David Brodati, DipWSET
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Reviews (613)
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Reviews
Norman Hardie Niagara Chardonnay 2014, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$39.20
Consistently good Chardonnay from Norm Hardie, sourced from Niagara fruit. There's that expected flinty, reductive style of Norm's but with Niagara fruit, he gets a bit more alcohol, even from a difficult year like 14. Lovely apple, pear, citrus, smokey nose with a beautiful mouthfeel that is creamy with vibrant acidity and excellent length. Nov. 2016
4.0 Stars
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Torres Salmos 2012, Doca Priorat
Priorat, Spain$39.95
This Salmos is drinking beautifully now. Good purity of fruit in the darker spectrum with blueberry, blackberry and dark plum. Some balsamic notes, graphite and a smokiness as well. Mouth coating, full bodied in the Priorat idiom, with medium plus acidity providing lift and structure to the density of fruit. Tannins are smooth, ripe and slightly dusty. Harmonious and lengthy. Jan. 2019.
4.0 Stars
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Terredora Di Paolo Loggia Della Serra Greco Di Tufo 2014, Docg
Campania, Italy$19.95
Terredora is a premium producer of Greco in Campania and this version doesn't disappoint. Medium plus intensity aromatics, fruit profile is predominately citrus (lemon, lime) with a hint of apricot. Distinct minerality, herbs and spice and a creamy, fuller bodied mouthfeel. Good acidity and a well balanced package ending with excellent length. Very food friendly. Great value. July 2016.
4.0 Stars
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Southbrook Vineyards Small Lots Orange Wine 2015
Ontario, Canada$29.95
Full disclosure: I work part time at Southbrook so I usually don't post reviews of their wines. But I had to make an exception with the 15 Orange. A true wine geek's wine. The 15 is superb, better than the 14 in my view. Natural yeast, whole cluster and stems, foot tread, some malo, sulphite free, more infusion than extraction. Ann Sperling sees this expression of Vidal as it's truest form in Niagara and I agree. Fresh apricot and stone fruits, vibrant acidity, complex, long. Super foodie wine or sipper. A decent price point for the adventurous, geeky or natural wine enthusiast. March 2016.
4.0 Stars
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
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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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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
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
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
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Leaning Post Riesling 2013
Ontario, Canada$25.00
This is an excellent Riesling. Fresh, with a wide range of aromas from pear/apple through to slightly tropical with vague hints of pineapple. Good Bench minerality. Slightly off-dry in style (Mr. Senchuk prefers a touch of sugar to balance the high acidity, and I agree). Wonderfully complex with excellent length. Oct. 2015.
4.0 Stars