David Brodati, DipWSET
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Reviews (620)
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Reviews
Diamandes De Uco Gran Reserva 2008, Mendoza
Mendoza, Argentina$32.75
A beautiful well crafted high altitude Uco Valley wine. Scores on concentration of fruit, complexity, balance and length. Dark and red fruit co-mingle with savoury umami notes in the soy sauce genre. Full bodied, rich but with balancing acidity that provides a sense of freshness. It's in a great phase of development now, still sporting a youthful jauntiness, but with tannin softening nicely. Drink now and over the next 7 years. Dec. 2017.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Hinterland Les Etoiles 2012, Prince Edward County
Ontario, Canada$39.00
The 12 Les Etoiles is a traditional method sparkler from Hinterland's estate fruit. I love the freshness, vibrancy, poise and balance of this PEC sparkling wine. There's notes of apple, doughy bread and minerality. The bubbles are very fine and persistent. The structure is medium body with racy acidity. The length is excellent. Wonderful quaff to toast a celebtration, but equally nimble at the table. Jan. 2017.
4.0 Stars
Dr. Loosen Berkasteler Lay Riesling Kabinett 2017, Pradikatswein, Mosel
Mosel, Germany$29.95
Lovely Mosel Kabinett Riesling. Nicely complex with aromatics and flavours of apple, lime, grapefruit, ginger, honey, petrol and wet stone. Spot on Mosel Riesling typicity. Comes across as medium sweet with beautifully balanced acidity. And excellent length on the palate. So to summarize, scores on complexity, typicity, balance and length. Throw in great value and you've got what should be a multi-bottle purchase. Alas, I only bought two bottles which are now, sadly, empty. December 2020.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Bachelder Wismer Vineyard Chardonnay 2011, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$44.95
Thomas Bachelder's Wismer vineyard Chard (Foxcroft Block?) is well balanced between citrus and pear driven fruit, crisp acidity and minerality (limestone soil). 2011 was a good year for Ontario whites and this is a great example of top notch Niagara Chard. Precise and focused. July 2014.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Bellingham Homestead Series The Old Orchards Chenin Blanc 2018, Wo Paarl
Paarl, South Africa$16.95
Great value here. Apple, citrus, some tropical notes and white flower. Searing acidity (that's Chenin for you) but balanced by purity of fruit and a creamy mouthfeel. Excellent length. A steal at $18. March 2020.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Il Poggio Taburno Sannio Coda Di Volpe 2018, Dop
Campania, Italy$17.95
Love to see more obscure native Italian grape varieties come through the LCBO. This fox's tail from Campania scores on complexity, balance and length. A lot going on here for the price, with aromas and flavours of citrus, stone fruit, honey, spice, iodine, mineralty and that signature Italian white wine element: almond. It's texturally pleasing with a leesy weightiness. The 14% abv adds to the weight and structure and provides a late palate warmth. Length is excellent. Great value. July 2020.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Polkura Syrah 2009, Marchigue, Colchagua Valley
Colchagua Valley, Chile$19.40
This is a very intense and substantial syrah. It sits inky purple opaque in the glass. Floral aromas and ripe dark fruit with tarry and herbaceous savoury notes. Typical pepper and spice. A chewy, sticky and full mouthfeel. Tannins flex their muscles so decant for an hour, or even better, put down for a nap in the cellar for a year or two (which will add a point or so to the rating). Good balance and decent length. Made for smokey bbq meats, so if tenderloin medallions are sizzling, grip it n' sip it!. August 2103.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Yabby Lake Single Vineyard Chardonnay 2010, Mornington Peninsula
Victoria, Australia$29.75
Light straw colour. Toasty, smoky aromas with mineral oil and slightly burnt popcorn. On the palate this cool climate chard has some heat, lemony citrus flavours with more toasty notes, nutty brulee, a hint of earthiness and juicy acidity. With all it's depth and complexity there's a sense of finesse, almost restraint. Very well done, particularly at the bin end sale price. Would be a fine accompaniment for roasted nuts and smoked cheese nibbles. Feb. 2014.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Charles Baker Picone Vineyard Riesling 2013, VQA Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Escarpment
Ontario, Canada$35.20
The 2013 Charles Baker Riesling Picone Vineyard epitomizes Niagara Riesling. From the higher cooler Vinemount Ridge, it offers that nervy acidity that is lively and refreshing yet so nicely balances the RS to push perception toward the dry side of off-dry. Complex aromatics featuring citrus notes, apricot, peach, cream and white flower. The palate offers lemony acidity, minerality, a lithe body and very good to excellent length. 2013 has proved itself to be a benchmark vintage for whites in Ontario. Oct. 2017.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Poliziano Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano 2015, Docg
Tuscany, Italy$31.95
It's great to taste a wine at its apex of evolution. Seven years on and still showcasing some primary fruit but shifting into secondary and tertiary flavours. From a warm vintages, this is a rather big Vino Nobile (14.5% abv). Layers of cherry (black, baked and a little tart too) along with some dark fruit, baking spice, tomato leaf, vanillin, balsamic and tobacco. Juicy Sangiovese acidity, still dusty tannins and alcohol provide structure that leads into a long finish. Could go another 3-5 years but so nice now. Sept. 2022.
4.0 Stars
(0)V