David Brodati, DipWSET
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Reviews (613)
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Reviews
Creekside Broken Press Syrah 2010, VQA St. David's Bench, Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$39.95
Nearly 6 years on and still a youthful ruby, although the slightest hint of garnet at the edge. Medium plus intensity aromatics with lift provided by some viognier skin contact. Dark fruit (blueberry, black cherry and currant), menthol, bay leaf, tea, fennel, meat, cedar and black pepper. Oak is restrained with a touch of vanilla. Medium-full bodied with medium plus alcohol. Tannis are still tacky but approachable. Balanced and long. One of Niagara's best Syrah's just starting to hit its drinking stride. March 2016.
4.0 Stars
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Alain Jaume Grande Garrigue Vacqueyras 2010
Rhône, France$24.95
Fruit dominates the nose initially, followeed by anise. The palate offers red berry fruit, more licorice, salt/teriyaki and savoury herbs (garrique). The stated 15% ABV is certainly present but not as dominant as I expected (the fruit isn't bullied), providing structure along with grippy tannins and some acidity. Very nice length here. It's coming together, but I suspect another 2-3 years will show marked improvemnent elevating the score to an excellent rating. March 2014.
4.0 Stars
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Stanners Barrel Select Pinot Noir 2014, VQA Prince Edward County
Ontario, Canada$39.00
An excellent County Pinot. Lifted aromas of cran-cherry fruit and subtle well integrated oak spice like nutmeg, cinnamon, licorice and of course there is County minerality. Medium bodied, with juicy acidity, fine tannin and excellent length. July 2017.
4.0 Stars
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
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Muriel Reserva 2017, Doca Rioja
Rioja, Spain$19.95
I love it when the price/quality ratio is super high as it is in this lovely Rioja Reserva. A nice balance of primary and secondary aromas with red flowers, cherry, sandalwood, chocolate, vanilla, and dried herbs. With 6 years under its belt, the fruit flavours are in transition between fresh and cooked/dried. The palate is juicy with medium plus velvety tannins and some alcohol warmth. The length is very good to excellent. Will drink well for another 5 years or so. Nov. 2023.
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
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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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
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Stanners Pinot Noir 2014, VQA Prince Edward County
Ontario, Canada$35.00
Stanners continues its elegant finessed style of Pinot with this 2014 County offering. Quite fruit forward with red cherry, red berry, cran fruit, herbs followed by a slight earthy, funky element with typical County minerality. Bright acidity, soft tannin and very good to excellent length. April 2017.
4.0 Stars
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Casas Del Bosque Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, Maipo Valley
Maipo Valley, Chile$21.25
This Maipo Valley Cab is hitting prime drinking now, but has the stuffing to evolve another 5-7 years. Ruby purple colour. Red and dark, pruney fruit with prominent oak, but staying this side of over-oaked. Complex with cedar, pencil shavings, chocolate, and a green, herbal quality. Medium tannin and full bodied, with medium acidity providing some lift and a touch of elegance to an otherwise big wine. Excellent length. June 2018.
4.0 Stars
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