David Brodati, DipWSET
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Reviews (622)
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Reviews
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
Banfi Brunello Di Montalcino 2016, Docg
Tuscany, Italy$56.95
The 2016 is starting to show some age with garnet colour at the rim and savoury tertiary notes coming to the forefront. The aromas are lifted with violets, cooked black cherry, choco-mocha, balsamic, rosemary, leather and a graphite minerality, i.e. complex. Oak is nicely integrated and tannins are still a touch gritty but polymerizing. Full bodied with warming alcohol, juicy acidity and excellent length. Pair with hearty tomato based pastas or osso buco. June 2022.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
El Maestro Sierra 12-year-old Amontillado, Do Jerez Xérès Sherry (375ml)
Andalusia, Spain$20.75
This is a lovely Amontillado. Amber-tawny in the glass. Dry with much complexity exhibiting hazelnut, almond skin, toasty caramel, fig, marmalade/orange rind and a dusty character. Amontillado will show more body and be more oxidized than the lighter Fino and Manzanilla, due to the protective flor yeast dying off. The El Maestro Sierra clocks in at 17.5% ABV and some weight is felt on the palate. Well balanced, excellent length and warmth on the late palate. Try with seafood or sip on it's own. March 2018.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
L'Ecole No. 41 Semillon 2017, Columbia Valley, Washington
Washington, Usa$29.95
A very complex Semillon with some Sauvignon Blanc in support. Notions of peach, pear and citrus give way to herbs and black licorice (from the rather high alcohol). It's full bodied with a whopping 14.5% abv declared that brings about a warmth that sometimes feels like a burn. It's that burn that holds back a higher rating. Nice texture on the palate from the typically oily Semillon, perhaps lees stirring and oak. The length is excellent. An interesting and complex quaff that lingers nicely. Paired nicely with grilled chicken breast marinated in a mustard herb and lime marinade. June 2021.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Château Des Charmes Equuleus Paul Bosc Estate Vineyards 2010, Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$30.00
This dark ruby 2010 Bordeaux blend exhibits dark fruit on the nose and palate. French oak aging is manifest by chocolate, spice box and cedar. This is drinking nicely now with decanting or paired with a steak, but tannins still have some grip. It could cellar a few years yet. Very smooth. Excellent length. June 2014.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Marqués De Cáceres Gran Reserva 2004, Doca Rioja
Rioja, Spain$29.95
This GR Rioja is just starting to hit its stride. It still displays some vibrancy in colour. Aromas are wet leather, barn, meat, cherry and oak. Similar replays on the palate, with cherries, vanilla, spice and mocha. It's medium to full on the mouthfeel with oak noticable but not dominant. There's alcohol heat (served slightly chilled) and tannins are chalky (decant at least 1/2 hour and they'll lose some traction). A seam of acidity allows for a variety of food pairing, but it sips nicely on its own. Feb. 2014.
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
Stanners Pinot Noir The Narrow Rows 2018, Prince Edward County
Ontario, Canada$45.00
Fruit is primarily from the Stanners estate in Hillier planted at high density with narrow rows (hence the name). A lovely County Pinot showing typical sour cherry, red berry and beetroot, along with nutmeg, cinnamon and sanguine minerality. Medium bodied, balanced and good supporting structure of juicy acidity and moderate, fairly ripe tannins. The length is excellent. Drinking nicely now. March 2022.
4.0 Stars
(0)
Norman Hardie County Unfiltered Pinot Noir 2012, VQA Prince Edward County
Ontario, Canada$39.00
Light, almost translucent pretty cherry colour. A little funk to start followed by that now classic PEC minerality. Cran, cherry, red berry fruit with a hint of nutmeg. The 2012 keeps it's vibrancy with tart acidity and tension in the face of a very warm vintage. Excellent to outstanding length. Another fine effort from Norm. Jan. 2015.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
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