Neil Phillips

Tawse Sketches Of Niagara Merlot/Cabernet 2007, VQA Niagara Peninsula

Interestingly, this wine has morphed from a "Merlot Cabernet" in the 2007 vintage to "Cabernet Merlot" in recent years. I don't have the specs, but that should indicate a switch in varietal composition in this Bordeaux-styled blend.

Merlot certainly sings in this one, with nice ripe plum and mocha on the nose, in addition to blackberry and dried herbs.

The tannins have softened nicely with bottle age, though still provide nice structure and some chalkiness. Fruit is still going strong, with a savoury edge, slight meatiness, and a bit of tart cherry. Balanced and finishes nicely, medium+ in length.

Tasted February 2015.

Thirty Bench Riesling 2010, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula

Thirty Bench have become known somewhat as specialists in Riesling - and with good reason.

This is their value offering, and for under $20 delivers what one would expect. Very Niagara with slight fleshi-ness, but otherwise reflective of the Mosel.

Heaps of lemon on the nose. On the palate, more lime and juicy stone fruits, with a long finish, slightly off-dry with nice acid and minerality. A bit strong on mouthfeel for a Riesling.

Tasted January 2014.

Angels Gate Gewurztraminer 2010, VQA Niagara Peninsula

Notes of lychee, cold cream, white roses.

On the palate, super creamy mouthfeel, green melon, citrus, slight bitter almond on the finish.

Superb value for a decent representation of this grape in Ontario.

Tasted June 2015.

William Fèvre Sauvignon Blanc Saint Bris 2010, Ac

I've always enjoyed the idiosyncratic nature of the Sauvignon Blanc AOP in the midst of Bourgogne.

This is a clean and refreshing example, if not overly complex.

Nose of green apple, hard pear picked a little too early, lime notes. Nice acid, crisp on the palate with apple predominating, citrus following through. At 12%, a great match for seafood and summer salads.

Louis Jadot Beaujolais Villages Combes Aux Jacques 2011

Almost anything from Louis Jadot is impressive - and this is no exception.

A pleasant entry-level Beaujolais-Villages wine, this is a great way to find out more about the region. While lighter in style, it would never be called wimpy. Cherries dominate on the nose, with some slight wet green leaves. The cherries predominate on the palate, with a slight spiciness (think: green coffee bean).

Versatile with light meat dishes, salmon and a wonderful match with roast chicken with herbs de provence.

Moncigale Minéral Rosé Bandol 2012, Ac

Classic provencal rose. Light salmon colour, clear on the rim.

Strawberry features most prominently on the nose, but muted with herbs.

Taste of strawberry, but much more mineral and a touch of spice, medium-plus finish (more flinty than fruit). Hint of garrigue. Light in body, medium in acid.

Intersection Milepost Red 2011, BC VQA Okanagan Valley

Nose of mocha, raspberry, Damson plum, fresh herbs, cedar. Hint of mushroom, perhaps from its age.

On the palate, medium mouthfeel and fresh fruit. Still fresh after several years ageing, on the palate it verges into Cab Franc territory.

If ever the words "lush" and Merlot were to go in the same sentence, this wine captures that - even in a lighter style. However, a touch more acid would make this sing.

Tasted October 2016.

Quinta Das Marias Encruzado 2011, Dão

A more obscure grape varietal - Encruzado (Salgueirinho) - from Portugal, this deserves a try if only for that.

Very pale yellow, almost clear.

On the nose, fresh hay, cut grass, wet chalk. The fruit isn't very prevalent, though after some time it opens up to reveal yellow plums.

On the palate, the 14% alcohol is fairly well balanced. Creamy and lush in the mouth, with tart stone fruit and a hint of white pepper. Finish shorter than I expected (short+), the most lingering aspect being bitter almond. The fruit is stronger in tasting, leaning to tropical - but a bit more fruit would be appreciated for complexity.

Fleur Du Cap Chardonnay 2013

Nose of ripe apple, honey, mango,burnt orange and caramel.

Creamy mouthfeel, pleasant acid, medium+ finish. Intense apple on the palate with a touch of lemon.

Classic chardonnay, well done

Angels Gate Mountainview Cabernet Franc 2012, Beamsville Bench

Smoky nose with leather, red/black fruit compote.

Well balanced fruit on the palate, tannins surprisingly soft. Could use a touch more acid to hold everything together. A dusty finish.

Tasted June 2015.