David Brodati, DipWSET
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Reviews (620)
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Reviews
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
(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
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
Cambria Julia's Vineyard Pinot Noir 2012, Certified Sustainable, Santa Maria Valley
California, Usa$29.95
An excellent Cali Pinot, showing fruit forward strawberry and cherry, with cinnamon, ground black pepper and minerality. The palate perceives sugar up front to coincide with the fruit, then turns more savoury even a touch bitter. Medium plus acidity and alcohol provide structure and tannin is subdued. Excellent length. A very approachable pinot that will please many. March 2016.
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
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
(0)V
Leaning Post Mccleary Vineyard Merlot 2010, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$38.00
Mr. Senchuk's patience paid off. Aged more than 2 years in a combination of new and older French and Hungarian oak, this is a dark ruby coloured concentrated and full Merlot. Initial barnyard notes followed by fruit and more fruit (red berry, cherry, plum), and a medicinal hint. The palate picks a peck of pepper along with vanilla and nutmeg in a medium to full mouthfeel. Goldilocks tannins are just right, not too sticky, but enough to provide balanced structure offsetting the fruit. Excellent length with a touch of graphite on the finish. March 2014.
4.0 Stars
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
Yangarra Shiraz 2012, Mclaren Vale
South Australia, Australia$34.95
Ruby purple colour. Another fine example of the great 2012 vintage for Aussie reds. This Shiraz is finessed and elegant with an herbal, minty, peppery, graphite almost salty teriyaki profile juxtaposed with the red/dark fruit. Very balanced with acidity and refined tannin providing structure, and judicious oak (vanilla, mocha) integrated. Excellent length. Sept 2015.
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