David Brodati, DipWSET
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Reviews (613)
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Reviews
Norman Hardie Chardonnay Sans Soufre 2015, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$45.00
This wine is just plain delicious. The consistent quality of Norm's output sometimes results in consumer complacency - yeah, another good Norman Hardie (yawn). But the Sans Soufre for me is a reminder of this man's talent. Complexity, balance, refinement, length. Apple, lemon, lime, quince, honey, slightly minty, iodine, minerality. Creamy malo texture, vibrant with excellent length. Well done. Soufre not needed. Nov. 2017.
4.5 Stars
Château Beau Site 2009, Ac Saint Estèphe, Cru Bourgeois Supérieur
Bordeaux, France$36.75
Patience and prescience - the skills needed to enjoy an ageable wine at its zenith. And for me, the patience to hold on and finally the prescience to pull the cork on this 09 St. Estephe paid off. Beautiful pot pourri nose of dried flowers and dusty dried fruit, along with tobacco, soy and balsamic. An almost sweet note on the palate of vanilla and caramel. More dried cherry fruit and savoury umami elements inculding leather, tobacco, soy, olive and balsamic. The tannin are fully resolved and smooth and the acidity still adds vibrancy. Excellent length. No need to cellar further. June 2023.
4.5 Stars
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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
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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
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Beronia Gran Reserva 2006
Rioja, Spain$40.00
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.
4.5 Stars
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Alvear Solera 1927 Pedro Ximénez, Do Montilla Moriles, Spain (375ml)
Andalusia, Spain$30.95
The complexity of flavours stands out in this lusciously sweet PX sherry. So mahogany dark and rich on the palate, viscous, almost cloying. But the variety of aromas/flavours just keep coming like waves over the palate, including stewed prune, dates, fig, raisins, molasses, honey, chocolate, caramel, tea, soy/hoisin and more. Scores on complexity and length. Pair with dried fruit based desserts, nuts or blue cheese. Dec. 2016.
4.5 Stars
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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
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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
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Ramsay Petite Sirah 2015, North Coast
California, Usa$24.25
Beautiful Petite Sirah. Very Californian. Modern style, concentrated ripe dark fruit of blackberry, blueberry, brambly and concentrated. The fruit is starting to move to a prune-like stage. Violet florals too. Smokey, nicely integrated oak and some minerality peaks in like a hint of the scent of gravel after a rain shower. Decent acidity and plush tannin provide some structure holding it up and keeping the wine from being flabby. Excellent to outstanding length. Drinking nicely now, don't hold for too long. May 2020.
4.5 Stars
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Pieropan La Rocca Soave Classico 2011, Doc
Veneto, Italy$37.95
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.
4.5 Stars
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