David Brodati, DipWSET
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Reviews (619)
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Reviews
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
Stratus Cabernet Franc 2010, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$38.00
Like drinking wine from a pencil sharpener shavings container, but in a good way. Cedar, nutmeg, spice and herbal notes. Both dry and fresh at the same time. The palate offers vanilla, chocolate pudding and tobacco. Medium-full bodied framed by medium acidity and still grippy tannins. Excellent length. Entering prime drinking range. Feb. 2015.
4.0 Stars
Auntsfield Single Vineyard Pinot Noir 2012, Southern Valleys, Marlborough, South Island
Marlborough, New Zealand$29.95
Pretty ruby colour. Initial funky nose recedes to reveal cherry and red berry fruit aromas, spice and smoke. There's a chalky minerality on the medium plus bodied palate with more red berry and plum fruit and spice. Oak is nicely integratged and medium/high acidity and grippy tannins provide good structure. Excellent length. A touch hot on the finish, but still, a high quality Pinot. June 2015.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Vineland Estates Elevation St. Urban Vineyard Riesling 2012, VQA Niagara Escarpment
Ontario, Canada$0.00
Vineland's Elevation is an excellent riesling to be sure, but when on sale, what a bargain. The nose offers apple and pear as the dominant fruits and a nice whiff of petrol/machine oil. The palate provides minerality and a lovely seam of acidity that ends in a citrusy finish. Smartly made, juicy, well balanced, and excellent length. April 2015.
4.0 Stars
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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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
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
(0)V
Heartland Shiraz 2012, Langhorne Creek
South Australia, Australia$18.95
This Aussie Shiraz is thick, dark, brooding. Musky white pepper notes. Then dark fruit, black licorice and menthol. It's medium-full bodied with more pepper, dark fruit, dark chocolate, and a soy/hoisin element. Very long with medium acidity and good tannic structure. Nov. 2014.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Wynns Coonawarra Estate Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, Coonawarra, South Australia
South Australia, Australia$27.95
From the excellent 2012 vintage, Wynn's consistently good Black Label cabernet sauv takes it to another level. Purity of balck and blue fruit with menthol and graphite, chocolate. Balanced acidity with tannins tacky for this still young cab, so decant or let nap in the cellar a while yet. Excellent length. Great value. May 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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