Neil Phillips

Château Des Muraires L'excellence Rosé 2017, Ac Côtes De Provence

Very Provencal pale salmon colour.

Restrained on the nose, with hints of wild strawberries and honeysuckle.

More weight on the palate, great acidity and long finish with a nice, enveloping viscous mouthfeel. Nibs, tart cherry, and a hint of fresh green herbs (slight dill?). Tart red fruit notes linger forever.

Tasted August 2018.

Château Roubine La Vie En Rose Rosé 2017, Ac Côtes De Provence

Medium-salmon hue, a little more colour than the current pale-as-ever craze.

Floral gardenia nose with barely-ripe strawberries.

On the palate, lots of minerality and a (pleasant) bitter almond mid-palate; white & pink peppercorns, candied Mandarin peel. Nice body.

Tasted November 2018.

Georgian Hills Wild & Inspired Pinot Noir Cuvée Wismer Vineyards 2016, VQA Twenty Mile Bench

So before you see "Georgian Hills" and get mightily impressed that grapes are growing that far north...the grapes come from the Wismer Vineyards in Vineland.

The wine is made, however, in Georgian Hills, through natural fermentation.

Delightfully pale and decidedly old world in style.

Nose of wild strawberry, tomato leaf, button mushrooms, tart cherry, white pepper.

On the palate, dusty tannins and well-integrated fruit, savoury cherry and (pleasant) green notes and a slight iodine finish.

Am excited to see how this ages.

Tasted April 2019.

Vino Lauria Nerello Mascalese 2017

Medium-ruby with medium- intensity.

Aromas of brush, cherries. Almost chalky on the palate, but not tannic in feel - more savoury green notes on stewed sour cherries, plums. Lots of acid - this is ideal as a food wine.

Tasted May 2020.

Veuve Clicquot Brut, Champagne, France

The Colonial Estate Explorateur Old Vine Shiraz 2006, Barossa Valley, South Australia

An excellent expression of Barossa Valley Shiraz - and has aged gracefully.

Still a powerful nose of black pepper, anise, mint - all over dark blackcurrants and damson plums. Vanilla is also evident, as well as muted earthy tones.

Bold flavours follow on the palate, but with a restraint (no doubt aided with aging) that proves quite elegant. The pepper is milder, fruits still supple but layered with almonds and spice.

At 14.5% the alcohol is present but does not overpower; finish is long.

Tasted February 2015.

Bailly Lapierre Chardonnay Brut Crémant De Bourgogne, Traditional Method, Ac, Burgundy, France

A fine blanc de blancs cremant from Bourgogne, this shows where value sparklers in France really compete honourably on the quality-price spectrum.

Nose of citrus, green apple, and a touch of baguette. Fine, persistent bubbles, with a slightly elegant (medium-aggressive) mousse. On the palate, crisp and refreshing, balanced acid and fruit with a finish on the edge of minerality and almonds, with a pleasant lemon-peel edge.

Tasted April 2014.

Champagne Victoire Prestige Brut, A.C.

Heavy dough and yeast on the nose, with lots of golden delicious apple and pear.

On the palate, crisper and more refreshing than the nose would lead you to believe. Faint Meyer lemon. Perfect for apero drinking.

Great value for Champagne.

Tasted August 2018.

Graham Beck Brut Sparkling, Sustainable, Traditional Method, Wo Western Cape, South Africa

Aromas of lime peel, green apple, dough, sweet baking spice, floral notes.

On the palate, citrus notes of lime, green apple, warm cookie dough. Slightly aggressive mousse.

Excellent value for a traditionally-made sparkler. Blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

Tasted December 2016.

Jansz Premium Cuvée Sparkling White, Tasmania, Australia

This is one of the better Aussie sparklers, offering great QPV.

Nose of green apples and lemon zest, with a light baguette undertone.

On the palate, green apples shine through, as well as Meyer lemons, red grapefruit and almond. Finish is medium-plus. Nice complexity for this price-point.

Dry, balanced acid make this a crisp sparkler that drinks well on its own, or pairs beautifully with food.