David Brodati, DipWSET
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Reviews (622)
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Reviews
Leaning Post Chardonnay Senchuk Vineyard 2019, VQA Lincoln Lakeshore
Ontario, Canada$50.00
Hitting 5 years old and in that sweet spot where fruit is still fresh but secondary notes of malo and oak are integrated nicely and tertiary notes starting to emerge. Apple, lemony citrus, peach, herbs, toast, butter, honey, minerality. Vibrant and juicy acidity, with excellent to outstanding length. This paired beautifully with grilled lemon-Dijon salmon filets.
4.5 Stars
Lantides Abyss Assyrtiko 2020, P.G.I. Peloponnese
Peloponnese, Greece$39.95
Not your typical Assyrtiko from, say, traditional Santorini wind swept volcanic bush vines which gives minerally, salty almost austere qualities. Yes there's a mineral edge here, but more mainland voluptuousness. Intense nose with tropical notes (pineapple really pops), lemony citrus, honey, herbs, caramel and toast. The fruit is ripe giving an almost sweet sensation and it balances the significant oak and alcohol. Just enough acidity to trim the roundness a shade. The weight sits full on the mouth and the length is excellent to outstanding. Feb. 2024
4.5 Stars
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Latium Campo Leòn Amarone Della Valpolicella 2008, Doc
Veneto, Italy$34.75
A deep, darky, brooding Amarone. Raisiny, chalky, hot, medicinal, rich, thick, dense, big, bold, complex, unabashed and boisterous. Definitely has an "A" type personality. Tannins are in check, and acidity is detected, but this guy derives his structure primarily from alcohol. Mr. Lawrason's wine writer technical term sums it up best - wowser! Enjoy with the darkest of chocolate or blue cheese or parmigiano nibbles topped with a drop of honey. Feb. 2014.
4.5 Stars
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Hinterland Brut Rosé Traditional Method 2019, VQA Prince Edward County
Ontario, Canada$39.95
Beautiful red florals, red berries and lovely autolytic notes. A texturally sumptuous palate featuring fine refreshing mousse. Essentially quite brut, but the fruit suggests a sense of sweetness. The lingering length is so enjoyable. A well executed TM sparkler. Oct. 2024
4.5 Stars
Trapiche Terroir Series Finca Ambrosia Single Vineyard Malbec 2012, Mendoza
Mendoza, Argentina$39.95
Drinking beautifully now. Big and bold Malbec from the Gualtallary sub region of Uco Valley, Mendoza. So much happening here, where to start? The nose is beguiling and complexity abounds. Dark, almost stewed fruit with spices galore, minerality, smoke, herbs and licorice. Full bodied, vibrant acidity, excellent length, smooth ripe tannins. Warm with 15% abv declared. Almost too warm, into the slight burn category which holds my rating under 95. Too bad the bottle is so annoyingly heavy. Drink now and over the next 5-7 years. Oct. 2019.
4.5 Stars
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Guilhem & Jean Hugues Goisot La Ronce 2018, Bourgogne Côtes D'auxerre
Burgundy, France$52.80
A beautiful Bourgogne Pinot, displaying quite intense aromas and flavours of roses, sour cherry, raspberry, earthy beetroot, spicy nutmeg and cinnamon, and oaky vanillin and cedar. The frame is medium bodied with fairly soft ripe tannins and juicy vibrant acidity. Scores on complexity, balance, concentration and a lovely long finish. Wish I'd bought more bottles. Oct. 2022.
4.5 Stars
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Federico Curtaz Il Purgatorio 2017, D.O.C. Etna Rosso
Sicily, Italy$59.97
I really have fallen in love with Etna Rosso and my dalliance with this 100% Nerello Mascalese is no exception. Aromas are beguiling with pot pouri, red berry, cherry, balsamic, wood spice and cigar box. The palate is well structured and balanced with tannins still very notable but resolving, acidity bright and 14% alcohol giving weight but not heat. Length is excellent. Drinking nicely now with fruit drying and tertiary notes emerging. It can cellar for a few years yet if savoury notes rather than fruit is your thing. March 2024.
4.5 Stars
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Domaine Pavelot Aux Gravains Savigny-les-beaune 1er Cru 2013, Ac
Burgundy, France$47.75
This 1er Cru offering shows traditional Bourgogne earthiness but also shines a spotlight on the sour tart cran and cherry fruit. I detected what I suspect is Brett (bandaid, barnyard) in a magnitude that challenged my threshold line of what I consider fault versus added complexity. This has held back my score a point or two. Bright medium plus acidity, earthy, mineral, spice with nutmeg and cinnamon, some bitterness. Supple dusty tannin. Medium body and excellent length. April 2018.
4.5 Stars
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Tesselaarsdal Chardonnay 2022, W.O. Hemel En Aarde Ridge
Walker Bay, South Africa$48.95
A beautiful chard from South Africa's "Heaven on Earth". Fairly intense and lovely fruit aromas of ripe lemon, yellow apple, peach and a tropical note are underpinned by a stony minerality. There's vanilla bean and a vague herbal note as well. Harmoniously balanced with the zesty acidity and 13.0% abv integrated nicely with the flavours that last quite long on the finish. Tasted July 2025.
4.5 Stars
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J. Moreau & Fils Fourchaume Chablis 1er Cru 2018, Ac
Burgundy, France$55.95
Everything you want in a 1er Cru Chablis. Flavour intensity, balance, length of finish and typical minerality. Lemon lime citrus pops then minerality takes over, then a savoury herb like quality, then the ride starts all over again. Oak is judicious and integrated as it should be for a Chablis Cru. Acidity is mouthwatering but not at all harsh. And lees contact adds a nice texture to the mouthfeel. This paired nicely with sage roasted chicken in a garlic wine sauce and latkes (potato pancakes), with the fresh acidity being a great foil to the greasy garnish. Tasted Dec. 2022.
4.5 Stars
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