David Brodati, DipWSET
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Reviews (621)
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Reviews
Pieropan La Rocca Soave Classico 2011, Doc
Veneto, Italy$37.95
Who says Italy doesn't produce world class white wine. What a beautiful Soave (Garganega). I love the intense aromatics here, with pear, apple, melon, honey, wax and leesy butter/cream. The palate also offers complexity with a rich chalky mouthfeel, similar flavour replays as well as a bit of a bite (maceration). Medium plus acidity makes this as friendly at the table as it is a sipper on its own. Excellent length. A tad hot. Drink now or hold 5-7 years or more. Jan. 2016.
4.5 Stars
(0)V
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)
Beronia Gran Reserva 2006
Rioja, Spain$40.00
An excellent Rioja GR. It starts with a touch of funk that blows off quickly. Then the complexity shines with a perfumed nose and notes of cinnamon, clove, dark fruit, fig, hoisin, herbs and cedar. It's medium to full bodied feeling thick on the palate. More fruit replays along with smoke, tar, coffee, mocha and vanilla wrapped in a savoury package. Medium plus tannins and excellent length. A slight alcohol burn that doesn't feel integrated holds this back a point in my scoring. But no doubt an excellent wine. April 2015.
4.5 Stars
(0)V
Lustau Almacenista Cayetano Del Pino Y Cía Palo Cortado De Jerez, D.O. Jerez Xeres Sherry (500ml)
Andalusia, Spain$51.75
Ok I may have kept this lovely Palo Cortado a little too long in my cellar (darker amber colour) but it was still super delish. Complex layers of flavours featuring oxidative rancio/nutty notes of almond skin and marzipan entwined with dried apricot, orange peel and honey, leading to a long briny sea salt and green olive finish. 21% ABV is nicely integrated providing body and envelopes warmly rather than a hot burn. Excellent to outstanding length. Many food pairing options (think Tapas of course), but I really enjoyed sipping it alone which fostered a reflective navel gazing mood. April 2025
4.5 Stars
(15)V
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
Taylor Fladgate 10 Year Old Tawny Port, Douro Valley
Douro, Portugal$38.95
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+(19)O
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
Hidden Bench Terroir Caché Meritage 2009, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$38.20
This deep ruby Bordeaux blend offers aromas of raw meat, cassis, dark fruit, anise, dill and other herbal notes. It's medium bodied on the palate, juicy, with sticky and pleasant tannins that are softening as we speak. Nicely balanced, this Meritage is well suited for prime rib dinners. It's drinkable over the next 3 to 4 years - just in time for the more heralded 2010 vintage to come into its own. Dec. 2014.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Burmester 10 Year Old Tawny Port
Douro, Portugal$32.95
This 10 year Tawny has a lovely light garnet-brick colour. Complex aroma/flavour profile leading with a nutty rancio element followed by dried dark fruit, tea, marmalade, leather and old wood varnish. The palate is rich and viscous with fresh acidity that provides balance and creates a perception of medium sweet rather than lusciously so. Rounds out with pleasing alcohol warmth. Excellent length. April 2017.
4.0 Stars
(283)V