David Brodati, DipWSET
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Reviews (618)
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Reviews
Taylor Fladgate 10 Year Old Tawny Port, Douro Valley
Douro, Portugal$37.95
Taylor Fladgate 10 year Tawny is more ruby than tawny in the glass. The nose offers up dark and dried fruit with a hint of nuttiness that plays out in a more pronounced way on the palate. A full bodied almost creamy mouthfeel, with some alcohol heat and excellent length. Really well done for their entry Tawny (10 years) in the series. Oct. 2014.
4.5 Stars
(1000+)E+(20)O
Greystone Pinot Noir 2018, Waipara Valley, North Canterbury
Waipara, New Zealand$43.95
A lovely Canterbury Pinot showing a complexity of flavours including sour cherry, cranberry, raspberry, baking spice (nutmeg, cinnamon), black pepper, an herbal sage-like note and minerality. Medium plus acidity keeps things vibrant and the tannins are on the soft side, typical for Pinot. Length is excellent. Drinking nicely now and has the acidity and concentration to show well for another few years. Dec. 2023.
4.5 Stars
Alvear Solera 1927 Pedro Ximénez, Do Montilla Moriles, Spain (375ml)
Andalusia, Spain$26.90
The complexity of flavours stands out in this lusciously sweet PX sherry. So mahogany dark and rich on the palate, viscous, almost cloying. But the variety of aromas/flavours just keep coming like waves over the palate, including stewed prune, dates, fig, raisins, molasses, honey, chocolate, caramel, tea, soy/hoisin and more. Scores on complexity and length. Pair with dried fruit based desserts, nuts or blue cheese. Dec. 2016.
4.5 Stars
(0)V
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
(0)V
Poças Colheita Port 1994, Vieilli En Fût, Doc Douro
Douro, Portugal$41.95
I'm not very experienced with port, so I'll defer to Mr. Lawrason's score. I found this colheita to be lovely. It sits tawny in the glass with orange and coral hues. I get hints of apricot and honey with a slight medicinal tone. A delectable evening quaff - this sweet heat is a treat. Grip it n' sip it!. March 2013.
4.5 Stars
(0)V
Thirty Bench Steel Post Vineyard Small Lot Riesling 2020, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment
Ontario, Canada$33.95
I'd love to get this in a blind taste test as it oozes Beamsville Bench Riesling typicity. Nicely aromatic with white flowers, green apple, stone fruit, tangerine, waxy lanolin, honey and petrol from the warm 2020 vintage. And steely minerality in spades. Similar flavours on the palate. The mouthfeel has texture and the finish is very long. The acidity RS balance is spot on landing in the off-dry realm while retaining a juicy vibrancy. Love it! Dec. 2024
4.5 Stars
(15)O
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
(0)
Norman Hardie County Unfiltered Pinot Noir 2011, VQA Prince Edward County
Ontario, Canada$35.00
Norman Hardies's County pinot is a pretty cherry colour. Generous aromas of red fruit and minerality with a touch of barnyard. On the palate this pinot is light to mid weight offering juicy cherry and red berry fruits, minerality and a supporting seam of acidity. Beautifully balanced, wonderfully elegant with lingering finesse. The tannins seem to be softening making the wine very approachable right now. Feb. 2014.
4.0 Stars
Château Larrivet Haut Brion Blanc 2007, Ac Pessac Léognan
Bordeaux, France$41.25
This Bordeaux has a beautiful yellow gold hue. It is very aromatic with mineral, honey and fruit notes. The mouthfeel is rich, thick, almost creamy. Citrusy orange rind flavours, nuttiness, lemony acidity and a slightly sour edge. The higher ABV is evident with a touch of heat. The oak is measuredly integrated and complexity abounds. I would drink this all night if it weren't for hangovers, liver disease and the likelihood that I'd fall down and go boom. It's hitting prime time so pry open that cellar. 94+ March 2014.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Château La Nerthe Châteauneuf Du Pape 2010
Rhône, France$52.50
I was disappointed with this CdP relative to expectations. I found it quite closed. The nose eventually opened a bit with lots of time in the decanter, but I expected a 2010 to be more ready and expressive, particularly given the great vintage. Dark ruby, with faint fruit notes of black cherry. A slow reveal of spice, herb and graphite minerality. There's good structure, balance, soft tannin and very good length. I expected more. Perhaps needs more time, or I had a weird bottle, but I couldn't detect a specific fault (TCA, VA, overly reduced or oxidized). Jan. 2018.
4.0 Stars
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