David Brodati, DipWSET
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Reviews (622)
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Reviews
Zenato San Benedetto Lugana 2021, Doc
Veneto, Italy$17.95
Intense and pretty aromas of white flowers, orange blossoms, citrus and papaya. The mouthfeel is lovely with a creamy texture (lees contact). More citrus flavours on the palate, ending with an almost bitter herbal and almond skin note so typical of Italian whites. Vibrant and juicy, balanced (although a touch of alcohol heat creeps in) and very good to excellent length. Food friendly for sure. Dec. 2022.
3.5 Stars
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Maison Roche De Bellene Vieilles Vignes Bourgogne Chardonnay 2021, A.C.
Burgundy, France$29.95
A pleasant and affordable Bourgogne from a reliable Maison. The nose opens with white flowers, then orchard fruit (bosc pear and yellow apple), lemony-lime citrus and a mineral note. The palate offers much the same along with a hint of honey on toast not too dissimilar to aged Aussie Semillon. Creaminess suggests lees contact and there's medium plus acidity providing lift and refreshment. The length is very good to excellent. Pair with lemon chicken. Jan. 2025.
3.5 Stars
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Louis M. Martini Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
California, Usa$39.95
Decent value for a Napa Valley Cab especially when on sale (as a Vintages Essential, this happens at times). Dark berry, cassis with oak that's not over the top, displaying vanilla, chocolate and cedar. Fairly balanced despite a whopping 15.5% ABV (warming rather than burning). Just enough acidity. Ripe tannin that are softening. Very good to excellent length. Not poised or elegant, but hey, for a Napa Cab from a warm vintage in the $30's, can't go wrong. Dec. 2018.
3.5 Stars
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Casale Del Giglio Cesanese 2014, Igt Lazio Rosso
Italy$18.95
A great find and good on the LCBO to bring this wine based on the native Lazio Cesanese grape to Ontario. Medium full bodied with good concentration of red berry and cherry fruit, along with spice, tea, vanilla and minerality. Fine grained tannin, bright acidity and very good to excellent length. Sept. 2017.
3.5 Stars
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Keint-he Little Creek Pinot Noir 2014, Prince Edward County
Ontario, Canada$38.00
The Little Creek Pinot captures the essence of County Pinot. It straddles the fine line between austerity and elegance. Enticing aromas of sour cherry, cranberry, salty minerality, spice and nutmeg. Vibrant acidity overlays a light to medium bodied mouthfeel with mild tannin and very good length. Very food friendly. Try with grilled salmon. Oct. 2017.
3.5 Stars
13th Street Gamay 2016, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$19.95
Gamay is climbing the ladder and in my view is in the top 3 (along with Cab Franc and Pinot) for quality red varietals in Ontario. 13th Street's 2016 offering is a great example. Earthy and sour with beetroot, tart cherry, red berry, nutmeg, spice, an herbal quality and wet stone minerality. Juicy acidity, medium + body, soft tannin and chalky mouthfeel. Food friendly as all good Gamay should be. Scores on complexity, balance, typicity and length. June 2018.
3.5 Stars
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Leaning Post Merlot 2012, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$42.00
Here's a beautiful plush Niagara Merlot from talented Winemaker Ilya Senchuk. Making the most of the excellent 2012 vintage, this Merlot shows black cherry, plum and prunes with secondary and tertiary aromas of vanilla, mocha, herbs and tobacco. Nicely balanced with supporting acidity and ripe and softening tannin, the wine is drinking very nicely now. Excellent length. Oct. 2016.
3.5 Stars
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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Château Des Charmes Gamay Noir 2014, VQA Niagara On The Lake
Ontario, Canada$15.95
I believe that along with Pinot Noir and Cab Franc, Gamay has become a signature red varietal for Ontario. This entry level offering from CdC helps prove my point. Good typicity for Gamay with tart cherry, beet, earthiness, pepper, spice and minerality. Fruit forward followed by tart sour acidity in a medium bodied frame with narry a tannin. Very good to excellent length. A slight alcohol burn despite ABV clocking in under 13%. A good go to table wine that matches with a wide variety of vittles. Already value priced, but when on sale, a steal. Jan. 2017.
3.5 Stars
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Maison Chanzy Rully En Rosey 2013, Ac
Burgundy, France$21.25
This Burgundy is a nice example of the beauty and intrique that quality Pinot displays and the devotion it elicits in enthusiasts. A nod to new world in that the funky, earthy, shroom that is typical of Burgundy is only hinted at. Rather, the red berry and tart cherry fruit is the focus, with spice (nutmeg, pepper) and a trace of oak (mocha vanilla). It is lithe and elegant conveying medium body on the palate with bright acidity and excellent length. Tannins make but a cameo. Great value. April 2017.
3.5 Stars
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