David Brodati, DipWSET
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Reviews (619)
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Reviews
Santa Carolina Merlot Reserva 2016, Colchagua Valley
Colchagua Valley, Chile$13.95
Here's a soft Merlot with plum and red fruit buoyed by some lift from good acidity and even a touch of VA. It's medium bodied with an herbal note, a sanguineous minerality and well integrated oak showing spice and mild vanillin. Tannin are smooth and length is very good. A touch hot with alcohol not fully integrated even though it clocks in at only 13% ABV. Great value especially on sale. Jan. 2018.
3.5 Stars
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Kwv The Vinecrafter Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
Western Cape, South Africa$9.95
The "WINEcrafter" to be more on point. This is about making decent wine at an incredible price point. It loses points for balance, being somewhat awkward. It seems thin but clocks in at 14% abv with some heat. Only 2 years old but has a prune-like dried fruit flavour to go with the more typical cab cassis, black cherry and herbal notes. Some RS detected. It has good juicy acidity providing some lift and vibrancy and the length is good. Hey for under $10, can't complain and on sale, a definite bargain if not quite "case sale" worthy. Jan. 2019.
3.5 Stars
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Tawse Riesling Sketches Of Niagara 2017, Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$19.95
Lovely off dry Niagara Riesling from a quality producer. Apple, pear, citrus and a whiff of petrol. Fresh acidity balances the fruit and RS. Food friendly and nice for sipping on its own. Very good length. A bargain, but the current sale makes this a steal. March 2021.
3.5 Stars
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Thirty Bench Winemaker's Blend Red 2017, VQA Beamsville Bench
Ontario, Canada$19.75
This shows a medium ruby colour with the slightest hint of garnet appearing at the edges. A medium bodied assemblage that is nicely balanced, complex and with very good to excellent length. You won't get a lot of concentration with this vintage for Niagara reds, but I really like the aromas and flavours of florals (violets) red and black fruit including black raspberry and plum, along with baking spice, herbal tobacco, and tea. Tannins are medium and fine. The 2017 is discounted at the moment, so excellent value for this degree of complexity. Sept. 2020.
3.5 Stars
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Cesari Mara Valpolicella Ripasso 2017, Veneto
Veneto, Italy$19.95
This poor man's Amarone is always good value,especially when on sale, as it is now. Jammy, pruney dark fruit in the plum, black cherry and blackberry spectrum. Aromas/flavours of violet, black pepper, vanillin and smoke contribute complexity. The jammy fruit is kept fresh with good acidity. There's medium, ripe tannin, medium plus body and very good length. Would suit stews, bbq fare, parmigiano cheese. May 2020.
3.5 Stars
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Château Mayne Vieil 2016, Ac Fronsac
Bordeaux, France$19.95
This ageing Fronsac has a fairly intense nose and expressive concentrated palate. Flavours range from dark fruit (blackberry, blueberry, plum) to a cedar and herbal element with vanillin/chocolate. But the fruit is in the cooked/stewed realm. Tannins are still a bit sticky/tacky. It's boozy and hot with a burn from the 14.5% declared abv, I'd say too hot (beyond warming) that for me shows a balance issue which holds back my score. Length is very good to excellent. Serve with big, bold savoury dishes (roast beef, lamb, Osso Buco). November 2022.
3.5 Stars
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Godelia Mencia Red 2015, Do Bierzo
Galicia, Spain$24.95
I'm more in agreement with John Szabo on this one as opposed to David or Michael. 100% Mencia from the Bierzo DO in NW Spain. From the warm 2015 vintage. The nose is quite lovely and maturing with floral violet, dried fruit, vanilla, clove, licorice, iodine, smoke and leather - so good complexity. But the palate is where it disappoints, with unpleasant chalky aggressive tannins, out of balance high alcohol, and what seems to me acidification that is not integrated. Further a bitter finish adds to the unpleasantness. These issues may or may not resolve with more bottle aging. Sept. 2021.
3.5 Stars
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Bersano Gavi Di Gavi 2019, Docg, Piedmont
Piedmont, Italy$18.95
Lime, pineapple, melon, white flower, almond and mineral saltiness. Medium bodied, with elevated acidity. A bit warm on the finish, with very good length. Good typicity for Gavi Cortese. Excellent with shellfish or a citrus pan-seared fish dish. Dec. 2020
3.5 Stars
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Follas Novas Albariño 2019, Do Rías Baixas
Galicia, Spain$18.95
Everything you want in an dry, fresh, crisp Rias Baixas based 100% on Albarino. A touch of CO2 off the top soon dissipates. Fairly complex and pronounced aromas and flavours of white flower, peach, apricot, zesty lemon, honey, almond nougat, salty iodine minerality and a savoury finish. High acidity keeps things fresh. Perhaps some skin and lees contact as shown in a nice textural quality. Scores on complexity and typicity. March 2021.
3.5 Stars
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Château La Croix De Queynac 2019, A.C. Bordeaux Supérieur
Bordeaux, France$17.95
A pleasant Merlot dominant Bordeaux Superieur, offering fruity notes of cherry, raspberry and red plum. There is some oak influence as well manifesting as chocolate and vanillin. There's also an anise/licorice note along with an herbal aspect. The cab sauv (30%) provides structure and a cedary note, but the tannins are nicely ripe. Very good length. Slight alcohol burn. Drinking well now, no need to cellar much longer. Oct. 2022.
3.5 Stars
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