep for another few years (I tasted one bottle over a week). 2106 cases. 2.59g/L residual sugar. 12.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 92 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 5.Featherstone Estate Winery Red Tail Merlot 2020 VQA Niagara Peninsula $19.95 +131540 Vintages April 30 and again on Nov 5: Merlot is still recovering from its dissing by Pinot Noir in the movie “Sideways”. But a lot of wineries are still making it. David Johnson the winemaker has here produced a delightfully fruity but dryish (RS 2g/L) drop that is also affordable. Aged 10 months in French oak, 100% malolactic fermentation. Expect black fruit cherry-berry complexity, headed by cassis. Both a patio sipper and a food wine, and ready now for current drinking and accompanying any kind of comfort food. 12.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 92 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. ** Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO’s Limited Time Offers selections...these are good value...on sale through Sunday May 22 -- [red]CHÂTEAU DES CHARMES GAMAY NOIR VQA LCBO +57349 WAS: $ 15.95 | NOW: $14.45 SAVE: $ 1.50. [rose]CAVE SPRING DRY ROSÉ VQA LCBO +295006 WAS: $ 15.95 | NOW: $ 13.95 | SAVE: $ 2.00 [white] PENINSULA RIDGE INOX CHARDONNAY VQA LCBO +594200 | WAS: $ 15.95 | NOW: $ 13.95 | SAVE: $ 2.00 From the Vintages Catalogue -- Rose+559088 Malivoire Ladybug Rose $15.95, normally $17.95, save $2. Fizz+213983 Cave Spring Blanc de Blancs Brut Sparkling $29.95, normally $32.95, save $3. FizzyRose+48793 Louis Bouillot Perle d'Aurore Brut Rosé Crémant de Bourgogne $20.95, normally $22.95, save $2. MAJOR THEME: CLASSIC EUROPEAN REGIONS Wines Under $20 ========= W+89011 FEATHERSTONE SAUVIGNON BLANC VQA Niagara Peninsula 2021 $17.95 MVC/QPR: 92. R+131540 FEATHERSTONE RED TAIL MERLOT VQA Niagara Peninsula 2019 $19.95 MVC/QPR: 92. R+64618 FEATHERSTONE CABERNET FRANC Vegan, VQA Niagara Peninsula 2020 $19.95 MVC/QPR: 92. R+14667 CHÂTEAU HYOT RÉSERVE AC Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux 2018 $17.95 MVC/QPR: 89. R+24210 PELLEGRINO CASALLAIA IGT Toscana 2018 $17.95 MVC/QPR: 89. R+548867 CASA SANTOS LIMA COLOSSAL RESERVA Vinho Regional Lisboa 2018 $16.95 MVC/QPR: 89. Wines Over $20 ========= W+49302 FEATHERSTONE CANADIAN OAK CHARDONNAY VQA Niagara Peninsula 2019 $24.95 MVC/QPR: 92. W+184549 LE CLOS JORDANNE LE GRAND CLOS CHARDONNAY VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment 2019 $44.95 MVC/QPR: 90. R+573451 CAPRAIA EFFE 55 GRAN SELEZIONE CHIANTI CLASSICO DOCG 2016 $43.95 MVC/QPR: 89. R+165662 MONTE DEL FRÀ LENA DI MEZZO VALPOLICELLA RIPASSO CLASSICO SUPERIORE DOC 2018 Veneto $24.95 MVC/QPR: 89. Fizz+460832 WOLFBERGER BRUT CRÉMANT D'ALSACE Traditional method, AC, Alsace, $20.95 MVC/QPR: 89. WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for APRIL 16, 2022 release. By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com. My "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits, has been at http://www.deantudor.com since 1994. These notes for good wines available through LCBO Vintages (on a bi-weekly basis) can always be found at http://www.gothicepicures.blogspot.ca or at http://www.deantudor.com No winery can buy their way into – or out of – this publication. Scores are a combination of MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Southern Rhone would taste like a Southern Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace above or below its price). Currently, the wine media have no access to the tasting samples usually provided to us in the LCBO lab on a fortnightly basis. This will go on or some time. HOWEVER, the wine media will still have access to the advance spreadsheet of the wines to be released. So I know what is to be released and when. SOME (but not many) of these 100 or so biweekly released wines I have recently tasted since January 2020 or so, and I can comfortably recommend them based on this prior sampling. ** Some Recent Drink Books I Reviewed --- 1.THE CURIOUS BARTENDER'S GUIDE TO RUM (Ryland, Peters & Small, 2017, 2020, 160 pages, $19.95 hardbound) is by Tristan Stephenson. It was originally part of a much larger work in 2017, and now it has been abridged with an expanded Directory of Distilleries. So: there is material on the history of rum, how rum is made, and some recipes for rum cocktails – plus a glossary. Thumbnail sketches all the way and a bargain for under $20. Quality/price rating: 88. 2.WINTER DRINKS (Ryland Peters & Small, 2020, 144 pages, $19.95 hardbound) has been pulled together by Julia Charles. It's a publisher's package of previous preps by several food and drink writers, most notably Louise Pickford with 17 and Julia herself with 16. Eleven other writers also contributed. So here are 75 recipes to warm our hearts, with hot drinks, toddies, part cocktails, and mocktails. Included also are hot chocolates, warm milks, coffee drinks and teas, as well as restorative mulls, revivers and soothers. My fave is the sparkling cocktails. My wife likes the sparkling mocktails. Chacun a son gout. Quality/price rating: 89 3.SUMMER DRINKS; over 100 refreshing recipes to enjoy in the sunshine (Ryland Peters & Small, 2021, 144 pages, $20 hardbound) is an other publisher's project for Ryland Peters & Small. Here 15 UK chefs and food writers give us all the preps (with proper attribution found at the back of the book). The most prolific are Ben Reed (24, a quarter of the total) and Laura Gladwin (20). Julia Charles was the editorial director on this one, and she contributes 13 preps. Arrangement is by style: aperitifs, cocktails, spritzes, coolers, slushies, floats, punches, pitchers, mocktails and juices. More than enough preps for three months of summer! Quality/price rating: 89 ** Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO’s Limited Time Offers selections...these are good value...on sale through Sunday April 24... [red] +274753 Hidden Bench Estate Organic Pinot Noir $34.95, now $31.95, save $3 [rose] +14882 Arterra Saintly Rose VQA $18, now $15, save $3 [white] +84988 Beringer Napa Valley Chardonnay $26.95, now $23.95, save $3 [fizz] +20979 Juliet Prosecco Rose DOC $14.95, now $12.95, save $2 [splurge] +650432 Castelgiocondo Brunello di Montalcino $53.95, now $48.95, save $5 Wines Under $20 ========= W+928580 SANTA CAROLINA GRAN RESERVA CHARDONNAY Sustainable, carbon neutral, DO Valle del Itata 2019 $18.95 MVC/QPR: 92 W+22498 MARIETA ALBARIÑO DO Rías Baixas 2020 $18.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+516765 JEAN-PIERRE MOUEIX BORDEAUX AC 2018 $17.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+354134 CHÂTEAU BELLEVUE LA FORÊT AP Fronton 2019 $14.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+573519 VILLA PUCCINI RISERVA CHIANTI DOCG 2016 $15.95 MVC/QPR: 89 Wines Over $20 ========= W+466144 J. MOREAU & FILS CHABLIS AC 2020 $24.95 MVC/QPR: 89 W+23728 DOMAINE JOEL DELAUNAY CASCA VIN ORANGE SAUVIGNON BLANC France 2020 $23.95 MVC/QPR: 89 Fizz+183764 CAVE DE LUGNY CUVÉE MILLÉSIMÉE BRUT CRÉMANT DE BOURGOGNE Sustainable, traditional method, AC, Burgundy, France 2016 $24.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+209148 MARQUÉS DE MURRIETA FINCA YGAY RESERVA DOCa Rioja 2016 $32.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+33894 LE CLOS JORDANNE VILLAGE PINOT NOIR VQA Niagara Peninsula 2019 $24.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+395855 HENRY OF PELHAM ESTATE CABERNET/MERLOT VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Escarpment 2019 $24.95 MVC/QPR: 89 WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for APRIL 2, 2022 release. By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com. My "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits, has been at http://www.deantudor.com since 1994. These notes for good wines available through LCBO Vintages (on a bi-weekly basis) can always be found at http://www.gothicepicures.blogspot.ca or at http://www.deantudor.com No winery can buy their way into – or out of – this publication. Scores are a combination of MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Southern Rhone would taste like a Southern Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace above or below its price). Currently, the wine media have no access to the tasting samples usually provided to us in the LCBO lab on a fortnightly basis. This will go on or some time. HOWEVER, the wine media will still have access to the advance spreadsheet of the wines to be released. So I know what is to be released and when. SOME (but not many) of these 100 or so biweekly released wines I have recently tasted since January 2020 or so, and I can comfortably recommend them based on this prior sampling. ** Some New Wines I Tasted Over the Past Fortnight, from the agency Majestic Wine Cellars, and all available via consignment --- 1.Sensi 1890 Collezione Pinot Grigio dell Venezie 2020 AOC High Volume Consignment - $ 15.95: relatively full-bodied for an Italian style pinot grigio, with the emphasis on “yellow”: yellow colour, yellow fruit, yellow honey. Full of citric zest, good with food beyond the first course – think peaches and lemons and apples, with some serious tones on the mid-palate. Commingling is back, with citric undertones. Flavours of stone fruit but with some yellow pear drops, rich, mid-palate crispness. Clean citric finish with minerality. Food or appetizer. 12.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 2.Rutherford Ranch Morgan Bay Cellars Chardonnay California 2019 High Volume Consignment - $17.95: cork disc closure, well-rounded texture meant to appeal to the American taste palate. There were lemons and pear, but also the softness and taste of a creamy caramel augmented by a Meyer lemon off-sweet mandarin quality. But there is also enough finishing acid for a first course. Otherwise, sip away. 13.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 3.Morgan Bay Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon California 2019 High Volume Consignment - $ 17.95: a great wallop of black fruit (black cherries, blackberries) begins the aromatics and dominates right through to the finish in typical Cali-style. The emphasis is on darkness, with plenty of black fruit and butterscotch tones, with some black pepper spices, and a softish finish to a medium body. Very useful as an everyday cab at a great price point. 13% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 4.Albino Armani 1607 Tenuta di Sequals Sauvignon Friuli-Grave 2020 DOC Consignment - $20.95: very intense aromas, fruity from green fruit and herby but with a medium-body and not like Kiwi Savvy. Citric finish, very useful as a first course white wine. Good with asparagus or smoked fish. 12.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 5.Javier Sanz Vmalcorta Verdejo Rueda 2019 Consignment - $33.95: top-rated at a pre-pandemic Rueda wine trade show in Toronto at 91+ points: higher acid food wine, floral and citric, emphasizing the brighter side of aromatic Spanish verdejo. Very well made with an exceptional, lingering finish. Perhaps best with shellfish such as oysters or mussels, clams. White flesh fish would also be appropriate. 13% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 91+ points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 6.Amastuola Primitivo Organic Puglia IGP 2019 Consignment - $20.95: this is a preferred choice from among the basic primitivos in Ontario simply because it is made with organic grapes. Expect that dense, over-the-top zinfandel-type flavour of jamminess from plums, cherry-berry fruit, with a cinnamon spicy kick. 14%ABV. Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 7.Sensi 1890 Collezione Merlot Terre Siciliane IGT 2019 Consignment - $ 15.95: This shows aromatic herbs on the nose, red fruit (raspberries) and spice, great North American appeal in that merlot is recognizable, modest tannins, balanced on the mid-palate, okay by itself or with food as a first course red. Velvet smooth finish. 13% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 8.Biscardo Neropasso Rosso Veneto IGT 2019 Consignment - $ 19.95: bright red fruit dominate both its texture and its palate, evoking some minerality that cuts through the balanced fruity cherry tones. Some forest floor; some mocha tones. Intense jammy concentration of dark fruit including plums. Grape pressings are added just before spring, to give it the second fermentation oompf. Great as a sipper or with food or both, ready now at almost three years after the vintage. It was done up in stainless steel fermentation to which malolactic fermentation was employed. And then the second fermentation of ripasso began on the unpressed skins of the leftovers. Food or sip. The company's series includes Rosapasso (pinot noir rose apassimento) and Oropasso (white), all trading off on the “-passo” usage. Good price. 13.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 9.And, from another agent, +22850 SUNDAY SAIL SAUVIGNON BLANC Marlborough, South Island 2021 $19.95 is being released April 2 at Vintages....this is an exceptionally fresh savvy just loaded with citrus peel zest character (think lime, grapefruit, lemon) and that distinctive Kiwi herbal taste. Just released at Vintages, and perfect for summer patio/deck/bbq/outdoors imbibing. Make sure you get some before they run out! Try as a refreshing sipper or (because of its long finish) with first course foods. I had mine with an herbal salad of microgreens and piquant leaves, chopped hard boiled eggs, and some squash soup with house made croutons. 13% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. ** Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO’s Limited Time Offers selections...these are good value...on sale through Sunday April 24... [red] +274753 Hidden Bench Estate Organic Pinot Noir $34.95, now $31.95, save $3 [rose] +14882 Arterra Saintly Rose VQA $18, now $15, save $3 [white] +84988 Beringer Napa Valley Chardonnay $26.95, now $23.95, save $3 [fizz] +20979 Juliet Prosecco Rose DOC $14.95, now $12.95, save $2 [splurge] +650432 Castelgiocondo Brunello di Montalcino $53.95, now $48.95, save $5 Wines Under $20 ========= W+395228 HENRY OF PELHAM SPECIAL SELECT LATE HARVEST VIDAL Sustainable, VQA Ontario 2019 $19.95 MVC/QPR: 89 Fizz+646968 PONGRÁCZ CAP CLASSIQUE ROSÉ Traditional method, WO Western Cape, South Africa $18.95 MVC/QPR: 89. W+22850 SUNDAY SAIL SAUVIGNON BLANC Marlborough, South Island 2021 $19.95 MVC/QPR: 91 Rose+559088 MALIVOIRE LADYBUG ROSÉ VQA Niagara Peninsula $16.95 MVC/QPR: 89 W+391847 THIERRY DELAUNAY TOURAINE SAUVIGNON BLANC AP 2020 $16.95 MVC/QPR: 89 W+469593 THIERRY DELAUNAY LE GRAND BALLON SAUVIGNON BLANC IGP Val de Loire 2020 $13.95 MVC/QPR: 89. Wines Over $20 ========= W+25647 SOUTHBROOK TRIOMPHE ORGANIC RIESLING Vegan, VQA Niagara Peninsula 2019 $22.95 MVC/QPR: 89. W+82255 ROGER & DIDIER RAIMBAULT SANCERRE AC 2019 $31.95 MVC/QPR: 89 W+424507 WESTCOTT ESTATE CHARDONNAY VQA Niagara Escarpment 2020 $29.95 MVC/QPR: 91 W+28845 CLARENCE DILLON CLARENDELLE BLANC Inspired by Haut-Brion, AC Bordeaux 2020 $24.95 MVC/QPR: 89 W+140525 DOMAINE BONNARD SANCERRE AC 2020 $26.95 MVC/QPR: 89. R+427500 WESTCOTT ESTATE PINOT NOIR VQA Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula 2017 $29.95 MVC/QPR: 90 R+157347 ENRICO SERAFINO SANAVENTO BARBARESCO DOCG 2018 $29.95 MVC/QPR: 89. Fizz+227009 ANGELS GATE ARCHANGEL BRUT SPARKLING CHARDONNAY Traditional method, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario 2014 $29.95 MVC/QPR: 89 Port+642058 POÇAS JR. LBV PORT DOP, Portugal 2015 $25.95 MVC/QPR: 89 WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for MARCH 19, 2022 release. By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com. My "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits, has been at http://www.deantudor.com since 1994. These notes for good wines available through LCBO Vintages (on a bi-weekly basis) can always be found at http://www.gothicepicures.blogspot.ca or at http://www.deantudor.com No winery can buy their way into – or out of – this publication. Scores are a combination of MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Southern Rhone would taste like a Southern Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace above or below its price). Currently, the wine media have no access to the tasting samples usually provided to us in the LCBO lab on a fortnightly basis. This will go on or some time. HOWEVER, the wine media will still have access to the advance spreadsheet of the wines to be released. So I know what is to be released and when. SOME (but not many) of these 100 or so biweekly released wines I have recently tasted since January 2020 or so, and I can comfortably recommend them based on this prior sampling. ** SOME NEW WINES REVIEWED: 1.Cantina Goccia 3Q Rosso 2018 Umbria IGT $16.95 LCBO +22878: a basic entry level “SuperUmbrian” wine made with unoaked sangiovese, cabernet and merlot grapes. So there is some red and black fruit and some dark chocolate, augmented at 2 g/L residual sugar. It is available only in a recycled paperboard bottle; there are instructions on the Frugalpac bottle on how to recycle if you are not bringing it back to The Beer Store for a deposit return. It's a great idea, first launched in Italy in June 2020. And it's a more sustainable form of packaging [packaging and transportation is more than half of the wine carbon footprint]. Frugalpac bottles are 94% recycled paper, and are used (with a separate liner) for wines, spirits and olive oils. 13.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 2.Windrush Estate Hockley Valley Jim Warren Classic Chardonnay 2018 Foxcroft Vineyard VQA Beamsville Bench $65 at winery, only 80 cases made [2019 is $49.95]: these are indeed the latest Jim Warren Classic Chardonnays available for sale. His chardonnays embrace both an opening aromatic nose and a terrific mid-palate taste of what he is known for: rich stone fruit, some tropicality and orchard fruit, a judicious use of oak, ending with a citric minerality for a strong food wine. Bearing in mind what you get from California and Europe that costs much more, this is a great price for value. 3g/L residual sugar. 14% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 94 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 3.Colli Vicentini Romeo Prosecco DOC Extra Dry LCBO # 21434 - $14.95 (on LTO to March 27 $1 off): this is a cute pairing (see also below), with the regular prosecco as Romeo and the rose prosecco as Juliet from the appropriate Italian region. Off-dry, frizzante style, aperitif or party wine. 100% fruity Glera grapes used, promotes an intense rich floral scent of citric tones and apples. 11.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 4.Colli Vicentini Juliet Prosecco Rose 2020 DOC Extra Dry LCBO # 20979 - $14.95: the rose version has the minimum 85% fruity Glera content to allow for 15% addition of pinot nero (noir), and it is vintage dated. Lovely rose colour after a short maceration period. Here we have floral orchard fruits such as peaches, apples, and some pinot quality raspberry tones. Excellent as an aperitif or first course wine with seafood or fish. 11.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 5.Sensi 1890 Collezione Chianti DOCG 2020 LCBO # 20060 - $12.25: About 70% sangiovese grapes with %30 other varieties as allowed by the DOCG rules; these can be balanced in different vintage years. Aged in steel and on its lees for six months, using the micro-oxygenation technique. No wood. Fresh red cherries (slightly sour), spices, useful as a basic entry level wine at this price. Youthful – reminds me of the fiasco di vino that once was used. 13% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 6.Passion of Chile Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot Reserva 2020 LCBO # 20904 - $9.95: opening notes of blueberry, strawberry, caramel. Long finish, great with succulent stew meat dishes. Still needs time to resolve, a hefty thick wine that dominates. Do a decant to open it up. Best for carnivores? You decide. 13% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 7.Cantine Carlo Pellegrino Marsala Superiore Garibaldi DOC LCBO # 16180 - $13.80: just that right touch of carmelized alcohol for a dessert wine full of baked vanilla and figs. Works well with creamy chocolate, eggs zabaglione, shortcakes, ice cream. 18% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. ** Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO’s Limited Time Offers selections...these are good value for price...on sale through Sunday March 27: [red] +149237 The Foreign Affair The Conspiracy VQA normally $19.95, now $16.95, save $3. [white] +608653 Sonoma-Cutrer Russian River Ranches Chardonnay normally $27.95, now $24.95, save $3. [splurge] +995910 Remo Farina Amarone della Valpolicella Classico normally $39.95, now $37.95, save $2. [rose]+12641 REMY PANNIER ROSE D'ANJOU AOC normally $ 15.05, now $14.05, save $1. [fizz] +21434 Romeo PROSECCO Veneto, normally $14.95, now $13.95, save $1. Featured this month – GREAT CABS FROM AROUND THE WORLD Wines Under $20 ========= W+389262 ZUCCARDI SERIE A TORRONTÉS IP Salta 2020 $16.95 MVC/QPR: 89 W+599274 DR. L RIESLING Qualitätswein 2020 $15.95 MVC/QPR: 89 Fizz+311738 VALLDOSERA BRUT NATURE CAVA Traditional method, DO, Spain $19.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+328567 CATHEDRAL CELLAR CABERNET SAUVIGNON WO Western Cape $18.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+337238 CONCHA Y TORO MARQUES DE CASA CONCHA CABERNET SAUVIGNON Puente Alto $19.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+209874 COLUMBIA CREST H3 MERLOT Horse Heaven Hills, Columbia Valley 2018 MVC/QPR: 89 R+999946 REMO FARINA RIPASSO VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO SUPERIORE DOC 2019 $18.95 MVC/QPR: 91. Wines Over $20 ========= W+461640 WILLIAM FÈVRE CHAMPS ROYAUX CHABLIS AC 2019 $30.95 MVC/QPR: 89. R+261784 PAPALE LINEA ORO PRIMITIVO DI MANDURIA DOP 2017 $21.95 MVC/QPR: 90 R+616433 HENRY OF PELHAM SPECK FAMILY RESERVE CABERNET/MERLOT VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Escarpment 2019 $39.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+353201 RUFFINO RISERVA DUCALE ORO GRAN SELEZIONE CHIANTI CLASSICO DOCG 2017 $49.95 MVC/QPR: 89 WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for MARCH 5, 2022 release. By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com. My "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits, has been at http://www.deantudor.com since 1994. These notes for good wines available through LCBO Vintages (on a bi-weekly basis) can always be found at http://www.gothicepicures.blogspot.ca or at http://www.deantudor.com No winery can buy their way into – or out of – this publication. Scores are a combination of MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Southern Rhone would taste like a Southern Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace above or below its price). Currently, the wine media have no access to the tasting samples usually provided to us in the LCBO lab on a fortnightly basis. This will go on or some time. HOWEVER, the wine media will still have access to the advance spreadsheet of the wines to be released. So I know what is to be released and when. SOME (but not many) of these 100 or so biweekly released wines I have recently tasted since January 2020 or so, and I can comfortably recommend them based on this prior sampling. ** Some New Wines I Tasted Over the Past Fortnight --- I've been tasting a whack of Chardonnays for the past two years, and I have found some good quality wines for under $20. These are on General List or they are available on a Rolling Release basis. Check to see which LCBO locations have them. Vintage dates do not seem to matter; their style is mainly some nuances of oak, vanilla, orchard fruit, and tropicality with a long citrus finish. Sometimes they go on LTO sale (at $2 off). In order of current price -- -Spier Signature Chardonnay [South Africa] 2g/L residual sugar +487181 $13.05 QPR 89 pts -Calmel & Joseph Villa Blanche Chardonnay [France] 5g/L RS +375071 $16.40 QPR 89 pts -Boschendal 1685 Chardonnay [South Africa] 2g/L RS +367698 $16.95 QPR 92 pts -Cathedral Cellar Chardonnay [South Africa] 2g/L RS +328559 $17.95 QPR 92 pts -Santa Carolina Gran Reserva Chardonnay [Chile] 4g/L RS +928580 $18.95 QPR 90 pts -J. Lohr Riverstone Chardonnay [California] 5g/L RS +258699 $19.95 QPR 91 pts There is one consignment Chardonnay that I have made my house white wine: Darling Cellars Reserve “Quercus Gold” Chardonnay [South Africa; 100% bush vine chardonnay, left on lees for 3 months for fuller mouth feel and complexity] $14.60 per bottle, minimum one case: $175.20 cash or cheque, free delivery in Toronto. For queries and orders, email lamprechtinternational@gmail.com. ** Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO’s Limited Time Offers selections...these are good value for price...on sale through Sunday March 27: [red] +149237 The Foreign Affair The Conspiracy VQA normally $19.95, now $16.95, save $3. [white] +608653 Sonoma-Cutrer Russian River Ranches Chardonnay normally $27.95, now $24.95, save $3. [splurge] +995910 Remo Farina Amarone della Valpolicella Classico normally $39.95, now $37.95, save $2. [rose]+12641 REMY PANNIER ROSE D'ANJOU AOC normally $ 15.05, now $14.05, save $1. [fizz] +21434 Romeo PROSECCO Veneto, normally $14.95, now $13.95, save $1. Featured this release: TUSCAN wines Wines Under $20 ========= W+21984 ATAMISQUE SERBAL VIOGNIER Tupungato, Mendoza 2019 $16.95 MVC/QPR: 89 W+225557 ERADUS SAUVIGNON BLANC Awatere Valley, Marlborough, South Island 2020 $19.95 MVC/QPR: 89 W+107128 DOMAINE DU PRÉ BARON TOURAINE SAUVIGNON BLANC Sustainable, AC 2020 $18.95 MVC/QPR: 89 W+484139 DOMAINE DU TARIQUET SAUVIGNON BLANC Vegan, sustainable, IGP Côtes de Gascogne 2020 $13.95 MVC/QPR: 89 W+311563 CANNONBALL CHARDONNAY California 2020 $19.95 MVC/QPR: 89. Wines Over $20 ========= R+17704 CANTINA DI MONTALCINO BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO DOCG 2016 $39.95 MVC/QPR: 89. R+48884 COUDOULET DE BEAUCASTEL CÔTES DU RHÔNE AC 2019 $29.95 MVC/QPR: 89. WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for FEBRUARY 19, 2022 By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com. My "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits, has been at http://www.deantudor.com since 1994. These notes for good wines available through LCBO Vintages (on a bi-weekly basis) can always be found at http://www.gothicepicures.blogspot.ca or at http://www.deantudor.com No winery can buy their way into – or out of – this publication. Scores are a combination of MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Southern Rhone would taste like a Southern Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace above or below its price). Currently, the wine media have no access to the tasting samples usually provided to us in the LCBO lab on a fortnightly basis. This will go on or some time. HOWEVER, the wine media will still have access to the advance spreadsheet of the wines to be released. So I know what is to be released and when. SOME (but not many) of these 100 or so biweekly released wines I have recently tasted since January 2020 or so, and I can comfortably recommend them based on this prior sampling. ** Some Recent Food and Wine Notes Reported --- Report on Valentine's Day dinners from Hooked -- Part One -- Valentine Dinner catered from http://www.hookedinc.ca -Cioppino broth, PEI mussels, cold smoked Norwegian skrei cod, sourdough croutons. AND then a second course of -Seared hokkaido sea scallops, potato puree, sauteed wild mushrooms with walnut and winter herb vinaigrette, potato crisps. My wife Ann said "Kristin, you have outdid yourself! By 2:50 we were tucking in to the cioppino! Great broth—just enough heat. The smoked cod was unbelievable and it lent its smoke to the broth as well. We each had half a glass of bubbly while the broth was heating, and another half-glass while we devoured the mussels and cod.   