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
Wayne Gretzky Estate Series Cabernet Merlot 2007, Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$16.95
This wine is currently on sale at LCBO Vintages locations while supplies last. There isn't a lot left so hurray and grab a bottle or two while you can.
Taste notes of dark cherry, blackberry. cassis with an underlining hint of smokiness. Really opens up if you decant for a half hour or so.
3.5 Stars
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Benziger Syrah 2006, North Coast
California, Usa$19.95
What a nice find at my local LCBO. Memorial weekend, a BBQ and a Cali Syrah fit the bill.
In search of a Syrah this one caught my attention because of the price.
Deep purple colour, Vanilla oak nose dominates the ripe, dark fruit, spice notes. Taste follows the nose. Well intergrated tannins, lovely balance with just enough acidity to keep it juicy.
Great value. Wish I had bought a few more.
3.5 Stars
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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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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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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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Seghesio Sonoma Zinfandel 2009, Sonoma County
California, Usa$29.95
Quite a tasty zin. Shows good concentration in the glass and offers jammy notes on the nose. On the palate I got blackberry, raspberry and plum. Full, heavy mouthfeel with a hot finish due to the high alcohol. The fruits do keep things in balance but do be careful when pairing, shy away from spicy or salty foods. Worked well with a BBQ'ed hamburger. (tasted Aug 2011)
3.5 Stars
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Las Rocas Garnacha 2009, Do Calatayud
Spain$15.00
A good friend of mine swears that this is the best wine he has ever had. He buys a case (or two) of every vintage released.
I recently had the opportunity to do a vertical wine tasting of Las Rocas San Alejandro Garnacha and the 2009 vintage topped the list.
A bit more complex than the other vintages. Lost of interesting spices, smoky flavours, and black cherry fruit notes. Tasty ... I wanted more of this wine.
3.5 Stars
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Domaine Chevallier Chablis 2008, Ac
Burgundy, France$23.95
Reasonably priced Chablis offers fair value inside the bottle.
Citrus notes supported by a flinty mineral backbone present nicely balanced wine with a moderate finish.
Good match with shellfish.
3.5 Stars
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