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
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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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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Nederburg Shiraz 2006, Western Cape
South Africa$11.95
The 2008 Vintage is currently available. that is what I had and that is what this review relates to.
A friend drop by yesterday, I invited him for dinner. It was the first real sign of spring here in Southwestern Ontario so I was outside BBQ steaks.
His wine selection for a steak BBQ was very good! This is a good wine and at a price point that makes it even better. (LCBO website indicates the 2008 vintage is $ 10.95.
Moderate nose of oak, smoke and spice.
Taste pretty mush is a mirror of this with extra notes going to the smokiness. Some cherry also noted in the taste.
3.0 Stars
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Ortas Tradition Rasteau 2008, Ac Côtes Du Rhône Villages
Rhône, France$17.95
This is a very good wine. (Tasted Jan 9th, 2009 - release date)
Very smooth with a nice velvet mouthfeel. Cherry and pepper taste. Paired very nice with the big old juicy BBQ burger that I had.
Good value for $15.
3.0 Stars
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Cazes L'excellence De Triniac 2005, Ac Côtes Du Roussillon Villages Latour De France
Languedoc, France$14.40
An outstanding red. Found this one at my local LCBO Vintages. Enjoyed it so much I returned to buy the rest of their stock on hand.
Nose is full of herbs, spices, and blueberries.
The palate gushes with cherry and blueberries. Nice firm tannins on the finish. Very nice balance.
Pairs well with red meats cooked on a grill.
3.0 Stars
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Seifried Estate Pinot Noir 2008, Nelson, South Island
New Zealand$19.95
I tasted this Pinot shortly after tasting a fruity pinot.
This one is much more earthy, forest floor nose and taste. I also picked up some cherry in the taste.
Very interestin Pinot Noir.
3.0 Stars
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Trapiche Broquel Malbec 2007, Mendoza
Argentina$13.65
Get ready for a big red. Lots of Alcohol, acid, tannin. Big and chewy.
I'd hold this one in my cellar for a few years to see what happens.
3.0 Stars
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Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2009, Marlborough
New Zealand$18.95
Crisp and clean. Typical grassy notes.
Medium body, shows some good weight on the palate.
Good balance with medium length finish. Very enjoyable.
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
Henry Of Pelham Riesling 2008, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$14.95
A classic Alsacian style riesling made right here in Ontario.
Nose offers citrus and mineral (petrol) notes.
Taste is much the same. Those looking for that classic taste of "petrol" in a riseling will find it here.
Wonderful long finish. Exceptional riesling that will impress.
3.0 Stars
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