David Brodati, DipWSET
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Reviews (619)
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Reviews
Astrolabe Province Sauvignon Blanc 2015
Marlborough, New Zealand$24.95
Very nice and fairly typical NZ SB. Amped aromatics with herbaceous cut grass, green pepper, citrus and faint tropical fruit. Medium plus body and alcohol. The fruit is balanced by racy acidity. Excellent length. 13.5% ABV stays a touch hot on the late palate. Good value. Feb. 2017.
3.5 Stars
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Bachelder Niagara Chardonnay 2011, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$24.95
Thomas Bachelder has done a wonderful job with this multi-vineyard Niagara sourced chard. Light yellow gold with a green tinge. Minimal use of older oak lends a suggestive rather than aggressive flavour quality. It presents tart apple and mineral aromas. The palate offers a creamy mouthfeel, high acidity, apple and citrus fruit, a certain greeness and creme brulee. Excellent length. Well balanced. Tasted May 2014.
3.5 Stars
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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
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Jim Barry The Lodge Hill Shiraz 2010, Clare Valley, South Australia
South Australia, Australia$26.95
Ruby purple colour. This oaky shiraz displays typical pepper and dark fruit. There's good acidity that provides a counterpoint to the jammy fruit. Jammy but not overly confected. Timid tannins. Medium-full bodied. Good length here too. The oak is well integrated. Sipped well as a solo artist, and also jammed (pun intended) nicely with the sirloin steak band. Very approachable and currently headlining, so grip it n' sip it! June 2013.
3.5 Stars
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Montirius Le Clos Vacqueyras 2011
Rhône, France$32.00
Aromas of dark fruit (plums, dark cherries), karnatzel, vanilla, tobacco, baking spice and anise. Complex and balanced, there's good acidity, structured tannins and nice length. Alcohol heat is a bit pronounced. August 2014.
3.5 Stars
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Cave De Roquebrun Granges Des Combes 2013
Languedoc, France$18.95
Deep ruby colour. Fairly intense and complex nose of florals, red berry, cherry, blackberry, licorice, pepper, a funky earthy note and a hint of V.A. All three varieties represent'n. The palate offers juicy medium plus acidity, mild tannin. There's a nice freshness and vibrancy here. Very good length. Excellent value. Feb. 2016.
3.5 Stars
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Château De Landiras 2010, Ac Graves
Bordeaux, France$17.25
A nice ruby dark cherry colour. The nose starts with some funky barn and gamey notes then switches to green leaves, leather and oak. The medium mouthfeel starts smooth and builds to a more edgy finish with good length. Flavours of vanilla/oak, cherry cola, black pepper, graphite and other savoury elements. Tannins are present but subdued. Good balance with a seam of acidity and alcohol providing structure and oak dominant but not overpowering the fruit. Approachable now, but a power nap in the cellar wouldn't hurt. March 2014.
3.5 Stars
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Templários Colheita Seleccionada Touriga Nacional/Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Igp Tejo
Portugal$14.95
Equal parts Touriga Nacional and Cab Sauv. A nicely balanced and pleasing dry ruby red wine. Aromas of dark fruit, meat, vanilla and herbs, followed by similar notes on the palate plus spice and chocolate. It has a velvety mouthfeel. The Cab exerts it's tannic presence with grippiness. The alcohol comes through on the lingering finish (decant 45-60 mins). Great value. Wish I'd bought more considering the price. Dec. 2013.
3.5 Stars
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Viewpointe Focal Pointe Cabernet Franc 2010, VQA Lake Erie North Shore
Ontario, Canada$19.75
Despite 6 years old, there remains a certain youthfulness in this LENS Cab Franc. Just a hint of garnet at the edge, there's still a nice relatively pale ruby colour. Aromas of cherry pie, red berry, black pepper, baking spice, licorice and petroleum jelly. The mouthfeel is pleasing with medium acidity, fine grained ripe tannin rounding out nicely, and excellent length. I would have liked a touch more acidity, but the wine certainly isn't flabby. Good effort from an excellent vintage. Drink now or in the next two years. Oct. 2016.
3.5 Stars
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Bachelder Niagara Chardonnay 2013, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$24.95
A good vintage in Niagara for Chard, this multi vineyard offering by Thomas Bachelder exhibits a degree of complexity with apple and pear fruit, florals, black licorice and yoghurt. It's fairly rich and creamy in mouthfeel with a hint of tannin, and framed by medium plus acidity. Oak is prevalent but integrated. A touch hot on the finish with excellent length. May 2016.
3.5 Stars
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