David Brodati, DipWSET
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Reviews (611)
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Reviews
Fontanafredda Serralunga D'alba Barolo 2007
Piedmont, Italy$44.95
This lovely Barolo is starting to come into its own. Light ruby in the centre, but with garnet to slight brick on the edges. The nose is enticing with red berries, raw meat, salami, sweet baking spice, rose and perfume. The palate is equally complex offering more red fruit, anise and spice in a medium bodied platform framed by medium to high acidity and grippy tannins (decant at least 1 hour). Excellent length. A perfect steak wine or just sip it on its own. This wine could cellar another 5-7 years and still be in its prime, but if you've got a few bottles, why not try one now? May 2014.
4.0 Stars
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Carrick Pinot Noir 2009, Central Otago, South Island
New Zealand$39.95
This Otago pinot has a light cherry hue and a hint of brick colour at the edges. Red fruit, meat, herbal notes and some pepper are the main characteristics. Tannins are well integrated and there's nice acidity. Some bitterness and heat at the end of a decent length. There's some substance to this pinot. It softened after decanting. Not sure it's the best value, but it fit within my frugal budget after a 20% markdown at the LCBO. Grip it n' sip it!. July 2013
4.0 Stars
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Domaines Schlumberger Kessler Grand Cru Pinot Gris 2008
Alsace, France$25.95
A lovely Pinot Gris, yellow gold in the glass with a hint of green. Lifted nose of petrol/minerality, floral notes, and peach. Floral and mineral replays on the palate with spice, a touch of residual sugar and lemony shmeck in a creamy fuller bodied mouthfeel. Good acidity and higher alcohol provides structure and is integrated rather than dominant. Very complex and long. A fine aperitif and a compliant accomplice for a range of foods given the palate cleansing and saliva inducing acidity. Jan. 2014.
4.0 Stars
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Château Bizard Montagne De Raucoule 2010, Ac Grignan Les Adhemar
Rhône, France$16.75
I was looking for a good red that would fit the bill for a weekend bbq at a friend's cottage. After reading Mr. Lawrason's review, I decided that this wine just might fit the bill. Well, it certainly did. This Rhone matched nicely with delicious medium rare grilled steaks, good friends and an equally delicious summer cottage setting. Nicely balanced fruit, integrated tannins, yummy mouthfeel and a lingering finish. Grip it n' sip it. June 2013.
4.0 Stars
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Rocca Di Castagnoli Chianti Classico 2011, Docg
Tuscany, Italy$19.95
What a pleasant CC here, with ripe red cherry fruit leading the way. A hint of licorice and a touch of well integrated oak offering a slight whiff of baking spice. Medium body on the palate, the cherry fruit is countered by a savoury late palate. Refined tannins, balanced acidity and very good length. A touch hot on the finish keeps the score just under 90. Very food friendly and good value. Nov. 2014.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Dei Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano 2010, Docg
Tuscany, Italy$27.95
This is a very pleasing sangiovese. Dark ruby in the glass, it presents lovely notes of cherry, anise, spice box, all in a refined package. The palate is medium full and smooth with dusty tannins that become plush with decanting. Acidity is balanced adding to a secure frame and making this very food friendly, but it also sips nicely as a solo act. Excellent length. Jan. 2015.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Emiliana Winemaker's Selection Syrah 2011, Casablanca Valley
Casablanca Valley, Chile$19.95
Freshness and finesse describe this dark ruby/magenta Chilean shiraz, rather than big and bold. Dark berry and plummy fruit bursts out of the gate, followed by typical pepper and spice. Medium bodied on the mouthfeel, there's grippy tannins and decent length. A nice softer feminine shiraz that should be widely appealing. I enjoyed it on its own, but it certainly would pair well with grilled chicken, pork or burgers. So grip it n' sip it! Sept. 2013.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Ramey Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2010, Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County
California, Usa$41.95
Ramey's multi-vineyard Sonoma Chard is yellow gold with a green tinge showing a still youthful character. There's a cool fresh minerality with notes of lemon, pear, vanilla, coconut and butter. The palate is rich but balanced by a lemony acidity that makes the wine food friendly. Full, ripe California meets lean, crisp, cool climate. Nicely done. March 2014.
4.0 Stars
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Alain Jaume Grande Garrigue Vacqueyras 2010
Rhône, France$24.95
Fruit dominates the nose initially, followeed by anise. The palate offers red berry fruit, more licorice, salt/teriyaki and savoury herbs (garrique). The stated 15% ABV is certainly present but not as dominant as I expected (the fruit isn't bullied), providing structure along with grippy tannins and some acidity. Very nice length here. It's coming together, but I suspect another 2-3 years will show marked improvemnent elevating the score to an excellent rating. March 2014.
4.0 Stars
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Château Du Cèdre Cahors 2009
Southwest, France$21.95
This is an excellent Cahors with 90% Malbec and a a splash of Tannat to liven things up, and a splash of Merlot to round things out. Inky dark ruby in the glass. A perfumed nose and medium-full bodied with licorice, herbs, dark fruit, mocha, vanilla (lovely integrated oak) and a tarry scorched effect. Nicely balanced with good acidity, depth and tannins that coalesce into velvet (it still benefits from decanting). It's just hitting the sweet spot of maturity. Food friendly too. Good stuff. Dec. 2014.
4.0 Stars
(0)V