David Brodati, DipWSET
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Reviews (613)
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Reviews
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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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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Alejandro Fernández Dehesa La Granja 2008, Vino De La Tierra De Castilla Y León
Spain$21.95
This is very well done. Medium plus intensity aromatics with dark and red fruit, American oak (dill, coconut, vanilla, cedar) and brett that stays this side of acceptable/non-fault, adding complexity. The palate offers juicy acidity keeping the full bodied wine fresh. Tannins still have some traction, but are softening. Finishes with slight alcohol burn. Almost a decade old and still showing youthful tendencies with colour and some tannic grip. Could go another 5-7 years. Great value. Sept. 2017.
3.5 Stars
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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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Cave De Roquebrun Granges Des Combes 2013
Languedoc, France$18.95
Deep ruby colour. Fairly intense and complex nose of florals, red berry, cherry, blackberry, licorice, pepper, a funky earthy note and a hint of V.A. All three varieties represent'n. The palate offers juicy medium plus acidity, mild tannin. There's a nice freshness and vibrancy here. Very good length. Excellent value. Feb. 2016.
3.5 Stars
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Bachelder Niagara Chardonnay 2013, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$24.95
A good vintage in Niagara for Chard, this multi vineyard offering by Thomas Bachelder exhibits a degree of complexity with apple and pear fruit, florals, black licorice and yoghurt. It's fairly rich and creamy in mouthfeel with a hint of tannin, and framed by medium plus acidity. Oak is prevalent but integrated. A touch hot on the finish with excellent length. May 2016.
3.5 Stars
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Rosehall Run Ceremony Blanc De Blancs Brut, VQA Prince Edward County
Ontario, Canada$36.00
A nice little PEC Chardonnay sparkler with very fine mousse, almost frizzante in lightness of bubble but very persistent. Crisp apple, biscuit, vibrant acidity, minerality all co-mingle in a nice package that lasts fairly long on the palate. I paired this with a creamy butternut squash bisque dressed with pomegranate seeds and served with fresh crusty bread. The Blanc de Blanc's acidity was a nice foil to the creamy soup and enhanced the bite of tartness from the pomegranate seeds. The wine's autolytic character made us gobble up way too much bread. Very enjoyable. Jan. 2018.
3.5 Stars
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Maison Chanzy Rully En Rosey 2013, Ac
Burgundy, France$21.25
This Burgundy is a nice example of the beauty and intrique that quality Pinot displays and the devotion it elicits in enthusiasts. A nod to new world in that the funky, earthy, shroom that is typical of Burgundy is only hinted at. Rather, the red berry and tart cherry fruit is the focus, with spice (nutmeg, pepper) and a trace of oak (mocha vanilla). It is lithe and elegant conveying medium body on the palate with bright acidity and excellent length. Tannins make but a cameo. Great value. April 2017.
3.5 Stars
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Viewpointe Focal Pointe Cabernet Franc 2010, VQA Lake Erie North Shore
Ontario, Canada$19.75
Despite 6 years old, there remains a certain youthfulness in this LENS Cab Franc. Just a hint of garnet at the edge, there's still a nice relatively pale ruby colour. Aromas of cherry pie, red berry, black pepper, baking spice, licorice and petroleum jelly. The mouthfeel is pleasing with medium acidity, fine grained ripe tannin rounding out nicely, and excellent length. I would have liked a touch more acidity, but the wine certainly isn't flabby. Good effort from an excellent vintage. Drink now or in the next two years. Oct. 2016.
3.5 Stars
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Château Des Charmes Gamay Noir 2014, VQA Niagara On The Lake
Ontario, Canada$15.95
I believe that along with Pinot Noir and Cab Franc, Gamay has become a signature red varietal for Ontario. This entry level offering from CdC helps prove my point. Good typicity for Gamay with tart cherry, beet, earthiness, pepper, spice and minerality. Fruit forward followed by tart sour acidity in a medium bodied frame with narry a tannin. Very good to excellent length. A slight alcohol burn despite ABV clocking in under 13%. A good go to table wine that matches with a wide variety of vittles. Already value priced, but when on sale, a steal. Jan. 2017.
3.5 Stars
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