David Brodati, DipWSET
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Reviews (619)
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Reviews
Queylus Merlot Cabernet Franc Reserve Du Domaine 2010, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$32.25
Although a Burgundy dude, Thomas Bachelder likes how Merlot can be expressed in Niagara and is an advocate of Cab Franc as a signature local varietal. Bordeaux consultant Alain Sutre found blue soil at the Beamsville vineyard reminiscent of Pomerol, hence the Merlot varietal. Thomas and Kelly have blended this one expertly after 1/3 new and 2/3 neutral oak extended aging. A lovely wine here showing dark and red fruit, an herbal quality, slight minerality and judiciously integrated oak. Well balanced, finely structured with acidity and softening ripe tannin, and excellent length. April 2016.
3.5 Stars
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Juvé Y Camps Cinta Purpura Reserva Brut Cava 2011, Do Cava
Catalonia, Spain$18.95
A delightful vintage Cava, showing pear and apple notes with frothy bubbles and balanced acidity. Substantial on the palate this is food friendly. Sept. 2015.
3.5 Stars
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Thirty Bench Riesling 2014, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$22.95
A lovely off dry riesling with apple the dominant fruit. Measured acidity nicely balances the fruit and sweetness. Excellent length. Another fine riesling by Thirty Bench. Sept. 2015.
3.5 Stars
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Porcupine Ridge Syrah 2014, Swartland
Swartland, South Africa$12.95
Great value in a juicy well balanced syrah. A lovely complex nose of dark fruit (blueberry, black cherry), cedar, black pepper, violets and a meaty note. 14.5% ABV, but doesn't feel heavy on the palate, likely due to good acidity offering a sense of freshness. Not overly tannic although there's good structure from the tannins. Very good length. Feb. 2016.
3.5 Stars
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Finca Flichman Paisaje De Tupungato 2012, Mendoza
Mendoza, Argentina$17.25
Although high in alcohol (14.5%) there's a freshness to this blend likely due to the diurnal range brought on by the high altitude vineyards. Some florality with fruit in the red spectrum with cherry, red berry, red plum. Oak is well integrated showing baking spice, smoke, mocha, graphite. A good dose of black pepper. Medium acidity and medium plus tannin provides structure. A touch hot. Will age well over the mid term. Dec 2015.
3.5 Stars
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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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