David Brodati, DipWSET
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Reviews (613)
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Reviews
Château De Saint Lager Brouilly 2011
Beaujolais, France$19.95
This gamay from Brouilly opens with fresh red berry fruit and floral notes followed by a hint of peppery spice. The mouthfeel edges toward medium body with good acidity and some heat on the lingering finish. Tannins are tame. A good value for a Beaujolais Cru at under $20, but my local LCBO has it marked down to $16. I'm happy to take the last few bottles of their hands. Serve slightly chilled. Oct. 2014.
3.5 Stars
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Lailey Vineyard Canadian Oak Meritage 2010, VQA Niagara River
Ontario, Canada$29.75
Lailey's use of Canadian oak in this Bordeaux style blend results in a very spicy, woody wine that is taking it's time to resolve into balance. Six years in and the wood is still dominant. There's complexity and interesting aromas/flavours of red and dark fruit, nutmeg, cinnamon, cedar, chocolate. It's medium-full bodied with still grainy tannins and very good length. A tad hot on the finish. Still need a couple of years. Nov. 2016.
3.5 Stars
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Rosewood Select Series Merlot 2011, VQA Niagara Escarpment
Ontario, Canada$21.95
I loved Rosewood's 2010 Merlot. 2011 was a bit more challenging for some red varietals in Niagara. That said, Rosewood does Merlot consistently well. They lean more towards elegance anyway and they seem to have coaxed some finesse and refinement out of this vintage. Dark fruit, good acididty, moderate oak influence, velvety tannin and a lengthy finish. Oct. 2014.
3.5 Stars
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Quinta Dos Carvalhais Duque De Viseu Red 2009
Dão, Portugal$13.95
Ruby red colour. Nose shows off red fruit, perfume, anise and some funk (the acetone kind, not the boogie kind). Medium body with tacky tannins (the sticky kind, not the cheesy kind). Not overly long or complex, but nicely balanced with a touch of finesse. Hey, at $13.95 this wine's national flower should be bargainvillea. Dec. 2013.
3.5 Stars
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D'arenberg The Stump Jump Grenache/Shiraz/Mourvèdre 2011
South Australia, Australia$17.15
This Aussie GSM sits somewhat thin and translucent in the glass with a garnet hue and watery edges. It's light to medium on the palate but is fairly complex offering red and dark fruit, licorice, pepper, spice, smoke, tar, raw meat and molasses (Mourvedre represent'n). Juicy acidity, soft but persistent tannins and very good length. Alcohol heat is notable on the late palate. Great value and with the LCBO's discount for de-listing, a steal at $9.95. Stock up if you can find it. Dec. 2014.
3.5 Stars
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13th Street Merlot 2012, VQA Creek Shores, Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$17.95
A ruby red merlot, 13th Street's 2012 offering reflects the vibrant fruit of the vintage. Fruity aromas of red berry and plum lead the way, followed by a vegetal herbaciousness and tobacco. The ripe fruit carries through on the palate with a medium to fuller bodied mouthfeel. Tannins are firm and grippy and there's pronounced alcohol heat (decant at least an hour) and a lengthy finish. The wine isn't fully integrated yet - it could use mid term cellaring. Would pair well with veal chops, braised ribs or beef stew. January 2014.
3.5 Stars
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Malivoire Pinot Gris 2012, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$19.95
Light gold colour with a hint of green. Aromas of stone fruit, honey, wax. A citrusy and stone fruit palate with an almost chalky minerality. Brught acidity provides balance and structure. Falls somewhere in the middle stylistically between Alsace and Italy. Excellent length but a little heat on the finish. Well done. August 2014.
3.5 Stars
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Tawse Cabernet Franc Laundry Vineyard 2011, Lincoln Lakeshore
Ontario, Canada$31.95
A Laundry list of aromas and flavours shows the complexity of this single vineyard cab franc, including red cherry, red berry, herbal notes, florals, cedar, cinnamon, licorice. Well balanced and integrated with juicy acidity and ripe fine grained tannin framing the fruit and secondary flavours, with a medium-full bodied weight. Excellent length. May 2016.
3.5 Stars
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Domaine Richard Rottiers Moulin à Vent 2011
Burgundy, France$14.75
A perfumed and fruity nose for this light/medium ruby coloured Cru Beau. Notes of strawberry, cinnamon, cedar and minerality. The palate is medium bodied, there's decent acidity, dry with sour red fruit, graphite and loads of black pepper. A touch unbalanced with a certain awkward elegance. Decent length with some heat on the finish. Dec. 2015.
3.5 Stars
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Dievole La Vendemmia Chianti Classico 2010
Tuscany, Italy$0.00
This Chianti Classico shows some ruby but it's starting to "garnetize". A fruity nose along with anise, tomato and tobacco. The palate offers similar flavours with tart cherry, licorice, white pepper and oaky vanilla from the sojourn in Slavonian oak. Mid weight, decent acidity, milder tannins and good to very good length. A bit of alcohol heat. Serve slightly chilled as a food muse to tomato based pasta sauce, charcuterie and older cheese. Hitting it's prime with not a lot of time left in the spotlight, so enjoy now. Oct. 2014.
3.5 Stars
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