David Brodati, DipWSET
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Reviews (619)
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Reviews
Osoyoos Larose Le Grand Vin 2012, BC VQA Okanagan Valley
British Columbia, Canada$53.95
Still quite deep ruby in colour, although some garnet tinges appearing at the edges. Some greenness on the nose, with pot pourri, dried red fruit, spice and oak aromas of chocolate and vanillin. The palate is about savoriness, as the fruit dries and fades at this point. Tobacco, more oak and spice and a soy like quality. Tannins are still grainy. Decent concentration, balance and length, but there's something off-kilter about it. Somehow it hasn't knitted together and I'm not sure it ever will. Agree with Szabo on this one. June 2020.
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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Tabali Reserva Syrah 2012, Limari Valley
Limari Valley, Chile$14.95
This is a well balanced and finessed syrah that sees judicious oak treatment to complement rather than bully the red and dark fruit and fresh acidity. There's spice, pepper, an herbal menthol note, a meaty note and some saline minerality. It's medium/full bodied with tacky tannins and good length. Overall a nice syrah that can't be beat for value. Nov. 2015.
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
Caparzo Brunello Di Montalcino 2011, Docg
Tuscany, Italy$49.95
Showing volatile acidity that blows off with a bit of air, but I'd drink up if you have a bottle or two left. Garnet in colour. Mature nose and flavours in the dried red fruit spectrum, dried violet, savoury notes, cinnamon, soy, and cedar. Tannins are very resolved but a hint of graininess pokes through showing a bit of life yet. Acidity has kept this wine going. The length is excellent. A nice example of mature Brunello. March 2020.
3.5 Stars
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Flat Rock Nadja's Vineyard Riesling 2012, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$19.95
This light gold Riesling presents mineral notes with citrus and peach/apricot fruit. The palate shows a stronger citrus profile (yellow grapefruit, lemon, lime) in a light to medium viscous mouthfeel. Nice Niagara acidity provides structure for this well balanced wine with decent length. Feb. 2014.
3.5 Stars
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Stonestreet Fifth Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot 2007, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County
California, Usa$36.95
This Cali cab/merlot blend displays a dark ruby colour. The nose starts funky, gamey and bretty but relents a bit after decanting. The palate offers grippy tannins with earthy savour, nutmeg, some oak and chocolate. Nice length. A decent wine but not the best price quality ratio. Dec. 2013.
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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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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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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