David Brodati, DipWSET
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Reviews (613)
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Reviews
Muscedere Vineyards Syrah 2011, Lake Erie North Shore
Ontario, Canada$40.00
It's hard to do Syrah well in Ontario and 2011 wasn't a vintage to make things any easier. But Muscedere is a favourite LENS winery and they do a decent job here. An interesting nose with dark fruit, meat, herbs, licorice, spice and graphite with similar notes on the palate. Oak is present with mocha/vanilla, but there's a certain liveliness from the medium plus acidity. Medium-full bodied, tannins are fine grained. Very good length. Oct. 2015.
3.0 Stars
Château Godard Bellevue 2011, Ac Côtes De Bordeaux Francs
Bordeaux, France$19.50
This is a pleasant affordable Bordeaux. Oak slightly dominates the red and dark fruit. Notes of cedar, pencil shavings, herb, vanilla, dark chocolate, and peppery spice. Medium acidity and good tannic structure in this medium/full bodied wine. Not any great length, but nicely packaged considering the price point. Some alcohol burn on the late palate. Sept. 2015.
3.0 Stars
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Boschendal The Pavillion Chenin Blanc 2015, Western Cape
Western Cape, South Africa$11.95
This is an off dry version of South African Chenin that is very fruity with canned peach, pear, melon, apricot and tangerine. It's spicy, medium bodied with medium plus acidity to provide structure. Very good length. Pair with spicy Asian cuisine, fried chicken or glazed ham. At under $10 on sale, it's a no brainer. Aug. 2016.
3.0 Stars
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Domaine Salmon Grande Réserve Muscadet Sèvre & Maine Sur Lie 2014, Ac
Loire, France$13.75
Showing good typicity for Muscadet, but not a very balanced wine. There's some complexity with ripe (warm 2015 vintage) and somewhat tart fruit ranging from pear to citrus to peach, with distinct minerality. Lees add a yeasty note and contribute to a creamy texture. Elevated acidity, medium bodied, but alcohol provides too much warmth despite 12% declared. Very good length. Stick to the classic shellfish food pairing. March 2018.
3.0 Stars
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Signae Montefalco Sagrantino 2009, Docg
Umbria, Italy$28.95
Ah, dissonance and divergence amongst the pro critics. As the self appointed final arbiter on who is closer to the mark, I proclaim: Sara d'Amato! Sagrantino is a big tannic high alcohol grape from Montefalco Umbria. This offering has eight years under it's belt and the tannins are starting to resolve, making the wine approachable, but make no mistake, they're still intense. Complex aromas of violets, red and dark fruit, balsamic, tea, dark chocolate. 15% ABV but doesn't sit heavy on the palate, rather there's a litheness to this big guy. Very good length. Bring on the lamb stew! Oct. 2017.
3.0 Stars
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Famille Perrin Côtes Du Rhone Réserve 2013, Ac Côtes Du Rhône
Rhône, France$16.95
Consistently good general CDR by the famous Perrins. Black cherry, floral, peppery in a medium frame (tannin, acid, alcohol). Good length. A touch hot despite being 13.5% ABV. Always good value, but worth a 2+ bottle purchase when on sale. March 2016.
3.0 Stars
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Skouras Moschofilero 2014, Pgi Peloponnese
Peloponnese, Greece$17.95
A nice example by Skoura of this Mantinian Pelopponese varietal. Typically aromatic with floral and grapey intensity. Aromas and flavours of white flower, peach, ginger and citrus. The palate is creamy, slightly visous. Medium acidity and slight alcohol heat provide a structural frame. Very good length. Aug. 2016.
3.0 Stars
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Cavallina Grillo Pinot Grigio 2015
Sicily, Italy$9.95
An interesting and tasty Sicilian blend of PG and native Grillo that offers apple, peach, citrus and white florals. The palate offers similar flavours with a slightly bitter finish. Medium bodied with medium plus acidity and very good length. A touch hot despite only 12% ABV declared. Discounted to $7.00 at my LCBO, which is a steal. You can't make your own wine cheaper than that, and certainly not at this quality. March 2017.
3.0 Stars
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Las Mulas Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2015
Chile$15.00
Excellent value here for an authentic cab with black fruit and mint, acidity that balances, softer tannin and oak that isn't too over the top. Lacks some depth, length is decent but not lingering, and a touch of alcohol heat, but overall very nice cab typicity for an inexpensive organic wine that manages to avoid confection. Sept. 2016.
3.0 Stars
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J P Azeitao Red 2015, Peninsula De Setubal
Portugal$8.95
Another super value wine from Portugal. It's a blend with syrah in the lead. Good aromatics on the nose. Medium bodied. Fruit forward with cherry as the main flavour. Soft tannin, good acidity, ok length. A little unbalanced and a hint of confection, but overall quite good, and at an unbeatable price. Great wine to have on hand for larger gatherings. Oct. 2017.
3.0 Stars
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