Then we took a small break while our glass-top stove, not known for its speed, heated up the burners for the potato puree, the mushrooms, and the scallops. (Our 40-year-old Garland commercial gas range died last year—long story—so we now have a fancy-schmancy KitchenAid electric. Bit of a learning curve.) Your instructions are always so clear I had no trouble putting the meal together. What gorgeous scallops (and I won't forget your technique of caramelizing one oiled side before adding the butter and flipping them. Perfect.).  Great combination of flavours; the mushrooms were an elegant touch. And, because I am half-Irish, you had me at mashed potatoes."   The bubbly was Crémant d'Alsace Domaine Frey-Sohler 2012 (LCBO +185511, $31.45), all riesling and Extra Brut at 3.9 g/L residual sugar and 12.1% ABV. It sat for 9 (NINE!) years of aging on fine lees. It can be an aperitif or first course wine with bivalves. It had a riesling austerity that emphasized minerality, orchard fruit and lemons. Quality/Price rating is 93 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. Part Two -- More Valentine Dinner from www.hookedinc.ca (the next day) Stuffed sea bream (Mediterranean) sustainable, tied with three strings, butterflied (bones out, head on). Stuffing can vary depending on what is at hand; for example: ginger, scallion, filled to the brim with a beautiful stuffing of pine nuts, walnuts, quinoa, warm spices, dried cranberries and apricots, preserved lemon and kale. With a lemon and herb vinaigrette for drizzling Accompanied by my fave rose, the Cono Sur Pinot Noir Rose Sparkling Wine $14.95 at LCBO...Just the right amount of bubbles and just the right amount of pale pink, as well as terrific watermelon flavours. QPR: 92. And hovering in the background was a sample of the delightful Palet D'or chocolate cake with creme anglaise, accompanied by Taylor Fladgate 20-Year Old Tawny Port (left from Christmas). We'll need more dining stuff from Hooked as this year evolves... [PS: we paid for our own meals and wines, except for the Alsatian trade sample] ** Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO’s Limited Time Offers selections...these are good value...on sale through Sunday February 27, 2022. [red] +499384 Kacaba Vineyards & Winery Cabernet 2020 VQA Niagara Peninsula, LCBO & Grocery: normally $15.95, now $13.95, save $2. [white] +11452 Willm Réserve Riesling Alsace: normally $19.95, now $ 17.95, save $2. [rose][fizz] +20995 BOTTEGA PROSECCO ROSE DOC SPUMANTE BRUT, VENETO: normally $17.65, now $15.65, save $2. Buy a case ! Major Feature: FRANCE Wines Under $20 ========= W+119099 VIÑA COBOS FELINO CHARDONNAY Mendoza 2019 $19.95 MVC/QPR: 89. Fizz+39016 PIERRE SPARR BRUT ROSÉ CRÉMANT D'ALSACE Traditional method, AC, Alsace, France $19.95 MVC/QPR: 89. R+20920 GEORGE DUBOEUF SÉLECTION JULIÉNAS AC 2019 $19.95 MVC/QPR: 89. R+642421 VALPANTENA TORRE DEL FALASCO VALPOLICELLA RIPASSO DOC 2019 $18.95 MVC/QPR: 89. R+12281 CHÂTEAU DE RIBEBON AC Bordeaux Supérieur 2018 $16.95 MVC/QPR: 89. Wines Over $20 ========= Fizz+385104 GARDET 1ER CRU BLANC DE NOIRS BRUT CHAMPAGNE $52.95 MVC/QPR: 89 Fizz+402362 MARIE-PIERRE MANCIAT BRUT CRÉMANT DE BOURGOGNE Traditional method, AC, Burgundy, France $24.95 MVC/QPR: 89. W+593996 JACKSON-TRIGGS NIAGARA ESTATE GRAND RESERVE CHARDONNAY VQA Niagara Peninsula 2019 $20.95 MVC/QPR: 90. WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for FEBRUARY 5, 2022 By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com. My "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits, has been at http://www.deantudor.com since 1994. These notes for good wines available through LCBO Vintages (on a bi-weekly basis) can always be found at http://www.gothicepicures.blogspot.ca or at http://www.deantudor.com No winery can buy their way into – or out of – this publication. Scores are a combination of MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Southern Rhone would taste like a Southern Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace above or below its price). Currently, the wine media have no access to the tasting samples usually provided to us in the LCBO lab on a fortnightly basis. This will go on or some time. HOWEVER, the wine media will still have access to the advance spreadsheet of the wines to be released. So I know what is to be released and when. SOME (but not many) of these 100 or so biweekly released wines I have recently tasted since January 2020 or so, and I can comfortably recommend them based on this prior sampling. ** Some Recent Books about Gin that I reviewed --- --LET THE FUN BE GIN; cocktail recipes & coasters for the happiest hours (Castle Point Books, St. Martin's Press, 2021, boards and coasters kit in book form, $24.99) is a collection of stylized 10 pop-out coasters and 10 cocktail recipes, designed to jazz any celebration with colour and with clever sayings. It's your own Algonquin Hotel (but without New York). Coasters are easy to save and to re-use. The 10 recipes include the Aviation: citric tones, herbaceousness, floral notes. Full instructions given! --THE MARTINI; perfection in a glass (Artisan, 2021, 150 pages, $22.65 hardbound) is by Matt Hranek, who also wrote the definitive THE NEGRONI. It's a great basic guide, covering gin, vermouth, bitters, garnish – and even vodka (if need be). All the gin preps here can easily become vodka preps. It all depends on how much juniper-forward tastes you would enjoy. There's a cultural history of the drink, barware and glassware, various techniques (stirred, shaken, et al), and a whole pile of over 30 variations to try out. The martini is the consummate cocktail: writers, actors, politicians. You could start with the Martinez from 1849, but it's a lot sweeter since it uses sweet vermouth. It's more like a gin Manhattan without the bourbon. The concluding section has a listing of appropriate snacks, an espresso martini, and a listing of global places to savour this drink. --NEGRONI (Ryland Peters & Small, 2021, 64 pages, $13.85 hardbound) is by David T. Smith and Keli Rivers. Here are more than 30 classic and modern recipes for Italy's iconic cocktail. Variations make use of dry and aged vermouths, along with ports and sherries and white bitters. One for the cocktail friends. Quality/Price rating: 90. --THE NEGRONI; a love affair with a classic cocktail (Artisan, 2021, 160 pages, $22.95 hardbound) is by Matt Hranek, who has done major research in this area. The Negroni is a great Euro-cocktail with its botanicals from the bitters, the vermouth, and the gin. The best ones have a balance of bitter and sweet. This current book comes well-endorsed by Chef Michael Ruhlman: “This is one of the best books devoted to a single cocktail I've read.” Hranek begins with the components of Italian bitters (I think Campari has a stranglehold here), moving on to Italian red vermouth (Antica Formula Carpano or Punt e mes) and then gin. Garnishes, ice, and equipment come next, followed by 31 recipes for the drink and 11 food snacks. Terrific illustrations, mostly posters. He's even got a list of the best places in Europe to enjoy the Negroni! Quality/Price Rating: 93 --STRANGER GINS; 50 things to drink while you watch TV (Dog 'n' Bone, 2021, 64 pages, $13.99 hardbound) has been compiled by Carol Hilker, a Chicago-based food writer. All of the shows are “series” and include old and new. Thus, there's Twin Peaks (recommended drink: Jacoby's Coconut). Fleabag (Hot Priest), Mad Men (Dirty Don Martini), and Seinfeld (Festivus)...But no Sopranos. She's got recipes and reasons for each show. PS: I'm not ashamed to admit having seen all of these shows but drinking just wine when I watched them. Quality/Price Rating:87 ** Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO’s Limited Time Offers selections...these are good value...on sale January 31 through Sunday February 27 -- [red] +499384 Kacaba Vineyards & Winery Cabernet 2020 VQA Niagara Peninsula, LCBO & Grocery: normally $15.95, now $13.95, save $2. [rose][fizz] +20995 BOTTEGA PROSECCO ROSE DOC SPUMANTE BRUT, VENETO: normally $17.65, now $15.65, save $2. [white] +11452 Willm Réserve Riesling Alsace: normally $19.95, now $ 17.95, save $2. Major Theme for Feb 5/22 – ARGENTINA Wines Under $20 ========= W+492462 PELEE ISLAND WINERY VINEDRESSER CHARDONNAY VQA South Islands, Lake Erie North Shore 2017 $17.95 R+128629 LUIGI BOSCA CABERNET SAUVIGNON Mendoza 2019 $18.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+273672 STORIA ANTICA SUPERIORE VALPOLICELLA RIPASSO DOC 2019 $18.95 MVC/QPR: 89 Wines Over $20 ========= Fizz+21172 GRUET BRUT SPARKLING Traditional method, New Mexico $26.95 MVC/QPR: 89 W+565861 CHÂTEAU DES CHARMES VIDAL ICEWINE VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario $28.95 MVC/QPR: 89 W+238642 INNISKILLIN MONTAGUE VINEYARD CHARDONNAY Single vineyard, VQA Four Mile Creek, Niagara-on-the-Lake 2019 $25.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+317008 VERSADO MALBEC Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza 2017 $24.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+316984 VERSADO ANCIENT RESERVA MALBEC Mendoza 2014 $58.95 MVC/QPR: 89 WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for JANUARY 22, 2022 By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com. My "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits, has been at http://www.deantudor.com since 1994. These notes for good wines available through LCBO Vintages (on a bi-weekly basis) can always be found at http://www.gothicepicures.blogspot.ca or at http://www.deantudor.com No winery can buy their way into – or out of – this publication. Scores are a combination of MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Southern Rhone would taste like a Southern Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace above or below its price). Currently, the wine media have no access to the tasting samples usually provided to us in the LCBO lab on a fortnightly basis. This will go on or some time. HOWEVER, the wine media will still have access to the advance spreadsheet of the wines to be released. So I know what is to be released and when. SOME (but not many) of these 100 or so biweekly released wines I have recently tasted since January 2020 or so, and I can comfortably recommend them based on this prior sampling. ** Some New Wines I Tasted Over the Past Fortnight --- REPORT ON RED WINES FROM RIBERA DEL DUERO SPAIN – Spain’s Ribera del Duero is home to the most Spanish iconic wine estates—- Vega Sicilia and Tinto Pesquera. Both have defined the taste and style of Ribera del Duero. This region has more great wines than any other in Spain. -Hermanos Penez Pascuas El Pedrosal Crianza 2016 Ribera del Duero, LCBO +540070 $18.95: a basic entry level wine at a good price for Ribera wines. Actually, it is rare to find Ribera del Duero for under $20 in Canada. This is all tempranillo from 20 year old vines, aged 12 months in a mix of French and American oak barrels. There's a lot of wine packed into this bottle. Although medium-bodied, it is warm and spicy, floral, with toasted ripe fruit and oak tones. Charcuterie and cheese boards work very well here as food pairings. 14.5% ABV, 4 g/L residual sugar. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. -Legon Premium Vina Vilano 2018 Pedrosa Ribera del Duero, LCBO +270645 $29.95: 100% tempranillo, aged two years in French oak. Vineyards are 90 years old (on average) with some at 100 years plus. Rich nose, “pumpkin pie” spices, cooked plums, berries. Long wooded tannins with some olive complexity and a slightly bitterish finish. Should be great with all manner of roasts. Dryish, dense rich and plush on the mid-palate. 14% ABV, 2 g/L residual sugar. Quality/Price rating is 92 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. -Real Sitio de Ventosilla Pradorey Finca la Mina Reserva 2015, LCBO +995191 $36.95: 95% tempranillo, 3% cabernet sauvignon and 2% merlot, from a single vineyard. 18 months in French oak, six months in Nevers oak vats. Very savoury in tone (the cab and merlot seem to contribute nuances of eucalyptus), yummy fruit which just gets better as it aerates (do a double decant). Classic complex wine for Ribera del Duero at the median price point: black and red baked fruit (cherries, plums, berries) and even some garrigue in its herbs and smokey spices. Finish is smooth and velvety. Tasted over several days. 14.5% ABV, 2 g/L residual sugar. Quality/Price rating is 93 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. -Penafiel Silencio de Miros 2015 Raphael Vineyard Ribera del Duero, LCBO +21214 $86: 100% tempranillo grown at 1000 metres, aged in new French oak barrels. Fruity aromatic compounds are extracted: red currants, plums, forest floor nuances, raisinated grapes, mocha, spices, new oak tones, even a touch of sherry. At the end, everything comes together with a melding of flavours, in an extremely long finish. Tasted over several days. Probably even better after some aging, say a decade more in bottle through 2032. This vintage was rated at 96 points by Decanter in 2018. 14.5% ABV, 2 g/L residual sugar. Quality/Price rating is 94+ points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. ** Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO’s Limited Time Offers selections...these are good value...on sale through Sunday January 30... [red]+168716 M. Chapoutier Les Vignes de Bila-Haut Côtes du Roussillon-Villages was $13.95 LTO for $11.95 Save $2 until Jan 30 [buy a case!] [rose]+279661 L'ORANGERAIE ROSE PAYS D'OC Sas Vignobles Lorgeril WAS: $ 11.80 LTO for $ 9.80 SAVE: $ 2 Until Jan 30 [buy a case!] [white]+286377 Cave Spring Estate Riesling regularly $19.95, LTO for $17.95 Save $2 until Jan 30 [splurge fizz] +462432 PIPER HEIDSIECK BRUT CHAMPAGNE WAS: $ 60.30 LTO NOW: $ 55.30 SAVE: $ 5.00 Until Jan 30 – great for St. Valentine's Day Jan 22 Wines Under $20 ========= W+389726 BOYA SAUVIGNON BLANC Sustainable, Coast Zone, DO Valle de Leyda 2020 $14.95 MVC/QPR: 89. R+160226 MONTE DEL FRÁ LENA DI MEZZO VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO DOC 2019 $18.95 MVC/QPR: 89. R+488015 QUINTA DO ESPÍRITO SANTO Vinho Regional Lisboa 2017 $13.95 MVC/QPR: 89 Jan 22 Wines Over $20 ========= Fizz+23971 JACQUES BRUÉRE CAP CLASSIQUE BLANC DE BLANCS SPARKLING Traditional method, WO Robertson, South Africa 2011 $25.95 MVC/QPR: 89. Fizz+113035 PELLER ESTATES SIGNATURE SERIES ICE CUVÉE SPARKLING ROSÉ Traditional method, Icewine dosage, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario $36.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+638445 MORANDÉ ADVENTURE VIGNO VIGNADORES OLD VINES DRY-FARMED CARIGNAN Valle del Maule 2018 $28.95 MVC/QPR: 89. R+12736 ENRICO SERAFINO PICOTENER NEBBIOLO DOC Langhe 2018 $41.95 MVC/QPR: 89. R+342824 CANNONBALL MERLOT California 2019 $22.95 MVC/QPR: 89. WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for JANUARY 8, 2022 ======================================= “SMART BUYS FEATURE" [modestly priced wines] By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com. My "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits, has been at http://www.deantudor.com since 1994. These notes for good wines available through LCBO Vintages (on a bi-weekly basis) can always be found at http://www.gothicepicures.blogspot.ca or at http://www.deantudor.com No winery can buy their way into – or out of – this publication. Scores are a combination of MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Southern Rhone would taste like a Southern Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace above or below its price). Currently, the wine media have no access to the tasting samples usually provided to us in the LCBO lab on a fortnightly basis. This will go on or some time. HOWEVER, the wine media will still have access to the advance spreadsheet of the wines to be released. So I know what is to be released and when. SOME (but not many) of these 100 or so biweekly released wines I have recently tasted since January 2020 or so, and I can comfortably recommend them based on this prior sampling. ** Some New Wines I Tasted Over the Past Fortnight --- REPORT FROM ALSATIAN WHITE WINES Dec 14, 2021 – I was given a half dozen bottles of Alsatian wine via Sopexa, to try pairing against a variety of Asian foods. Of course I shared the meal with my wife... We started with Crémant d’Alsace Brut Dirler-Cadé 2016 and then Crémant d’Alsace Domaine Frey-Sohler 2012. Both were totally different. The Crémant d’Alsace Brut Dirler-Cadé 2016 (LCBO +184357, $41) was Brut Nature (bone dry) with 60% pinot gris, 30% auxerrois, and 10% riesling, coming in at 12.4% ABV and 0.66 g/L residual sugar. Average age of the vines: 35 years. The wine has been certified by ECOCERT as biodynamic since the 2012 vintage. It was aged 24 – 32 months on lees, no dosage. The taste was compellingly dry and lemony, being driven by the auxerrois, with a soupcon of riesling on the mid-palate. The finish was lip smacking and appetite provoking. A very good first wine. Quality/Price rating is 92 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. The Crémant d’Alsace Domaine Frey-Sohler 2012 (LCBO +185511, $31.45) was all riesling and Extra Brut at 3.9 g/L residual sugar and 12.1% ABV. It sat for 9 (NINE!) years of aging on fine lees. It can be an aperitif or first course wine with bivalves. It had a riesling austerity that emphasized minerality, orchard fruit and lemons. Quality/Price rating is 93 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. The food Sopexa sent came from local chef Alex Pivnick; it included -- -Ontario salad leaves with terrific sesame miso vinaigrette, julienned daikon and carrot, -Explosive spicy Thai sesame peanut noodles with vegetables and green onion, -Smacked spicy cucumber salad, chiliflakes and shoyu, and -good fatty Duck rillette. Ending with underripe/tartish fruits: cactus pear, passion fruit, kiwi, and apricot. The main condiment was chili crisp with peanut pieces. With the food, we began with Pinot Blanc Joseph Cattin 2019 (LCBO +226642, $14.95) which was a bargain in a sea of pinot grigio from other countries. Pinot blanc has value in its unctuousness and thicker body. Residual sugar was 7 g/L and there was 12% ABV. On the palate, there was orchard fruit, especially white peaches, along with a yeast and citrus complexity. It certainly went with tasting samples of all the courses. Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. Other wines included Wilm Riesling Réserve 2019 (LCBO +11452, $19.95) just a tad dry with 2.4 g/L residual sugar and 12.55% ABV from the minerality of the terroir. Tangy citric tones with an underlying raciness on the mid-palate. I loved it with the duck rillete; it cut through the fat content. Should also do well with cream-sauced based seafood. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. Then we had a chance to compare different styles of gewurztraminer. First up was the Pierre Sparr Gewurztraminer 2020 (LCBO +373373, $17.95) with its 13.5% ABV and 14.9 g/L of residual sugar. It seemed to be totally lychee and peaches, exceedingly ripe fruit, long bitterish finish. Good with all manner of Asian foods. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. The last wine was the Willm Gewurztraminer Réserve 2019 (LCBO +269852, $17.95) with its 13.31% ABV and 18.39 g/L of residual sugar: it's all about tropical fruit, flowers and spices, from lychees to pineapples, to roses, to cinnamon. Everything lingers, and it is hard to beat at this price. Great with all manner of Asian foods. Terrific value. Quality/Price rating is 93 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. ** Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO’s Limited Time Offer selections...these are good value...on sale now through Sunday January 30. [red]+168716 M. Chapoutier Les Vignes de Bila-Haut Côtes du Roussillon-Villages was $13.95 LTO for $11.95 Save $2 until Jan 30 [buy a case!] [rose]+279661 L'ORANGERAIE ROSE PAYS D'OC Sas Vignobles Lorgeril WAS: $ 11.80 LTO for $ 9.80 SAVE: $ 2 Until Jan 30 [buy a case!] [white]+286377 Cave Spring Estate Riesling regularly $19.95, LTO for $17.95 Save $2 until Jan 30 [splurge fizz] +462432 PIPER HEIDSIECK BRUT CHAMPAGNE WAS: $ 60.30 LTO NOW: $ 55.30 SAVE: $ 5.00 Until Jan 30. Wines Under $20 ========= W+196956 JOSEPH CATTIN PINOT GRIS AC Alsace 2019 $15.95 MVC/QPR: 89 W+23972 PONDVIEW BELLA TERRA CHARDONNAY Sur lie, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake 2020 $19.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+258673 G. MARQUIS THE SILVER LINE PINOT NOIR VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake $19.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+64618 FEATHERSTONE CABERNET FRANC VQA Niagara Peninsula $19.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+20949 CHÂTEAU COURAC LAUDUN COTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES AP 2017 $18.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+21282 CHÂTEAU LA COMMANDERIE DU BARDELET AC Bordeaux 2019 $15.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+548560 ALICE VIEIRA DE SOUSA RESERVE RED DOC Douro 2019 $16.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+492561 FARINA VALPOLICELLA DOC 2020 $15.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+21087 CHÂTEAU LA PIROUETTE Cru Bourgeois, AC Médoc 2016 $18.95 MVC/QPR: 89 Wines Over $20 ========= R+461699 HENRY OF PELHAM SPECK FAMILY RESERVE BACO NOIR VQA Ontario $24.95 MVC/QPR: 90 WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for DECEMBER 11, 2021 By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com. My "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits, has been at http://www.deantudor.com since 1994. These notes for good wines available through LCBO Vintages (on a bi-weekly basis) can always be found at http://www.gothicepicures.blogspot.ca or at http://www.deantudor.com No winery can buy their way into – or out of – this publication. Scores are a combination of MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Southern Rhone would taste like a Southern Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace above or below its price). Currently, the wine media have no access to the tasting samples usually provided to us in the LCBO lab on a fortnightly basis. This will go on or some time. HOWEVER, the wine media will still have access to the advance spreadsheet of the wines to be released. So I know what is to be released and when. SOME (but not many) of these 100 or so biweekly released wines I have recently tasted since January 2020 or so, and I can comfortably recommend them based on this prior sampling. ** Some New Wines I Tasted Over the Past Fortnight --- REPORT FROM GAMBERO ROSSO TRE-BICCHIERI 2021 TORONTO LIBERTY GRAND NOVEMBER 22, 2021 -- The Date and Time: Monday November 22, 2021 1PM to 6PM The Event: This was the big tasting – Gambero Rosso Trebicchieri award winners and other Italian wines. The Venue: The Liberty Grand, CNE grounds The Target Audience: wine media, sommeliers, agents The Availability/Catalogue: the catalogue was available via QR Code, or, if you did not have a smartphone, on special request for the PDF. It was more a brochure, with a table listing by alphabetical agent and then name of the wine. Specifics were addressed at each tasting table (price, availability channels, etc.). The Quote/Background: Gambero Rosso was back in Canada to present an exclusive selection of Tre Bicchieri rated wines, awarded in the large Vini d'Italia Guide ($30). There were a number of masterclasses (about five), running every hour on different regions of Italy, from North to South. I did not attend, preferring to spend my time at the tasting tables – especially before the crowds surged at 3PM The Wines: I tasted what I could, but there were so many wines – I gave preference to sparklers and white wines, with some older, more expensive reds. Wines are listed by my rating points, followed by an agency name. **** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms): -Val d'Oca Valdobbiadene Rive di Santo Stefano Extra Brut 2019 [ALLIED WINE GROUP] -Masi Amarone della Valpolicella Cl. Costasera Riserva 2015 [AUTHENTIC] -Masi Lugana Lunatio 2020 [AUTHENTIC] -Masi Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Mazzano 2012 [AUTHENTIC] -Varvaglione 12 e Mezzo Primitivo 2020 [CALIBER] -Varvaglione Primitivo di Manduria Papale Oro 2019 [CALIBER] -Collezione Privata Cosimo Varvaglione Old Vines Negroamaro 2019 [CALIBER] -Sorelle Bronca Valdobbiadene Frizzante Sui Lieviti Difetto Perfetto 2019 MID$30 [CRU] -Sorelle Bronca Valdobbiadene Rive di Rua Brut Particella 181 2020 [CRU] -Sorelle Bronca Valdobbiadene Brut $20.95 [CRU] -Franciacorta Brut Cuvée N. 7 - Lo Sparviere [EPIC] -Enrico Serafino Barbaresco Sanavento 2018 [MAJESTIC] -Enrico Serafino Barolo Monclivio 2016 [MAJESTIC] -Cantine di Verona Valpolicella Sup. Brolo dei Giusti 2015 [MAJESTIC] -Cantine di Verona Amarone della Valpolicella Torre del Falasco 2017 [MAJESTIC] -Francesco Tornatore Etna Bianco Pietrarizzo 2020 [NICHOLAS PEARCE] -Panizzi Vernaccia di San Gimignano Riserva 2016 [WINE LOVERS AGENCY] -Toblino Trentino Nosiola Largiller 2013 [LCBO CLASSICS, $65] -Toblino Trentino Gewürztraminer 2020 -Toblino Trentino Chardonnay Foll 2018 -Tenuta Mara Vermentino di Gallura Petrizza 2020 - Masone Mannu -Poggio Le Volpi Frascati Sup. Epos Riserva 2018 [WINE LOVERS AGENCY INC.] -Velenosi Offida Pecorino Bio 2020 [PROFILE WINE GROUP] ***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms): -Santa Margherita Valdobbiadene Brut Brut Rosé [DANDURAND] -Tenuta di Angoris Collio Bianco Langor Giulio Locatelli Riserva 2019[ARGENTUM WINE IMPORTS] -Tenuta di Angoris FCO Ribolla Gialla 2020 [ARGENTUM WINE IMPORTS] -Famiglia Cecchi Maremma Toscana Vermentino Litorale Val delle Rose 2020[CHARTON HOBBS] -Enrico Serafino Gavi del Comune di Gavi Grifo del Quartaro 2020 [MAJESTIC] -Enrico SerafinoLanghe Nebbiolo Picotener 2019 [MAJESTIC] -Toblino Trentino Lagrein Las 2018 -Scuderia-Italia Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG 2015 -Scuderia-Italia Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2015 -Scuderia-Italia Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore DOC 2016 -Val d'Oca Valdobbiadene Dry Uvaggio Storico [ALLIED] -Canevel Spumanti Prosecco Brut Rosé 2020 [AUTHENTIC] -Canevel Valdobbiadene Brut Setage 2020 [AUTHENTIC] -Canevel Valdobbiadene Brut Campofalco 2020 Organic [AUTHENTIC] The Food: in common with other trade tastings of late in this era of covid-19, all foods were on platters carried by wait staff. These included copious amounts of pesto panini with cheese and meat, arancini and cheese balls with tomato dipping sauce, prosciutto wrapped bread-sticks, polenta and mushrooms, tomato caprese salad, pizza (cheese and herbs), pasta with a light fresh sauce, cold skewers of veggies and mushrooms, followed by desserts of cannoli and tiramisu. The Downside: the desserts came out too soon, and there was just one half table with coffee. Also, the catalogue was a bit short on details. The Upside: the show was nicely orchestrated with agency tables close to hand, and the flow of traffic was well-paced. The Contact Person: Giovanni Silvestri The Event’s Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 89. ** Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO’s Limited Time Offers selections...these are good value...on sale through Sunday January 2, 2022: [red] LOUIS M. MARTINI NAPA VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON VINTAGES 232371 WAS: $ 44.95 | NOW: $ 39.95 | SAVE: $ 5.00 through January 2, 2022. [rose] CONO SUR SPARKLING PINOT NOIR ROSÉ Chile LCBO 365205 WAS: $ 14.95 | NOW: $ 12.95 | SAVE: $ 2.00 through January 2, 2022. Buy a case. [white] JOSH CELLARS CHARDONNAY California LCBO 561100 WAS: $ 18.95 | NOW: $ 16.95 SAVE: $ 2.00 through January 2, 2022. [fizz] CAVE SPRING BLANC DE BLANCS BRUT SPARKLING VQA VINTAGES 213983 WAS: $ 29.95 | NOW: $ 26.95 | SAVE: $ 3.00 through January 2, 2022. [splurge for NYEve] CHAMPAGNE VICTOIRE BRUT PRESTIGE LCBO 190025 WAS: $ 42.95 | NOW: $ 39.95 |SAVE: $ 3.00 through January 2, 2022. Dec 11/21 Wines Under $20 ========= Fizz+21049 MASI MODELLO MILLESIMATO BRUT ROSÉ PROSECCO DOC, Italy 2020 $19.95 MVC/QPR: 89 W+341586 FEATHERSTONE FOUR FEATHERS VQA Niagara Peninsula 2020 $14.95 MVC/QPR: 90 W+231282 KEN FORRESTER OLD VINE RESERVE CHENIN BLANC WO Stellenbosch 2020 MVC/QPR: 90 R+523001 CAVE SPRING CABERNET FRANC VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario 2019 $17.95 MVC/QPR: 89. R+999946 REMO FARINA RIPASSO VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO SUPERIORE DOC, Veneto, Italy 2019 $18.95 MVC/QPR: 89. R+354134 CHÂTEAU BELLEVUE LA FORÊT AP Fronton 2018 $14.95 MVC/QPR: 89 Dec 11/21 Wines Over $20 ========= R+395855 HENRY OF PELHAM ESTATE CABERNET/MERLOT VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Escarpment 2019 $24.95 MVC/QPR: 90 R+213132 LA PIEVE BAROLO DOCG 2018 $39.