David Brodati, DipWSET
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Reviews (613)
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Reviews
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
Juvé Y Camps Cinta Purpura Reserva Brut Cava 2011, Do Cava
Catalonia, Spain$18.95
A delightful vintage Cava, showing pear and apple notes with frothy bubbles and balanced acidity. Substantial on the palate this is food friendly. Sept. 2015.
3.5 Stars
(0)V
Ontañón Crianza 2010, Doca Rioja
Rioja, Spain$16.95
This ruby red Tempranillo dominated Crianza certainly over-delivers on quality relative to its price. Oak is well integrated and not over the top, featuring notes of cedar, graphite, mocha and vanilla. There's cherry and dried fruit. It's a medium wine - medium complexity, medium bodied, medium acidity and medium dusty tannin. Very good to excellent length though. And the price is definitely right. A touch of alcohol burn at the end. March 2015.
3.5 Stars
(0)V
Zenato San Benedetto Lugana 2022, Doc
Veneto, Italy$19.95
Always a lovely expression of Trebbiano di Lugana (aka Verdicchio) from the Lugana DOC which lies in the southwest of Lake Garda and straddles the regions of Lombardy and Veneto. White flowers, apple, pear, vanilla, and a slightly bitter mineral note. The mouthfeel is creamy with some weight (13.5% abv) but balanced by juicy acidity to keep things fresh. The length is very good. An enjoyable quaff indeed. Nov. 2023.
3.5 Stars
(1000+)E+(46)O
Porcupine Ridge Syrah 2014, Swartland
Swartland, South Africa$12.95
Great value in a juicy well balanced syrah. A lovely complex nose of dark fruit (blueberry, black cherry), cedar, black pepper, violets and a meaty note. 14.5% ABV, but doesn't feel heavy on the palate, likely due to good acidity offering a sense of freshness. Not overly tannic although there's good structure from the tannins. Very good length. Feb. 2016.
3.5 Stars
(0)V
Radford Dale Vinum Chenin Blanc 2018, Stellenbosch
South Africa$18.95
South Africa can provide some of the best price/quality ratios available in the wine world, particularly from its signature white varietal Chenin. The Radford Dale is case in point, along with Ken Forrester's Chenin (both in the $18 range). A fairly complex nose of pear, lime and peach fruit is complemented by sage and minerality. The palate is slightly viscous (lees contact) and the colour is more gold than lemon. Of course, the acidity is vibrant as one would expect from Chenin, and the length is excellent. Jan. 2022.
3.5 Stars
(0)V
Château Pierre De Montignac 2015, Cru Bourgeois, Ap Médoc
Bordeaux, France$24.95
From a warm vintage, this Medoc Cru Bourgeois offers red fruit (currant, cherry, plum) along with cedar, cigar box and an herbal note. It's medium bodied with soft tannins, juicy acidity and very good to excellent length. At it's prime now, so enjoy on it's own or with roasted meats. January 2022.
3.5 Stars
(0)V
Thirty Bench Riesling 2014, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$22.95
A lovely off dry riesling with apple the dominant fruit. Measured acidity nicely balances the fruit and sweetness. Excellent length. Another fine riesling by Thirty Bench. Sept. 2015.
3.5 Stars
(0)V
Heartland Spice Trader Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, Langhorne Creek
South Australia, Australia$17.00
Aptly named shiraz/cab sauv blend. For me this wine is all about the complex and fairly intense aromatics with black cherry, cassis, plum, menthol, anise, cedar, spice and black pepper. A bit too jammy for me with softer tannin and a touch hot, but good value at $17.00 and a great deal with the markdown I found at $12. April 2016.
3.5 Stars
(0)V
Xavier Muscat De Beaumes De Venise 2017, Vin Doux Naturel, Ap (375ml)
Rhône, France$13.75
Very good muscat based VDN from the Southern Rhone's Beaumes de Venise appellation. Excellent typicity showing delicate but pronounced aromas of soapy perfume and florals, ripe apricot, canned peaches, grape, honey and ginger, along with more tropical fruit flavours on the palate. Sweet, lower acidity, a viscous mouthfeel and pure exuberant pleasure. May 2019.
3.5 Stars
(0)V