David Brodati, DipWSET
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Reviews (621)
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Reviews
Concha Y Toro Marques De Casa Concha Carmenère 2008, Peumo Vineyard
Rapel Valley, Chile$19.95
Deep ruby Carmenere with a slight purple hue. Cooked dark fruit, prune, medicinal/iodine, menthol, earthy forest funk that disipates with some air. Full bodied, with unabashed oak touches (chocolate, vanilla, cedar) but not out of balance. Very long finish with some heat. Tannins are mellowing but there's still some grip. Maybe not a lot of finesse, but an enjoyable wine with the right elements. For those that aren't sure about Carmenere, this is worth trying. June 2014.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Frei Brothers Reserve Zinfandel 2012, Dry Creek Valley
California, Usa$26.95
A good rep for Cali Zin. Dark ruby purple. Full, ripe dark berry fruit, sweet spice, herbs. Full bodied with a plush jammy mouthfeel in a fruit forward style. Oak and high ABV are well integrated. Stays this side of flabby with a nice seam of acidity. Tannins are round and soft. April 2015.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Firestone Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, Santa Ynez Valley
California, Usa$19.90
I love deals at the LCBO whether they be bin end or LTO's, particularly for good wines that are already value priced. This Cali Cab offers ripe dark fruit with cassis and blueberry pie. Some pepper and herbal minty notes. Medium minus acidity and light tannin somehow seem enough to provide structure. Oak is checked, with some chocolate notes. Stays just on this side of confected. A multi bottle purchase while on sale. Feb. 2016.
4.0 Stars
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Norman Hardie Niagara Unfiltered Chardonnay 2012, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$39.00
I'm an unabashed Norm Hardie fan (and I like his wines too), so I hope I can be objective. The Niagara sourced 12 chard is excellent (what's new with Norm's wines). Yellow gold, aromatic nose of smoke, mineral, caramel, butter and some baking spice. The palate offers citrus, apple, white peach, and a very slight nudge into the tropical spectrum. It is mid weight with citrusy acidity as a frame. Excellent length. Complex. Nicely done. Feb. 2015.
4.0 Stars
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Castello Di Querceto Chianti Classico Riserva 2010
Tuscany, Italy$29.95
Now here's a lovely Chianti Classico that's both food friendly as any Chianti should be, but also has the stuff to sip on its own. An expected barnyard aroma greats the nose along with cherry, tomato, earth, licorice, cinnamon, tobacco, clearly lots happening here. It's medium-full in body, sour, savoury and earthy. Matured in traditional botti for a year, the oak is present, but integrated. Juicy acidity, good balance, long finish. Well done. Drink now with any tomato based pasta sauce or hold short term. Jan 2016.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Fairview Petite Sirah 2011, Wo Paarl
Paarl, South Africa$23.95
A dark brooding wine, inky purple and opaque. Dark fruit aromas of blackberry and blueberry pie. A smokey, charred character. Full bodied with good acidity but very tannic (that's petite sirah for you). Even with decanting the tannins pesist although seemingly finer grained. Excellent length. An interesting and enjoyable quaff no doubt. Pair with meat protein or hard cheese. January 2015.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Closson Chase South Clos Vineyard Chardonnay 2012, VQA Prince Edward County
Ontario, Canada$39.95
Really lovely fuller style chard with judicious oak treatment and a lush creamy mouthfeel. Aromas and flavours of apple, peach, tangerine, honey and butter. Well balanced with lemony acidity and excellent length. July 2015.
4.0 Stars
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Leaning Post Syrah Keczan Vineyard 2012, VQA Lincoln Lakeshore
Ontario, Canada$42.00
This Lincoln Lakeshore Syrah is entering a beautiful drinking stage. If you have a couple or three tucked away, I'd encourage you to pop one. Mr. Senchuk has coaxed a lovely elegance and finesse out of a good red vintage and produced a Syrah that rivals the best of Creekside's. Aromatic intensity with a floral nose. Good fruit density with cherry in the lead, syrah typicity with olive, meat and pepper/spice. Oak is nicely integrated with hints of vanillin. It's balanced and well structured with medium-full body, medium plus acidity and ripe fine grained tannin. Oct. 2016.
4.0 Stars
Rustenberg Merlot 2010, Wo Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch, South Africa$19.95
A very nice merlot from Stellenbosch. Still fairly youthful ruby colour. The nose offers dark fruit, herbal notes, anise. The palate is medium full, with medium acidity and medium plus tannins that are still quite dusty. The length is excellent. A touch hot (14% ABV). Oak is well integrated with chocolate notes playing a support role. Ready to go now (could use a short decant) but will hold mid term. June 2015.
4.0 Stars
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Château Haut Selve Réserve 2010, Ac Graves
Bordeaux, France$27.95
A lovely left bank Bordeaux. Black fruits (cherry, blackberry, cassis), cedar, pencil shavings, herbal notes, black pepper. Dry and savoury. Tannins are softening. Medium plus acidity, well balanced, good typicity and long finish. Rocked with herb crusted lamb chops and thyme glazed carrots. Jan. 2016.
4.0 Stars
(0)V