Neil Phillips
Reviews
Clos Gebrat C G + 2014
Priorat, Spain$15.75
Nice Priorat that's typical of the area.
Dark fruits, spicy notes, savoury mid-palate and long herbal finish. Definitely chewy.
Big, bold, higher in alcohol and drinking well now, but will benefit from a bit of time in bottle.
Pair with robust meat-based dishes.
Tasted November 2016.
3.5 Stars
(0)V
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
(0)V
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
Pittacum Mencia 2011
Galicia, Spain$21.95
Luscious nose of red fruits, black plum, slightly stewed, rose petal, violets.
Soft on the palate initially with medium tannins, deepening red fruits, touch of coffee and cocoa grounds. Medium+ finish.
Tasted March 2018.
3.5 Stars
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
(0)V
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
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
Best's Bin No. 1 Shiraz 2015, Great Western, Victoria
Victoria, Australia$21.95
Bing cherries, blackberries, dark plums, mocha and a hint of mint.
Mid-way between savoury and jammy, this is a pleasant Shiraz that will do well on its own or with food. Smooth finish.
Tasted January 2019.
3.5 Stars
(0)V
Bodega Tajinaste Tinto Tradicional 2017, Orotava Valley
Spain$24.30
Medium intensity ruby red in colour.
Earthy and barnyard would be an understatement for this nose. :-)
Stewed dark red and black fruits, almost chutney-like. Definite smoke.
On the palate, chewy fruits and high acid - but tannins are only medium. Fruit and savoury notes mingle, and the wine really opens up with air.
The 2017 is 100% Listan Negro.
Not for everyone, but a unique wine that works with a plethora of foods.
Tasted May 2020.
3.5 Stars
(0)
Cline Ancient Vines Zinfandel 2016, Contra Costa County, Central Coast
California, Usa$24.95
Slight menthol on the nose, with green leaf, balsamic, cola, faint meat, chocolate and dark plums.
Smooth red and black fruits on the initial palate, with tannins building through the mid-palate and finish. Sage, blue fruits.
Tasted October 2018.
3.5 Stars
(0)V