Gary Killops

Rosemount Diamond Blends Shiraz Cabernet 2007

Nice blend of spice and fruit. Very easy to sip on with a soft finish.

Las Rocas Garnacha 2009, Do Calatayud

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.

Flat Rock Cellars Riesling 2010, VQA Twenty Mile Bench

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.

Finca Sobreño Crianza 2005, Do Toro

Ripe fruits. Reminded me of fruit cake. (almost mercaptan in fault). some fruits noted but hidden by the over ripeness.

Domaine Chevallier Chablis 2008, Ac

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.

Clos Lachance Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, Central Coast

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.

Henry Of Pelham Reserve Off Dry Riesling 2008, VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Peninsula

Petrol notes dominate both the nose and palate. Those who enjoy this mineral note in rieslings will really like this one.

Hints of treed fruit take a backseat, (apple, pear)

Very food friendly! a wonderful complement to spicey dishes.

Viewpointe Cabernet Franc 2006, Lake Erie North Shore VQA

Nose was a bit shy but did eventually reveal bell peppers, herbaceous notes, and hints of red berries.

Taste offered bell pepper, sweet tobacco, red currants, and hot spices. Lively acidity to keep the mouth watering, light tannins and moderate finish that had some heat to it.

While not as complex as Viewpointe’s other LCBO release (2006 Cabernet Merlot) this wine does offer good value.

(tasted April 2011)

Pelee Island Lighthouse Riesling 2009, VQA Ontario

A swirl of my glass showed curtains that where extremely fast. Reading the label on the bottle the alcohol per vol. was not too high so that told me to get ready for a blast of sweetness. It delivered as suggested.

This is a very sweet riesling, but interesting enough is balanced with some good old mouth watering acidity.

Fruits do take a back seat however. Noted apples and peaches on the nose and taste.

Long lasting finish. This one is a good summer time patio sipper. Just chill and serve.

Greg Norman Estates Cabernet Merlot 2007, Limestone Coast, South Australia

I normally shy away from Vintages Esseentials, reason ... I can get them anytime so those limited release wines seem to get more attention from me.

A few weeks ago Vintages had a rather boring wine release so I explored a little and picked up this wine. I am glad I did.

Meduim to full bodied red, dark fruits, oak and smoky flavours were noted in this one.

This is a very good wine with a long finish. This is certainly one wine that I would revisit and buy again.