David Brodati, DipWSET
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Reviews (611)
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Reviews
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
Flat Rock The Rusty Shed Chardonnay 2013, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$26.95
Wow, given the quality relative to the price point for this Bench Chard, this is a steal. Aromas of apple, pear, melon, citrus with well integrated oak, creamy mouthfeel, balanced acidity and excellent length. Aug. 2016.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Sottimano Langhe Nebbiolo 2013, Doc
Piedmont, Italy$29.95
Just coming into it's own now. That characteristic Nebbiolo tannic grip is starting to loosen. Balanced acidity and excellent length. Classic Nebbiolo aromas and flavours, cherry (moving into the dried spectrum), violets, roses, herbs and tar. A great 'poor man's' Barbaresco. Oct. 2020.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Galil Mountain Yiron 2013, Upper Galilee
Israel, World$27.75
Big and bold Cab dominant red blend. Non-mevushal kosher. Good concentration and depth of flavour in this full bodied wine. 15.5% abv declared but doesn't feel hot, just nicely warming. Over-ripe to baked fruit in the prune and black cherry spectrum, with herb and vanillin/chocolate from the oak that, while obviously present, doesn't protrude beyond its intended boundaries. Mild tannin and excellent length. April 2018.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Marqués De Murrieta Finca Ygay Reserva 2012, Doca Rioja
Rioja, Spain$34.95
This Rioja Reserva is drinking beautifully now, showing only a hint of garnet at the rim, and with a nice balance between fruit, secondary and tertiary notes. About 3/4 Tempranillo with the rest Garnacha, Graciano and Mazuelo (Carinena) which umphs the acidity. Both red and dark fruit with lovely sweet spice (vanilla and coconut) from 23 months in American oak. Sandalwood, tomato paste, leather, tobacco, oregano and olive. Tannins are sweet and soft and the length is excellent. Traditional, distinguished and oh so quaffable. Jan. 2024
4.0 Stars
(0)V
La Copa Vermouth Rojo, Jerez, Spain
Rioja, Spain$21.95
Wow, the amped aromatics on this Spanish Vermouth are striking. Complexity abounds with aromas and flavours of clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, fruit cake, vanilla bean, varnish, orange peel, honey, florals, perfume/soap and on and on. Interesting interplay between sweet and bitter, a paso doble rather than a coalescent whole. Medium minus acidity and a viscous mouthfeel. Pleasant bitter medicinal finish. Love it. July 2017.
4.0 Stars
(348)V
Valdivieso Éclat 2010, Dry Farmed, Old Vines
Maule Valley, Chile$32.95
Great value here for this lovely dry farmed Carignan (with Mourvedre in support), from the Maule Valley. Still some spryness despite eight years of age and in a prime drinking window. Enjoy now through 2021. Complex with aromas and flavours of red berry, red plum, cherry, spice, cinnamon, sanguine iron, earth and meat (Mourvedre), and a touch of green. Very good depth of fruit, with softening tannin, bright acidity and excellent length. Aug. 2018.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Hidden Bench Terroir Caché 2015, Unfiltered, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment
Ontario, Canada$44.95
The 2015 is equal parts Cab Franc and Merlot, followed by Malbec and a splash of Cab Sauv. Elevage was 20 months in French oak, of which some must have been new judging by the flavour profile. Red and dark fruit, with an herbal and cedary element, vanilla and sweet baking spice. The tannins have polymerized and are fairly smooth with just a bit of traction left. Medium bodied, so nicely integrated and beautifully balanced. Drinking really well now. Excellent length. Dec. 2020.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Domaine De Bila Haut L'esquerda 2016
Languedoc, France$27.95
Dark, opaque, inky purple. Very extracted with stained tears. Aromas of violets, dark fruit (almost stewed) and wet stone minerality. The mouthfeel is big and lush with black cherry, prune, fig, spice, black pepper and smoke. Tannins are ripe and slightly tacky. It's a big wine with high alcohol, but fairly well integrated with only a touch of burn heat on the swallow. Medium acidity and a touch of VA lift provides balance. Length is excellent. Enjoy over the next 5 years with meat stews, cassoulet, bbq fare, hard cheese. April 2019.
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