Neil Phillips
Reviews
Queenston Mile Vineyard Pinot Noir Rosé 2017, VQA St. David's Bench
Ontario, Canada$30.00
Medium-intensity salmon in colour.
Nose of strawberry, sour cherry.
On the palate, strawberry muted and more savoury red fruits come to the fore: cranberry, cherry - and an almost green-herbal note. Slightly creamy medium-length finish.
Tasted July 2019.
3.5 Stars
Kew Vineyards Soldier's Grant 2014, Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$19.95
A solid Meritage blend, feeling more like a warm climate effort than Niagara. No doubt the appasimento addition played a large part in adding warmth and strong fruit backbone.
Well balanced acidity, with herbal notes amidst the red & black fruit compote, mocha.
Long supple finish.
Tasted April 2018
3.5 Stars
Gaia Thalassitis Assyrtiko 2012, Pdo Santorini, Aegean Islands
Santorini, Greece$23.95
A few years on, sulphur and cold cream still evident on the nose - along with lemon juice, lime zest, under-ripe white peach.
On the palate, racy acidity, grapefruit, mineral and slight brine. An almost tannic bite, stone fruit and pit. Chewy mid-palate, this has a fair amount of body.
Tasted September 2018.
3.5 Stars
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Henry Of Pelham Rose 2012, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$13.95
Dark salmon to red in colour.
Notes of cherry, cranberry and a hint of white pepper.
On the palate, this dry wine has nice zippy acidity to carry the fruit, and finishes crisply.
A well-made Ontario rose, there`s enough acid to go with a variety of foods.
3.5 Stars
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Domaine Chevallier Chablis 2010, Ac
Burgundy, France$23.95
Nose of lime, white grapefruit, touch of green apple and a flinty note.
On the palate, bone dry and lip-smackingly crisp. Tart lime and apple predominate, slight lemon, with a honeysuckle minerally finish that's medium-plus in length.
Would be perfect with a tray of raw oysters; I paired with chicken in puff pastry, cooked in a bit of the wine.
A classic example of why Chablis really is a much separate region from Bourgogne.
Tasted May 2015.
3.5 Stars
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Bailly Lapierre Chardonnay Brut Crémant De Bourgogne, Traditional Method, Ac, Burgundy, France
Burgundy, France$28.95
A fine blanc de blancs cremant from Bourgogne, this shows where value sparklers in France really compete honourably on the quality-price spectrum.
Nose of citrus, green apple, and a touch of baguette. Fine, persistent bubbles, with a slightly elegant (medium-aggressive) mousse. On the palate, crisp and refreshing, balanced acid and fruit with a finish on the edge of minerality and almonds, with a pleasant lemon-peel edge.
Tasted April 2014.
3.5 Stars
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Calera Chardonnay 2015, Central Coast
California, Usa$33.95
Nose of ripe peach, bruised apple and buttered popcorn - but light on the butter.
Nicely balanced on the palate with medium acidity, a Golden Delicious apple and a tart almond-esque finish.
Decent price for this quality from California.
Tasted November 2018.
3.5 Stars
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Trail Estate Skin Contact Gewürztraminer 2016
Ontario, Canada$40.00
What an intriguing wine.
Higher alcohol than anticipated - though I wouldn't have guessed it at 13.5%.
Aromatics are off the charts. The usual panoply of Gewurz aromas, but all somehow magnified. Imagine sitting in a flower garden eating Turkish delight and dried pineapple slices, perhaps with some ground pink peppercorns and star anise.
On the palate, a glorious jumble of all the above. Let this warm slightly, and the layers come out.
Most definitely this will appeal to some, and not to others.
A great example of the experimentation going on at Trail Estates.
Tasted February 2020
3.5 Stars
The Colonial Estate Explorateur Old Vine Shiraz 2006, Barossa Valley, South Australia
Australia$19.95
An excellent expression of Barossa Valley Shiraz - and has aged gracefully.
Still a powerful nose of black pepper, anise, mint - all over dark blackcurrants and damson plums. Vanilla is also evident, as well as muted earthy tones.
Bold flavours follow on the palate, but with a restraint (no doubt aided with aging) that proves quite elegant. The pepper is milder, fruits still supple but layered with almonds and spice.
At 14.5% the alcohol is present but does not overpower; finish is long.
Tasted February 2015.
3.5 Stars
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Quinta De Saes Red 2013, Doc Dão
Dão, Portugal$15.75
Deep in colour, this wine offers a vibrant nose of baked red & black fruits, liquorice, rose, carnations, and a slight resinous note.
On the palate, very balanced acids & tannins. Flavours of blackberry jam, smoked meat, tobacco, resin. A lot of depth and flavour here, but not over-the-top.
I'd definitely put some down fro five years or so.
Tasted October 2016.
3.5 Stars
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