Neil Phillips

Frescobaldi Castelgiocondo Brunello Di Montalcino 2004

Nose of vanilla, charred cedar, spiced dark cherries, dried sage, mushrooms, Cherry Bols, and a hint of floral (muted after more than a decade, but still there).

Meaty on the palate, with the fruit mingling in a subdued way with herbs. This is a complex old-world wine, with an earthy note that finishes long. Acid is beautifully in check, and tannins, while medium+, hold all together but aren't chewy. While 100% Sangiovese - this is a long way from Chianti.

Begs for braised meats, truffle pasta.

Tasted May 2015.

Flat Rock Sparkling Brut 2007, VQA Twenty Mile Bench

Don't let the crown cap fool you - this is a serious traditional method sparkling from Ontario.

Medium-golden colour, to be expected at this age.

Lots of fresh dough on the nose, with golden delicious apple, pear, lemon zest.

A fine mouse, with a much more creamy mouthfeel than you'd expect: this has stuffing. Loads of apple, lemon, hint of over-ripe gooseberry.

Finish is long and persistent.

Tasted May 2014

Louis Roederer Collection Brut Premier Champagne, Ac, France

Complex aromas of golden delicious apple, grapefruit, sultanas, blossom and rising bread dough.

On the palate, bruised apple, honey, nutmeg and biscuits. More austere than forward.

Creamy mouthfeel with nice acid and a fine mousse.

Tasted November 2016.

See Ya Later Ranch Rover 2008, VQA Okanagan Valley

A Northern Rhone blend, but much more Southern Rhone in style - with added fruit of the New World.

Rich nose of red and black fruit jam, mocha, espresso, vanilla, balsamic, geraniums.

On the palate, lots of fruit (but not jammy). Long finish, with herbal nots (thyme, sage) coming through on the mid-palate. Slight spice, but subdued: a sprinkle of white pepper.

(Re)Tasted August 2018 - this has aged well.

Hazyblur Kangaroo Island Shiraz 2006, Kangaroo Island

Frankly, difficult to add to Julian's excellent tasting note, above.

Aromas of dark red fruits, Christmas pudding, dried raisins, eucalyptus, earthy undertones, only a hint of white pepper.

On the palate, the fruit is powerful but accentuated by a herbaceousness that adds a complex savoury note. Damson plums, chutney. Tannins are chewy, with a long dusty finish.

At 14.5% this is a hefty wine, but so well integrated it didn't feel that strong.

Tasted November 2015, this could easily spend more time in the cellar.

Christian Drouin Coeur De Lion Sélection Calvados, Ac, France (700ml)

Beautiful aromas of tart apple, light caramel, slight tree resin.

On the palate, creamy texture and subtle apple flavours; spice comes through on the mid-palate and lingers through the smooth finish, long and not overly hot.

Excellent quality for an AOP Calvados.

Lustau Solera Reserva Dry Amontillado Los Arcos

Medium in intensiry on the nose, this is a great dry Sherry for those who want a little less bracing notes than a Fino.

Toasted hazelnut, orange zest, brioche, butterscotch, tobacco and a hint of leather.

Dry with caramel and walnut on the palate, unsweetened orange marmalade, old wood notes linger through the medium+ finish.

Amazing value.

Tawse Lenko Vineyard Chardonnay 2011, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula

Made from vines planted as far back as 1959 - itself a rarity in this region - this is a stunning wine.

On the nose, burnt apple, croissant, hazelnut, Meyer lemon zest.

Crisp minerality balances the fruit all the way through a long and slightly tart mineral finish. Great acid keeps this from being fleshy.

Aged 12 months in French oak.

I'd happily age this a decade to see what transpires.

Joiefarm Ptg 2015, Okanagan Valley

An intriguing blend (Pinot Noir & Gamay) you don't often see outside Beaujolais - and certainly not in Canada. The ever-reliable Joie Farm does this proud, consistently...

This year's is a little spicier from past memories. Nose of brambles, cherry, sage, dried cranberry, rhubarb, pepper, and a hint of Chinese five spice.

Medium in weight this year, with a vibrant acidity and depth of flavour. Bright tart cherry on the palate, spicy and herbaceous through the finish.

Versatile on its own, but ideal with food.

Tasted February 2018.

Terras Gauda Abadia San Campio Albariño Rias Baixas 2012

White peach and fruit blossoms on the nose.

Flavours of hard white peach, lemon and a crisp mineral finish.

Tasted March 2018.