David Brodati, DipWSET
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Reviews (619)
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Reviews
Zenato San Benedetto Lugana 2021, Doc
Veneto, Italy$17.95
Intense and pretty aromas of white flowers, orange blossoms, citrus and papaya. The mouthfeel is lovely with a creamy texture (lees contact). More citrus flavours on the palate, ending with an almost bitter herbal and almond skin note so typical of Italian whites. Vibrant and juicy, balanced (although a touch of alcohol heat creeps in) and very good to excellent length. Food friendly for sure. Dec. 2022.
3.5 Stars
(0)V
Maison Roche De Bellene Vieilles Vignes Bourgogne Chardonnay 2021, A.C.
Burgundy, France$29.95
A pleasant and affordable Bourgogne from a reliable Maison. The nose opens with white flowers, then orchard fruit (bosc pear and yellow apple), lemony-lime citrus and a mineral note. The palate offers much the same along with a hint of honey on toast not too dissimilar to aged Aussie Semillon. Creaminess suggests lees contact and there's medium plus acidity providing lift and refreshment. The length is very good to excellent. Pair with lemon chicken. Jan. 2025.
3.5 Stars
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Zenato San Benedetto Lugana 2022, Doc
Veneto, Italy$19.95
Always a lovely expression of Trebbiano di Lugana (aka Verdicchio) from the Lugana DOC which lies in the southwest of Lake Garda and straddles the regions of Lombardy and Veneto. White flowers, apple, pear, vanilla, and a slightly bitter mineral note. The mouthfeel is creamy with some weight (13.5% abv) but balanced by juicy acidity to keep things fresh. The length is very good. An enjoyable quaff indeed. Nov. 2023.
3.5 Stars
(0)E+(12)O
Las Rocas Garnacha 2009, Do Calatayud
Spain$15.00
Pretty bright cherry garnet colour. Muted nose, but this light to medium body wine shines on the palate. My novice taste buds get plum jam, sour cherry, and a bit of dark chocolate. There's some lingering here with a peppery, slightly sour finish. Tannis and alcohol heat are soft but somehow an overall balance is achieved. A versatile table wine, I enjoyed it with Pasta alla carbonara. Excellent value at $14.65, but I picked up a few bottles during the LCBO early Jan. 2013 sale of $3.00 off - a steal!
3.5 Stars
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Clare Hills Riesling 2009, Clare Valley
Australia$10.95
Golden yellow with a pale green hue. This racy, vibrant, dry riesling shows good acidity. Petrol and citrus fruit invade the schnoz and lemon drops and apricot tingle the taste buds. Not a great sipper, and as the experts point out, this would be fine company for oysters or seafood drizzled with lemon juice. I enjoyed it as a partner for spicy Thai chicken. Grip it n' sip it! April 2013.
3.5 Stars
(0)A
Domaine De La Vieille Ferme De L'eoune Rasteau 2009, Ac Côtes Du Rhone Villages
Rhône, France$13.90
This wine sits dark ruby in the glass with a tinge of purple. Red fruits and pepper on the nose. The spicy peppery syrah elbows the grenache out of the way on the first sip, but after a half hour of decanting, red fruit starts to reveal itself. Tannins soften a little too from initial vice grip. Not an overly long finish with alcohol heat as the last note of a somewhat pitchy melody. Tasted March 2013.
3.5 Stars
(0)V
Concha Y Toro Marqués De Casa Concha Syrah 2009, Buin, Maipo Valley
Maipo Valley, Chile$19.95
Nice Syrah with expected peppery spice. Dusty tannins. Just enough balance, complexity, length, syrah typicity and good fruit to sneak into a 90 point score. Excellent QPR given the price reduction to $15.75. April 2014.
3.5 Stars
(0)V
Rioja Bordón Gran Reserva 2004, Doca Rioja
Rioja, Spain$24.95
The pro's are split on this one, and I'm leaning more towards Mr. Szabo's interpretation of this gran reserva rioja. Pretty cherry colour with a slight garnet hint at the edges. Floral nose. Light to medium body. Raspberry, cherry and vanilla on the palate, but the brett comes through too much. There's an astringent leathery quality here and a not overly long finish.
3.5 Stars
(0)V
Canonica A Cerreto Chianti Classico Riserva 2007, Docg
Tuscany, Italy$19.95
I get red berry fruit on the shnoz and I even picked up the "bandaid" scent as identified by Lawrason, but not in an unpleasant way. The fruit continues on the palate with a hint of cocoa and some mustiness. Medium body feel. Tannins kick in nicely with good overall structure and decent length. Hot alcohol takes over towards the end but does not detract from the finish. This went really well with vegetarian lasagna and would create a real shmeck factor with any pasta in a tomato based sauce.
3.5 Stars
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Cave Spring Estate Riesling 2010, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$17.95
Light honey gold hue and fresh aromas. Apple and lemon citrus dominate the initial palate and then a kaleidoscope of ripe fruit in a long finish. This wine manages to negotiate a lovely truce between it's off dry style, crisp acidity and tangible minerality. Sipped nicely on its own before dinner and then rocked with a pork chop topped with sweetened braised red cabbage and apple compote.
3.5 Stars
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