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
Delas Frères Saint Esprit Côtes Du Rhône Rosé 2010, Ac
Rhône, France$14.95
Nose was a bit shy. I really had to work at it to note aromas of cherry and strawberry.
Strawberry notes on the palate, quite heavy mouth feel for such a light looking wine which is consistent with the higher alcohol volume. Hint of tannin on the finish.
May not be for everyone expecting a light rosé wine as it is not as delicate as it looks.
2.5 Stars
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Quails' Gate Pinot Noir 2008, VQA Okanagan Valley
British Columbia, Canada$26.95
Flavours of raspberry, smoke and spice on the nose.
Taste is quite complex, offering different notes throughout the tasting. Strawberry and raspberry fruits, cinnamon spice, forest soil, coffee, leather and tobacco.
Light weight on the palate, Velvety tannins are well integrated into the finish. Well done!
(tasted June / 2011)
2.5 Stars
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Flat Rock Cellars Seriously Twisted 2008, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$22.95
Seriously, a crazy blend of four grapes that is so twisted. 79% Chardonnay, 7% Riesling, 7% Gewurztraminer and 7% Pinot Noir. add in a little barrel fermentation and as odd is this blend appears .... it works and is seriously good!
Dominate taste and flavours are treed fruits (pear, apple) minerality, and citrus notes. Crisp cool climate acidity supports a long finish .... you just have to try this out!
Reviewed 2008 Flat Rock Cellars Seriously Twisted (tasted July 2010)
2.5 Stars
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Domaine Moltes Reserve Riesling 2009, Ac Alsace
Alsace, France$13.90
Tree fruits, crisp acidity, mineral backbone in perfect harmony and balance. Complex and complete. This wine is a good example of what Alsace rieslings are all about.
Enjoyable sipper, or pair with lemon chicken for a real treat.
2.5 Stars
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Two Hands Sexy Beast Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, Mclaren Vale, South Australia
Australia$27.95
Okay, I admit it, the bottle label that caught my attention and probably the reason why I picked up this bottle of wine from Australia. Looks like the rather stiff LCBO censors have lightened up enough to allow a little sex on the shelves.
Label is eye catching but it's whats inside of the bottle that really counts. Deep purple in the glass, shows some big extraction. Fruit forward notes explode from the glass. Ripe blueberry, blackberry, black cherry, plum, and spice. Very complex nose! Taste does not disappoint. Same notes are echoed on the palate. Full bodied, well balanced, with just enough tannins to give a bit of grip. It really is sexy and pleasurable.
Needs to be paired with a char grilled steak topped with black pepper. Careful with adding too much salt, the wine comes in at just under 15% alc and the salt could ramp up the heat on the palate.
(tasted July 2011)
2.5 Stars
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Jeanjean Ormarine Picpoul De Pinet 2010, Ac Coteaux Du Languedoc
Languedoc, France$12.95
Don't see wines made from the Picpoul grape on the shelves of Ontario LCBO's too often so it was a real treat finding one at my local Vintages store.
Fresh, clean, lively acidity. Lime citrus and tangerine notes with an interest mineral backbone for some added complexity.
A nice refreshing summer quaffer.
(tasted August 2011)
2.5 Stars
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Sainte Croix Vieilles Vignes Coteaux Du Languedoc 2009, Ac
Languedoc, France$13.95
Ripe black fruits dominate the nose and palate. Dry, medium body with balanced acidity for the ripeness of the fruit. Tannins are light.
(Tasted August 2011)
2.5 Stars
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Vintage Ink Rite Of Passage Chardonnay 2010
Ontario, Canada$16.95
Yes, the label caught my attention and just may be the reason I picked this bottle up off of the shelf and eventually took it home. It is very eye catching and appealing, and so is the stuff inside.
2010 was a warm vintage, and it shows in this wine with more tropical fruits rather than pear notes. Some citrus provides good acidity balance. Butterscotch notes offered from the oak round out the wine with good balance. Worth a taste or two!
(tasted August 2011)
2.5 Stars
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Domaine Houchart Rosé 2010, Ac Côtes De Provence
Provence, France$13.95
Fruity but not sweet, light and refreshing on the palate. Strawberry, melon, and a hint of spice. Lively acidity leads to a long finish. A yummy sipper.
(tasted September 2011)
2.5 Stars
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Flat Rock Chardonnay 2008, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$16.95
A tasty unoaked chardonnay and at a great price too. Tropical fruits on the nose and palate, some mineral notes, medium body with a buttery, creamy finish. Well balanced acidity compliments the tropical fruits.
Available at LCBO's across Ontario so you do not need to make a trip to Niagara to taste this one. I am going back to buy a few more of this one.
(Tasted September 2011)
2.5 Stars
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