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
Café Culture Pinotage 2009, Wo Western Cape
South Africa$13.95
Pinotage is an interesting wine. It is a a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault and is unique to South Africa.
The nose offers a rather odd rubbery note that is common in Pinotage. Coffee flavour dominate the palate along with hints of ripe cherry and earthy notes. Medium to full body, good balance, short finish.
Interesting wine, will get you thinking about what's in the glass.
2.5 Stars
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Cave La Romaine Venus Laurée 2007, Cotes Du Rhone Villages
Rhône, France$9.94
In my quest to find some very good value wines from France I came aross this little gem.
Spicey, black pepper, some tannins,
A nice way to visit the hills of the Rhone on a tight budget.
2.5 Stars
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Niagara College Teaching Winery Cabernet Franc 2007, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Donald J.P. Ziraldo Vineyard
Ontario, Canada$15.70
Picked this one up at my local LCBO Vintages.
I was expecting a lot considering where is was made. It's good but not ready for prime time yet.
This red is in need of some good cellar time. Worth buying if you don't mind not opening it for a few years.
Typical Cab Franc notes found in nose and taste. Cherry, black berry, and good oak. Balance is just not there yet, with cellaring it may all come together.
Tasted: March 2010
2.5 Stars
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Cusumano Syrah 2008, Sicily
Sicily, Italy$12.00
Discovered that throughout all of the Windsor, Ontario LCBO's that only 6 bottles of this wine were in the inventory so I thought I would give it a try.
Typical dark red syrah colour. Nose has cherry, tobacco, and green pepper.
The taste on the attack was a bit bitter. That along with the hot finish over powered much of the taste. Some tannins on the finish as well.
2.5 Stars
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Sebastiani Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, Sonoma County
California, Usa$19.95
A little over oaked for my taste.
This is a full bodied red. Certainly not a sipper.
This wine may, (no promises however) soften enough in a year or two. Not sure if it will be wortht he wait.
2.5 Stars
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Domaine De Dieumercy Côtes Du Rhône 2007, Ac
Rhône, France$12.95
Nothing special here.
Nose and taste had what I can best describe as over ripe fruits. (Strawberry and plum).
Tasted: Feb. 2010
2.5 Stars
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Château Fabre Cuvée Des Jumelles 2008, Ac Corbières
Languedoc, France$13.95
Black and blueberry fruits along with some spicey pepper.
Good acidity but the tannins seemed to be misplaced and out of balance on my palate.
Average wine, nothing to get too excited about.
2.5 Stars
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Feudi Di San Marzano Primitivo 2008, Igt Puglia
Puglia, Italy$12.95
Cooked or stewed flavours. Quick finish.
2.5 Stars
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Mas Des Bressades Cuvée Tradition Rosé 2009, Ac Costières De Nîmes
Rhône, France$15.95
A wine that I may have overlooked had it not been brought in for tasting at one of my Master wine Tasters classes.
An enjoyable summer sipper. Tastes of strawberry and the sweetness of candy floss. Good acidity. A nice simple summer sipper. Cill and serve.
2.5 Stars
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Fumanelli Valpolicella 2008, Doc
Veneto, Italy$12.95
Great price! Was expecting something so so and was treated to a rather tasty red. Cherry, plum, leather, wood. Moderate acidity and tannins. Shows some good complexity while on a budget.
2.5 Stars
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