David Brodati, DipWSET
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Reviews (622)
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Reviews
Churchill'S Estates Touriga Nacional 2009, Doc Douro
Douro, Portugal$30.95
Featuring Portugal's signature grape, this wine is a bright purple ruby colour. Quite complex with a range of fruit flavours from some tart red to dark fruit to prune. Secondary and tertiary flavours include herbs, spice, cola and dark chocolate. Good acidity and tannins are starting to velvetize (new word?). Excellent length. Drink now or hold mid term. June 2015.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Norman Hardie County Chardonnay Unfiltered 2012, VQA Prince Edward County
Ontario, Canada$39.00
With all due respect to the many talents of vingerons Bachelder, Jacquey, Paskus, Morissette, Senchuk et al, I officially proclaim Norman Hardie as Chardonnay (and arguably Pinot Noir) Master of the Ontario Universe (and beyond). This County 2012 is indeed world class, distinctively County but with a nod to Merseault. It shows great depth and complexity with minerality, apple, butter all wrapped in a smokey veil. The palate is creamy, viscous and long with wonderful acidity that frames the whole. Oak is minimal and expertly integrated. Very fine Chardonnay. Dec. 2014
4.0 Stars
Norman Hardie Winery & Vineyard Pinot Noir 2015, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$45.20
Lithe and elegant. Floral and fruity (cherry, red berry) drawing from the Niagara fruit, with added complexity from secondary notes of baking spice and a hint of cedar. Bright acidity, well balanced and excellent length. Aug. 2017.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
L'Expression De Margaux 2010, Ac Margaux
Bordeaux, France$33.95
A nice expression of Margaux, but mainly through the aromatics, which offer up blackberry, dark cherry, cassis, violets and mild oak influences. Less expressive on the palate. It's balanced, fairly long with softening tannins. In a nice drinking phase now but it lacks depth and concentration. I matched it side by side with Hidden Bench's '10 Terroir Cache in a 'Judgement of Ontario' and the Terroir Cache was the better of the two. The '12 Margaux was released in February and at a $5 jump in price, not sure it's worth picking up, particularly as '10 was the better vintage. April 2017
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Casas Del Bosque Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, Maipo Valley
Maipo Valley, Chile$21.25
This Maipo Valley Cab is hitting prime drinking now, but has the stuffing to evolve another 5-7 years. Ruby purple colour. Red and dark, pruney fruit with prominent oak, but staying this side of over-oaked. Complex with cedar, pencil shavings, chocolate, and a green, herbal quality. Medium tannin and full bodied, with medium acidity providing some lift and a touch of elegance to an otherwise big wine. Excellent length. June 2018.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Socré Barbaresco 2011, Docg
Piedmont, Italy$24.25
Socre's Barbarescos are quite lovely and this is no exception. Expressive perfumed aromas of red fruit, florals, a hint of tar. Barbarescos tend to be that much more approachable early in life compared to their more masculine Nebbiolo cousin - Barolo, and this one is drinkable now despite its relative youth. Tannin is still high, but decanting helps. Medium plus acidity, nicely balanced and excellent length. April 2016.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Masi Costasera Amarone Classico 2011
Veneto, Italy$45.00
Always a good value Amarone from Masi, the general listings Costasera delivers again with the 2011 vintage. It's still quite young though for an Amarone, but there's the rich, deep, concentrated smoothness one expects. Fig, prunes, smoke and tobacco. I picked up a funky element that seemed to hover between adding complexity and being a bit of a distraction. This may integrate with time in the bottle, something that this Costasera still needs. Should go on sale in December so keep an eye out. Tasted Nov. 2016.
4.0 Stars
(0)G
Terra D'Uro Finca La Rana 2012, Do Toro
Castilla y León, Spain$18.95
Good value in this red from Toro. Still some ripeness on the fruit, mostly red (cherry, red berry) although I picked up hint of blueberry. Good intensity aromatically, with some floral intertwined with the fruit and oak spice. There's also a medicinal and herbal quality. Definitely complex, but I didn't get a sense of balance, which may come yet with further maturity. Oak is still too dominant for me, with cedar and spice leading the way, and some alcohol burn rather than integrated warmth. That keeps my score below 90. Very good length, and well priced. March 2018.
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
Tegernseerhof Smaragd Bergdistel Grüner Veltliner 2012
Wachau, Austria$24.95
A very fine Gru-Vee in the fuller bodied style (Smaragd) from the Wachau just northwest of Vienna. Complex, aromatic with a mix of citrus, pear, white pepper and beautifully integrated acidity. Can't beat the versatility of Gru-Veeys with food so enjoy it now paired with fish, seafood, pork or poultry in medium flavoured sauces, or Asian cuisine with moderate spice. But it also has the complexity to sip on its own and the stuffing for mid term cellaring. Dec. 2014.
4.0 Stars
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