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
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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Lan Reserva 2005, Doca Rioja
Spain$21.95
Simply Irresistible! I can't get this Robert Palmer song out of my head after tasting this wine because it best decribes this wine! It really is "simply irresistible".
Aromas of smoke, spice, and black berry. Same notes greet the palate along with leather, dark chocolate, and expresso. Complex and perfectly balanced.
Simply Irresistible!
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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Elk Cove Vineyards Pinot Noir 2008, Willamette Valley, Oregon
Oregon, Usa$42.95
Medium to full body. Powerful nose, full aromatics of cherry fruit and forest floor jump out of the glass. Taste offers red fruits with some light spice. Silky smooth texture. Very nice.
3.5 Stars
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Ornellaia Le Volte 2009, Igt Toscana
Tuscany, Italy$29.95
Having a few bottles of 2009 I was able to taste this next to the recently released 2010 vintage. Perhaps a few bottles still remain in LCBO inventory, but more than likely to taste to taste one now, it will from a private collection or restaurant that may still have some left. This Super Tuscan, while quite good lacked some of the big structure and fruit that other vintages offer. More earthy and herbaceous, not a bad thing, just not what I was expecting or profiling. More merlot like in profile. Still very food friendly, best with poultry and grilled meats.
(Tasted October 2012)
3.5 Stars
Ruffino Modus 2008, Igt Toscana
Tuscany, Italy$29.95
A balanced blend of red fruits supported by lively acidity suggests that this is a very food friendly wine. While it tastes good on its own, to discover the full offering of this wine pair it with plates high in acidity and this Modus will really shine. Silky tannins and a long finish.
3.5 Stars
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Ornellaia Le Volte 2010, Igt Toscana
Tuscany, Italy$29.95
Having a few bottles of 2009 I was able to taste this 2010 vintage along side. Bigger body and structure than the '09. Much more wine for the buck. This is a real pleaser that will improve over the next few years as the tannins soften. Fruit / acidity balance will reward pasta with tomato sauce pairings. A great buy!
(Tasted October 2012)
3.5 Stars
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Nederburg Shiraz 2006, Western Cape
South Africa$11.95
The 2008 Vintage is currently available. that is what I had and that is what this review relates to.
A friend drop by yesterday, I invited him for dinner. It was the first real sign of spring here in Southwestern Ontario so I was outside BBQ steaks.
His wine selection for a steak BBQ was very good! This is a good wine and at a price point that makes it even better. (LCBO website indicates the 2008 vintage is $ 10.95.
Moderate nose of oak, smoke and spice.
Taste pretty mush is a mirror of this with extra notes going to the smokiness. Some cherry also noted in the taste.
3.0 Stars
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Cazes L'excellence De Triniac 2005, Ac Côtes Du Roussillon Villages Latour De France
Languedoc, France$14.40
An outstanding red. Found this one at my local LCBO Vintages. Enjoyed it so much I returned to buy the rest of their stock on hand.
Nose is full of herbs, spices, and blueberries.
The palate gushes with cherry and blueberries. Nice firm tannins on the finish. Very nice balance.
Pairs well with red meats cooked on a grill.
3.0 Stars
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Pelee Island Riesling Dry 2008, Ontario VQA
Ontario, Canada$11.95
A nice simple easy going wine offered at a very good price.
While it didn’t knock my socks off, this Riesling fit the bill as a nice patio sipper or cocktail wine for a social event.
Light pear colour, nose has some floral hints.
Taste begins with some sweet honey, followed by lots of tangy citrus flavour, lemons and limes were noted causing a little bitterness near the finish.
This is a lovely sipping wine.
3.0 Stars
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