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
Yellow Tail Shiraz 2008
Australia$11.95
It's a big red and needs to be paired with a juicy steak or something else on the BBQ.
Right out of the bottle it is a bit jammy and bitter on the finish. Perhaps some decanting is in order to soften this wine.
2.5 Stars
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Pelee Island Gewurztraminer 2009
Cellared In Canada, World$11.95
Pelee makes an excellent VQA Reserve Gewurtraminer. Yes it will cost you a little bit more but when you taste it you will be glad you bought it.
2.5 Stars
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Pelee Island Merlot Reserve 2008, Ontario VQA
Ontario, Canada$12.95
My access to Winealign ends at midnight tonight so this will be my last review posted here. I do review Lake Erie North Shore and Pelee wines at EssexWineReview.com
Why more people are not talking about this wine is beyond me. It is an excellent wine.
Nose: very earthy, rich dark soil. Hints of red cherries.
Taste: Earthy soil as to be expected. cherries, plums.
While this wine is not too complex this wine has nice balance and a nice medium finish. Soft tannins on the finish for a dry mouthfeel.
Very enjoyable right now, and should age well and soften a bit on the finish
2.5 Stars
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Colio Estate Unoaked Chardonnay VQA
Ontario, Canada$7.95
Colio Chardonnay 2008
(tasted January 2010)
Visual: Yellow straw colour.
Aroma: Mild citris nose.
The palate picks up hints of citrus but is quickly followed by quite an unpleasant back bite. It is a little too acidic to enjoy.
2.5 Stars
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Pelee Island Eco Trail Auxerrois Chardonnay 2007, Ontario VQA
Ontario, Canada$11.95
This is a very nice blended chardonnay that I really enjoyed. The chardonnay is blended with auxerois which may very well be the Pinot Gris (Pinot Grigio) grape in this area.
Nice smooth taste. Nice value wine for under $10.
Pairs with most dinners or enjoy as a sipper. A good value.
Gary Killops
EssexWineReview.com
2.5 Stars
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Colio Estate Shiraz/Cabernet VQA
Ontario, Canada$8.75
Fire up the grill and opena bottle of Colio's Shiraz Cabernet, I'm ready for a good time. Sounds a bit like an Allen Jackson song.
Big berry taste to starts. Blackberries and cherry fruit notes. Some spice.
Note a little bit of a musty taste. No the wine wasn’t corked and actually added another complexity to the wine.
This is a medium bodied wine, not too heavy. While only oaked 8 month the oak taste is noticeable on the back end. Nice long finish to this wine.
This was a nice surprise from Colio. Very nice wine worth taking a look at. Easy to find at any of their retail stores or at the LCBO.
2.5 Stars
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Mezzacorona Pinot Grigio 2009, Trentino
Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy$13.95
A very nice, refreshing Pinot Grigio. Pear / apple nose followed by zesty citus (lemon / lime) taste. Nice long finish to boot.
(08 Vintage. tasted Jan., 2010)
2.5 Stars
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Pelee Island Cabernet Franc 2007
Ontario, Canada$11.95
This is one of my favourite local Cabernet Franc’s and at a price just over $10 you just can’t go wrong with this red wine.
Pelee Island Winery's Cab Franc is darker red than many the other local ones from Essex County. It also has a bolder oaky taste with some big tannins.
As much as I enjoy this wine I do not believe it is one that should be served on its own. You really need to open this wine when you are having a BBQ or pasta dinner.
This wine is widely available at many LCBO’s across Ontario. Try it and let me know what you th
2.5 Stars
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Flat Rock Cellars Pinot Noir 2008, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$19.95
Light, almost rose in colour. Light body.
Nose and taste have earthy, forest floor notes. work at it to find strawberry.
It's a good pinot noir, not one to get to excited about.
2.5 Stars
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Domaine Montmartel Visan 2007, Ac Côtes Du Rhône Villages
Rhône, France$15.95
This one has been on the shelves of my local LCBO Vintages for almost a month. Not sure how I issed this one when it first came out.
Wonderful, rusty, and a must buy syrah from the south of France.
Black peper spice, plum, and a hint of oak. Dry and not overly tannic. Very enjoyable.
2.5 Stars
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