David Brodati, DipWSET
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Reviews (622)
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Reviews
Emiliana Winemaker'S Selection Syrah 2011, Casablanca Valley
Casablanca Valley, Chile$19.95
Freshness and finesse describe this dark ruby/magenta Chilean shiraz, rather than big and bold. Dark berry and plummy fruit bursts out of the gate, followed by typical pepper and spice. Medium bodied on the mouthfeel, there's grippy tannins and decent length. A nice softer feminine shiraz that should be widely appealing. I enjoyed it on its own, but it certainly would pair well with grilled chicken, pork or burgers. So grip it n' sip it! Sept. 2013.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Pieropan Soave Classico 2016, Doc
Veneto, Italy$19.95
Clearly not as profound or sublime as Pieropan's single vineyard La Rocca, but nonetheless an excellent Soave in its own right. Great value here. Expressive lemon, honey, minerality, almond and spice. A pleasantly creamy mouthfeel with bright acidity and excellent length. April 2018.
4.0 Stars
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Nicolas Gueusquin Brut 1er Cru Champagne 2015, Ac, France
Champagne, France$48.95
Everything you'd want in a grower Vintage Champagne: excellent quality but without the big "House" price. It's not showy, but there's a sense of elegance. Soft mousse that persists in the glass. Aromas of yeasty brioche, apple, pear, mushroom and a nutty character. Lovely mouthfeel and vibrant acidity. Paired beautifully with sauteed scallops in a mushroom and shallot cream sauce. Dec. 2022.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Roger & Didier Raimbault Sancerre 2016, Ac
Loire, France$31.95
This Sancerre reveals higher intensity aromatics with florals, fruit and a characteristic herbaceous quality. The fruit is apple, pear and gooseberry. A saline minerality finishes it off. Vibrant, balanced, with higher acidity, medium bodied and very good to excellent length. Feb. 2018.
4.0 Stars
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Hidden Bench Estate Riesling 2011, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$23.95
Pale straw colour with the slightest green tinge, this Beamsville Bench estate sourced wine embodies what Ontario Riesling is all about. A fresh citrus and mineral laden nose with more citrus fruit, mineral notes, some spice, herbs and fresh acidity on the palate. Nice complexity and length with a touch of heat on the finish. 2011 was a good vintage for this varietal in Niagara and this Hidden Bench offering doesn't disappoint. Nov. 2013.
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
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Quinta Das Carvalhas Touriga Nacional 2011, Doc Douro
Douro, Portugal$21.95
Very good Touriga Nacional typicity demonstrated in this Douro red. Dark, brooding, good depth of flavour with dark fruit (blueberry really jumped out for me), and medium plus tannin that are starting to resolve. Balanced and with very good to excellent length. Decant or give some time in the glass, as the aromatics were a bit closed initially, but opened up with time.
Oct. 2017.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Lustau Solera Reserva Dry Amontillado Los Arcos
Andalusia, Spain$19.95
Great value in this Amontillado Sherry. A lovely caramel colour and a complex nose that is essentially nutty but with notes of buttery caramel, creme brulee, marmalade, coffee and fig. The palate is viscous, salty with excellent length. Essentially dry but with a vague molasses-like kiss of sweetness. A touch hot on the finish but not overly so. Feb. 2016.
4.0 Stars
(978)E+(121)O
Finca Flichman Paisaje De Tupungato 2012, Mendoza
Mendoza, Argentina$17.25
Although high in alcohol (14.5%) there's a freshness to this blend likely due to the diurnal range brought on by the high altitude vineyards. Some florality with fruit in the red spectrum with cherry, red berry, red plum. Oak is well integrated showing baking spice, smoke, mocha, graphite. A good dose of black pepper. Medium acidity and medium plus tannin provides structure. A touch hot. Will age well over the mid term. Dec 2015.
3.5 Stars
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Creekside Syrah 2013, Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$15.95
Ok, so the press isn't broken, but this is still a nice Syrah. Medium bodied with crunchy vibrant acidity. Red fruit, pepper, spice, anise, a suggestion of meat. But the line between juicy tart sour and overt greeness is a thin one. Oak is not overdone, tannin is soft and fine and length is excellent. Nov. 2015.
3.5 Stars
