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
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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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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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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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
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Domaines Schlumberger Les Princes Abbés Pinot Gris 2007, Ac Alsace
Alsace, France$21.95
Both nose and taste scream tastes of peach, orange peel, and honey. Very ripe fruits.
Buy one or two, not case worthy.
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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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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Viewpointe Cabernet Franc 2006, Lake Erie North Shore VQA
Ontario, Canada$12.95
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)
3.0 Stars
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Sandeman Apitiv White Port, Doc Douro
Portugal$14.95
Brassy, clear colour shows the oxidative state of this wine. Nose is very assertive raison / walnuts and sweet floral notes.
Taste: raison, walnuts, old apples, fruit cake, dried fruits, candied pinapple
Very complex.
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Not much acidity shown (hot climate wine)
3.0 Stars
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Ferraton Père & Fils Samorens Côtes Du Rhône 2007, Ac Côtes Du Rhône
Rhône, France$14.95
Enjoyable but didn't know my socks off.
For under $15 I don't expect too much but Rhone wines seem to always delivere. It is one of my favourite wine regions.
Purchased his one from my local LCBO Vintages and enjoyed it but wanted more of that pepper / spice from Rhone wines.
Often the heat from Rhone wines comes from the spice, this time it came from the alcohol (14.5%)..
Worth buying and trying ... but not the best the Rhone has to offer.
3.0 Stars
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