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
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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Éric Texier Vaison La Romaine Côtes De Rhône-villages 2007, Ac
Rhône, France$13.95
I try not to let price interfere with my judgement of a wine but it's hard to do when it is such a great value. Éric Texier Vaison La Romaine is a steal, you get a lot of bang for the buck. It's ready to open right now and enjoy!
Black cherry, black pepper, spices on the palate. Goes good with a BBQ'ed hamburger. Lovely lingering finish. Good stuff!
(tasted July 2011)
3.0 Stars
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Fielding Estate Rosé 2010, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$15.95
Pink colour in the glass. Aromas of fresh raspberries, cherry, and strawberries. Crisp and fresh on the palate, delicious red berry fruit flavours. A refreshing glass that pairs well with the dog days of summer.
(tasted Aug 2011)
3.0 Stars
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Sampietrana Tacco Barocco Primitivo 2008, Igt Salento
Puglia, Italy$14.95
Very rustic. Primitivo is Italy’s Zin and like it's counterpart, this is a good wine to open when having a BBQ. Pairs perfectly with grilled burgers, hickory smoked ribs or my favourite, grilled Italian sausages.
Red cherry, tobacco, spices dominate the nose and palate. Medium body, nice balance and best of all, very affordable.
(tasted August 2011)
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Rocca Di Castagnoli Chianti Classico 2007, Docg
Tuscany, Italy$19.95
Dark purple colour in the glass. Nose offers cherry, plum and vanilla notes. As expected with Chianti, high acidity which supports the fruits and supple, integrated tannins. Medium to full body. Long finish. A very good Chianti classico.
(tasted August 2011)
3.0 Stars
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Marquis Philips Shiraz 2008, Mclaren Vale, South Australia
Australia$0.00
A great weekend, value priced wine that screams at you to fire up the BBQ. Keep things simple, hamburgers will do.
Very inviting nose offers hints of tobacco, smoky wood, and plum. The same notes attack the palate with some added complexity from hints of bacon, and black pepper.
Full body, with a noticeably hot finish.
Which the high alcohol in this wine do share it with friends, as more than one glass in a sitting will sneak up on you fast, you won’t see it coming.
3.0 Stars
(0)V
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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Château De Nages Réserve 2009, Ac Costières De Nîmes
Rhône, France$11.45
If you can find this one at your local LCBO Vintages, buy what they have left. The wine has been marked down to $11.25 which is a real bargain.
Deep, concentrated purple colour in the glass. Black pepper and black fruits on the nose. Taste offers spice, pepper, cedar, and dark berries all in good balance. Didin't expect a lot but delivered more. Has a synthetic cork, so cellar standing up, or drink now. (tasted Jun 2011)
3.0 Stars
(0)V
Masi Campofiorin 2007, Venetia
Veneto, Italy$20.95
Deep red colour in the glass. Powerful dark fruit and cedar nose. Excellent acidity keep this wine juicy on the palate. Taste include black cherry, blueberry, blackberry, and moderate oakiness.
A tasty treat!
3.0 Stars
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First Press Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Napa Valley
California, Usa$22.95
I love wines like this that do not rob my wallet. A California Cabernet priced under $20 in LCBO's across Ontario caught my attention.
Well structured and balanced, nose and taste offer black berry, coffee, dark chocolate, and vanilla. Tannins a tight and grippy so pair this one with rare grilled red meats.
(tasted Sept 2011)
3.0 Stars
(0)V