David Brodati, DipWSET
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Reviews (620)
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Reviews
Zuccardi Polígonos 2015, San Pablo, Uco Valley, Mendoza
Mendoza, Argentina$29.95
Higher altitude and close proximity to the Andes, along with wine-making that eschews oak, conspire to provide freshness, lift and elegance in Sebastien Zuccardi's take on this Malbec. Black fruit, black pepper, herbs along with vibrant acidity and good balance. Excellent length. Nov. 2018.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Zangaura Saperavi, Kindzmarauli Pdo 2016, Kakheti, Georgia
Georgia$15.95
Good colour extraction showing stained tears in the glass. Ruby red. Perfumed nose. Fruit forward with red and black fruit, spice and oaky chocolate and vanilla. Tannin is ripe and smooth for a what can be a tannic grape. Medium plus acidity provides lift and balance to the fruit and oak. Medium body with alcohol fairly well integrated with only a hint of a burn. Very good length. Can't beat the value. March 2019.
4.0 Stars
(0)A
Badine De La Patache 2014, Ac Pomerol
Bordeaux, France$43.75
This Pomerol is transitioning nicely to tertiary notes but fruit is still representing. Scores on complexity and balance with decent but not overly long finish. Cherry and plum fruit is starting to dry out with a prune-like character. There's also a lovely sage herbal element. But the savoury notes of soy, balsamic and tea are taking center stage at this point in the wine's evolution. Structurally, the acidity is bright and the tannins have softened and smoothed out. I think there's still some cellar life left but I wouldn't wait too long. January 2022.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
De Wetshof Finesse Lesca Estate Chardonnay 2018, Wo Robertson
Robertson, South Africa$24.95
Quite intense aromas and flavours. Yellow flower, crunchy tart apple, lemony-lime citrus, apricot, pineapple, a diacetyl buttery element, and distinct minerality. Lovely texture on the palate. It shows medium plus weight and alcohol (some warmth on the palate) although it clocks in at 13% abv. Well balanced with bright acidity (at least medium plus), and excellent length. A very nice chard indeed and as always, great value from South Africa.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Firestone Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, Santa Ynez Valley
California, Usa$19.95
I was somewhat disappointed tasting this as it's one of my favourite value Cali Cabs, particularly with the good critic reviews and LCBO sale. But it seems to me overly smoky and oaky. Not quite integrated and maybe with time will get better (it's still a baby). There's decent complexity, that cabernet cassis fruit with some cherry notes, an herbal bitterness, some lift with good acidity and very good length, but the fruit is almost prune like and there's that overt smoke which is out of balance for me. Could this be the result of the many wildfires in Santa Barbara in recent years? Sept 2020.
4.0 Stars
(0)G+(45)O
La Cadiérenne Cuvée Grande Tradition Bandol Rosé 2019, Ac
Provence, France$24.95
A lovely complex and full bodied Rose. A beautiful light salmon colour. The nose is about aromatic complexity with tropical fruit abounding - fresh red berry, watermelon, papaya and mango. The palate is about weight and texture with a spicy anise flavour, saline minerality, some tannic presence and alcohol warmth. The length is excellent. This is fresh summer sipping but has the body and texture to stand up to grilled meat like chicken and pork. Very enjoyable. July 2020.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Domaine Lafage Cuvée Nicolas Vieilles Vignes Grenache Noir 2018, Igp Côtes Catalanes
Roussillon, France$19.95
Red florals, ripe cherry, strawberry, red licorice, cinnamon, spice, herbs and pepper. Medium acidity and medium plush tannin. The high alcohol (15% abv) provides a fuller bodied mouthfeel, and is nicely integrated with a lovely warming sensation rather than a burn. Excellent length. Drinking nicely now. Can age short term, but I wouldn't cellar past 3 years or so. Sept. 2020.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Perticaia Trebbiano Spoletino 2022, D.O.C.
Umbria, Italy$33.95
This Umbrian white shows a fairly intense nose of buttercup florals, ripe pear, subtle peach and an herbal note. On the palate there's a creamy mouthfeel with citrus and minerality flavours. Balanced acidity and very good to excellent length. A very nice example of Spoletino. Nov. 2023.
4.0 Stars
(0)
Alpha Estate Turtles Single Vineyard Malagouzia 2022, P.G.I. Florina
Greece$19.95
Nicely aromatic but dialed back a bit relative to a full on Gewurz for example. More of cross between Viognier, Gewurz and maybe even Sauv Blanc as I was getting a decent dose of pyrazene. Peachy, apricot, some lemony citrus, fennel herbaciousness, salty minerality, peppery spice and a pleasant bitterness. Definitely complex. But well balanced too. 13% abv provides body and the length is excellent. Medium acidity provides a degree of verve. A multitude of food pairings come to mind, but also a fun sipper on its own. May 2023.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Stoneleigh Latitude Sauvignon Blanc 2022, Golden Mile, Marlborough, South Island
Marlborough, New Zealand$21.70
Very good Marlborough typicity with intense aromas including herbaceous notes, tropical aromas (guava), citrus (grapefruit), and a vague sage note. Some minerality as well. There's a pleasantly creamy texture on the palate with bright acidity and excellent length. Checks many boxes including typicity, intensity, complexity and length of finish, but a hair out of balance with some alcohol heat (13.5% ABV declared) that dials back my score a bit. Nonetheless, a lot on offer especially at such a reasonable price. Tasted Nov. 2023.
4.0 Stars
(0)V