Neil Phillips

Gran Feudo Reserva 2009

Medium ruby in colour, with a clean nose of medium intensity offering dark red berries, ceda, vanilla, spices and clove.

On the palate, dry and medium weight with well-integrated acid & alcohol. Herbaceous notes, with dark cherry, baking spices, cassis, tobacco.

Good length on the finish with tannins and spice lingering.

Much more to this wine than would be suggested by the price. Tasted October 2016.

Château Puyfromage Côtes De Francs 2013, Bordeaux

Clean on the nose, medium intensity with slight cedar, black & red berries, white pepper.

On the palate, dry with mainly black current and raspberry. Acid and alcohol and tannin more or less balanced. Fairly easy drinking.

If you're looking for value Bordeaux, this is a good choice.

Tasted October 2016.

Cathedral Cellar Pinotage 2013, Wo Western Cape

A welcome relief from the wave of mocha-coffee mass-market Pinotage we've seen lately. While not of the era bringing burnt tires, it does strike the tipicity of the grape.

Medium+ intense nose of black plum, blackberry, mint, tomato leaf, cedar and a pleasing resinous note.

On the palate, medium+ acidity and medium tannins are well-balanced, giving the wine some decent body. Flavours of blackberry and black plum follow the nose, along with slightly stewed black fruits (perhaps chutney), mint, mocha (slight) and a medicinal note. The finish has good length.

Tasted November 2016.

Lagar De Robla Premium Mencia 2012, Vino De La Tierra De Castilla Y León

Nose of black plums, cherry compote, dried sage, cedar.

Palate of savoury red berries, slight baking spices, herbs. M+ tannins with balanced acidity, this is a great food wine. Medium+ savoury finish.

Memories of a summer Camino walk here...without the exhaustion. ;-)

Tasted May 2019.

Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2015, Marlborough, South Island

Pronounced nose that hits you before the nose reaches the glass: gooseberry, ripe melon, wet grass, passion fruit, mango, lime juice, touch of green vegetal (asparagus).

There's so much fruit on the nose some might be surprised to find this dry, the medium+ acid holds all together fairly well. Flavours of quince, gooseberry, passion fruit, melon, pear and white grapefruit. Medium+ finish.

One of the poster children for that intense style of Kiwi SB. This is a great summer patio wine.

Tasted November 2016.

Waupoos Estates Red Rabbit 2015, Prince Edward County

Decent patio red.

Alamos Malbec 2015

Dark plum jam, chocolate on the nose. Maybe a hint of nutmeg, white pepper.

Spicy plum on the palate, tannins slightly sharp, chewy on the medium-length finish.

Seems a touch sweet on the finish, I'm guessing this is a red with a bit more residual sugar. A crowd pleaser.

Tasted September 2016.

Thorn Clarke Eden Trail Riesling 2015, Eden Valley, South Australia

Lovely Riesling aromas of lime zest, white nectarine, grapefruit, acacia, honey notes. Very slight kerosene.

Flavours of grapefruit, lime zest, nectarine, pineapple, with a flinty note.

Crisp, dry, high acid with medium body and intensity. Well-balanced.

Was hoping for a bit more complexity, but a few years in bottle will likely see this improve even further.

Tasted November 2016.

La Griffe Bernard Chéreau Muscadet Sèvre & Maine 2014, Sur Lie, Ap

Aromas of lime zest, white flowers, white nectarine and a hint of minerality and pastry.

On the palate, dry with high acids - this is (literally) mouth-watering. Honeydew, grapefruit, almond pit, slight white peppery or savoury note, mineral finish with lingering citrus.

Tasted September 2016.

Henry Of Pelham Pinot Noir 2015, VQA Niagara Peninsula

Aromas of cherry, cranberry, bramble.

On the palate, medium weight tart cherry, medium finish. Reasonable balance, though not overly complex with red fruit / alcohol predominating along with some oak. Easy drinking and versatile with many foods.

A tasty, good value Pinot Noir from a reliably consistent Ontario producer.

Tasted September 2016.