David Brodati, DipWSET
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Reviews (619)
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Reviews
13th Street Gamay 2016, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$19.95
Gamay is climbing the ladder and in my view is in the top 3 (along with Cab Franc and Pinot) for quality red varietals in Ontario. 13th Street's 2016 offering is a great example. Earthy and sour with beetroot, tart cherry, red berry, nutmeg, spice, an herbal quality and wet stone minerality. Juicy acidity, medium + body, soft tannin and chalky mouthfeel. Food friendly as all good Gamay should be. Scores on complexity, balance, typicity and length. June 2018.
3.5 Stars
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Keint He Little Creek Pinot Noir 2014, Prince Edward County
Ontario, Canada$38.00
The Little Creek Pinot captures the essence of County Pinot. It straddles the fine line between austerity and elegance. Enticing aromas of sour cherry, cranberry, salty minerality, spice and nutmeg. Vibrant acidity overlays a light to medium bodied mouthfeel with mild tannin and very good length. Very food friendly. Try with grilled salmon. Oct. 2017.
3.5 Stars
Casale Del Giglio Cesanese 2014, Igt Lazio Rosso
Italy$18.95
A great find and good on the LCBO to bring this wine based on the native Lazio Cesanese grape to Ontario. Medium full bodied with good concentration of red berry and cherry fruit, along with spice, tea, vanilla and minerality. Fine grained tannin, bright acidity and very good to excellent length. Sept. 2017.
3.5 Stars
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Louis M. Martini Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
California, Usa$39.95
Decent value for a Napa Valley Cab especially when on sale (as a Vintages Essential, this happens at times). Dark berry, cassis with oak that's not over the top, displaying vanilla, chocolate and cedar. Fairly balanced despite a whopping 15.5% ABV (warming rather than burning). Just enough acidity. Ripe tannin that are softening. Very good to excellent length. Not poised or elegant, but hey, for a Napa Cab from a warm vintage in the $30's, can't go wrong. Dec. 2018.
3.5 Stars
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Fontaine De Clos Confidences 2014, Ap Côtes Du Rhône
Rhône, France$17.95
Another great value from the south of France. Light cherry red colour and somewhat translucent. Cherry fruit, pepper, spice, cinnamon hearts, chocolate and slightly bitter. Medium-full bodied, a bit hot with alcohol burn in the late palate. Medium acidity provides some freshness and fine chalky tannin. Very good length. Well-priced and a nice mid week, cool weather quaff. Nov. 2017.
3.5 Stars
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Ca'tullio Tenace Lo Schioppettino 2015, Doc Friuli Aquileia
Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy$16.25
Schioppettino, which means "crackling", is native to the Friuli region and this version from the Colli Orientali DOC shows characteristic aromatic intensity with violets, red berry fruit and spicy pepper. Quite fruity on the palate, with more pepper and a late palate bitterness. Reminded me a bit of Gamay. It's mid weight, has vibrant acidity, medium tannin and very good length. Schioppettino is also known as Ribolla Nera, but is unrelated to Ribolla Gialla. Makes a lovely Valentines wine. Feb. 2018.
3.5 Stars
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Albino Piona Bardolino 2016, Doc
Veneto, Italy$12.75
A delicious Bardolino. Based on the same grapes used in Valpolicella but the appellation lies to the west of Valpolicella on the eastern/Veneto shore of Lake Garda. So light in colour, almost Chiaretto (rose), but this belies it's true weight and body along with 13% ABV. Tart red berry, cherry, spice, florals, creamy/honey (malo?) and some mineral salinity. There's also a perception or RS without any sense of confection. Bright acidity renders it food friendly, tannin are mild and length is very good. Great value. April 2018.
3.5 Stars
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Melini Chianti Classico Reserva 2011
Tuscany, Italy$19.95
Here's a really good value for Chianti Classico Reserva. This 2011 is ageing but still has some kick left. The fruit is in the cherry and red berry spectrum although starting to dry out. There's added complexity with secondary and tertiary notes including a savoury herbal note, tea, chocolate, vanilla and leather. The tannins are dusty and are polymerizing into resolution. A tad thin, showing medium body and medium plus alcohol. Finish is very good to excellent. Scores on complexity, balance, typicity and finish. When on sale, it's an absolute steal. April 2019.
3.5 Stars
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Xavier Muscat De Beaumes De Venise 2017, Vin Doux Naturel, Ap (375ml)
Rhône, France$13.75
Very good muscat based VDN from the Southern Rhone's Beaumes de Venise appellation. Excellent typicity showing delicate but pronounced aromas of soapy perfume and florals, ripe apricot, canned peaches, grape, honey and ginger, along with more tropical fruit flavours on the palate. Sweet, lower acidity, a viscous mouthfeel and pure exuberant pleasure. May 2019.
3.5 Stars
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Henry Of Pelham Estate Riesling 2018, Certified Sustainable, VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Escarpment
Ontario, Canada$19.95
HoP's estate Riesling offers notions of white flowers, tart apple, lemon-lime and a hint of petrol. The mouthfeel is slightly creamy with bright acidity. There's good balance and very good length. Excellent escarpment Riesling typicity. Well done and well priced. March 2020.
3.5 Stars
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