David Brodati, DipWSET
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Reviews (619)
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Reviews
Alejandro Fernández Dehesa La Granja 2008, Vino De La Tierra De Castilla Y León
Spain$21.95
This is very well done. Medium plus intensity aromatics with dark and red fruit, American oak (dill, coconut, vanilla, cedar) and brett that stays this side of acceptable/non-fault, adding complexity. The palate offers juicy acidity keeping the full bodied wine fresh. Tannins still have some traction, but are softening. Finishes with slight alcohol burn. Almost a decade old and still showing youthful tendencies with colour and some tannic grip. Could go another 5-7 years. Great value. Sept. 2017.
3.5 Stars
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Château Arnauton 2010, Ac Fronsac
Bordeaux, France$25.95
At ten years of age, this Fronsac is holding up quite well. Sure there's a garnet tinge appearing at the rim and the fruit and flower aromas/flavours are more in the dried spectrum than fresh, but there's still life yet - I would say another 2-3 years. Fairly complex with red florals, black and red fruit, baking spice, cured meat, pencil shavings, cedar and a green leafy element. So definitely complex. Tannin is softening, but some graininess left. Alcohol is on the high side with a pleasant warmth rather than burn and length is very good to excellent. Prime drinking time. April 2020.
3.5 Stars
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Château Gassier Le Pas Du Moine Rosé 2015, Ap Côtes De Provence Sainte Victoire
Provence, France$21.95
A lovely, refined Provencal Rose in a matching elegantly shaped bottle. Very pale in colour, but there is substance and body here. The nose is fairly intese with peach and nectarine fruit. The palate is refreshing with good acidity and a nice bitter finish. Perhaps a bit more complexity would bump to a 90 score, but hey, I'm not necessarily drinking Provence Rose for complexity. Sept. 2015.
3.5 Stars
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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
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Domaine Portet Fontaine Shiraz/Cabernet/Merlot 2010, Yarra Valley/Heathcote, Victoria
Victoria, Australia$14.75
Light ruby cherry hues. Fragrant and fruit nose. Medium body. This wine slowly reveals some complexity. Red fruit, juicy, good acidity. Medium to long lingering. A hint of chocolate and then an interplay of sweet and savoury, with alcohol present at the end. Good, but even better with LCBO's $3.00 off sale, bringing it into decent value territory. Feb. 2013.
3.5 Stars
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Bernard Reverdy & Fils Sancerre 2015, Ac
Loire, France$26.95
A lovely Sancerre, with dialed back aromatic intensity for a Sauv. Blanc, in the French style as opposed to say NZ. For sure there's that typical herbaceous character, with white flower and citrus fruit, but there's a sense of confident restraint. Vibrant acidity and very good length, though a touch of alcohol burn keeps my rating below 90. Jan. 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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Château Des Estanilles L'impertinent 2010, Ac Faugères
Languedoc, France$12.75
This is an interesting blend of Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah and Mouvedre from Faugeres in the Languedoc. I got significant funk on the nose that was reluctant to blow off with time. Blackberry and other dark fruit with herbal greenness, dill, black tea, pepper, tobacco and leather, and a scorched tarry element. Fairly tannic with medium acidity to provide firm structure. Very good to excellent length. Lots of complexity for the price point. Feb. 2015.
3.5 Stars
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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
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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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