David Brodati, DipWSET
|
Followers (4)
|
|
|
Following (0)
|
Reviews (621)
|
Reviews
Hidden Bench Fume Blanc Rosomel Vineyard 2016, Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$29.95
All the inputs are there: excellent vintage, organic viticulture, single vineyard, hand harvested. Then the wine making style gives direction, with indigenous yeast and judicious use of oak in combo with stainless steel. A Fume style that is restrained on the oak with attention to texture. Sauv. Blanc typicity shows, but complexity from oak and a creamy rounder mouthfeel take centre stage. Yet balance and structure is achieved with supporting acidity and 13% abv. Very well done. Sept. 2018.
4.5 Stars
(0)V
Castello Di Ama San Lorenzo 2011
Tuscany, Italy$54.95
Well I always thought the Gran Selezione category at the top of the Chianti quality pyramid was more savvy marketing to justify elevated prices rather than a true quality designation, but if this Castello Di Ama San Lorenzo is anything to go by, then I'm now a believer. There's purity and concentration of fruit, complexity, balance, structure and excellent length. Cherry, ferrous sanguine character, balsamic, tobacco, mocha, graphite, nutmeg, cinnamon and clove. Juicy acidity, ripe tannins and pleasing warmth on a medium plus frame. Prime drinking window. Nov. 2018
4.5 Stars
(0)V
Reichsgraf Von Kesselstatt Nies'chen Riesling Kabinett 2006, Pradikätswein
Mosel, Germany$19.95
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.
4.5 Stars
(0)V
Leaning Post Lowrey Pinot Noir 2011, VQA St. David's Bench, Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$38.00
Ilya Senchuk's Pinots sourced from the Lowrey vineyard are consistently good vintage to vintage. The '11 from a cooler vintage offers earthiness, cherry and red berry fruit, baking spice and minerality. The palate is medium plus body with medium plus acidity, dusty tannin and a lengthy finish. Nicely balanced. April 2016.
4.5 Stars
Barossa Valley Estate Ebenezer Shiraz 2007, Barossa Valley, South Australia
South Australia, Australia$39.95
Beautiful, bountiful, bold Barossa big boy. Full, rich, dense yet with a refined flow to its gait, rather than an agressive swagger. A wonderfully complex and enticing nose. Flavours of concentrated fruit, eucalyptus, judiciously integrated oak influences. Tannins are manageable and there's balanced acidity and excellent to outstanding length. It's an amped but stylish Shiraz that is drinking well now but also has the stuffing to last another 7-10 years. Dec. 2014.
4.5 Stars
(0)V
Mullineux Old Vines White 2016, Unfiltered & Unfined, Wo Swartland
Swartland, South Africa$37.95
Chenin led blend includes Rhone white varieties. Very complex aromas and flavours. Wide spectrum of citrus with lemon, lime and tangerine, some tropical notes of pineapple and banana, and of course apple. Spicy white pepper and minerality. Chenin brings it with elevated acidity, but there's also a creamy mouthfeel (lees stirring?). Excellent length. This will cellar for 10 more years easily. May 2019.
4.5 Stars
(0)V
Anne Marie Liegeois Hedges Cuvée Marcel Dupont Les Gosses Vineyard Syrah 2012, Red Mountain, Columbia Valley
Washington, Usa$49.99
A beautiful wine with a pretty purple ruby hue. A lifted nose showing cherry fruit, spice, pepper, meat and a herbal minty character. The mouthfeel is full with concentrated fruit, ripe sticky tannin, chalky minerality and balanced acidity. This is still young and will benefit from cellaring up to 10 years and will evolve beautifully. Red Mountain AVA is warm, dry with south west facing aspects that produce excellent bordeaux varietals and Syrah as evidenced by this 100% Syrah. It's not cheap, but would give higher priced Hermitage a run for its money. Jan. 2016.
4.5 Stars
Le Clos Jordanne Le Grand Clos Chardonnay 2017, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$44.95
Thomas Bachelder shows what cool climate chardonnay can aspire to in Niagara. And this wine is certainly aspirational. There's intensity of aroma and flavour, with green fruit and some citrus, spice, honey, butter, toast, white flower and minerality, so in a word: complex. Oak is integrated and judicious. The balance is impeccable with acidity providing a structural spine. The length is excellent to outstanding. But it's the texture that is so compelling. MLF, lees stirring or whatever, but the mouthfeel is beautiful, rich, creamy, spicy, weighty yet all very fresh. Nicely done. Oct. 2020.
4.5 Stars
(0)V
Domaine Terlato & Chapoutier Lieu Dit Malakoff Shiraz 2010, Pyrenees
Victoria, Australia$35.25
Such an interesting wine, not your typical Aussie Shiraz. Clearly Chapoutier's influence and unique terroir from this lieu dit in the Pyranees has resulted in a rich, savoury complex wine. Quite intense aromatics with depth and concentration but the flavour profile is less about the fruit and much more about the savoury. At almost eight years it will shift more in that direction. Umami rich soy, teriyaki, mushroom, earth and raw meat. Medium plus acidity provides balance and lift. It's big (14% ABV) and rich, but it carries a certain elegance. Excellent length. Drinking nicely now. Dec. 2017.
4.5 Stars
(0)V
Brokenwood Hunter Valley Sémillon 2018
New South Wales, Australia$27.95
I love the pronounce flavour/aroma intensity and complexity. Acacia flower, candle wax, apple, lemon, lime, honey and a petrol-like note not dissimilar to an aging Riesling. Very texturally pleasing too. Excellent length. Will no doubt gain interest as it ages as quality Hunter Valley Semillons tend to do. Aug. 2021.
4.5 Stars
(0)V