David Brodati, DipWSET
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Reviews
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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Leaning Post Merlot 2012, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$42.00
Here's a beautiful plush Niagara Merlot from talented Winemaker Ilya Senchuk. Making the most of the excellent 2012 vintage, this Merlot shows black cherry, plum and prunes with secondary and tertiary aromas of vanilla, mocha, herbs and tobacco. Nicely balanced with supporting acidity and ripe and softening tannin, the wine is drinking very nicely now. Excellent length. Oct. 2016.
3.5 Stars
Caparzo Brunello Di Montalcino 2011, Docg
Tuscany, Italy$49.95
Showing volatile acidity that blows off with a bit of air, but I'd drink up if you have a bottle or two left. Garnet in colour. Mature nose and flavours in the dried red fruit spectrum, dried violet, savoury notes, cinnamon, soy, and cedar. Tannins are very resolved but a hint of graininess pokes through showing a bit of life yet. Acidity has kept this wine going. The length is excellent. A nice example of mature Brunello. March 2020.
3.5 Stars
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Astrolabe Province Sauvignon Blanc 2015
Marlborough, New Zealand$24.95
Very nice and fairly typical NZ SB. Amped aromatics with herbaceous cut grass, green pepper, citrus and faint tropical fruit. Medium plus body and alcohol. The fruit is balanced by racy acidity. Excellent length. 13.5% ABV stays a touch hot on the late palate. Good value. Feb. 2017.
3.5 Stars
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Hidden Bench Estate Riesling 2014, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$24.95
A fine organic Bench Riesling from Hidden Bench. Aromatic intensity with green apple, pear, lime and plenty of minerality. On the palate the acidity is bright, fruit is citrusy- tart and length is excellent. Well priced to boot. Nov. 2016.
3.5 Stars
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Abbazia Di Novacella Müller Thurgau 2014, Doc Valle Isarco Alto Adige
Alto Adige-Trentino, Italy$15.75
Italy's most northerly wine area in the Isarco Valley of Alto Adige is able to truly express German varieties like this Muller Thurgau. Fairly intense floral aromas with apple, nutmeg, almond and salt/minerality. Bright acidity from the high altitude gives freshness. The mouthfeel is medium bodied, and the length is very good to excellent. A very reasonable price puts this squarely in bargain value territory, given the quality here. Nov. 2016.
3.5 Stars
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