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
Carabella Dijon 76 Chardonnay 2006, Chelahem Mountains, Willamette Valley
Oregon, Usa$24.95
I haven't tasted a lot of wines from Oregon. Tasted this one in wine class (Niagara College Master Taster).
Shy nose, not very open but hints of canned peaches noted. Also some sweet oak.
Taste shows more than the nose. Lots of peach, good acidity, nice mineral back bone and just a hint of oak.
3.5 Stars
(0)V
Charles Baker Picone Vineyard Riesling 2008, VQA Vinemount Ridge, Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$35.20
A delicious Riesling, slightly of dry, terrifically balanced and focused with citrus and green apple fruit and enticing stony mineral notes.
(Tasted 16 March, 2012)
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
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.
3.5 Stars
Piper Heidsieck Brut, Champagne
Champagne, France$72.00
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+(10)O
Gardet Tradition Cuvée Saint Flavy Brut Champagne, Ac, Chigny Les Roses, France
Champagne, France$59.95
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
(114)V
Loron & Fils Les Vieux Murs Pouilly Fuissé 2007, Ac
Burgundy, France$29.95
BIG mineral structure in this wine is so good. wines like this are a treat and so enjoyable to drink.
Also noted the acidity in this wine was big, but balanced with the minerality quite well.
Fruits noted were pear, and apple.
A must buy!
3.5 Stars
(0)V
La Velona Brunello Di Montalcino 2005
Tuscany, Italy$39.95
A stunning Sangiovese that needs at least an hour to open. Decant to fully appreciate this beauty. Complex notes of leather, cola, tobacco, and an interesting floral thing going on. She’s a beauty, and will only get better over the next few years. If you can, cellar a few to open between 2015 – 2018.
(tasted August 2011)
3.5 Stars
(0)V
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