David Brodati, DipWSET
|
Followers (4)
|
|
|
Following (0)
|
Reviews (621)
|
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
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
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
Schild Estate Shiraz 2010, Barossa, South Australia
South Australia, Australia$24.95
This is a dark inky ruby shiraz. Dominant notes of cherry and strawberry jam. A prototypical peppery palate prevails, packing prune plum preserve plus perceived peppermint (enough already). Chocolate, oak and integrated tannin. Barossa earthiness with excellent length and some heat on the finish. A nice Aussie shiraz for the price. Nov. 2013.
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
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
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
Donnafugata Floramundi 2018, Docg Cerasuolo Di Vittoria
Sicily, Italy$27.95
This Cerasuolo di Vittoria offering from Donnafugata combines the Frappato grape (lighter colour) with Nero d'Avola. Medium bodied and fragrant, with aromas of red cherry and red berry, and nicely integrated oak flavours (spice, smoke). Well balanced, refreshing acidity and excellent length add to an overall elegant wine. Well done. June 2022.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Pearmund Old Vine Chardonnay 2018, Meriwether Vineyard, Fauquier County, Virginia
Usa$29.95
Here's a complex, balanced and richly textured Chard from Virginia. Primary notes of buttercup florals, pear, peach, citrus and melon along with nicely integrated oak flavours including hazelnut and caramel and a buttery diacetyl character from Malo. The texture is rich and creamy. Acidity is bright enough to balance the richness and there's even a reductive note too. Length is excellent. Pair with rich cheese with a nutty note. April 2022.
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