David Brodati, DipWSET

Monte Faustino Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 2007, Doc

A wonderfully complex Amarone that's drinking quite nicely now. Cherry colour with lighter edges in the glass. Aromas of red fruit, iodine, leather and oak. Palate offers up a smorgasbord of cherry, fig, prune, milk chocolate and a hint of a medicinal tone. Tannins are grippy and length is excellent. Although approachable with some time in the decanter, this appassimento style wine can cellar a few years yet. Nov. 2013.

Lustau East India Solera Sherry, Do Jerez (500ml)

Dark amber-orange-brown in the glass. This is a wonderful sweet sherry. It's a blend of aged drier Oloroso and sweet Pedro Ximenez, but the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Honey, fig, raisin, orange rind, molasses, a slight medicinal note and almond. It's sweet, viscous but nowhere near cloying, and has excellent length. The 20% ABV is nicely integrated. An excellent sipper and is heavenly with almonds and dried fruit. Incredible value here. Dec. 2014.

Update Oct. 2018: Just tried this with Christie/Peak Frean brand chocolate covered digestive cookies - sublime!

Pieropan La Rocca Soave Classico 2011, Doc

Who says Italy doesn't produce world class white wine. What a beautiful Soave (Garganega). I love the intense aromatics here, with pear, apple, melon, honey, wax and leesy butter/cream. The palate also offers complexity with a rich chalky mouthfeel, similar flavour replays as well as a bit of a bite (maceration). Medium plus acidity makes this as friendly at the table as it is a sipper on its own. Excellent length. A tad hot. Drink now or hold 5-7 years or more. Jan. 2016.

Beronia Gran Reserva 2006

An excellent Rioja GR. It starts with a touch of funk that blows off quickly. Then the complexity shines with a perfumed nose and notes of cinnamon, clove, dark fruit, fig, hoisin, herbs and cedar. It's medium to full bodied feeling thick on the palate. More fruit replays along with smoke, tar, coffee, mocha and vanilla wrapped in a savoury package. Medium plus tannins and excellent length. A slight alcohol burn that doesn't feel integrated holds this back a point in my scoring. But no doubt an excellent wine. April 2015.

Reichsgraf Von Kesselstatt Nies'chen Riesling Kabinett 2006, Pradikätswein

A minerally, petrol and floral nose with notes of ginger, apricot, apple and honey. Similar notes on the palate with a creamy, honeyed but not unctuous mouthfeel due to well balanced acidity. Comes off more like a Spatlese than a Kabinett. Excellent wine and a steal at under $20. August 2014.

Southbrook Poetica Red 2012, VQA Niagara On The Lake, Niagara Peninsula

The 2012 vintage of Southbrook's top tier red blend is all about elegance. 2012 was an excellent vintage in Niagara and this estate grown biodynamic meritage consists of 46% Cab Sauv, 26% each Cab Franc and Petit Verdot, with a soupcon of Merlot. Intensely perfumed pot pourri, rosemary, red fruit (raspberry, cherry) with cassis in the dried spectrum, oak derived aromas of baking spices, cedar and vanillin, and tertiary notes of balsamic and licorice. In other words, complex. But also harmonious with balanced acidity and soft tannins. Length is excellent. Drinking beautifully now. Feb 2022.

Kurtz Family Boundary Row Grenache/Shiraz/Mataro 2010, Barossa Valley, South Australia

Deep ruby with a slight purple hue for this opaque GSM. Showing nice fruit concentration with black cherry, blackberry, cassis, blueberry, black plum and prune. Quite complex with additional aromas/flavours of black pepper, nutmeg, fennel, herb/mint, cedar, vanilla and a charred/tarry note. It's full bodied with medium plus acidity and medium tannin. Complexity, balance, integrated oak and excellent length make for a 92+ score. A tad hot on the finish, but hey at 15% ABV it could be worse. Dec 2015.

Closson Chase Closson Chase Vineyard Chardonnay 2013, VQA Prince Edward County

Quintessential Deborah Paskus Chard. Rich and creamy but fruit and acid are pure. Notes of apple, pear, lemon, honey, nuts, butter, wax, mineral. The mouthfeel is voluptuous. Complex, balanced and outstanding length. A Paskus swansong for sure. Dec. 2015.

Pieropan La Rocca Soave Classico 2013, Doc

The 2013 version of Pieropan's single vineyard 'La Rocca' Soave continues it's world class legacy. Lovely aromas of apple, pear, melon, honey, almond, some oak spice and minerality. Full and viscous mouthfeel with bright lemony acidity and excellent length. Definitely one of my favourites and in my view, fairly priced at under $40 for such a rich and complex wine. Oct. 2016.

Thirty Bench Riesling Small Lot Triangle Vineyard 2013, Beamsville Bench

I too tasted this wonderful Riesling at the Canadian Wine Scholar Course that David taught. It was amazing, so I made a trip to Thirty Bench to pick up a few bottles. Tried it again recently and came to the same conclusion: Emma Garner is crafting great Ontario Rieslings, but the Triangle Vineyard 2013 may be her best. Aromatic citrus nose with petrol, florals, and more complexity in spades. A lovely mouthfeel, outstanding length and terrific balance of acidity, fruit and RS. Not sure if there's any left at the Winery, but I'd recommend picking some up if available. June 2016.