David Brodati, DipWSET
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Reviews (619)
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Reviews
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
Emiliana Coyam 2019, Los Robles Estate, Colchagua Valley
Colchagua Valley, Chile$29.95
The kitchen sink! 9 varieties! Almost every page of Jancis Robinson's "Wine Grapes" tome is represented in this blend (ok, slight exaggeration). Part Bordeaux, part southern Rhone, part Rioja foretells the complexity with, for example, Petit Verdot and Cab Sauv providing floral aromatic intensity, Syrah and Mourvedre giving meatiness and tar, Tempranillo, Garnacha and Carignan showing red fruits and the Bordeaux varieties imparting dark fruit. Judicious oak, ripe tannins, vibrant acidity are all nicely balanced. Excellent length. And organic to boot. Tasted Jan 2023.
4.0 Stars
(0)E+(20)O
Journey's End Shiraz Single Vineyard 2007, Wo Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch, South Africa$19.95
This is a big, bold, dark ruby shiraz. On the nose, it made a mess (that's the last time I pour wine on my nose). But inhaling it revealed dark fruit, smoke meat and tarry and oak aromas. On the palate, there's more fruit, pepper, velvety tannins and a nice full mouthfeel (I will continue to pour wine on my palate). Oak is integrated adding to a fine balance. I would pair this with a juicy peppercorn encrusted steak. January 2014.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
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
Greystone Riesling 2018
Waipara, New Zealand$24.95
From Waipara in the Canterbury region of New Zealand's south island comes this beautiful Riesling. White florals, apple, lime, peach, honey and petrol. The palate shows residual sugar tasting off-dry and balanced by vibrant acidity. There's also a pleasant creamy weight, and excellent length. Really well done from a region better known for varietals other than Riesling. Drinking nicely now but can age into the late 20's. Pair it with spicy Asian cuisine. Jan. 2022.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Best's Bin No. 1 Great Western Shiraz 2018, Victoria
Victoria, Australia$21.95
Wide range of scores from the pro critics here. I'm siding with Mr. Szabo as my bottle also had very high levels of SO2, making this quaff not enjoyable at all. The palate was also quite bitter, almost green. It seems the fruit and other notes are too masked to really show through, leaving the more unpleasant elements to dominate. Feb. 2022.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
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
Verbena Brunello Di Montalcino 2009
Tuscany, Italy$39.95
Ah to catch a fine wine at the apex of its evolutionary curve is a special thing. Verbena's 2009 Brunello will no doubt go another seven to ten years before the fading accelerates to the "drink up" category, but I think it's peaking now. Still some primary and secondary aromas lurking with violet, baked cherry, jammy red berry, tomato leaf, nutmeg, cumin and oak vanillin. But savoury is the order of the day as tertiary leather and tobacco gain a stronghold, and a touch of complexing VA. Elegance, warmth (the 14.5 ABV doesn't burn), declining acidity, dusty tannin and excellent length. Oct. 2018
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Banfi Brunello Di Montalcino 2016, Docg
Tuscany, Italy$56.95
The 2016 is starting to show some age with garnet colour at the rim and savoury tertiary notes coming to the forefront. The aromas are lifted with violets, cooked black cherry, choco-mocha, balsamic, rosemary, leather and a graphite minerality, i.e. complex. Oak is nicely integrated and tannins are still a touch gritty but polymerizing. Full bodied with warming alcohol, juicy acidity and excellent length. Pair with hearty tomato based pastas or osso buco. June 2022.
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