cardamom

Casa Da Passarella Dão Branco 2016, Do Dão

Love this wine. Great value at $13.95. Balanced and complex, with a smooth finish.

Chapoutier Marius 2017, Languedoc

The deliciousness to price ratio of this wine is outstanding. Goes down way too easily.

Trius Cabernet Franc 2017, VQA Niagara Peninsula

This is a review of the 2018, which is not listed on the website. A bit tart and thin. Will update tomorrow based on a second tasting.

24 hours sitting open transformed this wine: light, but quite elegant. Pleasant finish. Obviously this needs decanting. Certainly would buy again.

Château Saint Roch Chimères 2016, Ap Côtes Du Roussillon Villages

I am not going with the consensus on this one. Harsh and unpleasant. The 15% alcohol level makes this a heavy slog.

Paddy Borthwick Pinot Gris 2016

Interesting but not quite in balance. Good acidity and a odd mineral undertone seem to fight against a round and floral background. Lots of character.

Trius Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, VQA Niagara Peninsula

This review is for 2018, which is not listed. I am quite impressed with this wine. I don't buy a lot of cab sauv (I get my tannins from Portugal) and especially don't buy them from Ontario, where they can be a bit harsh and thin. But this is a very decent effort. Lively, with a smooth finish. Doesn't resort to sugar - quite well made and elegant, but still pretty hefty.

Vila Nova Loureiro 2016, Doc Vinho Verde

Very nice. A slight spritz. Very clean but slightly rounded. Definitely a bit more heft than the usual vino verde. Excellent value.

Goru El Blanco 2017, Do Jumilla

Nothing if not unusual. Quite perfumed and oily, and quite dry. Very assertive and certainly makes an interesting and worthwhile detour. Flowers are us! The low price is a bonus.

Cantina San Paolo Aglianico 2017, Igp Campania Rosso

Light-weight and simple. An oddly sweet but also rough finish. Interesting wine but I am not giving this points for poise.

Viña Tarapacá Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, Maipo Valley

Dense, dry, good acidity and smooth tannins. Green peppers and eucalyptus lurking in the background. Very solid effort.