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
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
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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
Rosemount Diamond Label Shiraz 2009, Southeastern Australia
Australia$14.95
I like a good deal, and like it even more when it means saving a few bucks on a good wine.
Rosemount's Diamond Label Shiraz is cuurenntly $2 off (until May 22, 2011) and most LCBO's (even those that do not have a Vintages select) will have this wine.
It's typical Australian in taste. Dark purple colour with big fruits up front. Spicey finish expected from shiraz.
(tasted May 1st, 2011)
3.0 Stars
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Michel Delhommeau Cuvée Harmonie Muscadet De Sèvre Et Maine 2009, Ac, Sur Lie
Loire, France$13.95
The nose offers pear and orange peel.
This light bodied wine greets the palate with pear, orange citrus, and wet stone and salty mineral notes. Well balanced from start to the moderating long finish.
Pair with oysters for a perfect match.
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Casa Dea Pinot Gris 2009, VQA Prince Edward County
Ontario, Canada$18.75
While reading the LBCO's Vintages magazine a few weeks ago I was excited to read that this wine would be available at LCBO Vintage locations. Unfortunately once again this Ontario wine never made it to any of the locations in my area.
I did taste this wine last October, here is my tasting note:
A pleasant nose of fresh spring flowers and citrus notes.
Dry, light body. Very lively on the palate with crisp mouth watering acidity. Offers citrus, green melon, and apple flavours. An excellent sipper!
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Château Pipeau 2007, Ac Saint émilion Grand Cru
Bordeaux, France$28.00
Complex notes of cassis, coffee, black pepper and black cherry nose. The same noses follow on the palate. Good structure, full bodied Bordeaux with good balance and currently being sold at a price that is a steal. Tannins are not as chewy as past vintages but still have a good grip. Drinking well now but I do suggest buying a few for the cellar to see how this one develops over time. (August 2011)
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Domaine Bernard Baudry Chinon 2009, Ac
Loire, France$19.95
In the glass, this wine made from the Cabernet Franc grape shows a ruby red colour with moderate extraction. Colour and depth what is to be expected from a Loire Cab Franc.
Herbaceous and smoky nose, also notes hints of cherry.
On the palate it shows a medium body weight. Cherry and raspberry fruits, hints of smoke and tobacco, and herbaceous undertones. Nice balance of fruit and acid.
(tasted August 2011)
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Olivier Ravoire Plan De Dieu Côtes Du Rhône Villages 2009, Ac
Rhône, France$15.95
Odd green notes which suggested a lack of ripeness although the high alcohol suggested otherwise.
Herbaceous notes dominate the nose and taste, and while not a taste that I expect tasting a Rhône wine is was still quite good and once I grew adjust to the wine I really started to enjoy it. Plum and ripe fruit notes dominate this blend.
(tasted February 2012)
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Stoneleigh Chardonnay 2011, Marlborough
Marlborough, New Zealand$9.95
A nice balance of fruit, malo, and oak treatment resulting in a complex chardonnay with a nice long and lingering finish.
Pear and apple fruit notes, the malo fermentation adds a nice buttery taste and hints of smoke from the oak all work together in this wine.
Very tasty!
(tasted March 20th, 2012)
3.0 Stars
(0)G
Mastronardi Merlot/Cabernet 2008, VQA Lake Erie North Shore
Ontario, Canada$14.75
Do yourself a big favour and decant this wine. If you pull the cork, and pour and glass right away you will be missing much of what this wine has to offer. After about 30 minutes the wine really opens up.
This is a big wine, the label says 13% but come across a bit hotter on the palate. Once decanted the higher alcohol really finds a nice balance with the fruits and secondary flavours. It will be a nice winter “warm ya up” wine to sip on.
Both the nose and taste will offer the earthy notes immediately after opening, once the wine itself is exposed juicy black cherry notes, vanilla, new leather, and even hints of chocolate find their into the mix. You should be rewarded by cellaring this one, the tannins are still a bit grippy, and should resolve nicely over the next few years.
3.0 Stars
(0)V