Brad Mate

Castello Di Gabbiano Chianti Classico Riserva 2011

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Cheers!

Xavier Ventoux 2012, Ap

Hot stone, blackberry, cassis with hints of citrus. Dry and a bit austere.

Montes Alpha Carmenère 2012, Colchagua Valley

liquid love. this is so smooth and delicious, but with Chilean herbs to add complexity. I'd deff purchase again.

Tenuta Del Portale Starsa 2012, Igt Basilicata

This is a fantastic little wine. It's packed with old world charm and structure. Spicy cherries, smoky cedar, leather, barnyard and ash. Tannins are rustic but not harsh and it's tart on the palate. Finishes up tight and dry. Highly recommended!

@wine 4 me - is it sense of place or traditional wine making?

Tamar Ridge Pinot Noir 2012, Tasmania

Fresh raspberries with hints of smoky oak and cedar. Lots of fresh fruit acidity, like biting into an apple - but a raspberry apple. It's a bit thin and could be silkier, but this style definitely works.

Tessellae Old Vines 2013, Côtes Du Roussillon

Good for Parker for finding so much pleasure in this wine. If you Pop and pour this wine, you will be surely disappointed, so make sure you give it a long decant - 3 hours or longer. After that, the funky cheap wine smell dissipates and flowery rose petal, cherry and mineral notes show. The palate is medium weight and dry, but with some sweet dried plum notes on the finish.

Domaine Des Chers Juliénas Vieilles Vignes 2014, Juliénas

This is very tight and tannic at the moment. Seems to have the right stuffing to age, so if you purchase this, hang onto it for at least 5 years.

Valérie & Philippe Jeannot Maranges 2014, Ac, Côtes De Beaune

Well Well Well, I'm so conditioned to not even read the reviews from the LCBO folks b/c of our monopoly BS here in Ontario, but in this case I have to give credit where credit is due. Great tasting notes on this little Burg LCBO drones. David I think you're too low on this little slice of beauty. This is a GREAT wine for the price. Never thought I'd say this, but check out the LCBO review. Cheers.

Ricasoli Brolio Chianti Classico 2013, Docg

First off I have to say, great label - classic!

These's an absolute ton of complexity and old world love to this wine. It drinks like classic Chianti and Rioja. Spiced cherries, funky earthy mushrooms, roasted nuts, and mature woodsy notes. Dry, structured and subtly suave on the finish. Score = Super Lovable!

Hacienda Lopez De Haro Reserva 2009, Doca Rioja

Superb wine for the price. Subtle calm and delicious. Vanilla, cigar smoke, leather, cherry. Soft and smooth ...even the next day. Great buy.