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+438572 CASALE DEL BOSCO BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO DOCG 2016 $51.95 MVC/QPR: 89. R+73817 RUTHERFORD RANCH CABERNET SAUVIGNON Napa Valley, California 2018 $42.95 MVC/QPR: 90 R+642496 BARÓN DE LEY GRAN RESERVA DOCa Rioja, Spain 2014 $29.95 MVC/QPR: 92 R+269357 CHATEAU STE. MICHELLE CABERNET SAUVIGNON Columbia Valley 2018 $21.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+597476 MASI MAZZANO AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO DOCG 2012 $134.95 MVC/QPR: 91 WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for NOVEMBER 27, 2021 By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com. My "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits, has been at http://www.deantudor.com since 1994. These notes for good wines available through LCBO Vintages (on a bi-weekly basis) can always be found at http://www.gothicepicures.blogspot.ca or at http://www.deantudor.com No winery can buy their way into – or out of – this publication. Scores are a combination of MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Southern Rhone would taste like a Southern Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace above or below its price). Currently, the wine media have no access to the tasting samples usually provided to us in the LCBO lab on a fortnightly basis. This will go on or some time. HOWEVER, the wine media will still have access to the advance spreadsheet of the wines to be released. So I know what is to be released and when. SOME (but not many) of these 100 or so biweekly released wines I have recently tasted since January 2020 or so, and I can comfortably recommend them based on this prior sampling. ** Some New Wines I Tasted Over the Past Fortnight --- Chateau des Charmes Gewurztraminer 2018 St.David’s Bench VQA, $21.95 Vintages +453472 (also at winery and online): from older vines (22 years) in the St. David's Bench vineyards, done up in stainless steel. Alsatian in style, with concentrated fruit, off-dry on the mid-palate, spicy with a tad of bitter on the finish, great with Asiatic foods. Or wonderful as a sipper/aperitif by the deck/patio/pool/terrace/balcony. Cork finish, and it should improve over the next five years. 6 gm/L residual sugar. 12.6% ABV. 229 cases produced. Quality/price rating 91 points by Dean Tudor. Chateau des Charmes Blanc de Blancs Sparkling Wine Methode Traditionnelle 2017 VQA Niagara on the Lake, $34.95 +423111 Vintages [also at winery and online]: one of Ontario's top-rated MT sparklers, nicely aged at four years. 100% chardonnay. Bottle aged on the lees for at least 2 years, with orchard fruit notes, some buttercream, citrus aromas, fresh bread, excellent mousse. Vintage dated from the 2017 harvest. 550 cases. 1.35g/L residual sugar. 12.7% ABV. The wine is still young and could use more time for resolution. Quality/Price rating is 93 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. REPORT FROM ABRUZZO [ITALY] WINE TASTING AT CASA LOMA NOVEMBER 15 2021 -- The Date and Time: Monday November 15, 2021 1PM – 5:30PM The Event: Tasting of Abruzzo wines via The Charming Taste of Europe campaign. The Venue: Casa Loma The Target Audience: wine writers, sommeliers, wine trade agents The Availability/Catalogue: wines are available through the LCBO, or by consignment, or by arrangement with an agent. Some wineries were looking for Ontario agents. The catalogue listed all full values: name of wine, varietal, vintage, number of bottles annually, percentage composition, winemaking process, aging process, colour, bouquet, palate, ABV, food pairings, retail price on the market. Best catalogue layout I have seen in quite some time. The Quote/Background: Seventeen wineries participated. We did not wear masks when tasting, although the agents and pourers usually did. Note: minor conflict of interest – my maternal grandparents immigrated to Ontario from Abruzzo. The region has about 6,000 grape producers, 35 co-ops, and over 250 wineries. The Wines: I decided to taste white wines and aged reds. The red wines are largely montepulciano d'abruzzo, the whites pecorino and trebbiano d'abruzzo. Some agents are listed after their wine. **** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms): -Cantina Tollo Mo Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2016 $19.95 Jan 2022 Vintages Eurovintage -Ciavolich Divus Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2017 $29.95 Tifa Wine Inc -Ciavolich Aries Colline Pescaresi Pecorino 2020 $28.95 Tifa Wine Inc -Collefrisio In & Out Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2015 30E -Collefrisio Semis Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2013 30E -Jasci & Marchesani Rudhir Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2018 $45 SI, LCBO -Fattoria la Valentina Spelt Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Riserva 2017 $40 – 45 Mondo Vino -Masciarelli Villa Gemme Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Riserva 2015 $100 STEM Group -Nic Tartaglia Colline Pescaresi Pecorino 2020 $30 Oikades -Tenuta Secolo IX Moscatello Passito Colline Pescaresi Passito 2015 7.9E ***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms): -Biagi Rerum Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo 2020 Rose -Biagi Pecorino Colli Aprutini 2020 $25 – 30 -Bosco Nestore Pan Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2017 $24.95 EPIC -Bosco Nestore Lnea Classico Colline Pescaresi Pecorino 2020 $12 EPIC -Cantina Tollo Pietrame Terre di Chieti 2020 $12.95 Rurovintage -Ciavolich Fosso d'Abruzzo Trebbiano d'Abruzzo 2015 $49.95 Tifa Wine Inc -Ettore Galasso Corno Grande Premium Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2017 -Masciarelli Castello Di Semivicoli Trebbiano d'Abruzzo 2018 $33 STEM Group -Masciarelli Marina Cvetic Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Riserva 2017 $40 STEM Group -Nic Tartaglia Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2017 $30 Oikades -Novaripa Rocky Marciano Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2014 $24.95 March 5 Vintages -Novaripa Monaric Amber Terra di Chieti Pinot Grigio 2029 $19 -Orlandi Contucci Ponno Abruzzo Pecorino Superiore 2020 $24.95 EPIC -Orlandi Contucci Ponno Colle dellecorte Trebbiano d'Abruzzo Superiore 2020 $21.59 EPIC -Paride d'Angelo Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Riserva Organic 2016 $21.50 -Tenuta Secolo IX Fonte Grotta Colline Pescaresi Bianco 2020 7.9E -Tenuta Terraviva Mario's 46 Trebbiano d'Abruzzo 2018 20E Alta Wines -Tenuta Terraviva Giusi Rose Corasuolo d'Abruzzo 2020 15E Alta Wines The Food: all of the food was brought to us via platters: individual servings of eggplant parmigiana, cheese risotto arancini, shrimp tempura, porketta sliders. All four were outstanding. Each table had a platter of I Bibanesi's “gusto pizza”: pizza flavoured breadsticks with EVOO, cheese, tomato, and oregano. Addictive!! The Downside: Casa Loma is not easy to get to via walking: you either go up the Baldwin steps or you walk down from St. Clair. The Upside: a great chance to re-connect with old friends at ICE, and to taste wines not commonly found in Ontario. The Contact Person: b.marassi@ice.it The Event’s Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 93 ** Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO’s Limited Time Offers selections (Vintages Essential)...these are good value...on sale through Sunday Nov 28... [red] M. CHAPOUTIER LES VIGNES DE BILA-HAUT CÔTES DU ROUSSILLON-VILLAGES AC, Midi, +168716 (XD) 750 mL $15.95 regular NOW $13.95 Save $2.00 through Nov 28 [white] HIDDEN BENCH ESTATE CHARDONNAY VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, +68817 (XD) 750 mL regular $29.95 NOW $27.95 Save $2.00 through Nov 28 [fizz] LAURENT-PERRIER CUVÉE BRUT ROSÉ CHAMPAGNE AC, Champagne +158550 (D) 750 mL $102.95 regular NOW $92.95 Save $10.00 through Nov 28 [splurge] STERLING NAPA VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON Napa Valley +314575 (D) 750 mL $44.95 regular NOW $39.95 Save $5.00 through Nov 28 Wines Under $20 ========= Fizz+53215 BELCANTO DI BELLUSSI EXTRA DRY PROSECCO DI VALDOBBIADENE SUPERIORE DOCG, Veneto, Italy $19.95 MVC/QPR: 89. W+232439 CHATEAU STE. MICHELLE CHARDONNAY Columbia Valley 2020 $19.95 MVC/QPR: 89. W+214460 LAWSON'S DRY HILLS SAUVIGNON BLANC Vegan, sustainable, Marlborough, South Island 2020 $19.95 MVC/QPR: 89 W+485656 LES VIGNES DE BILA-HAUT CÔTES DU ROUSSILLON BLANC AP 2020 $15.95 MVC/QPR: 89. W+147975 GÉRARD BERTRAND RÉSERVE SPÉCIALE VIOGNIER IGP Pays d'Oc 2020 $14.95 MVC/QPR: 89. R+413245 GÉRARD BERTRAND GRAND TERROIR LES ASPRES SYRAH/MOURVÈDRE/GRENACHE AP Côtes du Roussillon Les Aspres 2018 $19.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+131540 FEATHERSTONE RED TAIL MERLOT VQA Niagara Peninsula 2018 $19.95 MVC/QPR: 90 R+21117 CHÂTEAU LANBERSAC AC Puisseguin-Saint-Émilion 2018 $17.95 MVC/QPR: 89 Wines Over $20 ============= Fizz+593483 GRAHAM BECK BRUT SPARKLING Traditional method, WO Western Cape, South Africa $22.95 MVC/QPR: 89. Fizz+363655 MEGALOMANIAC BUBBLEHEAD SPARKLING ROSÉ Traditional method, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario $34.95 MVC/QPR: 89. Fizz+315200 HENRY OF PELHAM CUVÉE CATHARINE CARTE BLANCHE ESTATE BLANC DE BLANC Traditional method, VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario 2016 $49.95 MVC/QPR: 90. Fizz+528752 BENAJMIN BRIDGE MÉTHODE CLASSIQUE BRUT SPARKLING Traditional method, Nova Scotia $32.95 MVC/QPR: 89. W+643361 HENRY OF PELHAM SPECK FAMILY RESERVE RIESLING Sustainable, VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Escarpment 2019 $27.95 MVC/QPR: 89. W+424507 WESTCOTT ESTATE CHARDONNAY VQA Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula 2020 $29.95 MVC/QPR: 91 W+22138 ENRICO SERAFINO GRIFO DEL QUARTARO GAVI DEL COMMUNE DI GAVI DOC 2020 $24.95 MVC/QPR: 89. R+657874 HENRY OF PELHAM SPECK FAMILY RESERVE PINOT NOIR VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Escarpment 2019 $34.95 MVC/QPR: 89. WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for NOVEMBER 13, 2021 By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com. My "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits, has been at http://www.deantudor.com since 1994. These notes for good wines available through LCBO Vintages (on a bi-weekly basis) can always be found at http://www.gothicepicures.blogspot.ca or at http://www.deantudor.com No winery can buy their way into – or out of – this publication. Scores are a combination of MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Southern Rhone would taste like a Southern Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace above or below its price). Currently, the wine media have no access to the tasting samples usually provided to us in the LCBO lab on a fortnightly basis. This will go on or some time. HOWEVER, the wine media will still have access to the advance spreadsheet of the wines to be released. So I know what is to be released and when. SOME (but not many) of these 100 or so biweekly released wines I have recently tasted since January 2020 or so, and I can comfortably recommend them based on this prior sampling. ** Some New Wines I Tasted Over the Past Fortnight --- REPORT FROM DRINK CHILE WINE EXPO 2021 CANADA The Date and Time: Wednesday November 3, 2021 11AM – 1PM – 3PM - 5PM The Event: Drink Chile Wine Expo 2021 Canada, Toronto Trade Show The Venue: Arcadian Lofts The Target Audience: wine media, agents, sommeliers The Availability/Catalogue: It was a mix of wines already at the LCBO, or coming to the LCBO, and some “maybes”. 17 wineries were at the show, with over 100 wines total. The catalogue was typical, with lots of text on the various grapes and appellation valleys. The wines were sorted by wineries, about 4 – 6 each, with a brief description but no prices. The Quote/Background: There was a masterclass but I decided not to attend. In the organization of the event, we were all seated six feet apart with no masks, while our masked servers and winery principals asked us what we wanted and then delivered it. The Wines: Very few of the principals had order forms with Ontario prices, but I did manage to nab a few quotes. There was a mix of wines already at the LCBO and others in transit or here on spec. I did not taste every wine. **** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms): -Vina Arboleda Cabernet Sauvignon Aconcagua 2019 -Aresti Trisquel Series Vichuquen Costa Chardonnay Curico Valley 2020 $24.95 -Vina Chocalan Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon Maipo Valley 2019, $15.99 retail Cons. STEM -Cono Sur 20 Barrels Chardonnay Casablanca 2019 -Cono Sur Sparkling Rose Pinot Noir Bio Bio -Vina Errazuriz Villa Don Maximiano 2017 Aconcagua -Vina Errazuriz Don Maximiano 2017 Aconcagua -Vina Errazuriz Don Maximiano 2018 Aconcagua -Vina Errazuriz Don Maximiano 2012 Aconcagua -Garces Silva Family Boya Sauvignon Blanc Leyda 2020 -Garces Silva Family Catalino Pais Cauquenes-Conde de Maule 2019 -Montes Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva Colchagua 2020 -Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon Colchagua 2019 -Vina Perez Cruz Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva Maipo Andes 2019 -Vina Perez Cruz Cabernet Sauvignon Limited Edition Maipo Andes 2019 -Vina Santa Carolina Gran Reserva Chardonnay Itata 2018 -Vina Santa Carolina Reserva de Familia Cabernet Sauvignon Maipo 2018 -Siegel Family Unique Selection Colchagua 2018 -Siegel Family 1234 Red Blend Colchagua 2019 ***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms): -Vina Arboleda Chardonnay Aconcagua Costa 2019 -Aresti Trisquel Gran Reserva Sauvignon Blanc Leyda Valley 2020 $19.95 -Aresti Trisquel Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon Maipo Valley 2019 $19.95 -Aresti Trisquel Gran Reserva Carmenere Curico Valley 2019 $19.95 -Vina Chocalan Reserva Chardonnay Maipo Valley 2019 $15.99 retail Consignment STEM -Vina Chocalan Gran Reserva Origen Cabernet Sauvignon Maipo Valley 2018 $19.99 +21467V -Cono Sur Organic Chardonnay San Antonio 2021 -Cono Sur Bicicleta Rose Pinot Noir -Garces Silva Family Amayna Sauvignon Blanc Leyda 2020 -Garces Silva Family Boya Pinot Noir Leyda 2019 -Garces Silva Family Boya Rose Pinot Noir – Garnacha Leyda 2020 -Miguel Torres La Mulas Cabernet Sauvignon Central Valley 2021 -Miguel Torres Andiva Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon Itata 2019 -Miguel Torres Cordillera Cabernet Sauvignon Maipo 2019 -Montes Alpha Chardonnay Sauvignon Aconcagua Costa 2019 -Vina Santa Carolina Reserva Chardonnay Casablanca 2020 -Siegel Family Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Colchagua 2018 -Siegel Family Gran Reserva Sauvignon Blanc Leyda 2021 -Siegel Family Gran Reserva Viognier Colchagua 2021 The Food: mine was a Bento box of creamy cheese, sliced strawberries, grapes, crostini, and water biscuits. Just right, and just enough. We ate while we tasted. The Downside: we were asked to get there early for check-in, but almost nobody was there except check-in staff. We still had to wait until 11AM to gain admission to the show, which started late. I managed to get a catalogue so I could at least check off what I wanted to taste while waiting for the trade show to start. The Upside: sitting down and tasting and comparing wines at my leisure. Let's have more of this!! It was very much like being a wine judge... The Contact Person: lisa@androscom.com The Event’s Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): 91. ** Some Recommended Wines from the LCBO’s Limited Time Offers selections (Vintages Essential)...these are good value...on sale from Nov 13 through Sunday Nov 28... [red] M. CHAPOUTIER LES VIGNES DE BILA-HAUT CÔTES DU ROUSSILLON-VILLAGES AC, Midi, +168716 (XD) 750 mL $15.95 regular NOW $13.95 Save $2.00 through Nov 28 [white] HIDDEN BENCH ESTATE CHARDONNAY VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, +68817 (XD) 750 mL regular $29.95 NOW $27.95 Save $2.00 through Nov 28 [fizz] LAURENT-PERRIER CUVÉE BRUT ROSÉ CHAMPAGNE AC, Champagne +158550 (D) 750 mL $102.95 regular NOW $92.95 Save $10.00 through Nov 28 [splurge] STERLING NAPA VALLEY CABERNET SAUVIGNON Napa Valley +314575 (D) 750 mL $44.95 regular NOW $39.95 Save $5.00 through Nov 28 Wines Under $20 ========= W+328559 CATHEDRAL CELLAR CHARDONNAY Western Cape 2020 $17.95 MVC/QPR: 90 W+471284 CURVOS LOUREIRO DOC Vinho Verde 2020 $13.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+516765 JEAN-PIERRE MOUEIX BORDEAUX AC, France 2016 $17.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+17232 CHOMBART & SPECK CAVE MYSTÈRE MERLOT AC Bordeaux 2018 $19.95 MVC/QPR: 90 Wines Over $20 ========= W+149302 FEATHERSTONE CANADIAN OAK CHARDONNAY VQA Niagara Peninsula 2019 $22.95 MVC/QPR: 91. W+142240 LOIMER GRÜNER VELTLINER DAC Kamptal 2019 $22.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+21812 POÇAS RESERVA RED DOP Douro 2016 $29.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+172692 VINOSIA SANTANDREA TAURASI DOCG 2014 $27.95 MVC/QPR: 89. R+155408 MARCHESI DI BAROLO BARBARESCO DOCG 2017 $39.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+922054 TENUTE SILVIO NARDI BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO DOCG 2015 $52.95 MVC/QPR: 89. R+13421 HENRY OF PELHAM LOST BOYS LIMITED EDITION BIN 106 BACO NOIR Sustainable, VQA Ontario 2020 $34.95 MVC/QPR: 89 Fizz+234161 JACKSON-TRIGGS ENTOURAGE GRAND RESERVE BRUT SPARKLING Traditional method, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario 2016 $29.95 MVC/QPR: 92. Port+21813 POÇAS COLHEITA PORT Aged in cask, DOC, Portugal 2008 $36.95 MVC/QPR: 89 WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for OCTOBER 30, 2021 By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com. My "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits, has been at http://www.deantudor.com since 1994. These notes for good wines available through LCBO Vintages (on a bi-weekly basis) can always be found at http://www.gothicepicures.blogspot.ca or at http://www.deantudor.com No winery can buy their way into – or out of – this publication. Scores are a combination of MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Southern Rhone would taste like a Southern Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace above or below its price). Currently, the wine media have no access to the tasting samples usually provided to us in the LCBO lab on a fortnightly basis. This will go on or some time. HOWEVER, the wine media will still have access to the advance spreadsheet of the wines to be released. So I know what is to be released and when. SOME (but not many) of these 100 or so biweekly released wines I have recently tasted since January 2020 or so, and I can comfortably recommend them based on this prior sampling. ** Some New Wines I Tasted Over the Past Fortnight or so --- The Date and Time:  Wednesday September 21, 2021  11AM – 12:30PM The Event: 2021 Northwest Wine Expedition The Venue: The Globe and Mail Centre The Target Audience: wine media, sommeliers, wine agents. The Availability/Catalogue: most wines were available or will be. The event was also a feature for acquiring new agents. The catalogue contained the basics of estate name, website, and Twitter address. There was no agency name, even if the winery had an Ontario agent. Name of the wine was followed by the vintage date and a space for notes. Opening text was confined to photos, maps, climate bar graphs, vineyards, and quality. 75% of Oregon wineries produce fewer than 5,000 cases per year. Similar information appeared for Washington, except that here 90% of all Washington wineries produced under 5,000 cases per year. The Quote/Background: October 2 was the release date for a highly touted Washington-Oregon spotlight in the Vintages catalogue. Unfortunately, of the seven wineries with wines in the release, only two wineries were in this trade show: Del Rio Vineyards and Chateau Ste. Michelle. So I had no chance at this show to taste any Northwest wines being released on October 2. The show was originally to be held in the spring of 2020 but it was shut down on March 17 along with everything else, to reduce the spread of covid-19. The wines were already in Toronto, so what we tasted this morning were wines principally from 2016-2018, with a few from 2019 and 2020, and some from 2015 as well. I went to the show to taste on1y chardonnays. There were 23 of them from Oregon, and I managed to taste 16 (one wine did not turn up). There six from Washington but I was only allowed to taste one of them. In the organization of the event, we were all seated six feet apart with no masks, while our masked servers and winery principals asked us what we wanted and then delivered it. Halfway through the tasting the show administration decided that we could not taste by varietal but by winery. At that point I had tasted most of the chardonnays, and I did not want anything else. The Wines: All the chardonnays were remarkably good; we were not given many prices (I guess we had to ask but I had no time to wait for a winery rep). So my ratings are based on taste alone, without consideration for prices and value. Wines in each tier are listed alphabetically by winery name.   **** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality Rating terms): -A to Z Wineworks Oregon Chardonnay 2018 [$22.95CAD price volunteered] -Angela Estate Vineyard Willamette Valley Chardonnay 2017 -Foris Vineyards and Winery Chardonnay 2018 [$23CAD volunteered] -Sokol Blosser Winery Estate Dundee Hills Chardonnay 2018 [Nov. Vintages $28] -Trisaetum Coast Range Estate Chardonnay 2017 [$52CAD price volunteered] -Trisaetum Coast Willamette Valley Chardonnay 2019 [$39CAD price volunteered] -Barnard Griffin Washington State Chardonnay 2018   ***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality Rating terms): -A to Z Wineworks Rex Hill Seven Soils Chardonnay 2017 [$44.95CAD volunteered] -Adelsheim Vineyard Willamette Valley Chardonnay 2019 -Adelsheim Vineyard Staking Claim Chardonnay 2018 -Angela Estate Vineyard Chardonnay 2017 -Chateau Bianca Wetzel Estate Chardonnay 2017 -Citation Centerstone Willamette Valley Un-Oaked Chardonnay 2017 -Cristom Vineyards Eola-Amity Hills Chardonnay 2019 -Domaine Drouhin Oregon Roserock Chardonnay 2018 -Sokol Blosser Winery Evolution Willamette Valley Chardonnay 2019 [Nov. Vintages] -Winderlea Winery Chardonnay 2017   The Food: we each got a bento box from Salon by Alo Yorkville. I shared it with my wife when I got home. Coffee came from Hot Black, Queen Street west. The bento box had torched Norwegian salmon, heirloom cherry tomato with burrata, beef tartare and charred eggplant, and a cheesecake dessert. A Northwest cheese course would have been preferable. The Downside: we were not supposed to taste by grape variety but rather by winery, which limited my interest. I cannot leap from pinot noir to pinot gris to syrah to riesling to chardonnay – and back – within four to eight bottles at a time. The Upside: this was my first trade show in 19 months; I may have been a little rusty. The Contact Person: Nicholas Pearce Wines – www.npwines.com or np@npwines.com The Event's Marketing Effectiveness and Execution (numerical grade): very good – 92.   ** Some recommended wines from the LCBO’s Limited Time Offers selections...these are good value (see below)...on sale through Sunday November 7... [red] +59311 7 Deadly Zins Old Vine Zinfandel was $24.95, now $21.95, save $3 to Nov 7. [red splurge] CHÂTEAU PIPEAU SAINT-ÉMILION GRAND CRU VINTAGES +302018 WAS: $43.95 | NOW: $ 39.95 | SAVE: $ 4.00 to Nov 7. [white] FLAT ROCK RIESLING Niagara VQA VINTAGES +43281 WAS: $ 17.95 | NOW: $ 15.95 | SAVE: $ 2.00 to Nov 7. [Christmas port] TAYLOR FLADGATE 20-YEAR-OLD TAWNY PORT Portugal VINTAGES +149047 | WAS: $ 69.95 | NOW: $ 62.95 | SAVE: $ 7.00 to Nov 7 This is the October Blue Moon Release for Best Wines Under $20 =========================================== W+256552 CAVE SPRING ESTATE CHARDONNAY Cave Spring Vineyard, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment 2018 $19.95 MVC/QPR: 90 W+599274 LOOSEN BROS. DR. L RIESLING Qualitätswein 2020 $15.95 MVC/QPR: 89. W+391847 THIERRY DELAUNAY TOURAINE SAUVIGNON BLANC AP 2020 $16.95 MVC/QPR: 89. W+19399 NIETO SENETINER SEMILLON Valle de Uco, Mendoza 2019 $15.95 MVC/QPR: 89. W+928580 SANTA CAROLINA GRAN RESERVA CHARDONNAY Sustainable, DO Valle del Itata 2018 $18.95 MVC/QPR: 91 R+81588 CRASTO DOC Douro 2019 $18.95 MVC/QPR: 89. This is the October Blue Moon Release for Best Wines Over $20 ============================================ W+431593 TAWSE LIMESTONE RIDGE-NORTH ESTATE BOTTLED RIESLING VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment 2018 $21.95 MVC/QPR: 89. W+346304 GRGICH HILLS ESTATE GROWN CHARDONNAY Napa Valley 2017 $67.95 MVC/QPR: 90. R+22977 DOMAINE QUEYLUS RÉSERVE DU DOMAINE PINOT NOIR VQA Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula 2016 $45.00 MVC/QPR: 89. R+959627 CHÂTEAU MONT-REDON CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE 2017 $53.95 MVC/QPR: 90. R+427500 WESTCOTT ESTATE PINOT NOIR VQA Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula 2017 $29.95 MVC/QPR: 91. Dessert+94110 HENRY OF PELHAM RED, VIDAL & RIESLING ICEWINE Three-bottle gift set, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario $99.95 MVC/QPR: 89 Fizz Splurge+490482 BOLLINGER SPECIAL CUVÉE BRUT CHAMPAGNE AC, France $204.95 MVC/QPR: 93. WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for OCTOBER 16, 2021 By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com. My "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits, has been at http://www.deantudor.com since 1994. These notes for good wines available through LCBO Vintages (on a bi-weekly basis) can always be found at http://www.gothicepicures.blogspot.ca or at http://www.deantudor.com No winery can buy their way into – or out of – this publication. Scores are a combination of MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Southern Rhone would taste like a Southern Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace above or below its price). Currently, the wine media have no access to the tasting samples usually provided to us in the LCBO lab on a fortnightly basis. This will go on or some time. HOWEVER, the wine media will still have access to the advance spreadsheet of the wines to be released. So I know what is to be released and when. SOME (but not many) of these 100 or so biweekly released wines I have recently tasted since January 2020 or so, and I can comfortably recommend them based on this prior sampling. ** Some New Wines I Tasted Over the Past Fortnight --- Chateau des Charmes Pinot Noir Estate Bottled Old Vines 2017 VQA NOTL, +256834, $24.95 (at winery and online): I think that this is the first de Charmes' “Old Vines” Pinot in some time (maybe 2012?). Quite a powerful wine (the 2007 was a Cuvee winner), lots of forest floor (mushrooms, earth) to complement the dynamic red berry fruit. Grapes come from their St David's Bench block, the oldest vineyard they have. It could still use some time(I tasted at home over a few days). High acidity but low tannins. 