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
G. D. Vajra Albe Barolo 2005, Docg
Piedmont, Italy$26.85
Smooth, silky tannans. Rich and complex. Rose petal and anise nose.
taste shows lots of cherry, orange peel and herbacous highlights. Medium body. Open now and enjoy.
3.5 Stars
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Siduri Pinot Noir 2008, Russian River Valley
California, Usa$37.95
Certainly not a delicate Pinot Noir but still quite good.
Raspberry, strawberyy fruits, wood, and smoke, Some tannin that fit in nice.
Only issue I had with this wine was that it had a rather hot finish. Too hot.
3.5 Stars
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Clos Laborie 2006, Ac Margaux
Bordeaux, France$33.95
Wow, this is good.
It's a September 18th, 2010 Vintages release. One of our local Vintages had this one on the shelf on the 17th and I had it on my BUY LIST so the corked was pulled this evening.
Interesting complexity of dark berry fruits, cedar, pencil shavings with grippy tannans that give it a good edge.
Med length finish. A must buy!
3.5 Stars
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Tawse Sketches Of Niagara Chardonnay 2008, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$19.95
Oak chards when balanced are a wonderful treat. Too much oak and they can be difficult to drink.
While this one still is very drinkable it borders on the edge of too much oak. balance is just a little bit off.
Still, despite this balance issue, its worth a try.
3.5 Stars
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Descendientes De J. Palacios Pétalos 2008
Spain$25.00
Big juicey and tasty wine.
Plum nose and taste. Also noted cherry,
A nice find!
3.5 Stars
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Poggio Bonelli Chianti Classico Riserva 2006, Docg
Tuscany, Italy$28.95
This is a very good Chianti, but I wish I had not opened this one just yet. It is going to improve with a little cellar time.
It's a big red with a full bodied mouthfeel. Very ripe. Nice secondary leather, cigar box notes.
Big acidity making this one very food friendly with red sauces.
I am heading back to the LCBO to buy a few more to put in my cellar.
3.5 Stars
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Frescobaldi Tenuta Di Castiglioni 2008, Igt Toscana
Tuscany, Italy$21.95
Big and Rich, not to be confused with the Country music band this wine is a whopper of a red. Lively acidity, full of flavours such as dark cherry, plum, raspberry, cedar and vanilla. A wonderful roundness on the palate and soft, well integrated tannins leading to a long finish.
(Tasted August 2011)
3.5 Stars
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Château Grand Rivallon 2006, Ac Saint émilion Grand Cru
Bordeaux, France$21.95
While visiting my brother and his family he stated that people keep bringing Merlot to his house and he can't stand them. I found this wine after a quick trip to the LCBO.
After he tried it, his opinion changed.
All merlots are not alike. A good right bank Bordeaux merlot can convert many who do not like the grape.
This one is well balanced, Plums, black cherry, oak, leather with a lasting finish. Mild tannins.
3.5 Stars
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Huff Estate Cuvée Peter F. Huff Sparkling 2008, VQA Prince Edward County, Ontario, Traditional Method
Ontario, Canada$29.75
(Tasted September 2012)
Bubbly at its' best. Crisp, clean and lively acidity and refreshing on the palate. Lovely baked bread nose. Dam good!
3.5 Stars
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Domaine De La Vieille Ferme De L'eoune Rasteau 2009, Ac Côtes Du Rhone Villages
Rhône, France$13.90
When I opened this bottle aromas of fresh red berries exploded out of bottle. I wasn’t let down when I tasted this wine.
Fruit forward notes of blackberry and black raspberry, add vanilla and spice flavours for complexity. Juicy acidity and velvety tannins in balance. This is a BBQ wine for sure!
(tasted July 2011)
3.5 Stars
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