Neil Phillips

Southbrook Organic Wild Ferment Cider Avalon Orchards 2016

Outstanding cider, for those enjoying those bone dry but beyond "crisp". Wonderful yeasty notes from the time on the lees, which works harmoniously with apple notes.

Slightly cloudy with the yeast still in bottle. More reminiscent of an aged Champagne than bright Prosecco on the nose.

I'm going to save one for another year or two, just to see how it may develop further.

The best cider I've had in a long while.

Tasted January 2018.

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.

Ravine Vineyard Rosé 2015, Niagara On The Lake

I have to say, Michael's review is spot on. This has become a consistent summer favourite of mine.

Gorgeous salmon in colour, the nose is stronger than last year and features wild strawberry, slight fresh herbs and mineral notes.

On the palate, dry with firm acids right through to a zesty, crisp (and slightly creamy) finish. Fair amounts of fruit, tending on the tart side of cranberry and slightly under ripe strawberries. Well balanced, this is a delightful rose.

Great for the terrace, but wonderful with grilled trout as well.

Tasted June 2016

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!

Taylor Fladgate Late Bottled Vintage 2011, Douro Superior

LBVs tend to offer excellent price-quality ratios, and this offering from the storied house of Taylor Fladgate is no exception.

Deep ruby with great colour extraction. Medium+ nose with telltale whiff of brandy spirits. Aromas of black cherry, plum, liquorice, blueberry, cough drops.

On the palate, sweet with medium tannins and medium- acidity, it's full-bodied and relatively balanced.

Pronounced flavours of candied violets, raisins, bitter chocolate, mineral notes, stewed red fruits.

For Port fans (and we all should be), this offers great value.

Tasted November 2016.

Thirty Bench Small Lot Gewurztraminer 2012, Beamsville Bench

Classic nose of rose petal, with violet, hand cream and ripe luscious nectarine underneath.

On the palate Turkish delight, juicy fruits and a slight bitter almond and exotic spices.

Creamy mouthfeel, and the nice acid holds all in check, and well-balanced considering the higher alcohol level.

Finishes long and restrained with all the fruit and aromas - this is a fairly complex wine, well made.

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.

Wolf Blass Gold Label Chardonnay 2014, Adelaide Hills

An excellent Chardonnay from the Adelaide Hills of South Australia, this once again shows what Wolf Blass can produce in their Gold Label range.

Aromas of stone fruit, apple, almond, hazelnut, mineral, hint of lime zest. Lush but still showing restraint.

On the palate, savoury baked peach & apple pie. Oak is light, adding depth and structure. Mid-palate acidity comes through nicely, with a medium-long creamy, mineral finish. Reductive light smoke lingers.

Great value for such a complex largely Burgundian-style, yet warm climate wine.

Tasted February 2016.

Thirty Bench Red 2012, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula

Always a consistent Bordeaux-style wine, the 2012 release is one of the best yet, offering great value.

Predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon, followed by similar measures of Cabernet Franc and Merlot.

On the nose, classic cassis combined with black olives, cedar, vanilla and a hint of mocha.

On the palate, tannins are firm and hold the acid and fruit nicely, but not too chewy. Ripe red fruit and dark plum abounds, but there's enough structure behind to hold it in check. A slight herbaceousness (capsicum) adds to mild black pepper, anise and very slight bitter cherry.

Will pair nicely with barbequed medium-rare steaks, burgers with blue cheese, grilled Portobello mushrooms.

Drinking well now, but can easily improve with a year or two in bottle. 13.8% ABV.

Tasted May 2014.