1.7 g/L residual sugar. 13% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 92 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. Jackson-Triggs White Meritage Grand Reserve 2020 VQA Niagara Peninsula, +360297, $25.95 Vintages, online, Wine Rack, winery: this is the classic Bordeaux blend of sauvignon blanc (80%) and semillon (20%). It is almost never made in Ontario, but it has been made occasionally at Jackson-Triggs, when the circumstances were right. Previous vintages I have enjoyed included the 2017 and the 2012. But in 2012, the blend was 70% sauvignon blanc (with 10% of the savvy being barrel fermented in French oak) and 30% semillon, and the price was a dollar less. This time (2020) all of the semillon went into older French oak after extended skin contact. Herbs and honey dominate the flavour profiles, with stone fruit and grapefruit accents augmenting some tropicality. It will also reveal longer depth after more bottle aging of a year or so. Best with seafood – indeed, I had it with a Hooked stuffed sea bream and fishcuterie plate of a half dozen denizens. Long finish. Residual sugar is a low 3g/L. 13% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 93 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. ** A Recent Wine Book I Reviewed --- WINE FROM ANOTHER GALAXY (Quadrille, 2020, 354 pages, $65 hardbound) is by Dan Keeling and Mark Andrew, MW, co-founders of Noble Rot magazine and restaurants in Bloomsbury and Soho. They also own a wine importer, Keeling Andrew & Co. It's an unusual wine book, based on their writings in Noble Rot magazine. Part one is the “Shrine to the Vine” with primer-like detail on how wine is made, noble grapes, how wine ages, wine cellars, desert island wine lists. How to serve wine, how to order wine in a restaurant, even a hilarious alternative wine aroma wheel. Part two is the road trip travel through Europe – the people and places behind their fave wines: France, Hibernia, Italy, Germany, Greece, ending with English sparklers. And it ends with a listing of their top wines, about 99% of which are from France (who knew?). An interesting book for the millennial wine lover. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. ** Some recommended wines from the LCBO’s Limited Time Offers selections...these are good value (see below)...on sale through Sunday November 7... [red] +59311 7 Deadly Zins Old Vine Zinfandel was $24.95, now $21.95, save $4 to Nov 7. [red splurge] CHÂTEAU PIPEAU SAINT-ÉMILION GRAND CRU VINTAGES +302018 WAS: $43.95 | NOW: $ 39.95 | SAVE: $ 4.00 to Nov 7. [white] FLAT ROCK RIESLING Niagara VQA VINTAGES +43281 WAS: $ 17.95 | NOW: $ 15.95 | SAVE: $ 2.00 to Nov 7. [Christmas port] TAYLOR FLADGATE 20-YEAR-OLD TAWNY PORT Portugal VINTAGES +149047 | WAS: $ 69.95 | NOW: $ 62.95 | SAVE: $ 7.00 to Nov 7 Wines Under $20 ========= W+22275 MIGUEL TORRES VIÑA SOL ORIGINAL DO Catalunya 2019 $11.95 MVC/QPR: 89. Fizz+48801 LOUIS BOUILLOT PERLE D'IVOIRE BRUT BLANC DE BLANCS CRÉMANT DE BOURGOGNE Traditional method, AC, Burgundy, France $19.95 MVC/QPR: 93. Rose+11234 GÉRARD BERTRAND CÔTE DES ROSES ROSÉ AP Languedoc, France 2020 $10.95 half-bottle MVC/QPR: 90. W+68015 FLAT ROCK UNPLUGGED UNOAKED CHARDONNAY Sustainable, VQA Niagara Peninsula 2020 $17.95 MVC/QPR: 89. R+371112 MORANDÉ GRAN RESERVA CARMENÈRE Single vineyard, Valle del Maipo 2019 $16.95 MVC/QPR: 89. R+272575 GÉRARD BERTRAND GRAND TERROIR TAUTAVEL AP Côtes du Roussillon-Villages 2018 $19.95 MVC/QPR: 90. R+574780 DEMUERTE DO Yecla 2018 $19.95 MVC/QPR: 91. Wines Over $20 ========= Fizz+924654 GARDET CUVÉE TRADITION SAINT FLAVY BRUT CHAMPAGNE Chigny-les-Roses, AC, France $46.95 MVC/QPR: 90. Fizz+15687 GRUET SAUVAGE BLANC DE BLANCS SPARKLING Zero dosage, traditional method, USA $28.95 MVC/QPR: 89, W+264945 PASCAL JOLIVET SANCERRE AC 2020 $39.95 MVC/QPR: 91. R+187369 REMO FARINA AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO In wooden gift box, DOC, Veneto, Italy 2018 $92.95 MVC/QPR: 89. R+384578 REMO FARINA AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA & VALPOLICELLA RIPASSO Two bottles in wooden gift box, Veneto, Italy 2018 $74.95 MVC/QPR: 89. R+390872 WOLF BLASS GREY LABEL SHIRAZ McLaren Vale, South Australia 2018 $34.95 MVC/QPR: 89. R+616433 HENRY OF PELHAM SPECK FAMILY RESERVE CABERNET/MERLOT VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Escarpment 2019 $39.95 MVC/QPR: 90. R+570267 FAUSTINO I GRAN RESERVA DOCa Rioja 2009 $39.95 MVC/QPR: 89. R+707323 RUSTENBERG JOHN X MERRIMAN WO Stellenbosch 2019 $24.95 MVC/QPR: 89. R+21861 MARCHESI DI BAROLO TRADIZIONE BAROLO DUO Two bottles in wooden gift box, DOCG, Veneto, Italy 2016 $109.95 MVC/QPR: 90 WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for OCTOBER 2, 2021 By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com. My "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits, has been at http://www.deantudor.com since 1994. These notes for good wines available through LCBO Vintages (on a bi-weekly basis) can always be found at http://www.gothicepicures.blogspot.ca or at http://www.deantudor.com No winery can buy their way into – or out of – this publication. Scores are a combination of MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Southern Rhone would taste like a Southern Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace above or below its price). Currently, the wine media have no access to the tasting samples usually provided to us in the LCBO lab on a fortnightly basis. This will go on or some time. HOWEVER, the wine media will still have access to the advance spreadsheet of the wines to be released. So I know what is to be released and when. SOME (but not many) of these 100 or so biweekly released wines I have recently tasted since January 2020 or so, and I can comfortably recommend them based on this prior sampling. Some New Wines Tasted Over the Past Fortnight --- The Date and Time: Friday September 10, 2021 Noon – 2:30 PM The Event: A tasting of Vignobles de Larose wines along with a discussion on the new Classification of Crus Bourgeois. The Venue: Boehmer, Ossington Avenue. The Availability/Catalogue: Marchands des Ameriques is the agency (see below). Differing vintages are currently available; others will come in periodically. The Quote/Background: Franck Bijon, the General Manager and Chief Winemaker of Vignobles de la Rose made the presentation, commenting on the company's history. It's got three major Chateaux in the Haut-Medoc: Chateau LaRose Trintaudon (huge seller in the USA), Chateau LaRose Perganson, and Chateau Arnauld, plus Chateau Tour de Pez in St. Estephe, which they bought in 2019. Area is 255 hectares of vines, production is 1.3 million bottles a year, and exports are 30% of the company totals. The company began its first rehabilitation in 1963, followed by another in 2000 to get numerous environmental certifications (and again in 2020). Franck also discussed the details on applying for classification. Crus Bourgeois were classified in 2003 and then again in 2020. Re-validation is every five years (e.g., 2025, 2030, etc.). Eligibility is mostly by blind tasting. There are 247 chateaux with three levels. The first is a basic entry, followed by “superior” and then “exceptional”. He then went on to describe his own company's wines. LaRose's barrel program includes 3600 barrels (of which 900 are new) for the Trintaudon, 400 barrels (of which 140 are new) for the Perganson (superior), and 35 all-new barrels for the Arnauld (exceptional). M.Bijon then went on to taste and describe the wines he brought with him. Wines are mostly equal merlot and cabernet sauvignon, with some petit verdot. The St Estephe does have some cabernet franc, as most St Estephe wines do have. The Wines: Kenneth Gunn of the Marchands des Vins agency has the Haut-Medoc wines for sale...but, on September 18 at Vintages, Chateau LaRose-Trintaudon Sustainable, Cru Bourgeois, AC Haut-Médoc 2014 $28.95 +297945 went on sale in Ontario (only 400 cases available). **** BEST -- Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms): -Chateau LaRose Trintaudon 2014 [juicy and racy] -Chateau LaRose Perganson 2008 [my fave of the day, nicely aged, longer finish] -Chateau Arnauld 2012 [another fave, still young, very juicy] close to Margaux ***1/2 BETTER -- Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms): -Chateau LaRose Trintaudon 2018 [intense nose, very fresh] -Chateau Arnauld 2018 [soft on the mid-palate] A new wine of 6700 bottles has been introduced: L'Experience Sans Sulfites Ajoutes 2019, from sustainable old vines (70% cabernet sauvignon and 30% merlot). Other availability: Château Arnauld Cru Bourgeois Haut Médoc 2015 – LCBO Vintages Classics #21928 $68.00 release date : December 02 2021   - 80 cases  Consignment (currently out of stock but available soon): Château Larose Trintaudon 2011 - $30.00 (before tax and deposit) Château Larose Perganson 2008 - $37.00 (before tax and deposit) The Food at the tasting: Bordeaux friendly food, such as a selection of meats (beef and lamb) atop lentils de puy, and wild mushrooms on richly buttered crostini. The main dish was classic tournedos with a wine sauce, potato puree, and grilled asparagus. The Contact Person: kenneth@marchandsdesameriques.com I can recommend one red, one rose, one white and one fizz wine from the LCBO’s Limited Time Offers selections...some are good values (see below)...on sale through Sunday October 10: [red] Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon Chile, +322586, on sale to October 10, now $16.95, down from $19.95. Buy a case. [rose] Cave Spring Dry Rose VQA Niagara, +295006, on sale to October 10, now $13.95, down from $15.95. Buy a case. [white] Flat Rock Cellars Twisted White VQA Niagara Peninsula, +1578, on sale to October 10 , now $14.95, down from $17.95. Buy a case. [fizz] Cono Sur Sparkling Pinot Noir Rose Chile, +365205, on sale to October 10, now $12.95, down from $14.95. Buy two cases. Wines Under $20 ========= W+542746 SÁNCHEZ ROMATE FINO PERDIDO SHERRY DO, Spain $18.95 MVC/QPR: 90 W+89011 FEATHERSTONE SAUVIGNON BLANC VQA Niagara Peninsula 2020 $17.95 MVC/QPR: 89. W+83287 MORANDÉ GRAN RESERVA CHARDONNAY DO Valle de Casablanca 2019 $19.95 MVC/QPR: 92. R+642421 VALPANTENA TORRE DEL FALASCO VALPOLICELLA RIPASSO DOC 2019 $18.95 MVC/QPR: 89. Wines Over $20 ========= W+360297 JACKSON-TRIGGS NIAGARA GRAND RESERVE WHITE MERITAGE VQA Niagara Peninsula 2020 $25.95 MVC/QPR: 93. W+415901 CAVE SPRING INDIAN SUMMER SELECT LATE HARVEST RIESLING Estate grown, VQA Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario 2017 $24.95 MVC/QPR: 89. R+268391 HENRY OF PELHAM ESTATE PINOT NOIR Sustainable, VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Escarpment 2019 $24.95 MVC/QPR: 89. R+356337 R. LÓPEZ DE HEREDIA VIÑA TONDONIA RESERVA DOCa Rioja 2009 $63.95 MVC/QPR: 89. R+261784 PAPALE LINEA ORO PRIMITIVO DI MANDURIA DOP 2016 $22.95 MVC/QPR: 89. R+353201 RUFFINO RISERVA DUCALE ORO GRAN SELEZIONE CHIANTI CLASSICO DOCG 2016 $49.95 MVC/QPR: 89. R+157347 ENRICO SERAFINO SANAVENTO BARBARESCO DOCG 2017 $29.95 MVC/QPR: 89. R+18593 POÇAS JUNIOR VINTAGE PORT DOP, Portugal 2017 $36.95 MVC/QPR: 89. WASHINGTON + OREGON SPOTLIGHT [not tasted, not rated, just listed] White Wine 17031 ERATH PINOT GRIS Dundee Hills, Willamette Valley 2019 $23.95 PHILIPPE DANDURAND WINES LTD. 16996 WINES OF SUBSTANCE CHARDONNAY Columbia Valley 2019 $23.95 AUTHENTIC WINE & SPIRITS Red Wine 546366 DEL RIO VINEYARDS PINOT NOIR Rogue Valley 2019 $24.95 NICHOLAS PEARCE WINES INC 17686 CARDWELL HILL ESTATE BOTTLED PINOT NOIR Sustainable, Willamette Valley 2016 $22.95 VINOLUNA 408864 CHATEAU STE. MICHELLE INDIAN WELLS MERLOT Columbia Valley 2017 $26.95 PHILIPPE DANDURAND WINES LTD. 551473 DRUMHELLER CABERNET SAUVIGNON Columbia Valley 2018 $18.95 PHILIPPE DANDURAND WINES LTD. 20491 HEDGES CMS Columbia Valley 2018 $29.95 NOBLE ESTATES WINES & SPIRITS INC. WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for SEPTEMBER 18, 2021 By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com. My "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits, has been at http://www.deantudor.com since 1994. These notes for good wines available through LCBO Vintages (on a bi-weekly basis) can always be found at http://www.gothicepicures.blogspot.ca or at http://www.deantudor.com No winery can buy their way into – or out of – this publication. Scores are a combination of MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Southern Rhone would taste like a Southern Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace above or below its price). Currently, the wine media have no access to the tasting samples usually provided to us in the LCBO lab on a fortnightly basis. This will go on or some time. HOWEVER, the wine media will still have access to the advance spreadsheet of the wines to be released. So I know what is to be released and when. SOME (but not many) of these 100 or so biweekly released wines I have recently tasted since January 2020 or so, and I can comfortably recommend them based on this prior sampling. Some recent wines and spirits books I have reviewed --- 1.THE SCIENCE OF WINE; from vine to glass. 3rd ed.(University of California Press, 2005, 2012, 2021, 224 pages, ISBN 978-0-520-37950-3, $48.38 CAD hard covers) is by Jamie Goode, UK wine writer and columnist. The first edition in 2005 was the Glenfiddich Drink Book of the Year. It's a great introduction to the scientific and technical innovations applied to grape-growing and winemaking. He explains how the practical applications of science affects the quality, flavour and perception of wine. In addition, there is also some material on Mother Nature such as the newly re-written climate change and global warming chapter, and how this is affecting wine production and styles. As the book is about the “science” of wine, he also covers biodynamics, health benefits, and screw cap closures. About half the book is totally new or extensively re-written and updated to this third edition (published nine years after the second edition): a discussion of “when things go wrong”, vine immunity and breeding for resistance, yeasts and bacteria, non-saccharomyces, phenolics, extraction and maceration, whole cluster and carbonic maceration, wine faults, evolution of élevage, flotation, and sweet wine. This is an immensely accessible book, written for the lay person, and with a glossary and bibliography at the end. Quality/price rating: 92. 2.WINE TIME; 70+ recipes for simple bites that pair perfectly with wine (Chronicle Books, 2021, 192 pages, ISBN 978-1-4521-8186-8 $32.95 hardbound) is by Barbara Scott-Goodman, a food book author. The book's title is a bit of a misnomer since wine is not discussed. As she says, “Almost all food goes well with wine...what matters most is that you enjoy the wine you buy and drink.” With that in mind, she goes ahead and makes recommendations for wine types based on grape varieties. With black bean, mushroom and cheese quesadillas, she suggests Zinfandel. With roasted cauliflower, try a Vernaccia. With zucchini fritters, perhaps a Sauvignon Blanc. She does have a whole section on wine cocktails, including: Champagne pom fizz, Kir Royale, Autumn Bellini, Prosecco and ginger spritz, and a half dozen other fizzy drinks (including a white wine, orange and mint sangria). Arrangement is by food categories: snacks and bites (such as orange-scented olives & feta cheese), dips and spreads (such as tuna tapenade), cheese and cheese boards, veggies, bruschetta and toasts (such as chicken livers with red onion sauce), seafood (crudo, ceviche), meat (charcuterie, sliders, deviled ham), sauces and condiments. The book could have been improved if it had also used more metric in the recipes, or at least had a metric conversion chart. Quality/price rating: 90 3,STRANGER GINS; 50 things to drink while you watch TV (Dog 'n' Bone, 2021, 64 pages, $13.99 hardbound) has been compiled by Carol Hilker, a Chicago-based food writer. All of the shows are “series” and include old and new. Thus, there's Twin Peaks (recommended drink: Jacoby's Coconut). Fleabag (Hot Priest), Mad Men (Dirty Don Martini), and Seinfeld (Festivus)...But no Sopranos. She's got recipes and reasons for each show. PS: I'm not ashamed to admit having seen all of these shows but drinking just wine. Quality/price rating: 87 4.THE CURIOUS BARTENDER: Cocktails at Home (Ryland Peters & Small, 2021, 208 pages, $42.99 hardcovers) is by Tristan Stephenson, not only a drinks writer and author but also a brand ambassador and consultant in the UK world of cocktails. This work covers malt, bourbon and rye types of whiskey, gin, vodka, rum, tequila, brandy, sherry, wine and amari with histories, an exploration of the barrel-aging process, and a trip to major distilleries throughout the world (but principally the UK and the US). All the 75 recipes have been previously published in prior Curious Bartender books, but have been collated for this new volume. So there is the primer which deals with equipment, glassware and kitchen ingredients, followed by a collection of 7 distilled alcohol bottles and 6 alcohol add-ons (triple sec, maraschino, amari, vermouth, amontillado sherry, and absinthe). Under “Making a Drink” there are good notes on shaking, stirring, building, and blending. If you have his other books, then you might not need this one. He's got some classic and iconic preps for cocktails, such as the Boilermaker. His notes follow the rising tide of brown spirits that has returned after many years of clear spirits. There are lots of colour photos and a description of each business (along with tasting notes) including what to watch out for. Typical are sherry cobblers, champagne cocktail, Americano, sidecar, pisco sour, margarita, et al. At the end there is a bibliography (including his previous 11 books) for further reading. The book could have been improved if it also used more metric in the recipes, or at least had a metric conversion chart. Quality/price rating: 89. New Wines Tasted Over the Past Fortnight --- 1.Paso Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 Paso Robles AVA, +161141 LCBO General List, $18.95: from the Monterey Wine Company, this wine of 100% cabernet sauvignon shows rich dark berry components (currants, plums, blackberries) exhibiting a fruity audacious palate. It's a bit blowsy at the aroma stage but softens into ripe black fruit on the mid-palate, ending with California vanilla tones from oaking. Some finishing tannins and enough acid to accompany meaty foods. Opened and then tasted over several days. Well-enjoyed. Residual sugar is 5g/L, 13.5% ABV. MVC/QPR: 90. 2.Chateau LaRose-Trintaudon Sustainable, Cru Bourgeois, AC Haut-Médoc 2014 $28.95 +297945 Sept 18 Vintages: dark colour dominated by deep black fruit (cassis, blackberry, plum) tones. Very filling on the mid-palate with the beginning of tannins near the end, leading to a long length with finishing acid. Best with food, of course, particularly meat such as beef and lamb. The blend always ranges around 45% cabernet sauvignon and 55% merlot and some added petit verdot to flesh it out. Peppery finish. This is a perennial favourite in North America, a brand that many are familiar (and comfortable) with. MVC/QPR: 92 I can recommend one red, one rose, one white and one fizz wine from the LCBO’s Limited Time Offers selections...some are good values (see below)...on sale through Sunday October 10... [red] Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon Chile, +322586, on sale to October 10, now $16.95, down from $19.95. Buy a case. [rose] Cave Spring Dry Rose VQA Niagara, +295006, on sale to October 10, now $13.95, down from $15.95. Buy a case. [white] Flat Rock Cellars Twisted White VQA Niagara Peninsula, +1578, on sale to October 10 , now $14.95, down from $17.95. Buy a case. [fizz] Cono Sur Sparkling Pinot Noir Rose Chile, +365205, on sale to October 10, now $12.95, down from $14.95. Buy a case. Wines Under $20 ========= W+246579 CAVE SPRING ESTATE CHARDONNAY MUSQUÉ Cave Spring Vineyard, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment $17.95 MVC/QPR: 89 W+17742 PETER ZEMMER CHARDONNAY DOC Alto Adige 2018 $17.95 MVC/QPR: 89 W+573683 FERZO ABRUZZO PECORINO SUPERIORE DOP 2020 $17.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+13434 ESCUDO ROJO RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON Sustainable, Valle del Maipo 2019 $17.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+18667 SPECK BROS. FAMILY TREE THE PADRÉ CABERNET/MERLOT Sustainable, VQA Niagara Peninsula 2019 $19.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+952804 GÉRARD BERTRAND MINERVOIS SYRAH/CARIGNAN AC Minervois 2017 $17.95 MVC/QPR: 89 Wines Over $20 ========= W+241182 CHARLES BAKER PICONE VINEYARD RIESLING VQA Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula 2017 $38.95 MVC/QPR: 90 W+593996 JACKSON-TRIGGS NIAGARA ESTATE GRAND RESERVE CHARDONNAY VQA Niagara Peninsula 2018 $20.95 MVC/QPR: 89 Fizz+175588 GRAHAM BECK MÉTHODE CAP CLASSIQUE BRUT SPARKLING ROSÉ PINOT NOIR/CHARDONNAY Traditional method, WO Western Cape, South Africa $22.95MVC/QPR: 89 R+297945 CHÂTEAU LAROSE-TRINTAUDON Sustainable, Cru Bourgeois, AC Haut-Médoc 2014 $28.95 MVC/QPR: 92 WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for SEPTEMBER 4, 2021 By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com. My "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits, has been at http://www.deantudor.com since 1994. These notes for good wines available through LCBO Vintages (on a bi-weekly basis) can always be found at http://www.gothicepicures.blogspot.ca or at http://www.deantudor.com No winery can buy their way into – or out of – this publication. Scores are a combination of MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Southern Rhone would taste like a Southern Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace above or below its price). Currently, the wine media have no access to the tasting samples usually provided to us in the LCBO lab on a fortnightly basis. This will go on or some time. HOWEVER, the wine media will still have access to the advance spreadsheet of the wines to be released. So I know what is to be released and when. SOME (but not many) of these 100 or so biweekly released wines I have recently tasted since January 2020 or so, and I can comfortably recommend them based on this prior sampling. Some recent spirits I have tasted -- 1.Dun Bheagan Single Malt Islay +576397 $54.90 750mL.: extremely intense, bottled straight from the cask. Small batch. Eight years old. Some herbal complexity with strong floral notes makes this a real treat. Smokey peaty all the way...could be challenging for some. 43% ABV. Good value. Quality/Price rating is 92 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 2..Bas-Armagnac de Montal Les Hauts de Montrouge X.O. 700 mL. +21564 Vintages October 2021 $112: comes in a wooden gift box (it's that time of year again). From the producers of the finest Armagnac in the region. Armagnac has only 10% of the production of Cognac; it has a single distillation only. Uses all four grape varieties allowed. Comprised of about 12 years-old distillates, deep nose of roasted nuts, full fruity flavours with a soft peachy off-dry finish. Some mocha is evident. 40% ABV. A steal at this price. Quality/Price rating is 93 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 3.Bas-Armagnac de Montal Les Hauts de Montrouge 2002 700 mL. +11426 Vintages October 23 2021 $99.95: comes in a red gift box for the Christmas holidays. There are about 181 producers, and many make single vintage bottlings (unlike in Cognac). Hence, there are many bottles of older Armagnac brandies (10, 15, 20, 30 year olds) that sell everywhere in the world -- but in small lots. Montal's 2002 was aged a minimum of 19.5 years in oak. Armagnac sells well in Quebec – they recognize a bargain. Extremely aromatic with overtones of caramel, vanilla, dried fruits, and oak character. 40% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 92 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 4.Antica Valle Francescana Limoncino 500 mL. +17161 October 23, 2021, $45. 30% ABV, with a 2% infusion of lemon peels: decanter comes with two glasses and a gift box. Exceedingly fresh flavours with that citrus tang of sharpness from the essential oils. Largely hand-peeled in Umbria. Terrific as an ice cream topping (which is how I had my 40 mL sample). Sales of lemoncello or limoncino in total make it the number two liqueur in Italy, after Campari. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. I will also try to recommend one red, one rose, one white and one fizz wine from the LCBO’s Limited Time Offers selections...some are good values (see below)...on sale through Sunday September 12... [red] Gran Feudo Reserva DO Navarra Spain +479014, on sale to September 12 , now $16.95, down from $18.95 [save $2] [white] Susana Balbo Crios Torrontes Argentina Dominio del Plata +1834, on sale to September 12, now $12.95, down from $14.95 [save $2} [rose] Muga Rose DOCa Rioja Spain +603795, on sale to September 12, now $13.95, down from $15.95. Buy a case [save $24]. [fizz] Louis Bouillot Perle D'Aurore Brut Rose Cremant de Bourgogne Traditional Method Burgundy +48793, on sale to September 12, now $20.95, down from $22.95 [save $2] Wines Under $20 ========= Fizz+746479 CRISTINA ASCHERI MOSCATO D'ASTI DOCG, Piedmont, Italy 2019 $19.95 MVC/QPR: 90 Rose+117861 FEATHERSTONE ROSÉ VQA Niagara Peninsula 2020 $15.95 MVC/QPR: 90 W+557165 HENRY OF PELHAM ESTATE RIESLING Sustainable, VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Escarpment 2019 $19.95 MVC/QPR: 90 W+616466 HENRY OF PELHAM SPECK FAMILY RESERVE CHARDONNAY Sustainable, VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Escarpment 2019 $29.95 MVC/QPR: 90 W+18566 LACHETEAU HAUT-POITOU SAUVIGNON BLANC AC 2020 $16.95 MVC/QPR: 90 W+95802 PETER ZEMMER PINOT GRIGIO DOC Alto Adige 2019 $18.95 MVC/QPR: 89 W+21538 POCAS RESERVA WHITE DOP 2019 $19.95 MVC/QPR: 90 R+12281 CHÂTEAU DE RIBEBON AC Bordeaux Supérieur, Bordeaux, France 2017 $15.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+14391 DOMAINE LA DÉCELLE RÉSERVE VALRÉAS AC Côtes du Rhône-Villages, Rhône, France 2017 $16.