David Brodati, DipWSET
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Reviews
Leaning Post Merlot 2013, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$42.00
2013 was an interesting vintage for reds in Niagara. An excellent vintage for whites with chards excelling. For reds though, pinots and gamays fared better than the Bordeaux varietals. This Merlot is more tart, spicy and a touch green rather than soft and rounded. But there's good sour cherry fruit, baking spice, cedar and mild vanillin flavours. Five years on and tannins are softening and alcohol is well integrated. Length is very good. Looking forward to trying the 16 as a comparator, given that year's superlative vintage for reds. Oct. 2018.
3.0 Stars
Robert Mondavi Private Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, Central Coast
California, Usa$14.95
I tasted the 2018. Poor wine. Unbalanced with considerable alcohol burn, no complexity to speak of, short finish, confected with stewed fruit (Central Valley likely). How can this be almost $18? Fortunately I bought it on sale. So many better entry level Cali cabs out there. May 2021
3.0 Stars
(113)G+(188)O
Flat Rock Cellars The Rusty Shed Chardonnay 2016, Twenty Mile Bench
Ontario, Canada$26.95
The warm 2016 vintage is parlayed into a texturally rich Chard with medium plus body and a leesy creaminess. 13.5% ABV. Yellow apple and pear, minerality, spice and toasty oak. I'd like to see the oak integrate a bit more and this will come with time. Acidity could be a touch higher, but length is excellent. Falls short of the wondrous 2013 vintage, but then 2013 produced some of the finest Chards Ontario has ever produced. Dec. 2018.
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Orofino Scout Vineyard Syrah 2012, Similkameen Valley
British Columbia, Canada$28.90
For me, new oak is a bit too prominent showing vanillin, cocoa, baking spice. There's also dark fruit and anise. The frame is built on medium plus acidity with softening tanning. There's late palate alcohol burn. Excellent length though. August 2015.
3.0 Stars
Domaine Gael Martin Beaujolais Villages Les Pains 2022, Beaujolais Villages
Beaujolais, France$17.75
A very pleasant Villages Gamay from Beaujolais that delivers decent value. It offers mostly red tart fruit in the red berry and sour cherry range, along with pepper, cinnamon and Beaujolais signature bubble gum (albeit more restrained compared to Nouveau). Concentration is on the lighter side and it's mid weight on the palate, with good acidity, moderate plushy tannin and very good length. March 2024
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Astoria Prosecco
Veneto, Italy$18.00
Light yellow gold with aromas of pear, peach, toasty biscuit. There's a late palate bitterness. Soft mousse, frothy, good acidity and moderate length. Simple, basic prosecco. Nov. 2014.
3.0 Stars
(1000+)G+(44)O
Château Fontenelles Cuvée Renaissance 2007, Corbières
Languedoc, France$14.90
Opaque deep ruby colour with cherry hued edges. Dark fruit and berry aromas. Palate offers up plum, tea, vanilla, chocolate and spice. Tannins have been hitting the gym, but atrophy after a couple of hours decanting. Not an overly long finish with alcohol heat doing a curtain call. A touch off kilter, but a decent wine for the price. Grip it n' sip it!
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Featherstone Rosé 2011, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$14.95
This coral coloured rose has floral and red fruit aromas. Off dry with cherry and strawberry fruit on the palate, there's some bitterness on the mid length with some heat even with moderate alcohol and after chilling. A decent summer sipper that didn't offend grilled salmon fillets. Grip it n' sip it! June 2013.
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Wildass Rosé 2011, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$17.95
A very interesting rose. Light ruby garnet colour. Aromas invade rather than caress the olfactory glands. Stawberry is dominant, then some bitterness and a hot finish. Seems a bit off kilter, but then this isn't your typical rose. Would suit a variety of BBQ fare. May 2013.
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Cal Blanca 2009, Do Toro
Castilla y León, Spain$10.95
Ruby colour in the glass. Floral notes with raspberry and cherry and a hint of mocha. Soft with mild tannins. Hot but premature finish left me a little wanting. Significant "meh" factor.
3.0 Stars
(0)V