Gary Killops
|
Followers (1)
|
|
|
Following (0)
|
Reviews (280)
|
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
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 Indian Summer Riesling 2007, Select Late Harvest, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$24.95
I like late harvest wines more than I like ice wine for several reasons. It is not as sweet and they offer more acidity for balance.
Cave Spring's Indian Summer Select Late Harvest is a real treat. Sweet, lively acidity that support the wonderful apple and peach fruit notes.
Pair this with and crème brulée for a heavenly finish to your meal!
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Taylor Fladgate 10 Year Old Tawny Port, Douro Valley
Douro, Portugal$36.95
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!
4.0 Stars
(1000+)E
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
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
Domaine De Saint Siffrein Châteauneuf Du Pape 2007, Ac
Rhône, France$44.95
Go ahead and treat yourself. This one is worth it.
Wines from Cote Du Rhome are some of my favourite. Wines from CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE are even a bigger treat.
This is one complex wine. So much going on in both the nose and taste. Black licorice, spice, pepper, plums, and even lavender.
A real treat right now. Fire up the BBQ and enjoy!
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
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
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