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+78725 CHÂTEAU PINERAIE CAHORS AC 2017 $19.95 MVC/QPR: 90 R+56267 REMO FARINA MONTECORNA RIPASSO VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO SUPERIORE DOC 2018 $19.95 MVC/QPR: 90 Wines Over $20 ========= W+68817 HIDDEN BENCH ESTATE CHARDONNAY VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment $29.95 MVC/QPR: 90 W+469023 CUDDY BY TAWSE CHARDONNAY VQA Niagara Peninsula 2016 $25.95 MVC/QPR: 90 R+213132 LA PIEVE BAROLO DOCG 2017 $39.95 MVC/QPR: 90 R+113357 DONATELLA CINELLI COLOMBINI BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO DOCG 2015 $65.95 MVC/QPR: 89. WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for AUGUST 21, 2021 By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com. My "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits, has been at http://www.deantudor.com since 1994. These notes for good wines available through LCBO Vintages (on a bi-weekly basis) can always be found at http://www.gothicepicures.blogspot.ca or at http://www.deantudor.com No winery can buy their way into – or out of – this publication. Scores are a combination of MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Southern Rhone would taste like a Southern Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace above or below its price). Currently, the wine media have no access to the tasting samples usually provided to us in the LCBO lab on a fortnightly basis. This will go on or some time. HOWEVER, the wine media will still have access to the advance spreadsheet of the wines to be released. So I know what is to be released and when. SOME (but not many) of these 100 or so biweekly released wines I have recently tasted since January 2020 or so, and I can comfortably recommend them based on this prior sampling. Some New Wines Tasted Over the Past Fortnight --- 1.Domaine Martin Cotes du Rhone 2018, +18642 Vintages, $17.95: 80% grenache and 20% syrah. Typical density of southern Rhone with a preponderance of grenache tones followed by syrah flavours: spices, anise, some burnt caramel, ripe, but a long penetrating finish, some tannic tightness in the structure. Mouthfilling. Ripe, fresh and fruity with black berry and cherry plumminess. Not filtered. 13.5% ABV, 2g/L residual sugar. A top-scoring wine at the Decanter World Wine Awards. Quality/Price rating is 92 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 2.Chateau Pesquie Terrasses AOC Ventoux Rouge 2019 +577196 $21.95: I first ran into wines from Ventoux when I was at a tasting in Edinburgh – they were being promoted as a lighter-styled Cotes du Rhone wine. I have not followed them since that time but obviously climate change has impacted the wine: Ventoux are heavier now. Pesquie has 60% grenache and 40% syrah, certified organic and vegan, with biodynamic practices. The cool climate of Mont Ventoux appears to be lessened, which now puts the wines into competition with regular southern Rhone wines. Expect an aromatic nose of spices and garrigue and lots of red berries mainly from the grenache. Fresh all the way, not aged at all, with a long, long floral bone-dry finish. 14% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 3.Michel Gassier Nostre Pais AOC Costieres de Nimes Rouge 2018 +295410 $23.95: complete with an assortment of local red grape varieties -- 50% grenache, 20% syrah, 20% mourvedre, and 5% both carignan and cinsault. Their version of the popular GSM wines. About 43% of the wine from the region is red, and 41% of the region's total wines are exported. Gassier has certified organic farming. 12 month barrel aging in used French oak for half the wine, the other other half in concrete tanks. It's a dark wine, emphasizing the black fruits (cherry, blackberries, plums) with mocha tones and anise garrigue. Tannins will be resolved with another year of aging. Good value. 3g/L residual sugar, 15% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. I can also recommend one red, one rose, one white wine, and one fizz from the LCBO’s Limited Time Offers selections...some are good values (see below)...on sale through Sunday September 12, 2021... [red] Gran Feudo Reserva DO Navarra Spain +479014, on sale to September 12 , now $16.95, down from $18.95 [save $2] [white] Susana Balbo Crios Torrontes Argentina Dominio del Plata +1834, on sale to September 12, now $12.95, down from $14.95 [save $2} [rose] Muga Rose DOCa Rioja Spain +603795, on sale to September 12, now $13.95, down from $15.95. Buy a case [save $24]. [fizz] Louis Bouillot Perle D'Aurore Brut Rose Cremant de Bourgogne Traditional Method Burgundy +48793, on sale to September 12, now $20.95, down from $22.95 [save $2] Aug 21 wines Under $20 ========= W+669531 MICHEL GASSIER EMBRUNS DE VIOGNIER IGP Pays d'Oc 2020 $18.95 MVC/QPR: 89. W+958736 MUGA BARREL FERMENTED WHITE DOCa Rioja 2020 $17.95 MVC/QPR: 89. W+20599 FEATHERSTONE PINOT GRIGIO VQA Niagara Peninsula 2020 $17.95 MVC/QPR: 89. W+19635 ALBINO ARMANI CORVARA PINOT GRIGIO DOC Valdadige 2020 $17.95 MVC/QPR: 89. R+999946 REMO FARINA RIPASSO VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO SUPERIORE DOC 2019 $18.95 MVC/QPR: 89. Aug 21 wines Over $20 ========= R+161398 LANDER-JENKINS CABERNET SAUVIGNON Sustainable, California 2019 $21.95 MVC/QPR: 90. WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for AUGUST 7, 2021 By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com. My "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits, has been at http://www.deantudor.com since 1994. These notes for good wines available through LCBO Vintages (on a bi-weekly basis) can always be found at http://www.gothicepicures.blogspot.ca or at http://www.deantudor.com No winery can buy their way into – or out of – this publication. Scores are a combination of MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Southern Rhone would taste like a Southern Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace above or below its price). Currently, the wine media have no access to the tasting samples usually provided to us in the LCBO lab on a fortnightly basis. This will go on or some time. HOWEVER, the wine media will still have access to the advance spreadsheet of the wines to be released. So I know what is to be released and when. SOME (but not many) of these 100 or so biweekly released wines I have recently tasted since January 2020 or so, and I can comfortably recommend them based on this prior sampling. Some New Wines Tasted Over the Past Fortnight --- 1.Lacheteau Parlez-Vous Sauvignon Blanc 2019 IGP Val de Loire +647099 LCBO General List $11.75: a good value savvy, with nods to tropical fruit and grass, but very easy going and very tasty, almost a savvy for beginners. A good way to get into the grape. 12.5% ABV, 4g/L residual sugar. Pairs very well with goat cheese e.g. paillot de chevre. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 2.Chateau de la Grange Muscadet Cotes de Grand Lieu Vieilles Vignes 2018 +637868 Vintages $13.95: minerally driven from 40 year old vines, and reflecting melon, orchard fruit, and ending with a long citrus clean finish. 11.7% ABV, 2gL residual sugar. Do not serve too chilled. Good with a variety of seafood and poultry. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 3.Thierry Delaunay La Salamandre Sauvignon Blanc 2020 Touraine +391847 Vintages $16.95: Touraine is my fave go to region for sauvignon blanc, principally because it is so value-driven. You get a lot of bang for your buck: freshness, ripe peaches and melons, some cut grass (but not too zesty as in Kiwi land). Good finishing citrus acidity. This was the freshest wine of the tasting pack of six. 12% ABV, 4g/L residual sugar. Great with a cheese platter and/or sushi. Quality/Price rating is 92 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 4.Barton & Guestier Les Petites Parcelles Chenin Blanc 2019 Vouvray +232264 Vintages $16.95: tons of fruit aromas, both orchard and tropical. Good aperitif social wine, could be best with Asiatic spicy food, or a creamy cheese platter. It was useful with the pork rillette and the grand crème cheese. 12% ABV, 23g/L residual sugar. Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 5.Jean-Max Roger Cuvee Genese 2019 Sancerre +189126 Vintages $33.95: an organic wine with cold fermentation, natural yeasts, some aging on heavy lees. Ripe fruit flavours and some zest from the sauvignon blanc, but not as nervy as the Antipodean style. Freshness has been retained by its minerality. 12.5% ABV, 2g/L residual sugar. Can be aged for a few years to show more complexity. Goes very well with all kinds of seafoods. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 6.Patrice Moreux Corty Artisan La Loge Aux Moines 2017 Pouilly-Fume +18493 Vintages $48: some organic principles are followed, but mainly for fertilizing and limited intervention and then, only when necessary (the producer also follows the lunar cycle during the vinification process). Taste: a juicy palate throughout with citrus tones evidenced on the mid-palate before resolving to more fruitiness and finishing with a minerality that makes it all food-worthy. It's very complementary to richly grilled fish, saucy scallops, creamy poultry, and fresh cheese platters. 13.5% ABV, 2g/L residual sugar. Can be aged another 5 years or so. Don't serve too cold. Quality/Price rating is 93 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. I also recommend one red, one rose and one white wine from the LCBO’s Limited Time Offers selections...some are good values (see below)...now on sale through Sunday August 15 ... [red] BERONIA RESERVA Rioja +50203 on sale to August 15, now $19.95, down from $21.95. [white] Boschendal 1685 Chardonnay WO Western Cape South Africa +367698 on sale to August 15, now $14.95, down from $16.95. Buy a case. [rose] GERARD BERTRAND GRIS BLANC ROSE +14673 on sale to August 15, now $13.75, down from $15.75. Buy a case. [fizz] LILY SPARKLING ROSÉ VQA +536565 on sale to August 15, now $16.95, down from $17.95. Under $20 ========= W+341586 FEATHERSTONE FOUR FEATHERS VQA Niagara Peninsula 2020 $14.95 MVC/QPR: 90. W+439554 AVONDALE JONTY'S DUCKS PEKIN WHITE WO Paarl 2018 $16.95 MVC/QPR: 89. Rose+950576 MAS DES BRESSADES CUVÉE TRADITION ROSÉ AP Costières de Nîmes 2020 $17.95 MVC/QPR: 89. R+209874 COLUMBIA CREST H3 MERLOT Horse Heaven Hills, Columbia Valley 2018 $19.95 MVC/QPR: 89. R+18653 CHÂTEAU LE GARDERA AC Bordeaux Supérieur 2017 $15.95 MVC/QPR: 89. Over $20 ========= W+70946 SCHLOSS SCHÖNBORN HATTENHEIMER PFAFFENBERG RIESLING KABINETT Prädikatswein 2018 $24.95 MVC/QPR: 89. W+628065 SOUTHBROOK VIDAL SKIN FERMENTED WHITE ORANGE WINE Estate grown, VQA Ontario 2019 $29.95 MVC/QPR: 90. W+196667 JEAN-MAX ROGER CUVÉE MARNES ET CAILLOTTES SANCERRE AC 2019 $32.95 MVC/QPR: 89. Rose+490813 JEAN-MAX ROGER LA GRANGE DÎMIÈRE SANCERRE ROSÉ AC 2020 $27.95 MVC/QPR: 89. R+317933 PELEE ISLAND VINEDRESSERS MERITAGE VQA South Islands 2016 $24.95 MVC/QPR: 89. R+24430 CHÂTEAU CANTENAC AC Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2016 $34.95 MVC/QPR: 89. WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for JULY 24, 2021 By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com. My "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits, has been at http://www.deantudor.com since 1994. These notes for good wines available through LCBO Vintages (on a bi-weekly basis) can always be found at http://www.gothicepicures.blogspot.ca or at http://www.deantudor.com No winery can buy their way into – or out of – this publication. Scores are a combination of MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Southern Rhone would taste like a Southern Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace above or below its price). Currently, the wine media have no access to the tasting samples usually provided to us in the LCBO lab on a fortnightly basis. This will go on or some time. HOWEVER, the wine media will still have access to the advance spreadsheet of the wines to be released. So I know what is to be released and when. SOME (but not many) of these 100 or so biweekly released wines I have recently tasted since January 2020 or so, and I can comfortably recommend them based on this prior sampling. Some New Wines Tasted Over the Past Fortnight --- 1.Speck Brothers Three of Hearts Pinot Grigio 2020 VQA Niagara Peninsula $19.95 +20374 Vintages July 24, 2021: this is a highly competitive category, and Three of Hearts goes up very well against the other grigios in Ontario, especially with its slight yellow colour. Typical nuances include off-dry orchard fruit (peach, pear, apple) with some aromatic melon-ish overtones. It is refreshing on the mid-palate, finishing with slightly bitter citric notes. That makes it both a sipper and a food wine, suitable for a pre-prandial in the summer. There is some Ontario cranberry tartness and some melon sweetness, but also with some peach notes. Stainless steel all the way. Part of a team with Three of Hearts Rose (same bottle shape, same cork closure). 12.5% ABV. Is a sparkling pinot grigio coming? Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 2.Speck Brothers Three of Hearts Rose 2020 VQA Niagara Peninsula +552562 now at winery, $19.95: the original of this “Heart” series, and a major competitor in the annual Wine Writers' Circle of Canada Rose tasting – with high scores. The composition changes from vintage to vintage (e.g. 2017 and 2018 were both 88% pinot noir, balance pinot gris; the 2019 was 60% pinot noir and 40% pinot gris). The 2020 is apparently mostly pinot noir with pinot gris and gamay noir. No skin contact, cold fermentation in stainless. Loaded with apricot/almond tones and that Ontario cran-raspberry complexity. With its minerality and citrus finish, it is better as a food wine than as a sipper. 12% ABV; residual sugar of 7.1 g/L. Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 3.Gerard Bertrand Hampton Water 2020 Languedoc AOP +667337, Vintages $29.95: a joint effort with rocker Jon Bon Jovi, his son Jesse, and footballer Bertrand. It's a terrific marketing device to ask you to dive into Hampton Water rose. Some French oak aging for roundness but otherwise it is cool temperature all the way from the pressing through fermentation. The principal grape is grenache, followed by cinsault and mourvedre. Early bottling ensures freshness and fruitiness. Expect the scrubby herbs of the dry Mediterranean, some lavender, minerality from the low sugars and high acid. Definitely a refreshing wine, more of a food wine with its red fruit spiciness and and citrus tones on the finish. 13.5% ABV; 2 g/L residual sugar. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 4.Cusumano Merlot 2019 Terre Siciliane IGT +9779 LCBO General List $12.95: one of Cusumano's international single varietal series, coming in at 13% ABV. It is an interesting addition to the LCBO general list program. The average age of the vines here is 17 years. Cold maceration and cool fermentation in stainless steel, followed by malolactic fermentation in stainless. It sits on its lees for a minimum of 5 months and then is lightly filtered for bottle aging. No oak, but plenty of red and black berries. Value-driven. Quality/Price rating is 88 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 5.Domaine Martin Cotes du Rhone 2018, +18642 Vintages, $17.95: 80% grenache and 20% syrah. Typical density of southern Rhone with a preponderance of grenache tones followed by syrah flavours: spices, anise, some burnt caramel, ripe, but a long penetrating finish, some tannic tightness in the structure. Mouthfilling. Ripe, fresh and fruity with black berry and cherry plumminess. Not filtered. 13.5% ABV, 2g/L residual sugar. A top-scoring wine at the Decanter World Wine Awards. Quality/Price rating is 92 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. I will also try to recommend one red, one rose and one white wine from the LCBO’s Limited Time Offers selections...some are good values (see below)...now on sale through Sunday August 15 ... [red] BERONIA RESERVA Rioja +50203 on sale to August 15, now $19.95, down from $21.95. [white] Boschendal 1685 Chardonnay WO Western Cape South Africa +367698 on sale to August 15, now $14.95, down from $16.95. Buy a case. [rose] GERARD BERTRAND GRIS BLANC ROSE +14673 on sale to August 15, now $13.75, down from $15.75. Buy a case. [fizz] LILY SPARKLING ROSÉ VQA +536565 on sale to August 15, now $16.95, down from $17.95. Under $20 ========= W+20373 CHARLES BAKER RIESLING VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment 2019 $19.95 MVC/QPR: 89. W+20374 SPECK BROTHERS THREE OF HEARTS TROIS COEURS PINOT GRIGIO Sustainable, VQA Niagara Peninsula 2020 $19.95 MVC/QPR: 89. W+230599 SU PUDDU VERMENTINO DI SARDEGNA DOC 2019 $17.95 MVC/QPR: 89. R+582882 BISCARDO NEROPASSO IGT Rosso del Veronese 2018 $18.95 MVC/QPR: 89. R+638338 MARZIANO ABBONA I DUE RICU DOCG Langhe Rosso 2017 $19.95 MVC/QPR: 89. R+74229 FERRATON PÈRE & FILS PLAN DE DIEU CÔTES DU RHÔNE-VILLAGES AC 2019 $19.95 MVC/QPR: 89. Vermouth+18529 BIOMIO ORGANIC RED VERMOUTH Aragón, Spain $16.95 MVC/QPR: 89. Over $20 ========= W+20899 CLOSSON CHASE THE BROCK CHARDONNAY VQA Niagara River, Niagara-on-the-Lake 2018 $24.95 MVC/QPR: 90. Rose+562595 THE PALM BY WHISPERING ANGEL AC Côteaux d'Aix-en-Provence 2020 $24.95 MVC/QPR: 90. Rose+278861 BERNE INSPIRATION ROSÉ AP Côtes de Provence 2020 $23.95 MVC/QPR: 89. R+17704 CANTINA DI MONTALCINO BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO DOCG 2015 $39.95 MVC/QPR: 89. Chimo! www.deantudor.com WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for JULY 10, 2021 By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com. My "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits, has been at http://www.deantudor.com since 1994. These notes for good wines available through LCBO Vintages (on a bi-weekly basis) can always be found at http://www.gothicepicures.blogspot.ca or at http://www.deantudor.com No winery can buy their way into – or out of – this publication. Scores are a combination of MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Southern Rhone would taste like a Southern Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace above or below its price). Currently, the wine media have no access to the tasting samples usually provided to us in the LCBO lab on a fortnightly basis. This will go on or some time. HOWEVER, the wine media will still have access to the advance spreadsheet of the wines to be released. So I know what is to be released and when. SOME (but not many) of these 100 or so biweekly released wines I have recently tasted since January 2020 or so, and I can comfortably recommend them based on this prior sampling. Some New Wines Tasted Over the Past Fortnight --- 1.Kacaba Vineyards & Winery Unoaked Chardonnay 2020 VQA Niagara Peninsula, LCBO & Grocery +326975, $15.95: fruit-driven aromatics come from the bouquet of orchard fruit which clearly shows on the mid-palate, finishing off with a slight citrus tang, thus making it perfectly adaptable to a first course food offering such as seafood or light salad. It can also be used as a social drink for the patio/deck/terrace/balcony or party. The balanced fruit-acid here is very nicely placed. Stainless steel cold aging [no oak]. Also available in 60 grocery stores. 13.5% ABV. 7 g/L residual sugar. Twist top. Good value price. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 2.Kacaba Vineyards & Winery Cabernet 2020 VQA Niagara Peninsula, LCBO & Grocery +499384, $15.95: a blend of 71% cabernet franc and 29% cabernet sauvignon. The ratio of the cabernets can change from vintage year to vintage year. There is a melange of both red and black fruit, such as cherries, raspberries, cranberries followed by cassis and blackberries. From the short wood aging comes some vanilla, coffee-toffee, and woody spices. Medium in mouthfeel and well-balanced all the way, just what you want from a party red wine that can also extend through to the cheese course. 13.5% ABV. 14 g/L residual sugar. Capable of aging for a few years. Tasted over several days after a double-decanting. Twist top. Also available in 60 grocery stores. Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 3.Kacaba Vineyards & Winery Jennifer's Pinot Gris 2020 VQA Niagara Peninsula winery and online only, $19.95: one of the “summer series” and also more Alsatian in its complexity with orchard fruit (pear, peach, apple) and no oaking. Some melon notes too. Medium weight and finishes dry, but can be used either as a social drink or with first-course food such as chicken or seafood. Grapes come from a vineyard located on the Lincoln Lakeshore. 12.9% ABV. 5.4 g/L residual sugar. Made in stainless steel. Twist top. 400 cases produced. Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 4.Kacaba Vineyards & Winery Pinot Noir 2019 VQA Niagara Peninsula $32.95 at winery & online: and here we enter the realm of upscale Ontario pinot noir. Kacaba has been making it for decades – Winemaker Jim Warren worked with pinot noir for Kacaba as early as 1999. This time, 300 cases were produced after aging 14 months in new and old French oak (88%) and acacia barrels (12%). A savoury wine (aromas of forest floor) loaded with red fruit such as tart red currants, Ontario cranberries, strawberries, and woodsy complexity from the oak and acacia suggestive of cedar spices and even some tobacco leafiness. Double-decanted and tasted over several days to simulate aging. The producer suggests white meats such as chicken, veal or pork, or sip on its own. Cork closure. 13% ABV. 3 g/L residual sugar. Quality/Price rating is 92 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. I will also try to recommend one red, one rose, one white wine and one sparkler on the LCBO’s Limited Time Offers selections...these are good wine values...on sale through Sunday July 18...   [red wine]  CONCHA TORO CASILLERO DEL DIABLO RESERVA PRIVADA CABERNET SAUVIGNON  Chile LCBO 570754 WAS: $ 18.95 | NOW: $ 15.95 | SAVE: $ 3.00. Buy a case of 12. [white]  ANGELS GATE SUSSRESERVE RIESLING VQA LCBO 620104 WAS: $ 13.95 | NOW: $ 11.95 | SAVE: $ 2.00 [rose]  HENRY OF PELHAM ROSÉ VQA LCBO 613471 WAS: $ 14.95 | NOW: $ 12.95 | SAVE: $ 2.00 [sparkling] COLIO LILY SPARKLING WINE VQA LCBO 418657 WAS: $ 17.95 | NOW: $ 15.95 | SAVE: $ 2.00 [SPLURGEWORTHY] PIPER HEIDSIECK BRUT CHAMPAGNE LCBO 462432 WAS: $ 59.80 | NOW: $ 54.80 | SAVE: $ 5.00 Under $20 ========= W+286278 FLAT ROCK CHARDONNAY VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment $19.95 MVC/QPR: 90 W+203877 SUTHERLAND SAUVIGNON BLANC WO Elgin 2019 $14.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+370262 GÉRARD BERTRAND GRAND TERROIR LA CLAPE SYRAH/CARIGNAN/MOURVÈDRE AP 2017 $19.95 MVC/QPR: 90 Rose+85126 MEGALOMANIAC PINK SLIP ROSÉ VQA Niagara Peninsula 2020 $19.95 MVC/QPR: 89 Rose+668426 VILLA AIX EN PROVENCE ROSÉ AP Coteaux d'Aix en Provence 2020 $19.95 MVC/QPR: 89 Over $20 ========= W+417774 QUEYLUS TRADITION CHARDONNAY VQA Niagara Peninsula 2018 $29.95 MVC/QPR: 89 W+20455 LE CLOS JORDANNE JORDAN VILLAGE CHARDONNAY VQA Niagara Peninsula 2019 $24.95 MVC/QPR: 89 W+377770 QUAILS' GATE CHARDONNAY BC VQA Okanagan Valley $24.95 MVC/QPR: 89 Rose+667337 HAMPTON WATER ROSÉ AP Languedoc 2020 $29.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+395855 HENRY OF PELHAM ESTATE CABERNET/MERLOT VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Escarpment 2016 $24.95 MVC/QPR: 91 R+73817 RUTHERFORD RANCH CABERNET SAUVIGNON Napa Valley 2018 $42.95 MVC/QPR: 89 Port+18459 VIEIRA DE SOUSA VINTAGE PORT DOP, Portugal 2016 $59.95 MVC/QPR: 89 WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for JUNE 26, 2021 By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com. My "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits, has been at http://www.deantudor.com since 1994. These notes for good wines available through LCBO Vintages (on a bi-weekly basis) can always be found at http://www.gothicepicures.blogspot.ca or at http://www.deantudor.com No winery can buy their way into – or out of – this publication. Scores are a combination of MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Southern Rhone would taste like a Southern Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace above or below its price). Currently, the wine media have no access to the tasting samples usually provided to us in the LCBO lab on a fortnightly basis. This will go on or some time. HOWEVER, the wine media will still have access to the advance spreadsheet of the wines to be released. So I know what is to be released and when. SOME (but not many) of these 100 or so biweekly released wines I have recently tasted since January 2020 or so, and I can comfortably recommend them based on this prior sampling. Some New Wines Tasted Over the Past Fortnight --- 1.Chateau des Charmes Aligote 2019 Cuvee Michele VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, $15.95, +296848 LCBO: made from the rare French vinifera grape (seldom seen outside Burgundy) that Paul Bosc has cultivated since 1978, loaded with lean orchard fruit (green apples and unripe pears) and ending with a finishing crisp acidity suggesting food more than sipping. It was often used in Burgundy as the white wine base for Kir; in North America now almost any dry white is used for a Kir. Aligote is refreshing for summer, and has no oak. Named for the late Michele Bosc. 3g/L residual sugar. 12.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 2.Chateau des Charmes Chardonnay 2017 Paul Bosc Estate Vineyard VQA St David's Bench, +287268, $24.95 at winery and online: one of several chardonnays at different price points from Chateau des Charmes. My last vintage tasted was the 2016. Barrel fermented and barrel aged in French oak for a year, with lees stirring. Almost 30-year old vines. Expect soft balance with nuances of minerality and some muted tropicality, served up with orchard fruit. Cork closure. Long citric finish in Euro mode. One of my fave chards, but do not serve overchilled. 513 cases. No residual sugar. 13.7% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 3.Chateau des Charmes Rose Sparkling Traditional Method 2016 NOTL VQA, +78055 Vintages TBD, available at winery and online now for $34.95: [I last sampled the 2014 vintage at that same price] here 50.9% chardonnay and 49.1% pinot noir (blanc des noirs) from vines planted as early as 1991, very pretty colour from the pinot dosage, reminiscent of strawberry blush, almost 2 years lees contact and fermented in the bottle. Full, rich, ripe yeasty biscuit complexity. Citric finish, best with food such as appetizers. Strawb fruit dominates. Recently disgorged. 7.9 g/L residual sugar. 11.5% ABV. Stunning. 330 cases available. Quality/Price rating is 93 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 4.Huff Estates Getaway Rose 2020 VQA Ontario +63982 $20 [online and at winery]: made totally from cabernet franc with 12 hours of skin contact during fermentation. Lovely pale colour, aromatics and first palate of strawberries and then the typical cranberry textures and finish for an Ontario wine. Light herbaceous suggests food (including salads) on the patio or some first course app. Seems to be a perfect all-purpose beach wine. 3.2g/L 12.8% ABV. 1500 cases. Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 5.Huff Estates Buried Vine Pinot Gris 2020 VQA Prince Edward County $22 at winery and online: a good little aperitif (or first course) wine made in Alsatian style with more body texture and colour. Pears are evident, perhaps more ripe than the wine's green apple tones. 3g/L residual sugar for a bit of roundness. 850 cases, 12.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 6.Huff Estates Four Acre Merlot 2019 South Bay Vineyard VQA Prince Edward County, $30 at winery or online: very fruity, maybe fruit gone wild, but tempered with 15 months in French oak (30% new). Typically bright red and black fruit style, cassis, cherry-berry even. Some herbaceousness on the nose. Slightly tannic finish at this point, expected to smooth out over the next year or so. One of the better merlot wines in Ontario. I suggest a double decant before drinking. 