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
Souverain Winemaker's Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County
California, Usa$39.95
Big, bold and complex. With so much going on in the glass there really is something for everyone.
Black currants, cherry, herbs, and cassis notes on the nose and palate. Vanilla and roasted coffee beans add additional complexity to the taste. Well balanced and integrated tannins offer a velvety smooth finish.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Charles Baker Picone Vineyard Riesling 2009, VQA Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$35.20
(Tasted September 2012)
Light straw colour, those who have cellared this wine will be rewarded now with lovely mineral / petrol notes that have started to develop. Baked apple fruit notes balance the acidity and mineral notes. Enjoy this one now or hold and see what else develops over the next year or two.
4.0 Stars
Beaulieu Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, Napa Valley
California, Usa$25.95
Have a couple of these in my cellar, time to open one and give it a try!
Very aromatic. Nose whaffs dark fruit notes, blackberry seems to dominate.
Do decant this wine for a 1/2 hour or so, a little exposure to air really improved this wine's taste.
Well structured taste. Ripe fruit notes, blackberry and black cherry along with vanilla and cedar. Soft tannins with a nice lip smack'n finish.
Still tasting very good!
(Tasted April 2012)
3.5 Stars
(0)V
Piper Heidsieck Brut, Champagne
Champagne, France$66.35
What a great way to start of my study of "Old World Wines" with a bottle of this bubbly.
Amona of fresh baked bread with a hint of minerality. Lots of mineral on the taste along with fresh bread, toast and lemon citrus.
A wonderful bubbly.
3.5 Stars
(1000+)G
Saint Clair Sauvignon Blanc 2009, Marlborough, South Island
New Zealand$16.95
Loaded with a grapefruit nose. Taste shares the same fruit nose along witha nice mineral backbone.
Great zesty acidity keeps the citrus taste going for quite some time in the finish.
Chill to serve. Allowing the wine to warm to room temperature reveals some sulfer tastes.
Tasted: May 2010
3.5 Stars
(0)V
Fontanafredda Serralunga D'alba Barolo 2005
Piedmont, Italy$44.95
Interesting amd complex nose: black cherry, earth, and a floral hint of rose pedal and lilac, ... yes lilac!
This is a full bodied wine with firm tannins. Good balance.
Taste is also complex. black cherry, plums, black pepper.
There is a hard mineral finish. The finish itself is long.
Not a bad barolo at all.
3.5 Stars
(0)V
R. Pouillon & Fils Cuvée De Réserve Brut Champagne
Champagne, France$43.95
Very nice yeasty nose. Old apple and nuttyness, oxidative taste.
A wonderful, assertive and classic bubbly. Lots of secondary flavours in this one.
3.5 Stars
(0)V
Domaine Puig Parahy Georges 2007, Ac Côtes De Roussillon
Languedoc, France$17.95
This one may benefit from a years in the cellar. Tannins leave the mouth dry. Tannins are a bit too harsh right now, it will be interestin to see what happens when they soften.
Complexity is good in this wine. . blackberry, toasted oak, smoky flavours,
Just a bit too tannic right now to really enjoy.
3.5 Stars
(0)V
Zonin Amarone Della Valpolicella 2006, Doc
Veneto, Italy$39.95
This one left me wanting more when I fished my glass. Excellent! very food friendly wine.
3.5 Stars
(0)V
Gardet Cuvée Tradition Saint Flavy Brut Champagne, Chigny Les Roses, A.C.
Champagne, France$55.95
My recently introduction into the world of sparklers and Champagne makes me a newbie and offering a review coming from an inexperienced palate in this style of wine.
Champagne has a place in my home, and it need not be expense to enjoy. Priced at just under $40 in the LCBO it won’t hit the pocket book to hard.
Nice balance of citrus flavours, sweetness, mineral notes, with a hint of yeasty notes. Clean and refreshing finish. Very easy and pleasant to drink.
3.5 Stars
(242)V