Neil Phillips

Domaine De Vieux Télégraphe Télégramme Châteauneuf Du Pape 2012, Ac

The second label (and physically one of the most distinctive and playful out there, at that) from Vignobles Brunier, this CdP is more Gamay-strong than their famed La Crau. While predominantly from their "newer" vines, none are less than 20 years in this case.

Classic nose of crushed black pepper nose, cigar box, spruce (medicinal), grilled meat, and a floral upper note. There is a lot going on, but overall a "lighter" nose than expected.

On the palate, heavier spice notes, not just pepper but anise, herbs, cranberry, crabapple and cherry. Warm and spicy (and almost medicinal) on the finish, but not overly so: this is well integrated. More savoury than ripe fruit in overall flavor profile.

While the winery suggests drinking these young, that has to be put in the context of La Crau. I would age this up to perhaps ten years.

Tasted May 2015.

Joie Farm A Noble Blend 2014, BC VQA Okanagan Valley

This wine is consistently a delight.

Made in the Alsace Edelzwicker or “noble blend” style, it’s an amalgam of Gewurztraminer, Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Auxerrois and Schoenberger. While those first three can make stunning single-varietal wines, this blend is a stunner.

Nose of honey, white flowers, chamomile, white pepper, star anise, lychee, luscious pear.

On the palate, almond and spicy minerality run through the fruit-laden mid-palate. Unctuous mouth-feel, with a slightly oily long finish. Complex.

I’d like to see how this might develop in a few years - but always finish my stock!

Thirty Bench Riesling 2014, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula

Thirty Bench Riesling is always a delight.

Great citrus lemon nose, mandarin zest, mineral notes.

On the palate, great acidity through a long finish. Citrus abounds, with white grapefruit playing a role. Love the complex mineral notes.

Tasted November 2015.

Thirty Bench Small Lot Gewurztraminer 2013, VQA Beamsville Bench

Fragrant nose of honeycomb, ripe apricot, Turkish delight, Nivea.

Creamy on the palate, very slight residual sugar. Almond, apricot/pear, this sings of the Levant.

Finishes long and restrained.

Another fine Gewurz from Emma and the Thirty Bench team.

Tasted February 2017.

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.

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.

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

Kew Marsanne 2015, VQA Beamsville Bench

Gobs of fruit on the nose: ripe white peach, vanilla, slight buttered popcorn. - mixed with orange blossom and honeycomb.

Lush on the palate, with the fruit intensity expected from the nose and a dose of minerality adding backbone.

Excited to see how this will do with further ageing.

Tasted March 2019.

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.

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.