225 cases produced. Charcuterie and/or cheese platters. 2.6g/L residual sugar. 13% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 7.Huff Estates Catharine's Chardonnay South Bay Vineyards 2019 VQA Prince Edward County, $35 at winery and online: 14 months in French oak (30% new; 40% older) plus 30% in stainless steel tank. Slightly smokey, citric tones and some minerality, good balance and nuances between the elements. Barrel flavours, baked fruit, orchard fruit and nuts. Long toasty finish, needs buttery food. Not really a sipper, and don't overchill. In the past, this wine has been a multiple award winner. 1.3g/L residual sugar. 365 cases produced. 13% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 8.Huff Estates Old Vines Cabernet Franc 2019 South Bay Vineyard VQA Prince Edward County $35 winery and online: herby red fruit dominates, but also plums and cherries with a dash of cassis. 16 months French oak, 30% new. Some tannins need to resolve on the finish, so double decant or leave open for a long time. Good with almost anything that needs a bracing red, such as spicy sausages or lamb or boar dishes. Tasted over a few days. 400 cases produced. 3 g/L residual sugar. 12.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 9.Huff Estates County Roads Pinot Noir Rose 2020 VQA Prince Edward County $25 online/winery: on the nose, crisp and clear red fruit with a tang of orange and some cranberry. Redolent with that PEC minerality, 1.3g/L residual sugar. 100% pinot noir done up in stainless steel, with 18 hours on the skins. Good as aperitif, but also with snacks such as pates, cheeses, or (as the winery suggests) grilled veggie skewers. Long long length to the finish. Incredibly fresh food wine. 400 cases. 12% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. I will also try to recommend one red, one rose and one white wine on the LCBO’s Limited Time Offers selections...these are good values...on sale through Sunday July 18... [red wine] CONCHA TORO CASILLERO DEL DIABLO RESERVA PRIVADA CABERNET SAUVIGNON Chile LCBO 570754 WAS: $ 18.95 | NOW: $ 15.95 | SAVE: $ 3.00 [white] ANGELS GATE SUSSRESERVE RIESLING VQA LCBO 620104 WAS: $ 13.95 | NOW: $ 11.95 | SAVE: $ 2.00 [rose] HENRY OF PELHAM ROSÉ VQA LCBO 613471 WAS: $ 14.95 | NOW: $ 12.95 | SAVE: $ 2.00 [sparkling] COLIO LILY SPARKLING WINE VQA LCBO 418657 WAS: $ 17.95 | NOW: $ 15.95 | SAVE: $ 2.00 [SPLURGEWORTHY] PIPER HEIDSIECK BRUT CHAMPAGNE LCBO 462432 WAS: $ 59.80 | NOW: $ 54.80 | SAVE: $ 5.00 Under $20 ======== Sparkling+515254 VILARNAU BARCELONA RESERVA BRUT CAVA Traditional method, DO, Spain $15.95 MVC/QPR: 89. W+231282 KEN FORRESTER OLD VINE RESERVE CHENIN BLANC WO Stellenbosch 2020 $17.95 MVC/QPR: 89. W+734798 THORNBURY SAUVIGNON BLANC Marlborough, South Island 2020 $18.95 MVC/QPR: 89. Rose+19852 ALBINO ARMANI ROSÉ IGT Vallagarina 2020 $14.95 MVC/QPR: 89. Rose+15277 CASAS DEL BOSQUE PINOT NOIR ROSÉ Sustainable, Casablanca Valley 2020 $15.95 MVC/QPR: 89. Over $20 ========= Champagne+384529 BOLLINGER SPECIAL CUVÉE BRUT CHAMPAGNE AC, France $92.95 MVC/QPR: 91. Sparkling+234161 JACKSON-TRIGGS ENTOURAGE GRAND RESERVE BRUT SPARKLING Traditional method, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario 2016 $29.95 MVC/QPR: 91. Sparkling+256289 BENJAMIN BRIDGE NOVA 7 SPARKLING Nova Scotia 2020 $24.95 MVC/QPR: 89. W+155382 MARCHESI DI BAROLO GAVI DEL COMUNE DI GAVI DOCG 2019 $22.95 MVC/QPR: 89. W+28845 CLARENCE DILLON CLARENDELLE BLANC Inspired by Haut-Brion, AC Bordeaux 2019 $25.95 MVC/QPR: 89. R+28837 CLARENCE DILLON CLARENDELLE RED Inspired by Haut-Brion, AC Bordeaux 2015 $24.95 MVC/QPR: 89. Chimo! www.deantudor.com WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for JUNE 12, 2021 By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com. My "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits, has been at http://www.deantudor.com since 1994. These notes for good wines available through LCBO Vintages (on a bi-weekly basis) can always be found at http://www.gothicepicures.blogspot.ca or at http://www.deantudor.com No winery can buy their way into – or out of – this publication. Scores are a combination of MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Southern Rhone would taste like a Southern Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace above or below its price). Currently, the wine media have no access to the tasting samples usually provided to us in the LCBO lab on a fortnightly basis. This will go on or some time. HOWEVER, the wine media will still have access to the advance spreadsheet of the wines to be released. So I know what is to be released and when. SOME (but not many) of these 100 or so biweekly released wines I have recently tasted since January 2020 or so, and I can comfortably recommend them based on this prior sampling. Some New Wines Tasted Over the Past Fortnight --- 1.Westcott Vineyards Temperance Red 2020 VQA Vinemount Ridge $19.99 at winery and online: this is a Burgundian passtoutgrain-styled wine which is very popular in France, made from 50% Gamay Noir and 50% Pinot Noir grapes. There is a 30-day maceration, with a stainless steel all wild ferment and malo-lactic fermentation. Very soft, fleshy, fruity, good for the patio/terrace/balcony/porch/deck. It would be excellent with all kinds of soups. 11.5% ABV. Screwcap Closure. Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 2.Westcott Vineyards Brilliant Traditional Sparkling 2017 VQA Vinemount Ridge $39.99 at winery and online: this is a still-fresh terrific sparkler done up in the traditional style of long lees contact (three years here), hand riddling, and disgorgement for a secondary fermentation in the bottle. 2250 bottles were produced of this pinot noir (66%) and chardonnay (33%) blend from their own estate in Vinemount Ridge. It's got a complex basket of flavours, ranging from orchard fruit through to citrus, with the lightness of the chardonnay being balanced off against the heavier tones of the pinot noir. It stays this way right from the entry through to the long finish, and the latter makes this a pretty good food wine too. You'll need to put some down for 2025-2027. 12.5% ABV. 8.4g/L residual sugar. Quality/Price rating is 92 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 3.Westcott Vineyards Lillias Unoaked Chardonnay 2020 VQA Niagara Escarpment $24.99 at winery and online: a bright and fresh Chardonnay (two clones used) reflective of the vintage. Stainless tank fermentation and storage with half MLF to soften, and six months lees contact. No oak. Slightly off-dry feel despite 3g/L residual sugar, but a rounded mid-palate. Very stylish with a light lingering finish, great as a non-appetite-provoking aperitif, which makes it a fab cocktail party white wine. Emphasis is on fresh orchard fruit (apples, pears, peaches): it could change over the next two years, which would make it more versatile in being also a first course wine. 13.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 4.Westcott Vineyards Riesling Butler's Grant 2019 VQA Twenty Mile Bench $18.99 at winery or online: a devilishly competent 11% ABV Mosel style and light, formerly offered just to their Wine Club members. Now 550 cases are available to all. Parts of the vineyard were planted in 1980. Perfectly attuned to summer -- this was delicious in that Germanic style, ready for consumption now. And certainly affordable for an “old vines” wine. 8.2g/L residual sugar. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 5.Westcott Vineyards Delphine Rose 2020 VQA Twenty Mile Bench $18.99 at winery and online: a refreshing blend of cabernet franc (53%) and pinot noir (47%), pressed for six hours skin maceration and then complete malolactic fermentation. Early picking gave it that zesty complexity of red fruit such as strawberries and raspberries and cranberries (aka sunshine in a glass). Screwcap closure. 12% ABV. 8.5g/L residual sugar. A very good wine as an aperitif on the balcony/deck/terrace, etc. And as a first course wine with a spread board (charcuterie, smoked fish, cheese, dried fruits, nuts, et al). Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 6.Westcott Vineyards Pinot Noir Rose 2020 VQA Vinemount Ridge $23.99 at winery and online: two clones of pinot noir (667 and 777) ere used from the fabulous Vinemount Ridge vineyard. The fruit, while awesome, is tempered by the higher alcohol of 13.5% ABV and lowered grape sugar of 3g/L. Ontario cranberries are noted as well as raspberries on the nose, followed by a hefty taste sensation on the mid-palate, ending with a rush of balanced tannins on the finish – good for first, second, and third courses. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 7.Chateau des Charmes Blanc de Blancs Sparkling Wine Methode Traditionnelle 2016 VQA Niagara on the Lake, $34.95 Vintages June 12 [also at winery and online]: one of Ontario's top-rated MT sparklers, nicely aged at almost five years. 100% chardonnay. Bottle aged on the lees for at least 2 years, with buttercream notes, citrus aromas, fresh bread, excellent mousse. 250 cases. 5g/L residual sugar. 12.7% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 92 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 8.Chateau des Charmes Gamay Noir “Droit” 2018 St. David's Bench Vineyard VQA St. David’s Bench, +346742 Vintages June 12, $19.95 [also at winery and online]: medium-full-bodied, suggestive of Beaujolais grand cru wines such as Morgon or Moulin a Vent in the Droit's capacity for aging. Dark cherry-berry flavours dominate, but there is added spicing and even some nuances of earthiness and eucalyptus, although the wine is unoaked. Cork finish. Good with BBQ, cheese, or something substantial, but some tannic structure is present to carry through a whole meal. Chateau des Charmes is the only winery in the world using this particular gamay clone. 2Gm/L residual sugar. 12.5% ABV, lower than previous years. Earlier vintages were gold medal winners in Canada. 1100 cases produced. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 9.STEL+MAR Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 Lodi, +20808 $17.95 LCBO: from sandy loam soils. A great wallop of cherries begins the aromatics and dominates right through to the finish in typical Cali-style from Lodi. Long rich tones of cassis, toffee, mocha, and ending with toasty vanilla notes. Soft, juicy, almost like a Merlot and finishes with delicate tannins. Best enjoyed as a social sipper drink with good companions. Tasted over a few days with repeated flavours. 8g/L residual sugar. 13.7% ABV. Cork closure. Label artwork by Stephanie Cheng of Toronto! 10,000 cases. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. I will also try to recommend one red, one rose and one white wine on the LCBO’s Limited Time Offers selections...these are good values... [red wine[ Sella & Mosca Riserva Cannonau di Sardegna on sale to June 20, $15.95, down from $18.45. Buy a case. [white] Villa Maria Private Bin Chardonnay East Coast New Zealand on sale to June 20, $15.70, down from $17.70. Buy a case. [rose] Tawse Sketches of Niagara Rose on sale to June 20, $15.95, down from $17.95. Buy a case. Under $20 ========= W+392092 HENRI EHRHART RÉSERVE PARTICULIÈRE PINOT GRIS AC Alsace 2019 $18.95 MVC/QPR: 89 W+328559 CATHEDRAL CELLAR CHARDONNAY WO Western Cape 2019 $17.95 MVC/QPR: 93 W+1847 THIERRY DELAUNAY TOURAINE SAUVIGNON BLANC AP 2020 $16.95 MVC/QPR: 89 W+89011 FEATHERSTONE SAUVIGNON BLANC VQA Niagara Peninsula 2020 $17.95 MVC/QPR: 90 W+148429 PENCARROW SAUVIGNON BLANC Martinborough, North Island 2019 $18.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+346742 CHÂTEAU DES CHARMES ST. DAVID'S BENCH VINEYARD GAMAY NOIR DROIT VQA St. David's Bench, Niagara-on-the-Lake 2018 $19.95 MVC/QPR: 91 R+983742 L.A. CETTO PETITE SIRAH Guadalupe Valley, Baja California 2017 $13.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+403683 GÉRARD BERTRAND FITOU GRENACHE/CARIGNAN AP 2018 $17.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+668780 BISCARDO ROSAPASSO IGT Veneto 2019 $15.95 MVC/QPR: 89 Rose+19846 CONFIDENCIAL RESERVA ROSÉ Vegan, Vinho Regional Lisboa 2020 $15.95 MVC/QPR: 89 Over $20 ========= W+643361 HENRY OF PELHAM SPECK FAMILY RESERVE RIESLING Sustainable, VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Escarpment 2019 $27.95 MVC/QPR: 90 R+18686 QUINTA VALE DE FORNOS RESERVA TOURIGA NACIONAL DOC Tejo 2015 $24.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+19286 FINCA RÍO NEGRO COGOLLUDO GUADALAJARA Vino de la Tierra de Castilla 2015 $20.95 MVC/QPR:89 Sparkling+15686 GRUET BRUT SPARKLING ROSÉ Traditional method, New Mexico $25.95 MVC/QPR: 89 Sparkling+423111 CHÂTEAU DES CHARMES BLANC DE BLANCS SPARKLING Traditional method, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario 2016 $34.95 MVC/QPR: 92 Sparkling224766 CHÂTEAU DES CHARMES BRUT SPARKLING Traditional method, VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake $25.95 MVC/QPR: 91 WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for MAY 29, 2021 AKA THE BLUE MOON RELEASE!!! By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com. My "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits, has been at http://www.deantudor.com since 1994. These notes for good wines available through LCBO Vintages (on a bi-weekly basis) can always be found at http://www.gothicepicures.blogspot.ca or at http://www.deantudor.com No winery can buy their way into – or out of – this publication. Scores are a combination of MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Southern Rhone would taste like a Southern Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace above or below its price). Currently, the wine media have no access to the tasting samples usually provided to us in the LCBO lab on a fortnightly basis. This will go on or some time. HOWEVER, the wine media will still have access to the advance spreadsheet of the wines to be released. So I know what is to be released and when. SOME (but not many) of these 100 or so biweekly released wines I have recently tasted since January 2020 or so, and I can comfortably recommend them based on this prior sampling. Some New Wines Tasted Over the Past Fortnight --- 1.Peninsula Ridge Estates Winery Sauvignon Blanc 2019 VQA Niagara Peninsula, LCBO and Grocery +53678 $15.95 [LTO $13.95 May 23-June 19]: this is a no brainer choice – a classic savvy that's been made since the winery opened, excellent quality from the renowned A.J. Lepp vineyard (39.5%), Wismer vineyard (20.4%), balance from three others. No oak, of course, with cold fermentation in stainless tanks. Typical MVC aromas of gooseberry and some grass, lemons and long length. This has been a huge seller for Peninsula Ridge, and it goes very well with grilled white meats and grilled veggies. 12% ABV, <3g/L residual sugar. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 2.Peninsula Ridge Estates Winery Beal Vineyard Cabernet Rose 2020 VQA Beamsville Bench, Vintages +177840 $15.95 May 15 release: the Wine Writers' Circle of Canada has had eight annual tastings of Ontario rose wines, and this one from Peninsula Ridge has always been selected in the “Best” category (90+ points) except for one year. So it has a great track record with wine writers. It's all Cabernet Franc, with short skin contact and long fermentation at low temperatures – always in stainless steel tanks. Red fruit, of course, dominates in a juicy style (but with only 4g/L residual sugar). Typical MVC for Ontario strawberries, red cherries, and cranberries (for that crisp long finish). Best served with decks/terraces/balconies/patios/backyards and sunshine, or with grilled seafood. (Their 2013 vintage rose sold for $11.95). Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 3.Rutherford Ranch Chardonnay 2018 Napa $29.95 Consignment from Majestic Wine Cellars: a soft wine full of orchard fruit (baked apple, pear), creamy, bright, some vanilla but a little toasted French and American oak (and lees) with spices. Best with sauced seafood. 14.5% ABV. Very dry finish. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 4.Cantina Valpantena Veneto Chardonnay Alfabeto IGP 2019 $14.95 Consignment Majestic Wine Cellars: It's a definite antipasto or pre-prandial wine since it was light lemons with lively acidity, some tart apples, 12% ABV, and a longer finish than I was expecting. Quite pleasant. Under composition cork. Quality/Price rating is 88 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 5.Cantina Armani Albino Armani 1607 Chardonnay Capitel 2019 Trentino DOC, $21.95 consignment Majestic Wine Cellars. From the Adige Valley region, it's a mellow, rounder wine with less acid but a long honeyed finish in the mouth. Composition cork, and it too had sweet apples, limes and citrus, and a bright freshness from the stainless steel. 12.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 6.Cantina Mabis Biscardo Oropasso Originale 2019 IGT Veneto $18.95 consignment from Majestic Wine Cellars: made from about 60% early harvest garganega [also known as malvasia de manresa in Spain](basis of soave) and 40% late harvest chardonnay juice. No oak, just stainless steel for freshness. But a longer fermentation than usual, and five months on the lees. Results? An engaging floral, off-sweet bouquet leading to nuts and tropical fruits on the palate with citrus running in the background. A good seam of acidity through to the spicy finish. Best with food, but possible also as a sipper. A very nice riff on Soave. The company's series includes Rosapasso (pinot noir rose) and Neropasso (red), all trading off on the “oro-” gold usage. 13% ABV. Good value. Quality/Price rating is 92 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 7.Rutherford Ranch Morgan Bay Cellars Chardonnay 2018 California appellation $16.95 Majestic Wine Cellars Consignment: cork disc closure, well-rounded texture meant to appeal to the US palate. There were lemons and green apples, but also the softness and taste of a creamy caramel. But there is also enough finishing acid for a first course. Otherwise, sip away. 12.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. Under $20 ========= W+17644 OMRAH CROSSINGS CHARDONNAY Great Southern, Western Australia 2019 18.95 MVC/QPR: 89 W+256552 CAVE SPRING ESTATE CHARDONNAY Cave Spring Vineyard, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment 2018 19.95 MVC/QPR: 89 W+262782 THATCHED HUT SAUVIGNON BLANC Marlborough, South Island 2020 19.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+17455 LUI RESERVA MALBEC Single Vineyard, Uco Valley, Mendoza 2018 19.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+723452 ONDARRE RESERVA DOCa Rioja 2016 19.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+548560 ALICE VIEIRA DE SOUSA RESERVE RED DOC Douro 2018 16.95 MVC/QPR: 89 Over $20 ========= W+68106 DOMAINE DU CHARDONNAY MONTMAINS CHABLIS 1ER CRU AC 2017 43.95 MVC/QPR: 89 W+181289 DOMAINE LE VERGER CHABLIS AC 2018 27.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+417659 CUNE RESERVA Rioja Alta, DOCa Rioja 2015 21.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+19675 CARIONE BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO DOCG 2015 34.95 MVC/QPR: 89 Rose+491027 CAVES D'ESCLANS ROCK ANGEL ROSÉ AC Côtes de Provence 2019 49.95 MVC/QPR: 90 WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for MAY 15, 2021 By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com. My "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits, has been at http://www.deantudor.com since 1994. These notes for good wines available through LCBO Vintages (on a bi-weekly basis) can always be found at http://www.gothicepicures.blogspot.ca or at http://www.deantudor.com No winery can buy their way into – or out of – this publication. Scores are a combination of MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Southern Rhone would taste like a Southern Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace above or below its price). Currently, the wine media have no access to the tasting samples usually provided to us in the LCBO lab on a fortnightly basis. This will go on or some time. HOWEVER, the wine media will still have access to the advance spreadsheet of the wines to be released. So I know what is to be released and when. SOME (but not many) of these 100 or so biweekly released wines I have recently tasted since January 2020 or so, and I can comfortably recommend them based on this prior sampling. Some New Wines Tasted Over the Past Fortnight --- 1.Featherstone Estate Winery Red Tail Merlot 2018 VQA Niagara Peninsula $19.95 +131540 Vintages May 15: Merlot is still recovering from its dissing by Pinot Noir in the movie “Sideways”. But a lot of wineries are still making it. David Johnson the winemaker has here produced a delightfully fruity but dryish (RS 1.4 g/L) drop that is also affordable. Aged 10 months in French oak, 100% malolactic fermentation. Expect black fruit cherry-berry complexity, headed by black currant. Both a patio sipper and a food wine, and ready now for current drinking and accompanying any kind of comfort food. 12.4% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 92 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 2.Featherstone Estate Winery Four Feathers 2020 VQA Niagara Peninsula $14.95 +341586 April 17 and August: a summer social sipper or quaffer, combining 62% riesling and 3% chardonnay with 20% sauvignon blanc and 15% gewurztraminer – all highly aromatic grapes. The percentages change from vintage to vintage depending on vineyard conditions. Stainless steel fermentation. Typical fruit flavours to be found include pineapple, melon, lemon, some mango, and some sweet parts of citric tones near the finish. A popular seller with 1999 cases. Incredibly fresh and fruity tones for summer. 12g/L residual sugar. 12.3% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 3.Featherstone Estate Winery Black Sheep Riesling 2019 VQA Niagara Peninsula $18.95 +80234 Vintages Essential: more in the Mosel mode than Rhine wine, this delicious sipper is loaded with a nose of citrus highlights (lemon, lime, grapefruit) evolving to Ontario orchard fruit on the mid-palate with some minerality and a long lean-ish finish which also makes it nifty food wine for many Asiatic dishes. Medium body, off-dry . Suitable for aging, to get that “petrol” character. 1429 cases made. 10.6% ABV. RS 22.4 g/L. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 4.Featherstone Estate Winery Cabernet Franc 2019 VQA Niagara Peninsula $19.95 +64618 Vintages Essential: a blend of 95% cabernet franc and 5% merlot. All US oak was used – 25% new, balance into 1 to 4 year old barrels. Full malolactic fermentation. Medium-bodied with an assortment of tastes of berries, plums and cherries. Long, long finish showing tart-ish food-loving acid balances. Should go well with BBQ or other fatty meats. Keep for another few years (I tasted one bottle daily for a week). 2408 cases. 3 g/L residual sugar. 12.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 5.Featherstone Estate Winery Sauvignon Blanc 2020 VQA Niagara Peninsula $17.95 +89011 Vintages June 12 and October: 20% of this wine went into barrel fermentation, leaving 80% for stainless steel. That contributed to the softness and to the muted tones of grassiness. Tropical flowers are accented rather than tropical fruit, and this too adds to its dryness culminating with ending citrus notes for a long finish. It's a great wine for savvy lovers who go for complexity rather than just herbs. At the same time, this allows for more food choices. Only 293 cases. 5.5g/L residual sugar, 13.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 92 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 6.Featherstone Estate Winery Rose 2020 VQA Niagara Peninsula $15.95 +117861 Vintages (and again on September 4): over the years, this rose has had different and varying amounts of grape varieties – all dependent on what wily winemaker David Johnson sees as the best possible blend. In the past it has had pinot noir and cabernet sauvignon, as well as gamay noir, merlot, and cabernet franc: the latter three are in the 2019. This latest vintage (2020) has cabernet sauvignon 50%, gamay noir 30%, merlot 7%, and chardonnay 13%. It's extremely useful for any event, any occasion, with any food, or just alone as a sipper on the beach/patio/deck/terrace/balcony – even in front of a roaring fireplace in winter (as I did just this week when the sub-zero snow dropped in High Park North the day before Earth Day). Expect plenty of red fruit tones in its deliciousness. Great price. 1359 cases. 6.59g/L residual sugar, 13.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. Under $20 ========= W+519025 FEATHERSTONE PHOENIX VQA Niagara Peninsula 2020 $18.95 MVC/QPR: 89 W+80234 FEATHERSTONE BLACK SHEEP RIESLING 2019 VQA Niagara Peninsula $17.95 MVC/QPR: 90 W+17575 IVORY & BURT CHARDONNAY Lodi 2019 $19.95 MVC/QPR: 89 W+ 928580 SANTA CAROLINA GRAN RESERVA CHARDONNAY Sustainable, DO Itata Valley 2018 $18.95 MVC/QPR: 89 W+17563 SACRED HILL HAWKE'S BAY CHARDONNAY Sustainable, Hawke's Bay, North Island 2019 $18.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+64618 FEATHERSTONE CABERNET FRANC VQA Niagara Peninsula 2019 $19.95 MVC/QPR: 91 R+131540 FEATHERSTONE RED TAIL MERLOT VQA Niagara Peninsula 2018 $19.95 MVC/QPR: 92 R+548867 CASA SANTOS LIMA COLOSSAL RESERVA Vinho Regional Lisboa 2017 $15.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+348292 CHÂTEAU VRAI CAILLOU AC Bordeaux Supérieur 2016 $16.95 MVC/QPR: 89 Over $20 ========= W+566026 CAVE SPRING CSV RIESLING Cave Spring Vineyard, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment 2018 $29.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R +672923 CONTINO RESERVA Single vineyard, DOCa Rioja 2016 $29.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+60525 RUTHERFORD RANCH RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON Napa Valley 2017 $49.95 MVC/QPR: 89 WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for MAY 1, 2021 By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com. My "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits, has been at http://www.deantudor.com since 1994. These notes for good wines available through LCBO Vintages (on a bi-weekly basis) can always be found at http://www.gothicepicures.blogspot.ca or at http://www.deantudor.com No winery can buy their way into – or out of – this publication. Scores are a combination of MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Southern Rhone would taste like a Southern Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace above or below its price). Currently, the wine media have no access to the tasting samples usually provided to us in the LCBO lab on a fortnightly basis. This will go on or some time. HOWEVER, the wine media will still have access to the advance spreadsheet of the wines to be released. So I know what is to be released and when. SOME (but not many) of these 100 or so biweekly released wines I have recently tasted since January 2020 or so, and I can comfortably recommend them based on this prior sampling. Some New Wines Tasted Over the Past Fortnight --- 1.Chateau des Charmes Chardonnay 2016 St. David's Bench Vineyard VQA St David's Bench, +430991, $24.95 Vintages May 1: one of their several chardonnays at different price points, from Chateau des Charmes. My last vintage tasted was the 2014 (which was $5 less). Barrel-fermented and barrel-aged in French oak for a year, with lees stirring. 