David Brodati, DipWSET

Brezza Cannubi Barolo 2012, Docg

A lovely elegant Barolo from the famed Cannubi vineyard northeast of the village. Showing its age both in colour (garnet brick) and aromas/flavour with dried rose petal, hay, prune and fig. Additional complexity with marzipan, sour cherry, tea, liquorice, cinnamon and a tarry molasses/burnt sugar note. Contemplative indeed. Juxtapositional: it's dry but has an almost sweet essence with the marzipan, burnt sugar; still tannic but smooth mouthfeel; light in colour but wonderfully intense. The length is excellent. Enjoy now. March 2025

Southbrook Poetica Red 2012, VQA Niagara On The Lake, Niagara Peninsula

The 2012 vintage of Southbrook's top tier red blend is all about elegance. 2012 was an excellent vintage in Niagara and this estate grown biodynamic meritage consists of 46% Cab Sauv, 26% each Cab Franc and Petit Verdot, with a soupcon of Merlot. Intensely perfumed pot pourri, rosemary, red fruit (raspberry, cherry) with cassis in the dried spectrum, oak derived aromas of baking spices, cedar and vanillin, and tertiary notes of balsamic and licorice. In other words, complex. But also harmonious with balanced acidity and soft tannins. Length is excellent. Drinking beautifully now. Feb 2022.

Thirty Bench Riesling Small Lot Triangle Vineyard 2013, Beamsville Bench

I too tasted this wonderful Riesling at the Canadian Wine Scholar Course that David taught. It was amazing, so I made a trip to Thirty Bench to pick up a few bottles. Tried it again recently and came to the same conclusion: Emma Garner is crafting great Ontario Rieslings, but the Triangle Vineyard 2013 may be her best. Aromatic citrus nose with petrol, florals, and more complexity in spades. A lovely mouthfeel, outstanding length and terrific balance of acidity, fruit and RS. Not sure if there's any left at the Winery, but I'd recommend picking some up if available. June 2016.

Pieropan La Rocca Soave Classico 2013, Doc

The 2013 version of Pieropan's single vineyard 'La Rocca' Soave continues it's world class legacy. Lovely aromas of apple, pear, melon, honey, almond, some oak spice and minerality. Full and viscous mouthfeel with bright lemony acidity and excellent length. Definitely one of my favourites and in my view, fairly priced at under $40 for such a rich and complex wine. Oct. 2016.

Closson Chase Closson Chase Vineyard Chardonnay 2013, VQA Prince Edward County

Quintessential Deborah Paskus Chard. Rich and creamy but fruit and acid are pure. Notes of apple, pear, lemon, honey, nuts, butter, wax, mineral. The mouthfeel is voluptuous. Complex, balanced and outstanding length. A Paskus swansong for sure. Dec. 2015.

Kurtz Family Boundary Row Grenache/Shiraz/Mataro 2010, Barossa Valley, South Australia

Deep ruby with a slight purple hue for this opaque GSM. Showing nice fruit concentration with black cherry, blackberry, cassis, blueberry, black plum and prune. Quite complex with additional aromas/flavours of black pepper, nutmeg, fennel, herb/mint, cedar, vanilla and a charred/tarry note. It's full bodied with medium plus acidity and medium tannin. Complexity, balance, integrated oak and excellent length make for a 92+ score. A tad hot on the finish, but hey at 15% ABV it could be worse. Dec 2015.

Lustau East India Solera Sherry, Do Jerez (500ml)

Dark amber-orange-brown in the glass. This is a wonderful sweet sherry. It's a blend of aged drier Oloroso and sweet Pedro Ximenez, but the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Honey, fig, raisin, orange rind, molasses, a slight medicinal note and almond. It's sweet, viscous but nowhere near cloying, and has excellent length. The 20% ABV is nicely integrated. An excellent sipper and is heavenly with almonds and dried fruit. Incredible value here. Dec. 2014.

Update Oct. 2018: Just tried this with Christie/Peak Frean brand chocolate covered digestive cookies - sublime!

Pieropan La Rocca Soave Classico 2011, Doc

Who says Italy doesn't produce world class white wine. What a beautiful Soave (Garganega). I love the intense aromatics here, with pear, apple, melon, honey, wax and leesy butter/cream. The palate also offers complexity with a rich chalky mouthfeel, similar flavour replays as well as a bit of a bite (maceration). Medium plus acidity makes this as friendly at the table as it is a sipper on its own. Excellent length. A tad hot. Drink now or hold 5-7 years or more. Jan. 2016.

Beronia Gran Reserva 2006

An excellent Rioja GR. It starts with a touch of funk that blows off quickly. Then the complexity shines with a perfumed nose and notes of cinnamon, clove, dark fruit, fig, hoisin, herbs and cedar. It's medium to full bodied feeling thick on the palate. More fruit replays along with smoke, tar, coffee, mocha and vanilla wrapped in a savoury package. Medium plus tannins and excellent length. A slight alcohol burn that doesn't feel integrated holds this back a point in my scoring. But no doubt an excellent wine. April 2015.

Anne Marie Liegeois Hedges Cuvée Marcel Dupont Les Gosses Vineyard Syrah 2012, Red Mountain, Columbia Valley

A beautiful wine with a pretty purple ruby hue. A lifted nose showing cherry fruit, spice, pepper, meat and a herbal minty character. The mouthfeel is full with concentrated fruit, ripe sticky tannin, chalky minerality and balanced acidity. This is still young and will benefit from cellaring up to 10 years and will evolve beautifully. Red Mountain AVA is warm, dry with south west facing aspects that produce excellent bordeaux varietals and Syrah as evidenced by this 100% Syrah. It's not cheap, but would give higher priced Hermitage a run for its money. Jan. 2016.