David Brodati, DipWSET
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Reviews (613)
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Reviews
Boutari Grande Reserve 2007
Naoussa, Greece$18.95
I had the opportunity to taste the 2008 ahead of the 2007 and they are similar, perhaps fruit fading slightly more on the 07 and a bit more garnet in colour. Some funk, red berry, cherry, leather, tomato, anise, spice. Medium bodied, with still sticky tannins and medium plus acidity, there's very good length. A touch thin, but holding up well. July 2015.
3.5 Stars
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Mercurey Domaine Faiveley 2009
Burgundy, France$28.99
A very nice Burgundy, this Pinot has some fullness to it. Red fruit on the nose and palate, balanced acidity, mild tannins and decent length. A touch of heat on the finish (chill slightly). Very food friendly - aptly accompanied my rabbit in a mustard cream sauce. Grip it n' sip it! July 2013.
3.5 Stars
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The Foreign Affair The Temptress 2010, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$44.95
Ilya Senchuk's appassimento style blend offers flavours of cooked dark cherry fruit, prune, fig, iodine and oak (baking spice, vanilla, chocolate). Very good length with a bitter mid palate and pronounced alcohol heat (even when chilled to 65 degrees). It's medium-full bodied with substantial tannic grit still present. Decant for at least 2 hours and pair with steak. It's starting to be approachable, but really could use another couple of years in the cellar. July 2014.
3.5 Stars
Château Pierre De Montignac 2009, Cru Bourgeois, Ap Médoc
Bordeaux, France$24.95
This wine sits dark ruby in the glass with a tinge of purple and magenta at the edges. This blend reveals red and dark fruit. Fitting that it is an old world wine in that it mirrors Euro Union finance ministers with its initial austerity. But after some coaxing (decanting) it opens up nicely. Some complexity here with decent acidity, good structure and balance. Alcohol persists on the medium length finish. Initial "meh" impression gave way to "pretty good" after the second glass. March 2013.
3.5 Stars
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Tawse Cherry Avenue Pinot Noir 2010, Twenty Mile Bench VQA
Ontario, Canada$57.95
This biodynamic Pinot is starting to show some age in the glass with more garnet hue, particularly at the edges. The nose offers red berry fruit, nutmeg, other spices and smoke. The palate is fruit dominant representing the fine vintage ('10) albeit tart sour-edged. But there's good balancing acidity and tannins are present but softening as we speak. This wine is starting to come into it's own. Feb. 2015.
3.5 Stars
Cave Spring Estate Riesling 2011, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$17.95
Cave Spring has always done Niagara Riesling very well and their Beamsville Bench 2011 is no exception. More racy and nervy compared to 2010 given the vintage, but that's ok for Riesling. Strong acidity and minerality offset the citrus fruit and make this a really food friendly wine. January 2014.
3.5 Stars
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Peter Lehmann Clancy's Shiraz/Merlot/Cabernet 2010, Barossa Valley
South Australia, Australia$18.15
The 2011 is a bit more funky/barnyard on the nose along with menthol, red plum and vegetal characteristics. On the palate it is medium bodied, fruity with pepper and nutmeg. Tannins have moderate grip and there's a slightly confected sweetness with alcohol heat. Good length. Purchased on sale bringing it into decent value territory. March 2014.
3.5 Stars
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Stanners Pinot Noir 2010, VQA Ontario
Ontario, Canada$30.00
This interesting PEC Pinot is a blend of County sourced grapes (some estate) and Niagara Lincoln Lakeshore grapes. The result is a very fine Pinot with good PEC limestone minerality, Niagara fruit and tannin, and an earthy musky element. Looking forward to a vertical comparison with the 2011 (100% County). July 2014.
3.5 Stars
Domaine Des Aubuisières Cuvée De Silex Vouvray 2011, Ac
Loire, France$14.75
Golden straw coloured off-dry chenin blanc from the Vouvray appellation in the Loire valley. Mineral notes along with honey, peach, pear and lime. Lovely soft, round medium bodied mouthfeel. Sweet mid palate that carries through to a lingering finish that's integrated well with some alcohol heat. A nice complex wine that would pair well with a variety of cheeses, seafood and poultry. It also has the substance to lay down for a couple of years. But why wait? Grip it n' sip it! August 2013.
3.5 Stars
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Alvaro Castro Red 2009, Doc Dão
Dão, Portugal$17.95
Ok so I'm a bonehead. My local LCBO had this wonderful Dao discounted by $3.00 making an already excellent valued wine even more of a steal - and I only picked up one bottle! Mid ruby in the glass, this blend has a floral and fruity nose with licorice and herbal notes. The mouth swish reveals a spicy tang and a seam of acidity that offsets the concentrated fruit. It has a tannic edge, so decant or leave it for a power nap in the cellar. Good length with some heat on the finish. Very food friendly, particularly if you enjoy spicy chorizo topped pizza. Budget bottom dwellers rejoice! Nov. 2013
3.5 Stars
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