David Brodati, DipWSET
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Reviews (620)
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Reviews
Wynns Coonawarra Estate Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, Coonawarra, South Australia
South Australia, Australia$27.95
An excellent Aussie Cab. Lifted nose with violets, minty herbal notes, graphite, blackberry, cassis, and licorice. Well integrated oak, nicely balanced and a plush mouthfeel. Excellent length. The 10's are starting to drink beautifully now and likely have a few years to go. April 2015.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Big Head Wines Chenin Blanc 2012, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$0.00
Andrjez Lipinski's 2012 chenin blanc is a wonderful pale yellow gold wine that combines Vouvraycity along with Niagara minerality. A fragrant bouquet of ripe tropical fruit (pineapple really jumps), a bit of citrus, petrol, a hint of spice and vanilla (oak). There's sufficient alcohol for a medium bodied weight with a creamy viscous mouthfeel and juicy acidity. The style approaches off dry. At $25 this is great value. Quality like this will give Big Head...well...a big head! Oct. 2013.
4.0 Stars
Wynns Alex 88 Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, Coonawarra
South Australia, Australia$70.45
Seven years on and still opaque ruby but the slightest hint of garnet is starting to appear. Cab typicity on display with complex aromas and flavours of violets, cassis, blackberry, blueberry, cedar, pencil shavings, balsamic, tea and an herbal quality. Medium plus body with good acidity, still grainy/sticky tannin and excellent length. This single vineyard fruit is sometimes used in the Black Label Cab series, which at significantly less than half the price is the better value. But a nice wine all in all. May 2017.
4.0 Stars
Château Du Cèdre Cahors 2009
Southwest, France$21.95
This is an excellent Cahors with 90% Malbec and a a splash of Tannat to liven things up, and a splash of Merlot to round things out. Inky dark ruby in the glass. A perfumed nose and medium-full bodied with licorice, herbs, dark fruit, mocha, vanilla (lovely integrated oak) and a tarry scorched effect. Nicely balanced with good acidity, depth and tannins that coalesce into velvet (it still benefits from decanting). It's just hitting the sweet spot of maturity. Food friendly too. Good stuff. Dec. 2014.
4.0 Stars
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Domaines Schlumberger Kessler Grand Cru Pinot Gris 2008
Alsace, France$25.95
A lovely Pinot Gris, yellow gold in the glass with a hint of green. Lifted nose of petrol/minerality, floral notes, and peach. Floral and mineral replays on the palate with spice, a touch of residual sugar and lemony shmeck in a creamy fuller bodied mouthfeel. Good acidity and higher alcohol provides structure and is integrated rather than dominant. Very complex and long. A fine aperitif and a compliant accomplice for a range of foods given the palate cleansing and saliva inducing acidity. Jan. 2014.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Ramey Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2010, Sonoma Coast, Sonoma County
California, Usa$41.95
Ramey's multi-vineyard Sonoma Chard is yellow gold with a green tinge showing a still youthful character. There's a cool fresh minerality with notes of lemon, pear, vanilla, coconut and butter. The palate is rich but balanced by a lemony acidity that makes the wine food friendly. Full, ripe California meets lean, crisp, cool climate. Nicely done. March 2014.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Descendientes De J. Palacios Pétalos 2010, Do Bierzo
Galicia, Spain$25.00
The 2010 Petalos is starting to drink nicely now. Dark ruby with a nice floral bouquet that is opening niccely. The palate is medium to full bodied with a rich mouthfeel and good integration of fruit, oak and acidity. Tannins subside with a bit of air. This could cellar for a few more years, but is approachable now. If you have a few, open one now and compare again in 2015. Oct. 2014.
4.0 Stars
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St. Hallett Blackwell Shiraz 2009, Barossa
South Australia, Australia$39.95
A nice balance between Barossa Shiraz and Rhone Syrah. Concentrated bold fruit but some elegance as well. Earthy, savoury, spicy, peppery. Nicely balanced with excellent length. A great BBQ wine. August 2014.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Pirramimma Petit Verdot 2010, Mclaren Vale
South Australia, Australia$24.95
Dark ruby and high opacity. Aromas of blackberry and vanilla. This wine offers up dark and red fruits for the palate with some toast and cedar. Tannins are dusty with 4 wheel drive traction and there's some heat on the leisurely finish. The wine has edges, but an overall integration is nicely achieved. I decanted this wine for 45 minutes and it responded with open arms for a warm embrace. It played very co-operatively in the sandbox with my beef tenderloin steak and grilled veggies. The wine's excellent value is underscored with LCBO's $5.00 discount. Grip it n' sip it! May 2013.
4.0 Stars
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Joseph Cattin Hatschbourg Gewürztraminer 2010, Ac Alsace Grand Cru
Alsace, France$19.95
This Alsatian gewurz sits yellow in the glass with a tinge of green. It offers a very floral bouquet, along with tropical notes (lychee, mango), a hint of petrol and a slight sniff of mint and soap. Tropical sweetness continues on the palate including candied lemon, followed by spice and a touch of heat. This off dry gewurz has good acidity, and a pleasant creaminess on the mouthfeel. Very good length. An enjoyable sipper, but an excellent accoutrement for spicy Asian yummies. Nov. 2013.
4.0 Stars
(0)V