David Brodati, DipWSET
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Reviews (613)
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Reviews
Norman Hardie County Unfiltered Pinot Noir 2012, VQA Prince Edward County
Ontario, Canada$39.00
Light, almost translucent pretty cherry colour. A little funk to start followed by that now classic PEC minerality. Cran, cherry, red berry fruit with a hint of nutmeg. The 2012 keeps it's vibrancy with tart acidity and tension in the face of a very warm vintage. Excellent to outstanding length. Another fine effort from Norm. Jan. 2015.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Olivier & Lafont Gigondas 2013, Ac
Rhône, France$23.75
A lovely Gigondas offering very good Southern Rhone value. Red cherry and plum fruit, black pepper and subtle, well integrated oak influence of baking spice and pencil shavings. I detect some Brett coming through as a sweaty and barnyard funk, but not as a fault, more nuanced adding complexity. Tannin are moderate. Full bodied, balanced and very good to excellent length. Drinking well now, but will continue to evolve and be in a prime drinking window for an additional 5-7 years. May 2018.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
El Maestro Sierra 12 Year Old Amontillado, Do Jerez Xérès Sherry (375ml)
Andalusia, Spain$20.75
This is a lovely Amontillado. Amber-tawny in the glass. Dry with much complexity exhibiting hazelnut, almond skin, toasty caramel, fig, marmalade/orange rind and a dusty character. Amontillado will show more body and be more oxidized than the lighter Fino and Manzanilla, due to the protective flor yeast dying off. The El Maestro Sierra clocks in at 17.5% ABV and some weight is felt on the palate. Well balanced, excellent length and warmth on the late palate. Try with seafood or sip on it's own. March 2018.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Charles Baker Picone Vineyard Riesling 2012, VQA Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$35.20
The warm vintage brings the fruit profile more front and centre compared to the 2011. Yet there still is lovely minerality, some petrol and refreshing acidity. Well balanced, complex and long. Another excellent effort from CB using fruit sourced from Picone on the ridge. March 2016.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Finca Constancia Altos De La Finca 2011, Vino De La Tierra De Castilla
Spain$21.95
This blend featuring Petit Verdot and Syrah, not surprisingly, shows dark fruit in the black cherry, cassis, black/blueberry realm with violet, black olive and meatiness to add complexity. 18 months of new oak is quite integrated and will coalesce further, revealing vanilla and a vague tarry molasses flavour. Structure is provided by juicy acidity, alcohol heat and still sticky granular tannin. Will yet improve with age as fruit concentration, tannin and oak continue to mind meld. Excellent length. 91-92 pts. June 2017.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
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
De Loach Durell Vineyard Pinot Noir 2009, Sonoma Coast
California, Usa$55.00
Opened this Cali Pinot for Thanksgiving and it matched beautifully with turkey dinner, drawing in the berry sweetness of cranbury sauce but having enough earthyness for the savoury stuffing. A lifted nose, with lovely concentrated fruit. It is plush with good structure including acidity and waning but still present tannins. Excellent length. Oct. 2014.
4.0 Stars
Lungarotti Rubesco Riserva Vigna Monticchio 2010, Doc Torgiano Rosso Riserva
Umbria, Italy$55.95
Aging nicely, this 11 year old Umbrian Sangiovese is quite complex with secondary and tertiary notes complementing the dried fruit. Red plum, cherry, soy, leather, tomato leaf, vanillin, chocolate, and hints of wet paint (adding interest, not at fault levels). Good acidity and dusty tannin that still has some traction. The length is excellent. May hold for a few more years but very enjoyable now. June 2021.
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
(0)
Hedges Family Estate Red 2011, Red Mountain, Yakima Valley
Washington, Usa$40.00
This is a lovely red blend from the Pacific north west. Generous notes of red and dark fruit, herbs, menthol, new oak (vanilla, spices, chocolate). The palate offers good acidity and ripe tannins in a balanced frame to the fruit and integrated oak. Medium-full bodied. Excellent length. Really good value here. July, 2015.
4.0 Stars
(0)