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Avelino Vegas Montespina Verdejo Sobre Lías 2023, Do Rueda

Very nice - fresh, citrus, apples & pears, velvety texture like chardonnay. A bit too much like Sauv Blanc for K's taste.

Monte Del Frà Lugana 2023, D.O.C.

This trebbiano is a lovely, ripe, yellow-fleshed orchard fruit and saffron-inflected Lugana. I like the creamy texture, the round and mouthfilling palate, the richness and density unexpected at the price.

Excellent - peaches, then pear/apple, soft sour lemon finish. Nice creamy body. Great with lemon pasta.

Casal De Ventozela Loureiro Vinho Verde 2022

This wine is crafted to emphasize Loureiro's floral attributes, with 30% fermented in oak and the rest in stainless steel. The result is a zippy, taut, focused expression, with excellent poise and tangy apple tones. Perfect for seafood.

Wow - tangy apple and citrus, a touch of spritz, long tart finish. K really liked this one - keep it stocked.

Esporão Bico Amarelo 2023, Doc Vinho Verde

A mix of three grape varieties; alvarinho, loureiro and avesso for a truly dry and savoury Vinho Verde. Indelible stamp and at the price it would be hard to find a more affordable example that drinks with great seriousness. Lime zest intensity and the umami is nearly off the charts.

RH - very nice, peach cobbler on the nose, lime zesty and nice body, silky. Very good with Tex Mex Chicken Pilaf. Think I prefer the Casal De Ventozela Loureiro vinho verde

Parajes Del Valle Monastrell 2022, D.O.P. Jumilla

Organic monastrell (mourvèdre) from Jumilla.

Trendy, and delicious, pure monastrell, crafted in a lighter, zestier, more herbal and complex style than the mean, at a very attractive price. If it were listed at $30 I wouldn't have batted a lid

Montgras Antu Cabernet Sauvignon 2022, Do Maipo Valley

A sapid cabernet sauvignon from the single vineyard Las Araucarias in the Alto Maipo. Salty with fresh black fruit, violets, and a hint of graphite.

Great colour, bitter on the finish before trying with food. With chili/brisket, bitter finish lessened. Overall, wouldn't buy again.

Apostolos Thymiopoulos Atma 2021, Pgi Macedonia

Gérard Bertrand Réserve Spéciale Viognier 2023, Igp Pays D'oc

A medium yellow coloured, ripe, creamy quite substantial viognier here from Bertrand, shockingly flavourful and concentrated at the price - this is a remarkable wine for the money. It's dripping with peach/apricot/orchard fruit with violets and honeysuckle at levels expected in examples at twice the price or more.

Chateau De Durette Les Bruyères Régnié 2023, Ac

The nose is bright and very fruit-driven with raspberry/cherry fruit, red rose and a touch of peppery spice. It is light to medium bodied, almost crisp and firm but not tart, with some heat. Tannins are mild. The length is very good, trailing some granitic minerality.

Smooth and fruity with some zip; peppery finish - very nice. Thumbs up from R/K.

Malivoire Che Bello Sparkling, VQA Ontario