David Brodati, DipWSET
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Reviews (613)
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Reviews
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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Ca'tullio Tenace Lo Schioppettino 2015, Doc Friuli Aquileia
Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy$16.25
Schioppettino, which means "crackling", is native to the Friuli region and this version from the Colli Orientali DOC shows characteristic aromatic intensity with violets, red berry fruit and spicy pepper. Quite fruity on the palate, with more pepper and a late palate bitterness. Reminded me a bit of Gamay. It's mid weight, has vibrant acidity, medium tannin and very good length. Schioppettino is also known as Ribolla Nera, but is unrelated to Ribolla Gialla. Makes a lovely Valentines wine. Feb. 2018.
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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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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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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Fontaine De Clos Confidences 2014, Ap Côtes Du Rhône
Rhône, France$17.95
Another great value from the south of France. Light cherry red colour and somewhat translucent. Cherry fruit, pepper, spice, cinnamon hearts, chocolate and slightly bitter. Medium-full bodied, a bit hot with alcohol burn in the late palate. Medium acidity provides some freshness and fine chalky tannin. Very good length. Well-priced and a nice mid week, cool weather quaff. Nov. 2017.
3.5 Stars
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Rosehall Run Ceremony Blanc De Blancs Brut, VQA Prince Edward County
Ontario, Canada$36.00
A nice little PEC Chardonnay sparkler with very fine mousse, almost frizzante in lightness of bubble but very persistent. Crisp apple, biscuit, vibrant acidity, minerality all co-mingle in a nice package that lasts fairly long on the palate. I paired this with a creamy butternut squash bisque dressed with pomegranate seeds and served with fresh crusty bread. The Blanc de Blanc's acidity was a nice foil to the creamy soup and enhanced the bite of tartness from the pomegranate seeds. The wine's autolytic character made us gobble up way too much bread. Very enjoyable. Jan. 2018.
3.5 Stars
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Melini Chianti Classico Reserva 2011
Tuscany, Italy$19.95
Here's a really good value for Chianti Classico Reserva. This 2011 is ageing but still has some kick left. The fruit is in the cherry and red berry spectrum although starting to dry out. There's added complexity with secondary and tertiary notes including a savoury herbal note, tea, chocolate, vanilla and leather. The tannins are dusty and are polymerizing into resolution. A tad thin, showing medium body and medium plus alcohol. Finish is very good to excellent. Scores on complexity, balance, typicity and finish. When on sale, it's an absolute steal. April 2019.
3.5 Stars
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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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Albino Piona Bardolino 2016, Doc
Veneto, Italy$12.75
A delicious Bardolino. Based on the same grapes used in Valpolicella but the appellation lies to the west of Valpolicella on the eastern/Veneto shore of Lake Garda. So light in colour, almost Chiaretto (rose), but this belies it's true weight and body along with 13% ABV. Tart red berry, cherry, spice, florals, creamy/honey (malo?) and some mineral salinity. There's also a perception or RS without any sense of confection. Bright acidity renders it food friendly, tannin are mild and length is very good. Great value. April 2018.
3.5 Stars
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