Gary Killops
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Reviews (280)
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Growing up in Essex County most of life I really wasn’t aware that there were so many local wineries producing such good wine. My first introduction to an Essex County wine that I can recall was way back in the early 80’s when Colio wine was the only local winery that I had ever heard of. At weddings it was often Colio wine that was found on the table.
Several years ago Wanda and I took a tour of several wineries in the Niagara Region. This sparked our interest in Ontario wines. Up until that time my perception was that good wines only came from California, France, Italy, and maybe Australia. It didn’t take me long to find out that I was wrong. Grapes grown in Ontario produced some of the best wines I have ever tasted.
After the Niagara tour Wanda and I decided to check out the wineries in our own backyard. It didn’t take us very long to discover one of Ontario’s biggest secrets. Wines produced in Southwestern Ontario (Essex County) are just as good and often even better than wines we have tasted from around the world.
Reviews
Taylor Fladgate 10 Year Old Tawny Port, Douro Valley
Douro, Portugal$33.95
A wonderful sipper. Nose and taste has a balanced complexity of walnuts, caramel, and those English candy strawberries with the white power on them. Medium body and a nice touch of sweetness on the finish. Excellent stuff!
4.5 Stars
(1000+)E+(1)O
Broadbent Rainwater Medium Dry Madeira, Doc
Portugal$20.95
Kind of Rose colour but still with brown (oxidative) appearance.
Nose and taste both show the cooked / oxidative nature of this wine. May be an aquired taste for some.
Very ripe, figs, plums, prune, dates new leather. Very complex
4.5 Stars
(0)V
Inniskillin Canadian Oak Aged Riesling Icewine 2006, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$79.95
Dig deep if you want to try this wine. I was fortunate to be able to taste this wine at a tasting as it doesn't fit into my budget. That said, it is a treat, and if you can afford it, worth spoiling yourself with.
Peachy nose and taste highlight the lively acidity. It's this acidity that makes the wine explode in your mouth. So good and so tasty. (May 2011)
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Cave Spring Csv Riesling 2007, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$29.95
Recently had this wine with a wonderful BBQ'ed chicken dinner. Paired very well. Citrus nose (just as I expected). A bit off dry taste in the mouth, citrus and petrol flavours. Nice long finish. Buy this one! A bit expensive, but for the right occasion, worth it. (Gary Killops - EssexWineReview.com)
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Vineland Estates St. Urban Riesling 2008, VQA Niagara Escarpment
Ontario, Canada$19.95
Alsacian in every sense. Nose and taste both echo the big mineral backbone.
Mineral is balanced with juicy tropical fruit notes and sharp, clean and crisp acidity.
EXCELLENT STUFF!
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Domaine Du Vieux Lazaret Châteauneuf Du Pape 2007, Ac
Rhône, France$39.95
Other oustanding Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
Cherry, pepper, spice, herbs, plums, and an interesting leather finish.
Very complex and tasty. Loved it!
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Barolo Serralunga D'alba 2005, Docg (500ml)
Piedmont, Italy$29.95
a wonderful treat at a good price. Sure, it wasn't a 750 mL bottle but there is still enough inside to enjoy and at a good price for a barolo.
cherry, wood, leather in good balance. Velvet mouthfeel. Smooth.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
San Fabiano Calcinaia Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Igt Toscana
Tuscany, Italy$24.95
Wow, this is one fine big red wine. Inky purple shows some big extraction. Plum, black currant, black cherry, leather, spice, oak,
Very complex nose and taste. Everything I took a sip I noticed something different.
Great acidity, very food friendly.
Drink now but consider cellaring a few for 5+ years to see how this one develops. A fanastic buy!
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Graham Beck Méthode Cap Classique Brut Pinot Noir/Chardonnay Rosé Sparkling, Wo Western Cape, South Africa, Traditional Method
Western Cape, South Africa$24.95
This bubbly hit the mark on the hot humid day we had here yesterday. Refreshing strawberry flavours and bread dough nose. Light on the palate with citrus notes and a lovely mineral edge.
4.0 Stars
(2)V
Souverain Winemaker's Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County
California, Usa$39.95
Big, bold and complex. With so much going on in the glass there really is something for everyone.
Black currants, cherry, herbs, and cassis notes on the nose and palate. Vanilla and roasted coffee beans add additional complexity to the taste. Well balanced and integrated tannins offer a velvety smooth finish.
4.0 Stars
(0)V