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
Sandeman Apitiv White Port, Doc Douro
Portugal$14.95
Brassy, clear colour shows the oxidative state of this wine. Nose is very assertive raison / walnuts and sweet floral notes.
Taste: raison, walnuts, old apples, fruit cake, dried fruits, candied pinapple
Very complex.
.
Not much acidity shown (hot climate wine)
3.0 Stars
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Ferraton Père & Fils Samorens Côtes Du Rhône 2007, Ac Côtes Du Rhône
Rhône, France$14.95
Enjoyable but didn't know my socks off.
For under $15 I don't expect too much but Rhone wines seem to always delivere. It is one of my favourite wine regions.
Purchased his one from my local LCBO Vintages and enjoyed it but wanted more of that pepper / spice from Rhone wines.
Often the heat from Rhone wines comes from the spice, this time it came from the alcohol (14.5%)..
Worth buying and trying ... but not the best the Rhone has to offer.
3.0 Stars
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Sileni Cellar Selection Sauvignon Blanc 2009, Marlborough, South Island
New Zealand$17.95
WOW ... this is good.
Tropical fruit leads the way. Crisp acidity and long finish. Treat yourself to this one.
3.0 Stars
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Cave De Bleblenheim Old Vines Riesling 2008, Ac Alsace
Alsace, France$17.95
Alright, I should be studying for my mid term wine and food synergy exam but it is just too hot here in South western Ontario to hit the books. Chicken on the BBQ and my lovely wife made an assume Asian orange sauce for it so I thought I could pit some of my studying that I had already done to good use.
That is where this wine comes in, it has been sitting in my wine refrigerator for a while now, I’m not sure when this wine was an LCBO Vintages release. I thought it might pair well with the orange sauce so I opened it for dinner. It made an excellent pairing, actually brought out more of the orange flavours in the sauce and citrus notes in the wine.
My tasting notes on the wine: Excellent balance of apple, citrus, and mineral notes. A touch of sweetness on the attack followed by fresh acidity which supports a long finish. I love the balance and complete experience of this wine from start to finish.
3.0 Stars
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Greg Norman Estates Cabernet Merlot 2007, Limestone Coast, South Australia
Australia$24.95
I normally shy away from Vintages Esseentials, reason ... I can get them anytime so those limited release wines seem to get more attention from me.
A few weeks ago Vintages had a rather boring wine release so I explored a little and picked up this wine. I am glad I did.
Meduim to full bodied red, dark fruits, oak and smoky flavours were noted in this one.
This is a very good wine with a long finish. This is certainly one wine that I would revisit and buy again.
3.0 Stars
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Pelee Island Pinot Noir Reserve 2008, VQA Pelee Island
Ontario, Canada$15.95
Reviewing the 2008 Vintage Pelee Island Pinot Noir Reserve.
This is a wonderful premimum wine at a not so premimum price. If I owned a restaurant, this is one of the wines I would have on my wine list. It’s affordable and will pair well with most meals.
Keep in mind that Pelee has three Pinot Noir labels. There is this one, the Reserve, a VQA Ontario red label bottle and a NON VQA Cellered in Canada blend. Buy the reserve!
Nose is not overwelming, but most Ontario Pinot Noir’s arn’t anyway. Some hints of earth, soil, and oak.
Great balance, making this a nice smooth wine. Mild tannins on the finish. Noted flavours of strawberries, earth and oak in the taste.
This one is currently available at Pelee Island’s retail store in Kingsville. Now also available at the LCBO, would make an excellent LCBO Vintages selection.
3.0 Stars
Domäne Wachau Terraces Grüner Veltliner 2008, Wachau
Austria$15.95
Pulled this one out of my wine cooler for a nice evening sipper. Stelvin cap so no need to cellar this one.
12% alc/vol is just the right amount to not overpower the peach and mmelon fruit.
A dry white for sure with a nice mineral backbone to it.
Smooth mouthfeel. Good stuff!
3.0 Stars
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Château De St. Preignan 2005, Ac Côteaux Du Languedoc
Languedoc, France$12.35
OK, it is a little bit hard around the edges and has some hottest that is from the spicy (not the alcohol).
I was a bit dissappointed with this one right now has it just isn't a wine that comes together in one balanced package.
Nose is not overwelming, has some spice and tobacco.
Taste, lots of spicy from the syrah. Not worth waiting for a few more years to see how this one cellers but if you buy this one. Celler it, do not open now. Give it a chance.
3.0 Stars
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Terres D'avignon Les Cardinalices Grande Réserve Côtes Du Rhône 2007, Ac
Rhône, France$14.95
Excellent.
Easy to drink. A real good quaffer.
Nice big red cherry taste lead to a wonderful smooth mouthfeel. Tannins balance this wine perfectly.
Easy drinking wine. Enjoyable.
Tasted: Feb 2010
3.0 Stars
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Colio Cev Barrel Aged Reserve Merlot 2002, VQA Lake Erie North Shore
Ontario, Canada$16.25
The 2005 Vintage is currently available at LCBO Vintages. (tasted May 2010)
This is one complex wine that is deserving of all of the awards it has one.
Complex primary and seconday nose and taste: Leather, raisins, plums, black cherry, toasted oak with just the right amount of tannin.
This is a big bordeaux style wine, big and chewy and oh so good!
Pair with a nice roats beef meal to fully enjoy.
Available at the winery and at selected LCBO Vintage locations. BUY this one, it is the good stuff!!
3.0 Stars
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