cardamom

Fonseca Periquita 2012, Peninsula De Setubal

Still the best value red at the LCBO. Mid-weight, bone dry. Fig and tar quality. Excellent finish. I always enjoy this wine even without considering what I paid for it.

Popov Versnik Merlot 2011, Tikves

I'm going against the consensus on this one. Opens plush and lush and with some complexity as noted, but shows alcohol heat and slight bitterness on the finish. Familiarity doesn't work in favour of this one. Interesting as a diversion but I wouldn't buy again, (Review on day after opening.)

La Casona De Castano Old Vines Monastrell 2014, Do Yecla

Very full bodied, slight iodine undertone. Tastes sweeter than the 7 g/L residual sugar would suggest. Not really my style. I would have guessed Chilean.

Day two: I think I will update my rating. Some of the off tastes seem to have dissipated and it has smoothed out a bit. Maybe this is an 88.

E. Guigal Côtes Du Rhône 2012

Lush and plush. Good acidity and tannins but nice finish. Pronounced pepperiness from the syrah. Will maybe cure me of my obsession with portuguese wines? $3 dollars off at the LCBO!

13th Street Burger Blend White

Although the logic behind a riesling and pinot gris blend escapes me, I think Steve is being unduly (and unusually) harsh. This is like mocha coffee - leaves me wishing it was either one or the other. But it is, objectively, quite palatable.

Val De Vid Verdejo 2015, Do

Quintessential verdejo. Clean and well balanced. Has that hint of bitterness on the finish, with a herbal undertone. Really enjoyed this one.

Peter & Peter Zeller Feinherb Riesling 2015, Prädikatswein

Very refreshing. Slightly spritzy and an undertone of grapefruit, but off-dry. Quite light. Very enjoyable.

Lagar De Darei Red 2012, Doc Dão

Medium bodied, musty, and dry as an Egyptian tomb. Dusty tannins plus good acidity. Not exactly polished but has undeniable rustic charm. (Jan 2017)

Just retried a second bottle (Oct 2017). More polished than my notes above suggest. There are still bottles of this floating around the system. At $14, this is good value. I think I will pick up another.

3rd bottle (May 2018) - the one I bought above. Quite overwhelming "barnyard" aroma. Still good acidity and quite smooth, but I have downgraded the rating. Oddly, quite a good match for some bad General Tao frozen chicken.

Chivite Gran Feudo Rose 2015, Navarra

Agree with Steve's tasting notes but I will give this an 88. Pretty robust for a rose. It can take on fairly substantial fare at the dinner table.

Lantides Ancient Varietal Moschofilero 2014, Pgi Peloponnese

Quite austere but clean. Agree with Michael, no discernible fruit but the stoney background is appealing. No bitterness, which is a plus.