27-year old vines. Expect full-bodied balance with nuances of minerality and some muted tropicality, served up with orchard fruit and a buttery consistency with some slight smokey spices. Cork closure. Long finish. One of my fave chards, but do not serve overchilled. Very age worthy, should see us through (and after) the pandemic period. 500 cases. 13.3% ABV. Residual sugar 3g/L. Quality/Price rating is 92 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 2.Chateau des Charmes Cabernet-Merlot Old Vines 2017 VQA Niagara-On-The-Lake, $24.95 +222372 at winery and online: a substantial wine made from plots planted beginning in 1983-1985 and then again in 1992-1996 (in all four of their vineyards) – about a third each of cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon, and merlot, coming in at 12.6% ABV after 15 months time in French oak. Expect some intricacy with its medium mocha, cedar, vanilla and cassis, but double-decant the bottle before serving. The extra airing will help soften it and give it a longer length from the older vines. Tasted successfully over a number of days. 485 cases. Residual sugar 1g/L. It should outlast the pandemic. Quality/Price rating is 93 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 3.Le Bijou de Sophie Valrose Rose 2020 IGP Coteaux de Beziers (Languedoc) +20012 $16.95 Vintages May 15: this is a super-value rose from the Deep South of France, comprised of all red grapes: cinsault (45%), grenache (40%), syrah (5%) and caladoc (10%). The latter is an interesting cross between grenache and malbec, useful for its high resistance to disease, tannins and aromatic quality. The mostly bush vines are 25 – 50 years old. Each variety separately undergoes a long and cool fermentation before blending together. In colour, the wine is extremely pale. The aromatics exhibit plentiful floral and berry notes, continuing on through the mid-palate before resolution with the finishing acids – great with foods such as appetizers or first courses, even salads. Sophie Larose was a late 19th century vine handpicker who fought for women's rights in the vineyards. See the back label. This wine is suitable for vegans. RS is 4g/L; ABV is 12.5%. Quality/Price rating is 92 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 4.Three of Hearts Pinot Grigio 2020 VQA Niagara Peninsula $19.95 +20374 Vintages July 24, 2021 [currently at winery]: this is a highly competitive category, and Three of Hearts goes up very well against the other grigios in Ontario, especially with its slight yellow colour. Typical nuances include off-dry orchard fruit (peach, pear, apple) with some aromatic melon-ish overtones. It is refreshing on the mid-palate, finishing with slightly bitter citric notes. That makes it both a sipper and a food wine, suitable for a pre-prandial in the summer. There is some Ontario cranberry tartness and some melon sweetness, but also with some peach notes. Stainless steel all the way. Part of a team with Three of Hearts Rose (same bottle shape, same cork closure). 12.5% ABV. Is a sparkling pinot grigio coming? Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. Under $20 White+18705 STRANDVELD FIRST SIGHTING SAUVIGNON BLANC WO Cape South Coast 2020 $14.95 MVC/QPR: 89 Rose+117861 FEATHERSTONE ROSÉ VQA Niagara Peninsula 2020 $15.95 MVC/QPR: 89 Rose+719062 FAMILLE PERRIN RÉSERVE ROSÉ AC Côtes du Rhône 2020 $15.95 MVC/QPR: 89 Red+999946 REMO FARINA RIPASSO VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO SUPERIORE DOC 2018 $18.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+377481 HACIENDA LÓPEZ DE HARO CRIANZA DOCa Rioja 2017 $16.95 MVC/QPR: 89. Over $20 ========= Sparkling+19346 THE FOREIGN AFFAIR BRUT SPARKLING ROSÉ Charmat method, VQA Ontario 2019 $25.95 MVC/QPR: 89 W+17553 TE AWANGA SAUVIGNON BLANC Hawke's Bay, North Island 2019 $23.95 MVC/QPR: 89 W+616466 HENRY OF PELHAM SPECK FAMILY RESERVE CHARDONNAY Sustainable, VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Escarpment 2019 $29.95 MVC/QPR: 91 W+430991 CHÂTEAU DES CHARMES ST. DAVID'S BENCH VINEYARD CHARDONNAY VQA St. David's Bench, Niagara-on-the-Lake 2016 $24.95 MVC/QPR: 92 W+541557 LAKE SONOMA CHARDONNAY Russian River Valley, Sonoma County 2018 $26.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+261784 PAPALE LINEA ORO PRIMITIVO DI MANDURIA DOP 2016 $23.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+165662 MONTE DEL FRÀ LENA DI MEZZO VALPOLICELLA RIPASSO CLASSICO SUPERIORE DOC 2018 $24.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+130252 TAWSE SKETCHES CABERNET/MERLOT VQA Niagara Peninsula 2018 $21.95 MVC/QPR: 89 Sparkling+993113 TAITTINGER PRESTIGE BRUT ROSÉ CHAMPAGNE AC $79.95 MVC/QPR: 89 Port+87551 FONSECA LATE BOTTLED VINTAGE PORT Unfiltered, DOP, Portugal 2015 $23.95 MVC/QPR: 89 WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for APRIL 17, 2021 By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com. My "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits, has been at http://www.deantudor.com since 1994. These notes for good wines available through LCBO Vintages (on a bi-weekly basis) can always be found at http://www.gothicepicures.blogspot.ca or at http://www.deantudor.com No winery can buy their way into – or out of – this publication. Scores are a combination of MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Southern Rhone would taste like a Southern Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace above or below its price). Currently, the wine media have no access to the tasting samples usually provided to us in the LCBO lab on a fortnightly basis. This will go on or some time. HOWEVER, the wine media will still have access to the advance spreadsheet of the wines to be released. So I know what is to be released and when. SOME (but not many) of these 100 or so biweekly released wines I have recently tasted since January 2020 or so, and I can comfortably recommend them based on this prior sampling. Some New Wines Tasted Over the Past Fortnight --- 1.Gerard Bertrand Terroir An806 Corbieres 2018 $17.95 +394288 Vintages: In this Terroir Corbieres (from the Narbonne), Bertrand uses traditional fermentation for the grenache, syrah, and mourvedre. It is an appealing Rhonish G-S-M, with one-third of the blended wine aging in wood for nine months before bottling. Very firm with some very dark fruit leading on to the very full and ripe finish. Needs hearty food. 14.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 2.Parker Station Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 Paso Robles $24.95 +17684 Vintages [wine of the month for April 17, 2021]: an affordable Cali-Cab, but only 5,000 cases made. Part of the Fess Parker winery unit, the US SRP is $17. Aged six months in all French oak resulting in typical cabby spicy mocha flavours, blackberry/plummy fruit (and with a leathery hint suggestive of syrah), vanilla finish. My wife said “yum”, which is her description for a juicy palate. Changed for better complexity over time with stoppered exposure and a double decant. Smooth but dry with a long lingering finish: great with food. 14% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 3.Lazzara Rosato Secco NV VQA Ontario $17.95 +18248 LCBO Seasonal Rose April 1 release: this is the Speck Brothers' rose version of the Lazzara Bianco Secco, which was made in the style of prosecco. It has the palest of pale “rose” colour and is incredibly fresh at this point. Off-dry but barely, with enough stuffing to wow my wife who loved it. Typical melange of cherry-berry flavours. Very well-priced. Stainless steel, Charmat process (but with very tiny mousse bubbles). 12% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 90-91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 4..Chateau des Charmes Cabernet-Merlot Old Vines 2017 VQA Niagara-On-The-Lake, $24.95 +222372 at winery and online: a substantial wine made from plots planted beginning in 1983-1985 and then again in 1992-1996 (in all four of their vineyards) – about a third each of cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon, and merlot, coming in at 12.6% ABV after 15 months time in French oak. Expect some intricacy with its medium mocha, cedar, vanilla and cassis, but double-decant the bottle before serving. The extra airing will help soften it and give it a longer length from the older vines. Tasted successfully over a number of days. 485 cases. Residual sugar 1g/L. It should outlast the pandemic. Quality/Price rating is 93 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. Under $20 ========= W+286377 CAVE SPRING ESTATE RIESLING VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment $19.95 MVC/QPR: 89 W+17658 LA GIUSTINIANA TERRE ANTICHE GAVI DI GAVI DOCG 2019 $17.95 MVC/QPR: 89 W+341586 FEATHERSTONE FOUR FEATHERS VQA Niagara Peninsula 2020 $14.95 MVC/QPR: 90 W+458687 NOBLE VINES COLLECTION 446 CHARDONNAY Monterey County 2018 $18.95 MVC/QPR: 89 Rose+19509 CAVES D'ESCLANS WHISPERING ANGEL ROSÉ AC Côtes de Provence 2020 $17.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+19903 HENRY OF PELHAM ESTATE GAMAY Sustainable, VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Escarpment 2019 $19.95 MVC/QPR: 90 R+39925 CUNE CRIANZA Vegan, DOCa Rioja 2017 $15.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+394288 GÉRARD BERTRAND GRENACHE/SYRAH/MOURVÈDRE AP Corbières 2018 $17.95 MVC/QPR: 91 Over $20 ======== Sparkling+213983 CAVE SPRING BLANC DE BLANCS BRUT SPARKLING Traditional method, VQA Niagara Escarpment, Ontario $29.95 MVC/QPR: 89 W+184549 LE CLOS JORDANNE LE GRAND CLOS CHARDONNAY VQA Niagara Peninsula 2017 $44.95 MVC/QPR: 89 W+368050 PLUME CHARDONNAY Napa Valley 2018 $29.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+17684 PARKER STATION CABERNET SAUVIGNON Paso Robles 2017 $24.95 MVC/QPR: 91 WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for APRIL 3, 2021 By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com. My "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits, has been at http://www.deantudor.com since 1994. These notes for good wines available through LCBO Vintages (on a bi-weekly basis) can always be found at http://www.gothicepicures.blogspot.ca or at http://www.deantudor.com No winery can buy their way into – or out of – this publication. Scores are a combination of MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Southern Rhone would taste like a Southern Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace above or below its price). Currently, the wine media have no access to the tasting samples usually provided to us in the LCBO lab on a fortnightly basis. This will go on or some time. HOWEVER, the wine media will still have access to the advance spreadsheet of the wines to be released. So I know what is to be released and when. SOME (but not many) of these 100 or so biweekly released wines I have recently tasted since January 2020 or so, and I can comfortably recommend them based on this prior sampling. Some New Wines Tasted Over the Past Fortnight --- 1.Kacaba Vineyards & Winery Sauvignon Blanc 2019 VQA Niagara Escarpment, Vintages, +19899 April 3, $19.95 [only 30 cases available, sold out at the winery]: very light and pale in colour, but full of flavours such as an herbed-induced introduction to Ontario fruit (gooseberries, nectarines) and florals. A very nicely developed bone dry drink for late spring and Easter. Cold stainless steel fermentation accentuates the dried tropical fruit component. 12.1% ABV, 3 g/L residual sugar. A good little savvy that will take you all the way through from the table's first courses to the fresh cheeses. Twist top. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 2.Kacaba Vineyards & Winery Rebecca Rose 2019 VQA Niagara Peninsula, Winery Only [320 cases], $19.95: I have really enjoyed previous vintages of this wine. The grape here is gamay, as in light and fruity Beaujolais. So it's a typical light, refreshing, and fruity drink with low alcohol and low tannins. Cold stainless fermentation helps it retain the strawb and rasp berry nature of the grape, as well as some of that typical Ontario cranberry taste. Best on its own as a patio/terrace/deck party drink or with a light platter of first course foods. 12.3% ABV. Twist top. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 3.Abeille-Fabre Chateau Mont-Redon Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2017, +959627, $53.95 Vintages April 3, 2021: the 2016 was here in September 2020; the 2017 is still too young to consume unless you double-decant and drink it over a few days. Half of the wine was made in Burgundian 228-litre-barrels, the other half in vats. A selection of the better barrels is made with the vatted wine into a single blend, and after 18 months together they are bottled. It will be nicely well-aged after another 10 years. Of the 13 permitted varieties, grenache, syrah, and mourvedre are dominant, with cinsault, counoise, muscardin, and vaccarese also used. Still tight but plenty of black fruits and spices. 14.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 90-91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 4.Sacred Hill Whitecliff Hawkes Bay Rose 2020 New Zealand, $14.95, +13297 April 1 LCBO Seasonal Rose Program: this Kiwi wine has been here before, with great sales and tasting success. The previous (2019) vintage was 91+ points in my scoring of roses from the Wine Writers' Circle of Canada Seventh Annual Rose tasting held last June, 2020. Expect some intense cherry-berry fresh fruits as a summer patio/terrace/deck social party wine. Or an in-house aperitif before the main event. 13% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 91-93 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 5.Lazzara Rosato Secco NV VQA Ontario $17.95 +18248 LCBO Seasonal Rose April 1 release: this is the Speck Brothers' rose version of the Lazzara Bianco Secco, which was made in the style of prosecco. It has the palest of pale “rose” colour and is incredibly fresh at this point. Off-dry but barely, with enough stuffing to wow my wife who loved it. Typical melange of cherry-berry flavours. Very well-priced. Stainless steel, Charmat process (but with very tiny mousse bubbles). 12% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 90-91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. Under $20 ========= W+278333 BON COURAGE PRESTIGE CUVÉE CHARDONNAY WO Robertson 2019 $15.95 MVC/QPR: 92 19899 KACABA SUMMER SERIES SUSAN'S SAUVIGNON BLANC VQA Niagara Escarpment 2019 $19.95 MVC/QPR: 90 R+17529 PAOLOLEO AGRICOLO VINO BIOLOGICO PRIMITIVO IGP Salento 2018 $17.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+748277 MARCHESI DI BAROLO MARAIA BARBERA DEL MONFERRATO DOC 2017 $19.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+18691 CHÂTEAU BOURDIEU NO.1 AC Blaye Cotes de Bordeaux 2016 $19.95 MVC/QPR: 89 Over $20 ========= W+441089 ROMBAUER CARNEROS CHARDONNAY Carneros 2019 $63.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+585760 QUAILS' GATE PINOT NOIR BC VQA Okanagan Valley 2019 $34.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+959627 CHÂTEAU MONT-REDON CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE AC 2017 $53.95 MVC/QPR: 91 R+639658 QUAILS' GATE STEWART FAMILY RESERVE PINOT NOIR BC VQA Okanagan Valley 2018 $59.95 MVC/QPR: 89 WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for MARCH 20, 2021 By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com. My "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits, has been at http://www.deantudor.com since 1994. These notes for good wines available through LCBO Vintages (on a bi-weekly basis) can always be found at http://www.gothicepicures.blogspot.ca or at http://www.deantudor.com No winery can buy their way into – or out of – this publication. Scores are a combination of MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Southern Rhone would taste like a Southern Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace above or below its price). Currently, the wine media have no access to the tasting samples usually provided to us in the LCBO lab on a fortnightly basis. This will go on or some time. HOWEVER, the wine media will still have access to the advance spreadsheet of the wines to be released. So I know what is to be released and when. SOME (but not many) of these 100 or so biweekly released wines I have recently tasted since January 2020 or so, and I can comfortably recommend them based on this prior sampling. Some New Wines Tasted Over the Past Fortnight --- 1.Gerard Bertrand Terroir An806 Corbieres 2018 $17.95 +394288 Vintages: In this Terroir Corbieres (from the Narbonne), Bertrand uses traditional fermentation for the grenache, syrah, and mourvedre. It is an appealing Rhonish G-S-M, with one-third of the blended wine aging in wood for nine months before bottling. Very firm with some very dark fruit leading on to the very full and ripe finish. Needs hearty food. 14.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 2.Parker Station Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 Paso Robles $24.95 +17684 Vintages [wine of the month for April 17, 2021]: an affordable Cali-Cab, but only 5,000 cases made. Part of the Fess Parker winery unit, the US SRP is $17. Aged six months in all French oak resulting in typical cabby spicy mocha flavours, blackberry/plummy fruit (and with a leathery hint suggestive of syrah), vanilla finish. My wife said “yum”, which is her description for a juicy palate. Changed for better complexity over time with stoppered exposure and a double decant. Smooth but dry with a long lingering finish: great with food. 14% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 3.Lazzara Rosato Secco NV VQA Ontario $17.95 +18248 LCBO Seasonal Rose April 1 release: this is the Speck Brothers' rose version of the Lazzara Bianco Secco, which was made in the style of prosecco. It has the palest of pale “rose” colour and is incredibly fresh at this point. Off-dry but barely, with enough stuffing to wow my wife who loved it. Typical melange of cherry-berry flavours. Very well-priced. Stainless steel, Charmat process (but with very tiny mousse bubbles). 12% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 90-91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 4.Three of Hearts Pinot Grigio 2020 VQA Niagara Peninsula $19.95 +20374 Vintages July 24, 2021 [currently at winery]: this is a highly competitive category, and Three of Hearts goes up very well against the other grigios in Ontario, especially with its slight yellow colour. Typical nuances include off-dry orchard fruit (peach, pear, apple) with some aromatic melon-ish overtones. It is refreshing on the mid-palate, finishing with slightly bitter citric notes. That makes it both a sipper and a food wine, suitable for a pre-prandial in the summer. There is some Ontario cranberry tartness and some melon sweetness, but also with some peach notes. Stainless steel all the way. Part of a team with Three of Hearts Rose (same bottle shape, same cork closure). 12.5% ABV. Is a sparkling pinot grigio coming? Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. Under $20 Sherry+542746 SÁNCHEZ ROMATE FINO PERDIDO SHERRY Spain $18.95 MVC/QPR: 91 Sparkler+485920 CHEVALIER MONOPOLE BRUT ROSÉ SPARKLING Traditional method, Burgundy $16.95 MVC/QPR: 89 W+557165 HENRY OF PELHAM ESTATE RIESLING Sustainable, VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Escarpment 2019 $19.95 MVC/QPR: 91 W+206714 CHÂTEAU LA GRAVE D'ARZAC BLANC AC Graves 2019 $15.95 MVC/QPR: 89 W+18252 GREEN LEAF ORGANIC RIESLING Qualitätswein 2019 $14.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+17264 LAPIS LUNA ZINFANDEL Pauli Ranch, Mendocino, North Coast 2018 $19.95 MVC/QPR: 90 R+17534 FERROCINTO MAGLIOCCO TERRE DI COSENZA POLLINO DOC 2018 $19.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+723742 DI MAJO NORANTE CABERNET IGT Terra degli Osci 2018 $17.95 MVC/QPR: 89 Over $20 Sparkler+256289 BENJAMIN BRIDGE NOVA 7 SPARKLING Nova Scotia 2020 $24.95 MVC/QPR: 89 W+149302 FEATHERSTONE CANADIAN OAK CHARDONNAY VQA Niagara Peninsula 2018 $21.95 MVC/QPR: 91 W+733501 ALAIN GEOFFROY BEAUROY CHABLIS 1ER CRU AC 2018 $40.95 MVC/QPR: 89 W+639641 QUAILS' GATE STEWART FAMILY RESERVE CHARDONNAY BC VQA Okanagan Valley 2017 $44.95 MVC/QPR: 89 WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for MARCH 6, 2021 By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com. My "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits, has been at http://www.deantudor.com since 1994. These notes for good wines available through LCBO Vintages (on a bi-weekly basis) can always be found at http://www.gothicepicures.blogspot.ca or at http://www.deantudor.com No winery can buy their way into – or out of – this publication. Scores are a combination of MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Southern Rhone would taste like a Southern Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace above or below its price). Currently, the wine media have no access to the tasting samples usually provided to us in the LCBO lab on a fortnightly basis. This will go on or some time. HOWEVER, the wine media will still have access to the advance spreadsheet of the wines to be released. So I know what is to be released and when. SOME (but not many) of these 100 or so biweekly released wines I have recently tasted since January 2020 or so, and I can comfortably recommend them based on this prior sampling. Some New Wines Tasted Over the Past Fortnight --- 1.Abeille-Fabre Chateau Mont-Redon Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2017, +959627, $53.95 Vintages April 3, 2021: the 2016 was here in September 2020; the 2017 is still too young to consume unless you double-decant and drink it over a few days. Half of the wine was made in Burgundian 228-litre-barrels, the other half in vats. A selection of the better barrels is made with the vatted wine into a single blend, and after 18 months together they are bottled. It will be nicely well-aged after another 10 years. Of the 13 permitted varieties, grenache, syrah, and mourvedre are dominant, with cinsault, counoise, muscardin, and vaccarese also used. Still tight but plenty of black fruits and spices. 14.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 90-91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 2.Henry of Pelham Rose 2020 VQA Niagara Peninsula, +613471, $14.95 at the winery: it has been awhile since I've actually written a review about this nifty rose; the price at that time for the 2015 vintage was just a dollar less. The current blend is pinot noir, riesling, and gamay noir, with each variety contributing distinctive fruit to the mix. Other earlier vintages also contained merlot, cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc, and/or pinot gris. So – depending on the vintage and the grapes available, the blend can change. Very aromatic, emphasizing cherry-berry and orchard fruit layered under a tart cranberry finish-length. A nice cheese wine. 11.5 %ABV; 6.2g/L residual sugar. Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 3.Sacred Hill Whitecliff Hawkes Bay Rose 2020 New Zealand, $14.95, +13297 April 1 LCBO Seasonal Rose Program: this Kiwi wine has been here before, with great sales and tasting success. The previous (2019) vintage was 91+ points in my scoring of roses from the Wine Writers' Circle of Canada Seventh Annual Rose tasting held last June, 2020. Expect some intense cherry-berry fresh fruits as a summer patio/terrace/deck social party wine. Or an in-house aperitif before the main event. 13% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 91-93 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. Under $20 Sparkling+53215 BELCANTO DI BELLUSSI EXTRA DRY PROSECCO DI VALDOBBIADENE SUPERIORE DOCG, Italy $19.95 MVC/QPR: 89. Rose+224964 DELAS SAINT-ESPRIT CÔTES DU RHÔNE ROSÉ AC 2019 $16.95 MVC/QPR: 89. W+18160 GUSTAVE LORENTZ RÉSERVE SYLVANER AC Alsace 2019 $16.95 MVC/QPR: 91. W+647388 TROUPIS FTERI MOSCHOFILERO PGI Peloponnese 2019 $14.95 MVC/QPR: 92. W+17552 OHAU WOVEN STONE SINGLE VINEYARD SAUVIGNON BLANC Sustainable, Ohau, North Island 2019 $17.95 MVC/QPR: 89. R+18681 PERDEBERG THE VINEYARD COLLECTION CINSAULT WO Coastal Region 2018 $17.95 MVC/QPR: 91 Over $20 Sparkling+558825 SEGURA VIUDAS HEREDAD RESERVA BRUT CAVA Traditional method, DO, Spain $32.95 MVC/QPR: 89. W+18364 ROPITEAU FRÈRES MÂCON-IGÉ SOUS LA ROCHE AC 2019 $22.95 MVC/QPR: 89. R+995910 REMO FARINA AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO DOCG 2017 $42.95 MVC/QPR: 89. R+539114 BUENA VISTA THE SHERIFF Sonoma County 2017 $49.95 MVC/QPR: 91. R+392738 DOMAINE QUEYLUS TRADITION PINOT NOIR VQA Niagara Peninsula 2017 $31.95 MVC/QPR: 89. R+72439 TENUTA SAN GUIDO GUIDALBERTO IGT Toscana 2018 $67.95 MVC/QPR: 89. WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for FEBRUARY 20, 2021 By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com. My "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits, has been at http://www.deantudor.com since 1994. These notes for good wines available through LCBO Vintages (on a bi-weekly basis) can always be found at http://www.gothicepicures.blogspot.ca or at http://www.deantudor.com No winery can buy their way into – or out of – this publication. Scores are a combination of MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Southern Rhone would taste like a Southern Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace above or below its price). Currently, the wine media have no access to the tasting samples usually provided to us in the LCBO lab on a fortnightly basis. This will go on or some time. HOWEVER, the wine media will still have access to the advance spreadsheet of the wines to be released. So I know what is to be released and when. SOME (but not many) of these 100 or so biweekly released wines I have recently tasted since January 2020 or so, and I can comfortably recommend them based on this prior sampling. Some New Wines Tasted Over the Past Fortnight --- 1.Kacaba Vineyards & Winery Unoaked Chardonnay 2019 VQA Niagara Peninsula, LCBO & Grocery +326975, $15.95: fruit-driven aromatics come from the bouquet of orchard fruit which clearly shows on the mid-palate, finishing off with a slight citrus tang (thus making it perfectly adaptable to a first course food offering such as seafood or light salad). As a social drink for the patio/deck/terrace or party, the balanced fruit-acid of the wine is very nicely placed. Stainless steel cold aging [no oak]. Also available in 60 grocery stores. 13.5% ABV. Twist top. Good value price. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 2.Kacaba Vineyards & Winery Cabernet 2019 VQA Niagara Peninsula, LCBO & Grocery +499384, $15.95: a blend of 51% cab sauvignon and 49% cab franc, although in taste and performance it seems as if there is more franc in the mix. There is a melange of both red and black fruit, such as cherries, raspberries, cranberries followed by cassis and blackberries. From the short wood aging comes some vanilla, coffee-toffee, and woody spices. Medium in mouthfeel and well-balanced all the way, just what you want from a party red wine that can also extend through to the cheese course. 12.8% ABV. Capable of aging for a few years. Tasted over several days after a double-decanting. Twist top. Also available in 60 grocery stores. Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 3.Kacaba Vineyards & Winery Sauvignon Blanc 2019 VQA Niagara Escarpment, Vintages, +19899 April 3, $19.95 [only 30 cases available, sold out at the winery]: very light and pale in colour, but full of flavours such as an herbed-induced introduction to Ontario fruit (gooseberries, nectarines) and florals. A very nicely developed bone dry drink for late spring and Easter. Cold stainless steel fermentation accentuates the dried tropical fruit component. 