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
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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Henry Of Pelham Baco Noir Reserve 2005, VQA Ontario
Ontario, Canada$24.95
She's a beauty ... she's one in a million .... remember that tune by the Tubes? Probably dating myself but it's the song I am singing today (on a Canadian civic holiday because I was doing a little reorganizing in my cellar and came across this beauty.
Baco Noir doesn't get a lot of respect ... but sipping on a glass of this vintage could change your mind in a hurray.
Smokey notes, black cherry, and plum fruits collide to make one tasty treat. Well balanced, there is enough food friendly acidity. Wish I had a few more bottles of this one still around. Cheers!
(tasted August 2011)
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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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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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 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
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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Sileni Cellar Selection Sauvignon Blanc 2009, Marlborough, South Island
New Zealand$17.95
WOW ... this is good.
Tropical fruit leads the way. Crisp acidity and long finish. Treat yourself to this one.
3.0 Stars
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Nk'mip Qwam Qwmt Syrah 2007, VQA Okanagan Valley
British Columbia, Canada$31.95
It's hard to put into words a description of this wine that will do it justice. It’s one of those wines that come along every now and then that just blow me away.
Rich, ripe and jammy red cherry and plum fruit notes. Hints of cedar and cigar box along with black pepper spice and vanilla notes. Complex and compelling on the palate. Tannins are still a bit grippy, if you can resist the temptation to open it now and give this wine a few years cellaring time you will be rewarded.
A signature example of a "Hot Climate" Canadian wine.
(tasted July 2011)
3.0 Stars
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Beronia Elaboración Especial Tempranillo 2009, Doca Rioja
Rioja, Spain$16.95
Impressive Rioja Tempranillo. Aromas of new oak, smoke, and cedar dominate the dark berry fruit notes.
Taste follows the same line. Medium to full body, dry, soft, velvety tannins lead to a moderate length finish. Priced under $18 in Ontario LCBO's this wine offers great value.
(tasted November 2011)
3.0 Stars
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