David Brodati, DipWSET

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.

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.

Picard Le Charmois Saint Aubin 1er Cru 2014, Ac

A very fine white Bourgogne, with apple, citrus, minerality, earthy with nicely integrated oak flavours. Good acidity keeps it fresh and the length is excellent. Feb. 2019.

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!

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.

Barossa Valley Estate Ebenezer Shiraz 2007, Barossa Valley, South Australia

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.

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.

Klipfel Clos Zisser Kirchberg De Barr Grand Cru Gewurztraminer 2010, Ac Alsace Grand Cru

Beautiful, complex aged Grand Cru. Classic Gewurz notes of lychee, ginger, rosewater, peach, apricot, honey, spice and florality. Still drinking quite nicely despite 9 years of ageing. Off-dry with medium plus body (13.6% abv), a slightly viscous mouthfeel and medium minus acidity. Excellent length. The few remaining bottles at the LCBO have been discounted making this a steal if you can find it. Enjoyed it with a chicken curry. March 2019.

Lightfoot And Wolfville Chardonnay Ancienne Reserve 2013

An excellent minerally driven chard from the Annapolis. You can pick out the fruit but why bother when the minerality screams for oysters. There's palate pleasing texture and well integrated oak that adds some spice, ginger and a hint of cedar to the complexity. Acidity adds structure and increases the food friendly nature. Very good to excellent length. July 2017.

Domaine Terlato & Chapoutier Lieu Dit Malakoff Shiraz 2010, Pyrenees

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.