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
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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Flat Rock Cellars Riesling 2010, VQA Twenty Mile Bench
Ontario, Canada$16.95
Drives me crazy when none of my local LCBO Vintages locations carry some of the latest Ontario releases. This is a wine that SHOULD be at every location. It is a low alcohol treat that is perfect for summer time sipping.
I tasted this wine at Flat Rock on a recent trip to Niagara. Here are my notes:
A fine balance of racy acidity and a hint of sweetness allow the apple and pear fruits to explode on the palate. The mineral notes lead to a perfect finish. What a quaffer! Perfect for summer time socials. I could sip on this wine all day.
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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Finca Sobreño Crianza 2005, Do Toro
Spain$17.95
Ripe fruits. Reminded me of fruit cake. (almost mercaptan in fault). some fruits noted but hidden by the over ripeness.
3.5 Stars
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Henri Bourgeois Les Baronnes 2007, Sancerre
Loire, France$24.95
Big mineral nose and taste.
Zesty grapefruit taste and classic Sauvignon Blanc "cat pee" character.
Long lingering finish.
Enjoyable, rememberable 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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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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Rosemount Diamond Blends Shiraz Cabernet 2007
Australia$12.95
Nice blend of spice and fruit. Very easy to sip on with a soft finish.
3.5 Stars
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Clos Lachance Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, Central Coast
California, Usa$34.95
I did cellar this wine, let lie on it side but perhaps my fault as the cork was a little dry and left a lot of particles in the wine once pulled.
Deep red / ruby colours. Dense consentration. Still shows youthful age.
Nose was a bit shy but I was able to coax out some cherry, vanila and oak.
Taste has a nice balanced. Great acidity, some sweetness and just enough tannins. Left a mouthwatering long finish.
Cherry, vanilla, oak, and some mineral noted in the taste. Very good wine.
3.5 Stars
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