Neil Phillips

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!

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.

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.

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!

Deutz Brut Classic

Intriguing nose which, to me, had some essence of lime zest making its way through traditional brioche, dried apricot, golden delicious apple, flinty note. All were harmonious, yet restrained.

On the palate, nice acidity and flavours following the nose. Restrained and yeasty, resembling an apple tart fresh from the oven. Lemon and slate on the medium+ finish. Nice balanced acidity.

Tasted January 2017.

Summerhill Pyramid Winery Cipes Brut, BC VQA Okanagan Valley

Cipes is a blend of Riesling, Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc.

Nose of golden delicious and Granny Smith apples, pear, brioche, Meyer lemon zest.

On the palate, lemony citrus zest mingles with the apples. Notes of white nectarine comes through on continued drinking. The time on lees brings added depth of bread notes, white mushrooms. Vibrant acidity, fine mousse, however a nice creamy mouthfeel as well.

As not bone-dry, this is delightful on its own, but will pair nicely with many foods - lemon roast chicken with herbs comes to mind.

Fairly complex for this price point - a winner!

Oct 2016

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.

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.

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.

Marie Duffau Bas Armagnac Napoleon, Armagnac

Inviting nose of caramel and light baking spice, hints of star anise, dried apricot.

Warming and incredibly smooth, almost-burnt caramel, orange & apricot chutney, cracked white pepper. Long unxious finish, mellow and spicy.

Great value for a quality Armagnac in Ontario.

Tasted Febraury 2018.