David Brodati, DipWSET
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Reviews (613)
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Reviews
Castillo De Monseran Reserva Garnacha 2011, Cariñena, Aragon
Aragón, Spain$16.60
A little old world, a little new world. Great value here given the complexity. Grenache based, it has notes of cherry, red current, violets, spice, leather, teriyaki, salty minerality and an herbal quality. A sense of sweetness from the oak and higher ABV, but essentially dry with 5 g of RS. Decent length. Not the depth needed for an "excellent" score, and there's noted alcohol heat on the finish. A good "go to" mid week red. Nov. 2016.
3.5 Stars
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Lua Cheia Old Vines Red 2014, Doc Douro
Douro, Portugal$14.95
This red blend from the Douro is superb value. Good intensity of aromas and depth and concentraion of dark fruit, supported by judicious oak, good acidity, mild tannin and slight alcohol heat. Balanced with some complexity, purity of fruit, depth and excellent length bumps this inexpensive wine into the 90 point range in my view. Definitely a multi-bottle purchase. Oct. 2016.
3.5 Stars
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Goats Do Roam White 2015, Coastal Region
Western Cape, South Africa$12.05
A consistently well made blend. Very aromatic, not surprising given the varieties in the blend, with perfume, white flowers, white peach, pear, orange and tropical notes (banana) with some spice. Round and full (Viognier and Grenache Blanc), with medium acidity (mostly from the Rousanne) and very good length. A touch hot. July 2016.
3.5 Stars
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Falernia Reserva Syrah 2013, Elqui Valley
Chile$15.75
From the northen Elqui Valley, this Syrah shows a deep ruby colour. Fairly intense aromatics, with red and dark fruit, meat, black pepper, earth and pencil shavings. Full bodied, bold and spicy on the palate with mocha and some alcohol burn. Decent acidity and freshness from the diurnal temperature swings of the Elqui. Very good to excellent length. Very good value. August 2016.
3.5 Stars
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Paolo Conterno Bricco Barbera D'alba 2014, Doc
Piedmont, Italy$19.95
Here's a delicious Barbera D'Alba, with juicy acidity framing the cherry dominant fruit. Additional aromas of herbs, smoke, earth and anise. Young but tannins are approachable in this medium to full bodied wine. Very good to excellenty length. Very food friendly. July 2016.
3.5 Stars
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Cave Spring Estate Bottled Gewurztraminer 2013, Cave Spring Vineyard, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment
Ontario, Canada$18.95
Cave Spring is known for excellent quality price ratio for their Rielsing's, but they can add their 2013 Gewurz to that great value category as well. Spot on Gewurz typicity with fairly intense aromatics of lychee, spice, ginger, rose and some minerality. What really elevates this for me is the somewhat higher than typical acidity for Gewurz, providing balance and offsetting what would otherwise be an oily mouthfeel. There's creaminess for sure, but nothing cloying. Excellent length and nicely food friendly - bring on the Thai or Sechwan/Hunan cuisine. Oct. 2016.
3.5 Stars
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Santa Duc Roaix Les Crottes 2010, Ac Côtes Du Rhône Villages
Rhône, France$17.25
This is a big CdR Villages, offering almost as much as good Chateauneuf but at half the price. Cherry, plum, blueberry, licorice, herbs/garrique. There's still some freshness in the fruit, but it's turning to dry and cooked. The palate is full, hot with balancing acidity, grainy tannin and a drying bitter finish. A big 15% ABV, and the alcohol is not totally integrated with some burn on the mid to late palate. Drink now to 2019. Jan. 2017.
3.5 Stars
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Jean Claude Boisset Bourgogne Chardonnay 2014, Bourgogne
Burgundy, France$21.75
This Bourgogne explores its softer side making it very approachable and a good "crowd" Chard. There's nice apple, pear fruit and slight oak influences. The mouthfeel is round and pleasing with decent balancing acidity. Very good length. Well priced too. April 2017.
3.5 Stars
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Porcupine Ridge Syrah 2015, Swartland
Swartland, South Africa$12.95
Sure, it's marketed as a "Critter Wine", but this South African Syrah has substance beyond the label. Good Syrah typicity, with cherry and dark fruit, an herbal quality, meatiness, pepper, spice and smokiness. It's full bodied, with 14.5% ABV, but not hot. Medium acidity and very good length. Balanced and integrated, always a good value vintage to vintage. Sept. 2016.
3.5 Stars
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Kew Marsanne 2014, VQA Beamsville Bench
Ontario, Canada$19.95
Kew's take on Marsanne marries the varietal's Southern Rhone penchant for viscosity and roundness of mouthfeel with Ontario's cool climate acidity. An interesting expression for sure. Medium plus intensity aromatics. The oak treatment is noticeable. Very good length but slight alcohol burn. Needs some integration, I would give this another year. April 2017.
3.5 Stars
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