David Brodati, DipWSET
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Reviews (611)
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Reviews
Alvear Pedro Ximenez De Añada 2014, Dop Montilla Moriles (375ml)
Spain$24.95
Very rich and viscous with a pleasing and complex array of flavours including prune, raisin, honey, orange rind, tea, pear compote and marzipan. Quite luscious but there is hidden acidity that lurks and holds things to this side of cloying. Usually I like a sweet PX with salty snacks but this one is a bit more sophisticated, so pair with blue veined cheeses or Christmas cake. Oct. 2017.
4.5 Stars
(0)V
Picard Le Charmois Saint Aubin 1er Cru 2014, Ac
Burgundy, France$43.75
A very fine white Bourgogne, with apple, citrus, minerality, earthy with nicely integrated oak flavours. Good acidity keeps it fresh and the length is excellent. Feb. 2019.
4.5 Stars
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Mullineux Old Vines White 2016, Unfiltered & Unfined, Wo Swartland
Swartland, South Africa$37.95
Chenin led blend includes Rhone white varieties. Very complex aromas and flavours. Wide spectrum of citrus with lemon, lime and tangerine, some tropical notes of pineapple and banana, and of course apple. Spicy white pepper and minerality. Chenin brings it with elevated acidity, but there's also a creamy mouthfeel (lees stirring?). Excellent length. This will cellar for 10 more years easily. May 2019.
4.5 Stars
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Hidden Bench Fume Blanc Rosomel Vineyard 2016, Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$29.95
All the inputs are there: excellent vintage, organic viticulture, single vineyard, hand harvested. Then the wine making style gives direction, with indigenous yeast and judicious use of oak in combo with stainless steel. A Fume style that is restrained on the oak with attention to texture. Sauv. Blanc typicity shows, but complexity from oak and a creamy rounder mouthfeel take centre stage. Yet balance and structure is achieved with supporting acidity and 13% abv. Very well done. Sept. 2018.
4.5 Stars
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Ramsay Petite Sirah 2015, North Coast
California, Usa$24.25
Beautiful Petite Sirah. Very Californian. Modern style, concentrated ripe dark fruit of blackberry, blueberry, brambly and concentrated. The fruit is starting to move to a prune-like stage. Violet florals too. Smokey, nicely integrated oak and some minerality peaks in like a hint of the scent of gravel after a rain shower. Decent acidity and plush tannin provide some structure holding it up and keeping the wine from being flabby. Excellent to outstanding length. Drinking nicely now, don't hold for too long. May 2020.
4.5 Stars
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Foxen John Sebastiano Vineyard Pinot Noir 2015, Santa Rita Hills, Santa Barbara County
California, Usa$45.75
Fairly intense aromas and flavours of cherry and raspberry, with baking spice, an herbal note and earthiness. It shows integrated oak, smooth ripe tannins and a vibrant tartness to balance the ripe forward fruit. Quintessential Cali Pinot. Scores on length, balance, intensity and typicity. Oct. 2020.
4.5 Stars
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Klipfel Clos Zisser Kirchberg De Barr Grand Cru Gewurztraminer 2010, Ac Alsace Grand Cru
Alsace, France$28.75
Beautiful, complex aged Grand Cru. Classic Gewurz notes of lychee, ginger, rosewater, peach, apricot, honey, spice and florality. Still drinking quite nicely despite 9 years of ageing. Off-dry with medium plus body (13.6% abv), a slightly viscous mouthfeel and medium minus acidity. Excellent length. The few remaining bottles at the LCBO have been discounted making this a steal if you can find it. Enjoyed it with a chicken curry. March 2019.
4.5 Stars
(0)V
Le Clos Jordanne Le Grand Clos Chardonnay 2017, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$44.95
Thomas Bachelder shows what cool climate chardonnay can aspire to in Niagara. And this wine is certainly aspirational. There's intensity of aroma and flavour, with green fruit and some citrus, spice, honey, butter, toast, white flower and minerality, so in a word: complex. Oak is integrated and judicious. The balance is impeccable with acidity providing a structural spine. The length is excellent to outstanding. But it's the texture that is so compelling. MLF, lees stirring or whatever, but the mouthfeel is beautiful, rich, creamy, spicy, weighty yet all very fresh. Nicely done. Oct. 2020.
4.5 Stars
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Brokenwood Hunter Valley Sémillon 2018
New South Wales, Australia$27.95
I love the pronounce flavour/aroma intensity and complexity. Acacia flower, candle wax, apple, lemon, lime, honey and a petrol-like note not dissimilar to an aging Riesling. Very texturally pleasing too. Excellent length. Will no doubt gain interest as it ages as quality Hunter Valley Semillons tend to do. Aug. 2021.
4.5 Stars
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Pirathon Silver Shiraz 2017, Barossa Valley
South Australia, Australia$33.00
A very Barossa Shiraz here, embracing its bigness and boldness. Yet the 15% abv is nicely integrated at this stage, with a pleasant warmth (no burn). Dark fruit (kirsch cherry, black plum, blackberry and prune) dominant with pleasant oak spicing, tea and a lovely herbal note. There's also a blood orange freshness that provides some lift. The finish is pleasingly long. Balanced integrated and long. Moving into stewed fruit and tannin super fine and smooth. Perfect drinking window, don't cellar too much longer. July 2023.
4.5 Stars
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