David Brodati, DipWSET
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Reviews
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
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
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Burmester 10 Year Old Tawny Port, Dop, Portugal
Douro, Portugal$29.95
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
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Polkura Syrah 2009, Marchigue, Colchagua Valley
Colchagua Valley, Chile$19.40
This is a very intense and substantial syrah. It sits inky purple opaque in the glass. Floral aromas and ripe dark fruit with tarry and herbaceous savoury notes. Typical pepper and spice. A chewy, sticky and full mouthfeel. Tannins flex their muscles so decant for an hour, or even better, put down for a nap in the cellar for a year or two (which will add a point or so to the rating). Good balance and decent length. Made for smokey bbq meats, so if tenderloin medallions are sizzling, grip it n' sip it!. August 2103.
4.0 Stars
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Yabby Lake Single Vineyard Chardonnay 2010, Mornington Peninsula
Victoria, Australia$29.75
Light straw colour. Toasty, smoky aromas with mineral oil and slightly burnt popcorn. On the palate this cool climate chard has some heat, lemony citrus flavours with more toasty notes, nutty brulee, a hint of earthiness and juicy acidity. With all it's depth and complexity there's a sense of finesse, almost restraint. Very well done, particularly at the bin end sale price. Would be a fine accompaniment for roasted nuts and smoked cheese nibbles. Feb. 2014.
4.0 Stars
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Diamandes De Uco Gran Reserva 2008, Mendoza
Mendoza, Argentina$32.75
A beautiful well crafted high altitude Uco Valley wine. Scores on concentration of fruit, complexity, balance and length. Dark and red fruit co-mingle with savoury umami notes in the soy sauce genre. Full bodied, rich but with balancing acidity that provides a sense of freshness. It's in a great phase of development now, still sporting a youthful jauntiness, but with tannin softening nicely. Drink now and over the next 7 years. Dec. 2017.
4.0 Stars
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Rosewood Estates Natural Fermentation Reserve Pinot Noir 2009, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$39.95
I served this lovely Pinot for guests at a dinner party (mushroom bisque and vegetarian paella...thanks for asking). General impressions are that it has wonderful complexity with cherry and berry fruit, judiciously integrated oak and overall good balance. It approaches mid weight on the mouthfeel and has a lengthy finish. It sipped nicely before dinner and accompanied the food very well. This Pinot is drinking exceedingly well now so if you have some on hand, grip it n' sip it! 92-93. Oct. 2013.
4.0 Stars
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Château Des Charmes Equuleus Paul Bosc Estate Vineyards 2010, Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$30.00
This dark ruby 2010 Bordeaux blend exhibits dark fruit on the nose and palate. French oak aging is manifest by chocolate, spice box and cedar. This is drinking nicely now with decanting or paired with a steak, but tannins still have some grip. It could cellar a few years yet. Very smooth. Excellent length. June 2014.
4.0 Stars
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Marqués De Cáceres Gran Reserva 2004, Doca Rioja
Rioja, Spain$29.95
This GR Rioja is just starting to hit its stride. It still displays some vibrancy in colour. Aromas are wet leather, barn, meat, cherry and oak. Similar replays on the palate, with cherries, vanilla, spice and mocha. It's medium to full on the mouthfeel with oak noticable but not dominant. There's alcohol heat (served slightly chilled) and tannins are chalky (decant at least 1/2 hour and they'll lose some traction). A seam of acidity allows for a variety of food pairing, but it sips nicely on its own. Feb. 2014.
4.0 Stars
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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
