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
Cabeça De Toiro 2007, Doc Ribatejo
Portugal$16.95
Outstanding hot climate wine. Shows big extraction. Full body.
Ripe plum, raspberry, blueberry pie on the nose and taste. Add new leather to the taste. Very complex.
Taste mineral, wood but not a lot of tannin. Silky mouthfeel. Long, long finish.
Everything is well intigrated in this wine. Could cellar but is very good right now.
2.5 Stars
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Calamus Estate Reserve Riesling 2007, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$18.95
Riesling with fruit and mineral backbone get my attention. This one did just that.
A lovely wine, fruit forward on the attack. Apple, peach, pear, along with good acid and mineral.
Well worth a try.
2.5 Stars
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Domaine Roche Audran Visan Côtes Du Rhône Villages 2007, Ac
Rhône, France$15.95
Very Good
Medium balance, with moderate nose of cherry, spice, and fresh herbs.
Taste left me wanting more or as if not complete. It was a good wine but nothing to get too exited about. Some cherry notes, spice, and black pepper noted.
Very good wine ... but not outstanding.
2.5 Stars
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Château Tour Saint André 2001, Ac Lalande De Pomerol
Bordeaux, France$26.95
Very good right blank red. (Merlot)
Brown colour shows it is aging gracefully and still has a few more good years left.
Unlike another review, I found the tannins soft, and silky shortly after opening.
Cherry and minerla notes tasted.
Interesting but did not get too excited.
2.5 Stars
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Irony Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Napa Valley
California, Usa$21.95
Big spice and red cherry nose.
On the palate, ripe cherry, sweet tobacco, and leather. Some hints of toasty oak also noted
Good, crisp acidity on the finish.
Had this with a pizza, good match.
2.5 Stars
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Yering Station Little Yering Pinot Noir 2008, Yarra Valley, South Australia
Australia$19.95
It was the price that first caught my attention and the reason I picked this one up. A pinot noir under $15.
while not a big pinot fan, I did enjoy this one. Lots going on, very complex and a lingering finish.
Nose and taste showed cherry, raspberry, herbs, and light tannins.
2.5 Stars
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Domaine Bellevue Sauvignon Blanc Touraine 2009, Ac
Loire, France$14.95
Inviting citrus notes on the nose. Lime and peach fruit forward taste on the attack of the palate gives way to nice mineral notes. Lively acidity in this one, very refreshing.
2.5 Stars
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Finca Flichman Gestos Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, Tupungato/Barrancas, Mendoza
Argentina$14.95
Deep garnet red in the glass. Ripe berries and vanillas on the nose. Taste offers the same, along with chocolate and fresh herbs. Silky tannins. A bit hot on the palate and finish.
Tasted May 1st, 2011
2.5 Stars
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Gunderloch Fritz's Riesling 2009, Qba Rheinhessen
Rheingau, Germany$13.95
An excellent value for under $14. a lot a bang for the buck packed into this bottle of wine. I just picked up one at my LCBO but after tasting this beauty I am heading back there tomorrow to buy a case.
Fruit forward notes of peach, green apple, and lime. Zesty, lively acidity balanced with mineral notes. Long, long finish. This is a treat!
I am officially a Fritz Fan!
2.5 Stars
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Braided River Sauvignon Blanc 2010, Marlborough, South Island
New Zealand$15.95
A nice zesty sipper that is sure to please the palate on a hot summer day.
This wine is all grapefruit and lively acidity with a long finish.
Pairs good with salty foods..
2.5 Stars
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