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
Grandes Serres Signargues Côtes Du Rhône Villages 2007, Ac, Prestige Des Grandes Serres
Rhône, France$14.95
A good rustic red wine that works for Sunday tailgates, even paired well with BBQ'ed burgers.
Spicy, ripe red fruits, grippy tannins.
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Lailey Pinot Noir 2008, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$24.95
Light to medium body with an interesting complex character.
Interesting cherry pie nose and taste balnced with light oak and enough tannin to give this a good grip.
Pinot Noir isn't really my thing but I like this one. Worth a try.
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Ringbolt Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Margaret River, Western Australia
Australia$21.95
Food friendly wine, offers nice balance. Chocolate notes steal the scene and dominate the blackberry fruit notes. Some heat on the finish.
Soft, velvety tannins. A nice average wine at a reasonable price.
(tasted October 2011)
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Nick Faldo Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Coonawarra, South Australia
Australia$19.95
There may be a week or two left of good outdoor golf here in Essex County. In celebration of a good golfing season I picked up this one with golf pro Nick faldo's name on it.
I liked it! It's jammy, with juicy black berry and currents taking the front of the stage. Good balance and smooth tannin structure to keep it nice and friendly.
well worth a try.
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Domaine De Vaugondy Vouvray Sec 2007, Ac
Loire, France$17.95
Flowery nose with a hint of mineral. Crisp, refreshing acidity, typical Chenin Blanc notes of honeysuckle, honeydew, and cantaloupe with a firm mineral backbone.
Pairs well with spicey ceviche.
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Bodegas Lan Crianza 2006, Doca Rioja
Spain$15.95
At just $15 this wine is a great value from the LCBO.
Cherry, fruit forward nose and palate. Good acisity and supporting tannins resulting in a nicely balanced wine.
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Paolo Scavino Dolcetto D'alba 2009, Doc
Piedmont, Italy$11.95
A refreshing hint of sweetness greets the palate. Fresh, ripe cherry and pomegranate fruits notes along with hints of dark chocloate.
Fine tannins and an enjoyable finish that hangs around for a good while.
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Château Fontaine 2008, Ac Sauternes
Bordeaux, France$16.95
I have run into this wine a few times over the past few months.
When first released by the LCBO in mid April I picked one bottle up. I was attracted to the low price for a Sauternes. A few weeks later while at a Bordeaux wine pairing this wine was served with dessert.
I already had formed my opinion of this wine, and was interesting in seeing what the other guest at my table thought. Most finished their dessert and hardly touched the wine.
This Sauternes is ok, but lacks a lot of the complex flavours found in other Sauternes.
Hints of dried apricot, linden, and honeysuckle. Round, full bodied weight on the palate. Short, uneventful finish.
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Enclos De Viaud 2008, Ac Lalande De Pomerol
Bordeaux, France$22.30
Reasonable priced right bank Bordeaux wine offers a cornucopia for flavours. Plum, earth, leather, and pencil shavings. There's a layer of grippy tannins, but the fruit wins out on the finish.
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Cave De Hoen Pinot Gris 2009, Ac Alsace
Alsace, France$16.95
Honey and hints of mineral on the nose. Taste offers a bit of sweetness, melon and peach fruits. Also noted some interesting spices and a well intregrated mineral backbone.
Good length on the finish.
3.0 Stars
(0)V