David Brodati, DipWSET
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Reviews (618)
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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
Estate Argyros Assyrtiko 2020, P.D.O.
Santorini, Greece$45.00
Beautiful texture and mouthfeel on this Santorini Assyrtiko. Lemony citrus, saline tangy minerality and spice dominate the flavours. Full bodied with 14.5% abv showing weight and the slightest hint of anise. Lovely balance, very vibrant and outstanding length. Pair this with lemon drenched calamari, village salad featuring briny olives and souvlaki.
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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De Bortoli Noble One Botrytis Semillon 2014, Riverina, New South Wales (375ml)
New South Wales, Australia$29.95
Here's brilliant value in a dessert wine. This Sauternes style Noble Rot affected Aussie Semillon is nicely sweet but with a seam of acidity that keeps things fresh and actually activates the saliva glands, which is a wonderful sensation when sipping a sweet dessert wine. Citrusy/orange rind/marmalade/ginger flavours mingle with honey on a viscous palate that seems to last for ages. This would pair well with holiday season candied fruit cakes, or sip alongside blue veined cheese or foie gras. Dec. 2017.
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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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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Taylor Fladgate 20 Year Old Tawny Port, Douro Valley
Douro, Portugal$71.95
Lovely stuff. Very complex with dried fruit (fig, date, prune), orange zest, spice, pepper, caramel, vanilla and nutty rancio. Sweet and savoury at the same time. Alcohol is lovingly warming - it envelops rather than burns. The length is outstanding. Taylor Fladgate's 20 year old is the sweet spot for tawny from a price/quality ratio standpoint.
4.5 Stars
(1000+)E+(19)O
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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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
Réva Barolo 2012, Docg
Piedmont, Italy$59.95
A gorgeously perfumed nose on this almost 10 year old Barolo with classic notions of rose, tar, tea and red fruit. There's a lovely interplay of savoury and fruit on the palate with tertiary notes of olive and balsamic starring. Tannins are still strutting their stuff indicating a few years of prime drinking still to go, but they're polymerizing gracefully. The length is excellent. Dec. 2021.
4.5 Stars
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