12.1% ABV, 3 g/L residual sugar. A good little savvy that will take you all the way through from the table's first courses to the fresh cheeses. Twist top. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 4.Kacaba Vineyards & Winery Rebecca Rose 2019 VQA Niagara Peninsula, Winery Only [320 cases], $19.95: I have really enjoyed previous vintages of this wine. The grape here is gamay, as in light and fruity Beaujolais. So it's a typical light, refreshing, and fruity drink with low alcohol and low tannins. Cold stainless fermentation helps it retain the strawb and rasp berry nature of the grape, as well as some of that typical Ontario cranberry taste. Best on its own as a patio/terrace/deck party drink or with a light platter of first course foods. 12.3% ABV. Twist top. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. Under $20 ========= W+225557 ERADUS SAUVIGNON BLANC Awatere Valley, Marlborough, South Island 2020 $19.95 MVC/QPR: 90 R+18173 DOMAINE DE LA PLAIGNE RÉGNIÉ AP 2017 $18.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+273672 STORIA ANTICA SUPERIORE VALPOLICELLA RIPASSO DOC 2018 $18.95 MVC/QPR: 90 Over $20 ========= W+490326 SACRED HILL RESERVE SAUVIGNON BLANC Marlborough, South Island 2018 $21.95 MVC/QPR: 90 R+268391 HENRY OF PELHAM ESTATE PINOT NOIR Sustainable, VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Escarpment 2019 $24.95 MVC/QPR: 91 R+157347 ENRICO SERAFINO SANAVENTO BARBARESCO DOCG 2017 $30.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+438580 QUERCECCHIO BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO DOCG 2015 $34.95 MVC/QPR: 89 WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for FEBRUARY 6, 2021 By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com. My "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits, has been at http://www.deantudor.com since 1994. These notes for good wines available through LCBO Vintages (on a bi-weekly basis) can always be found at http://www.gothicepicures.blogspot.ca or at http://www.deantudor.com No winery can buy their way into – or out of – this publication. Scores are a combination of MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Southern Rhone would taste like a Southern Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace above or below its price). Currently, the wine media have no access to the tasting samples usually provided to us in the LCBO lab on a fortnightly basis. This will go on or some time. HOWEVER, the wine media will still have access to the advance spreadsheet of the wines to be released. So I know what is to be released and when. SOME (but not many) of these 100 or so biweekly released wines I have recently tasted since January 2020 or so, and I can comfortably recommend them based on this prior sampling. Some New Wines Tasted Over the Past Fortnight --- 1.Troupis Fteri Moschofilero 2019 Greece, +647388 $14.95 Vintages March 20: flower aromatics and some grape tones (much like muscat) and with a deceptive citric finish. So: starts out floral, rises to fat perfume, and then descends to crispness for the food as a first course wine, paired with white meats. 12% ABV. Price dropped $2 since the 2017 vintage was in Ontario. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 2.Henry of Pelham Pinot Noir Estate 2019 VQA Short Hills Bench Niagara, +268391 Vintages, February 20, $24.95: Here is a deft Burgundian-character pinot noir wine, with cherry-berry tones, some toast, mildly opulent style, not totally cool climate at all. Fermented in stainless and aged in oak. Ready in a year or two. Dependable. And also available in Denmark, Hungary, Japan, USA and Czech Republic. Needs time; try a double decant. 13% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 3.Henry of Pelham Speck Family Reserve Chardonnay 2019 VQA Short Hills Bench +616466, $29.95 [currently at winery] Vintages May 1: Grapes come from their oldest estate vineyards (beginning 1988), hand-picked. Barrel fermented in French oak with a portion in 3000L foudres, and then barrel aged for 8 – 10 months in a mix of new and older barrels. This continues the tradition of Burgundian elegance. Expect some ripeness, balance of oaking and fruit, integrated style in place. Wood integration produces some creaminess in the finish. 12.8% ABV, cork closure. Definitely needs another year – or more – in bottle in order to bring out the nuances. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 4.Henry of Pelham Estate Riesling 2019 VQA Short Hills Bench, +557165, $19.95 Vintages March 20: intense riesling in a Rhine style of cool fermentation, with very off-dry palate but dry finish (good acid levels on the finish) – broad grapefruit and lemons on the mid-palate, sip (mainly) or food. 9.8% ABV, 19.5 g/L RS, twist top, from HOP's oldest Estate riesling vineyards (planted 1984). Should also age well. Try with fish that live in water but die in wine. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 5.Buena Vista The Sheriff Sonoma County 2017 +539114, $49.95 Vintages March 6: well, here was a surprise – a really good wine from 10 different red grape varieties, a sort-of California Chateauneuf-du-Pape. For the record, this 2017 vintage has petite sirah (28%), petit verdot (21%), cabernet sauvignon (16%), carignan (9%), grenache (9%), syrah (7%), malbec (4%), cabernet franc (2%), merlot (2%), and mission (2%). The proportions can vary from vintage to vintage. All grapes were grown on different parcels in Sonoma. One of California's first sheriffs, Agoston Haraszthy was elected Sheriff of San Diego County in 1850. He built the first jail. This is a full and firm field blend type of wine, with aromas/palates of every good thing you could find in the “kitchen sink”: black fruit cassis, cherries, blackberries, plums, red raspberries – and then drifting off to mocha, followed by savouries such as black pepper and tobacco leaf. Oak aging was 10 months, with 15% new oak. The rich tannins need time, so put it away for a few years. If necessary, do a double decant and taste over several days. 15% ABV. Serve with rich game stews or tomahawk steaks. Quality/Price rating is 91-92 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 6.Perdeberg The Vineyard Collection Cinsault 2018 Paarl South Africa +18618, $17.95 Vintages March 6: this is a broad basic, entry-level wine from a grape imported to South Africa via Languedoc and South Rhone. Indeed, cinsault is one of the parents of “pinotage” (the other is pinot noir). Until recently, it had the largest acreage planted in South Africa (cabernet sauvignon now has the largest number of plantings). This particular vineyard in 2018 had 30 year old cinsault vineyards. Expect some heady fruity ripeness aromas, a slight sweetness despite 3.8 g/L residual sugar, with a pronounced peppery backspin, much like grenache. Needs tomato sauce dishes, with veal-beef-pork meats. Cork closure. Ready now. Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 7.Gustave Lorentz Sylvaner Reserve 2019 +18160, $16.95, Vintages March 6: sylvaner is the workhorse wine of Alsace. It turns up everywhere by itself or as a zwicker wine. It is light and delicate, somewhat reminiscent of the pinot grigio style and mood. Indeed, it could have been marketed the same way. It's an uncomplicated fresh wine stressing lemons and citric attack with a dry finish. Aperitif wine or first course (seafood/fish). A good entry level wine with lots more body than the pinot grigio style. [a wine colleague of mine had accidentally left a car-trunk full of Alsatian white wines to freeze in the cold – only the sylvaner survived] 13.5% ABV, 1.8 g/L residual sugar. Quality/Price rating is 88 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. February 6 -- Under $20 ========= W+18222 TRITTENHEIMER ALTÄRCHEN RIESLING KABINETT TROCKEN Prädikatswein 2018 $16.95 MVC/QPR: 89 W+17443 STELLENBOSCH MANOR BARREL FERMENTED CHENIN BLANC WO Stellenbosch 2018 $19.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+610303 POÇAS JUNIOR VALE DE CAVALOS RED DOC Douro 2018 $19.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+523001 CAVE SPRING CABERNET FRANC VQA Niagara Escarpment 2018 $17.95 February 6 -- Over $20 ========= W+10338 ROPITEAU CHABLIS AC 2018 $25.95 MVC/QPR: 89 W+492900 LOUIS MAX BEAUCHARME BOURGOGNE CHARDONNAY AC 2018 $22.95 MVC/QPR: 89 W+18161 TRÉSORS DE LOIRE POUILLY-FUMÉ IGP Val de Loire 2019 $23.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+16565 DURANT & BOOTH CABERNET SAUVIGNON Napa Valley 2018 $34.95 MVC/QPR: 91 R+171587 FARINA LE PEZZE AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO DOCG 2017 $36.95 MVC/QPR: 92 R+12736 ENRICO SERAFINO PICOTENER NEBBIOLO DOC Langhe 2018 $39.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+25221 SIMI CABERNET SAUVIGNON Alexander Valley, Sonoma County 2017 $29.95 MVC/QPR: 89 WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under/over $20 for JANUARY 23, 2021 By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com. My "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits, has been at http://www.deantudor.com since 1994. These notes for good wines available through LCBO Vintages (on a bi-weekly basis) can always be found at http://www.gothicepicures.blogspot.ca or at http://www.deantudor.com No winery can buy their way into – or out of – this publication. Scores are a combination of MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Southern Rhone would taste like a Southern Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace above or below its price). Currently, the wine media have no access to the tasting samples usually provided to us in the LCBO lab on a fortnightly basis. This will go on or some time. HOWEVER, the wine media will still have access to the advance spreadsheet of the wines to be released. So I know what is to be released and when. SOME (but not many) of these 100 or so biweekly released wines I have recently tasted since January 2020 or so, and I can comfortably recommend them based on this prior sampling. Some New Wines Tasted Over the Past Fortnight --- 1.Henry of Pelham Estate Gamay 2019 VQA Ontario, +19903, $19.95 Vintages April 2021: [currently at winery] Aromatic black and red fruit (cherries, raspberries, blueberries), augmented by oak tones with vanilla cake spices, not as lean or Euro as Beaujolais. Fermented in stainless and aged in a mix of US and French oak for about 10 months before bottling. Medium-bodied, good for patio drinking (sangria too), parties, BBQ. Ready now, but with some tannic structure to carry through a whole meal. Hey, summer weather is coming! 13% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 1.Henry of Pelham Riesling Speck Family Reserve 2019 VQA Short Hills Bench, +643361 $27.95 [now available online and at winery]: absolutely delicious MVC intense riesling in a Mosel style (and using a Mosel clone), with an off-dry palate but a dry finish (good acid levels on the finish); broad fruity strokes of peaches and flowers on the mid-palate; quite a blazing riesling with intense pleasure, sip or food. Residual sugar is 15.4g/L, 9.8% ABV, cork closure, from HOP's oldest Estate vineyards (35+ year old riesling vines, handpicked, stainless steel fermentation). Try with rich bivalve dishes or porchetta. Should improve in the bottle over the years. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 3.Sacred Hill Sauvignon Blanc Reserve 2018 Marlborough, +490326, $21.95 Vintages February 20: a dry summer led to a fruity harvest. The tropical fruit intensity leads to a citric lemony finish for food, typically white fish or seafood. Some creaminess in the texture (60% was fermented in older French oak barrels, and 15% new oak was also used). If you lay it down, it should be even better next year! 12.5% ABV, twist top. Residual sugar 4g/L. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 4.Lapis Luna Zinfandel 2018 North Coast AVA, +17264, $19.95 Vintages February 20, 2021: [cheese and rice, where do they come up with these labels? 400-year-old copperplate engravings]. Anyway, something to look at and something to read while you consume and meditate on the niftiness of the blend (80% zinfandel, 20% sangiovese) done up in 10% new French and US oak for 10 months. The rich zin has been curbed and lightened by the sour cherries of the sangiovese. Think of a variety of flavours: cedar, jammy black fruit (plums, blackberry, blueberry), spicy florets. Dark and bold flavours. 14.3% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 88 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 5.Durant & Booth Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 Napa Valley, $34.95, +16565, Vintages February 6, 2021: The blend is cabernet sauvignon (87%), petit verdot (6%), merlot (5%), and petite sirah (2%). Chock full of some lightly floating red fruit (think cherries, strawbs, red mulberry) and then some plateaus of darker elements (plum, blueberry, mocha tones). Really good balance, but better after a year more in the bottle. There's some muscle here after 10 months in 25% new French oak. Do a double decant or taste it over a few days as I did. 14.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 6.Monte del Fra Bardolino DOC 2019 Veneto, +134544, $15.95 Vintages, January 23, 2021: Bardolinos in Ontario are very rare these days, but this brand (purchased by the LCBO as a “direct” for the past six years) continues to come back year after year. It's awfully good value since the Veronese grape blend is similar to Valpolicella (here, %65 corvina, 30% rondinella, and 5% molinara). Basically, it is the corvina which provides the stuffing, and here it is only 65% unlike Valpolicella which has about 80% corvina. Bardolino is thus usually considered a lighter wine than Valpolicella and has probably reached its comparable price point this way. Expect red fruit and dark spices. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 7.Stel+Mar California Rose 2019, $16.95 LCBO March 2021: this is a multi-blended wine from central California and from a vintage that produced lowered grape sugars. Hence, the lack of typical off-dry California sunshine. Instead, the innovative Stel+Mar team (they produce wine in cans, Tetra paks, and bottles) came up with a drink that looks a lot like and tastes a lot like higher priced roses from southern France. The blend includes grapes such as barbera, petite sirah, and syrah, principally from the Central Coast. Sugar levels are at 7g/L and the acidity is up at 5.6g/L. The colour and palate is definitely food worthy. The mid-palate is attractive with overtones of stonefruit, with a slightly herby bitter finish which makes you want to eat something savoury: it was also my wine of choice for the Canadian Thanksgiving Turkey. They nailed it with this one, at that price. 12.8% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 93 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 8.Lamothe de Haux Chombart & Speck Cave Mystere Merlot 2018 Bordeaux AOC, +17232, $18.95 Vintages: This is a collaborative wine effort by Henry of Pelham (Speck family) and Chateau Lamothe de Haux in Bordeaux (Chambart family) using rich, ripe pre-selected merlot grapes from the Cadillac region, part of Entre-deux-Mers. It's very Mid-Atlantic in style (New World flash, Old World elegance). Cultivated on limestone soils. Supple, with red cherry-berry and mocha notes and fine balanced tannins. It's on the lighter side of medium-bodied after being in French oak barrels for 18 months. Ready soonish. 14.5% ABV. Residual sugar is just 1 g/L. Tasted over several days. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 9.Paradise Vineyards Joliesse Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 California, +16564, $17 Vintages: another modest cabby from California (mostly Lodi). Good basic black fruit (cassis, black cherry, spices) – but with a medium body detailed by oak tones of vanilla. Long finish, warm tannins. Tasted over a few days. 13.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 89 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 10.Taittinger Domaine Carneros Brut Vintage Cuvee 2016, +301655 $49.95 Vintages: Cool climate Carneros fruit is perfectly adaptable to sparkling wine done up in the traditional method of double fermentation in the bottle. This is the signature wine of the company's California holdings – with three years of bottle age before release. Content is chardonnay 51%, pinot noir 47%, and pinot gris 2%. Expect a typical yeasty nose from sitting on the lees, moving on to baked spicy fruit and ending with citric tones. It's jumped in price since last year ($42 in June 2019 Vintages) and the vintage has jumped three years as well. The company encourages “food friendly” for those bright, white appetizers of soft cheeses and shellfish. 12% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 92 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 11.Henry of Pelham Special Select Late Harvest Vidal 2019 VQA Ontario +395228 Vintages, $19.95 for 375 mL: SSLH are my fave sweet wines. They are affordable and not as cloying as some other sweeties; I think that they are also more versatile since they can be paired with savoury apps (nuts, cheeses) or a cheese/dessert course, followed by an extra sip or two on their own. Henry of Pelham's has that honeyed ripe flavour of apricot and fig tones, with a citric background to the finish. These are frozen grapes, picked and then fermented and aged in stainless. It's the only one at the LCBO; this bottle is a newer vintage and tastes really fresh. 10% ABV, 136 g/L RS (down from 2018's 149 g/L). Quality/Price rating is 92 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. THIS MONTH'S SPECIAL FINDS -- Under $20 ========= Sparkling+16604 CELENE CUVÉE ROYALE ROSÉ CRÉMANT DE BORDEAUX Traditional method, AC, Bordeaux, France $17.95 MVC/QPR: 89 Rose+552562 SPECK BROS. THREE OF HEARTS ROSÉ VQA Niagara Peninsula $19.95 MVC/QPR: 89 W+10765 IN SITU RESERVA CHARDONNAY Aconcagua Valley 2019 $14.95 MVC/QPR: 89 W+308312 QUAILS' GATE DRY RIESLING BC VQA Okanagan Valley 2019 $19.95 MVC/QPR: 91 R+310532 CREW MERLOT VQA Lake Erie North Shore 2017 $17.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+642421 VALPANTENA TORRE DEL FALASCO VALPOLICELLA RIPASSO DOC 2018 $18.95 MVC/QPR: 90 R+542183 RAVANAL GRAN RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON Colchagua Valley 2017 $15.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+90035 MAYU APPASSIMENTO GRAN RESERVA CARMENÈRE Elquí Valley 2017 $18.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+134544 MONTE DEL FRÁ BARDOLINO DOC 2019 $16.95 MVC/QPR: 90 Over $20 ========= W+268342 HENRY OF PELHAM ESTATE CHARDONNAY VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Escarpment $21.95 MVC/QPR: 90 W+377770 QUAILS' GATE CHARDONNAY BC VQA Okanagan Valley $24.95 MVC/QPR: 91 W+430561 HENRY OF PELHAM RIESLING ICEWINE VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario $49.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+461699 HENRY OF PELHAM SPECK FAMILY RESERVE BACO NOIR VQA Ontario $24.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+70607 WATERBROOK SYRAH Columbia Valley 2018 $21.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+213132 LA PIEVE BAROLO DOCG 2016 $39.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+65995 DOMAINE BONNARD SANCERRE RED AC 2017 $27.95 MVC/QPR: 89 R+17139 ZORZAL EGGO FRANCO CABERNET FRANC Tupungato, Uco Valley, Mendoza 2018 $29.95 MVC/QPR: 89 WORLD WINE WATCH TOP WINES AT VINTAGES: under $20 for JANUARY 9, 2020 (annual “value” release) -- By DEAN TUDOR, Gothic Epicures Writing deantudor@deantudor.com. My "Wines, Beers and Spirits of the Net", a guide to thousands of news items and RSS feeds, plus references to wines, beers and spirits, has been at http://www.deantudor.com since 1994. These notes for good wines available through LCBO Vintages (on a bi-weekly basis) can always be found at http://www.gothicepicures.blogspot.ca or at http://www.deantudor.com No winery can buy their way into – or out of – this publication. Scores are a combination of MVC (Modal Varietal Character, e.g. a Southern Rhone would taste like a Southern Rhone) and QPR (Quality/Price Ratio value in the marketplace above or below its price). Currently, the wine media have no access to the tasting samples usually provided to us in the LCBO lab on a fortnightly basis. This will go on or some time. HOWEVER, the wine media will still have access to the advance spreadsheet of the wines to be released. So I know what is to be released and when. SOME (but not many) of these 100 or so biweekly released wines I have recently tasted since January 2020 or so, and I can comfortably recommend them based on this prior sampling. Some New Wines Tasted Over the Past Little While --- 1.Buena Vista Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 North Coast, $19.95 +254458 Vintages January 9, 2021: Buena Vista has been continuing with its historic-looking wine labels (the winery was founded in 1857). It's a nifty blend of cabs from Fountaingrove, Sonoma Mountain, and Alexander Valley (all part of the North Coast appellation). After 11 months in 10% new French oak it was racked. The emphasis is on darkness, with plenty of black fruit (cassis, black cherry) and butterscotch tones with black pepper spices, softish finish. Still needs time, another year. Do a double decant or leave it open for a day to get a taste of its potential. 14.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 2.Monte del Fra Lena di Mezzo Valpolicella Classico DOC 2018 Veneto, +160226, $18.95 Vintages: a fairly basic but inviting Veronese wine full of red cherry-berry fruit, a bit jammy on the finish, ready now. Typical forest floor elements as well. Pretty well goes with everything, good as a sipper and as a food paired wine. 12.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 3.Monte del Fra Lena di Mezzo Valpolicella Classico Superiore DOC Ripasso 2017 Veneto, +165662, $24.95 Vintages: bright red fruit dominate both its texture and its palate, evoking some minerality that cuts through the balanced fruity cherry tones. Some forest floor; some mocha tones. Amarone grape pressings are added just before spring, to give it the second fermentation oompf. Great as a sipper or with food or both, ready now at three years after the vintage. It has been aged in large French oak for 18 months. This is a collaborative brand with the LCBO, and there will be a new release in May 2021. The grapes used are corvina veronese and corvinone (80%) with rondinella added. 14% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 4.Westcott Vineyards Estate Chardonnay 2019 VQA Niagara Escarpment, +424507, $29.95 Vintages: This Estate wine has had full MLF, 100% wild yeast, barrel fermentation, and French oak aging for 9 months (50% one fill, 50% neutral). Two different clones were used (95 and 96), and the results show a typical Westcott feature of orchard fruit with some tropicality concentrated notes contributed by the oak aging leading to a slight citric finish. Still too young, lay it down – or taste it (as I did) over a stretch of time. A good first course wine since the oak appears in the background as grace notes (it's lighter in toast tones than the 2018). Do not overchill. 13% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 92 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 5.Westcott Vineyards Estate Pinot Noir 2017 VQA Vinemount Ridge, +424500, $29.95 Vintages: This Estate Pinot Noir (clones 115, 667, 777) has been barrel aqed in French oak (15% new) for 23 months. Overall it is harmoniously silky in a cool climate way, with red cherry-berry fruit and nuances of mocha. Good acid levels and soft tannins highlight an herbal consistency. Definitely a food wine that should appeal to all, especially with simply prepared meats and poultry. A slight chilling can enhance its performance with fish such as salmon or trout. It is still too young, so do a double decant or taste over several days as I did. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 6.Henry of Pelham Family Estate Chardonnay 2019 VQA Short Hills Bench, $21.95, +268342 Vintages Essential: this bottling continues the tres elegante Burgundian character of earlier years. Some ripeness, pleasant balance of oaking and fruit, integrated style in place, wood integration produces some creaminess in the finish. Overall balance of fruit and wood, vanilla, modest spices. 12.8% ABV, cork closure, barrel fermentation in French oak, barrel aging (some in 3K litre foudres for 8 months. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 7.Henry of Pelham Pinot Noir Speck Family Reserve 2019 VQA Short Hills Bench, +657874 Vintages, $34.95: fruit-forward with enough black/dark tones of cherry-berry capable of long cellar aging. The winery says Clones 667 on Block 100 were used for 250 cases. Tank fermentation with 10 months European oak barrel aging (30% new), finishing as blended in an oak tank. Very, very food friendly. 13% ABV. Steady pricing at this level for some years now. Quality/Price rating is 91 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 8.Pencarrow Chardonnay Martinborough NZ, +16028 Vintages, $21.95: one of the nicest balanced fresh chardonnays to come past my palate in quite some time, full of that old style oaking (not too toasty but at least noticeable). Golden hue and golden tastes, stressing a nuttiness from the French oak (20% new) and the wild yeast fermentation (50%). Aged on the stirred lees for 10 months. Plenty of stonefruit nuances. 13% ABV. The buttery finish lingers and nicely accompanies many complex first course dishes. Quality/Price rating is 93 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 9.Quails' Gate Pinot Noir 2018 BC Okanagan VQA, +585760 Vintages, $32.95: typical cool climate approach to pinot noir, emphasizing its savouriness: yellow flower aromatic notes, candied red fruit, sweet green herbals and black pepper on the medium- soft juicy-citric finish. 93% Pinot Noir, 7% Gamay (although this varies from year to year, usually within a percentage point). Aged in French oak barrels for 10 months. Astounding residual sweetness of 0.28 g/L. 13.5% ABV. Tasted over several days. Probably best with any Christmas fowl. Quality/Price rating is 91+ points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. 10.Quails' Gate Dry Riesling 2018 BC VQA Okanagan +308312 Vintages $19.95: this particular wine benefits from both an early and a late picked harvest, with the early contributing fresh acid and the later nectarine and citric orange tones. It's very crisp and dry (4.7 g/L RS) and full of orchard fruit (apples, pears, apricots, nectarines, peaches) and sweeter citric fruit such as tangerines and mandarins. There's lots going on here. Best with spiced or vinegared seafood. 12.5% ABV. Quality/Price rating is 90 points by Dean Tudor of Gothic Epicures. Under $20 [this is the annual “value” release, post-Christmas/New Year, hence few wines are over $20] ========= W+147975 GÉRARD BERTRAND RÉSERVE SPÉCIALE VIOGNIER IGP Pays d'Oc 2018 $14.95 MVC/QPR: 92 W+488981 FOLLAS NOVAS ALBARIÑO DO Rías Baixas 2019 $17.95 MVC/QPR: 89 W+458810 TOM GORE CHARDONNAY California 2018 $19.95 MVC/QPR: 89 W+328559 CATHEDRAL CELLAR CHARDONNAY WO Western Cape 2019 $17.95 MVC/QPR: 91 R+631820 DESQUICIADO MALBEC Tupungato, Uco Valley, Mendoza 2017 $16.95MVC/QPR: 89 R+254458 BUENA VISTA CABERNET SAUVIGNON North Coast 2018 $19.95MVC/QPR: 91 R+488015 QUINTA DO ESPÍRITO SANTO Vinho Regional Lisboa 2017 $14.95 MVC/QPR: 89 Over $20 [sorry, I have not tasted any from Jan 9 release at this price level] ========