Neil Phillips

Redstone Chardonnay 2013, VQA Niagara Peninsula

Nose of applesauce, cantaloupe, ripe Bartlett pear, butter toffee and Meyer lemon juice.

Simultaneously creamy and slightly "crunchy", a great mouthfeel elevates this. The toffee on the nose gives way to the ripe fruits and balanced acidity.

Tasted April 2019.

Peachy Canyon Westside Zinfandel 2014, Paso Robles

Complex nose of plums with a decidedly earthy note, plus menthol, cedar, anise, baking spices.

Black fruits predominate on the palate, with a long chalky finish. Savoury spice notes throughout. Slight burn to finish.

Tasted October 2018.

Ravenswood Dickerson Single Vineyard Zinfandel 2010, Napa Valley

Age shows on a mature nose with muted bit still evident black fruits, eucalyptus.

Medium+ acid, harmonious on the palate with Christmas cake, spice box, black plums. Super long finish that never gets jammy. Very well balanced.

Tasted October 2018.

Thirty Bench Winemaker's Blend Riesling 2016, Niagara Peninsula

Thirty Bench Riesling is always a delight, and their Winemaker's Blend Riesling consistently offers great value.

Great citrus lemon nose, mandarin zest, mineral notes.

Off-dry, with ample acidity through a long finish. Citrus abounds, with white grapefruit playing a role, as well as ripe stone fruits. Love the complex mineral notes.

Tasted August 2018.

Graham Beck Brut Zero 2012, Méthode Cap Classique

As with past vintage, this is an aggressively dry traditional method sparkling wine.

While no dosage, I found the acid exceedingly well-balanced. Nose of brioche, lemon curd, Granny Smith apples, white mushrooms.

On the palate, dry and refreshing, with a fine mousse. The yeasty notes come through, with a crisp apple finish.

Once again, great value from Graham Beck.

Tasted March, 2018.

Domaines Ott Château De Selle Rosé 2017, Cru Classé, Ap Côtes De Provence

Initially muted nose that opens up as it warms slightly: white mushrooms, wild strawberry, cranberry, Meyer lemon, dried herbs.

Crisp on the palate and well-balanced. Pink grapefruit, light strawberry, mineral notes. A long finish that really lingers, with a slight Sherry-like salinity.

Quality rose - at a price. I'd like to cellar one for three years and see how it develops.

Tasted November 2018.

Azores Wine Company Rosé Vulcanico 2019, Azores

Very pale salmon in colour.

Nose of light fruit and minerals.

Minerality evident on the palate, salted almonds, wild strawberries and an almost "red gooseberry" note.

Finish is long and saline/savoury, with great acidity.

Tasted May 2020.

Volver 2007, Do La Mancha

Dark fruit still prevalent on the nose, plums and stewed blackberries, burning oak leaves, damp forest floor, hint of dark pepper.

Dark and brooding on the palate, this wine has aged well. Balanced fruit and acid, with earthy tones really coming through on the long finish. Well balanced for 14.5% ABV.

Tasted July, 2014.

Dutschke Old Codger Tawny, South Australia

This is an intriguing fortified, a blend of many varietals: Chardonnay, Verdehlo, Semillon, Muscat Petite Grain, Grenache, Shiraz, Touriga and Pedro Ximenez.

Aged in small oak barrels in a solera system more known for Sherry, it's sweet but enough acid keeps it from becoming cloying.

Aromas of juicy sultanas, cranberries, nutmeg and a hint of cinnamon. On the palate, figs, dates and slight black toffee. Fairly complex finish.

You can't call this a Port, but it's a terribly fine tawny!

Tasted November 2015.

Blue Mountain Gold Label Brut Sparkling, Traditional Method, Okanagan Valley, British Columbia

One of Canada's finest - and consistent - sparklers.

This recent tasting was the 2010, disgorged March 2013.

Great persistent bubbles, not quite fine in size. Light golden yellow colour.

On the nose, heaps of apple with wild strawberry and a hint of lime.

On the palate, apple remains, a dance of both green apple and red delicious - the latter lending a "sweet" perception to this dry wine. The citrus is there too, with great acidic balance. Yeasty notes were faint.

Finish is medium-plus in length, and mousse never stopped. Great value!