It's only wine but I like it

Bindi Sergard Chianti Classico Riserva Docg I Colli 2015

Clear roots in Tuscany, with that brisk acidity and red fruit that only come from Sangiovese (ok, from Nebbiolo and Barbera too, but let's not quibble). Add in a dose of international flavours from the oak ageing and presto, this Riserva. Very good wine, ready to drink but yet falls short of compelling. Not complaining, it is very good but better values can be had from this lovely part of the wine world, Tasted Nov 2022,

Lavau Rasteau 2017, Ac Rasteau

Full-bodied, dense, loaded with lovely fruit, herbs and spice. A bit less austere than the 2015. Great now, should hold a few more years. Think of this wine as a hot chocolate substitute for warming one's insides on a cool fall or winter day. Tasted Oct 2022.

Quadrus Red 2015, Dop Douro

Excellent Douro, with complex flavours, still fresh and firm nearly 6 years on. Delicious now, can certainly hold for a few years as JS suggest. Well-priced. Tasted Aug 2021.

Le Clos Jordanne Jordan Village Pinot Noir 2019, VQA Niagara Peninsula

re-tasted Sep 2024. Tannin mellowing, more mature flavours but still going strong. Really good stuff.

May 2022: Quite pale red in colour - this is thin-skinned pinot noir after all. Cool climate pinot through and through, with dominant slightly tart red fruits, hints of earthiness and vanilla. light-bodied with a silky texture and some sneaky tannin on the long finish. Fine wine here from Thomas Bachelder and decent value. WIll be interesting to re-visit in a couple of years.

Domaine De La Cendrillon Classique Corbières 2015, Ap

Quite distinctive with the local herbal flavours playing such a prominent role in the flavour profile. There is fine fruit there, not at all overly ripened, but you do have to appreciate all that garrigue flavour along side the fruit (and I do!). A bit of tartness on the good finish. Very good value at $18.95, though it appears that the price has been reduced to under $16. Well worth it if you can find a bottle. Tasted July 2020.

Famille Perrin Les Christins Vacqueyras 2018, A.C.

Solid, well made Vacqueyras here from the ever reliable Perrin family. Rich, ripe, yet balanced with dark fruiit, herbs, and a hint of olives. Drink now or hold a few years. Tasted May 2022.

Convey 2016

Certainly less heavy and extracted than many Priorats, this is actually quite bright and lively. Fruit is nicely ripened with surprisingly good acidity on the finish and supple tannin. Perhaps missing just a bit of complexity to rate higher. From the "Destination Collection", only available at one store and perhaps (as was the case here), if you are really lucky, online at the lcbo's own awful website. Tasted Feb 2020.

Altos De Inurrieta Reserva 2015

A big rich wine, inky dark in colour.
Flavours are concentrated, very much in the dark berry spectrum, along with some dark chocolate. Finishes with some noted and rather astringent tannin. And that is what detracts from this wine. I'd like to say that one can give it another few years, but I don't think that astringency will ever recede. A good wine to be sure - certainly adventurous, just lacking some charm. Tasted Oct 2022.

Tenuta Sette Ponti Crognolo 2018, Igt Toscana

Modern Sangiovese (aka super Tuscan), but without losing its Tuscan identity. Complex, intense, with oak dialed in very nicely. Crisp acidity and young tannin are noted on the finish. I feel like this could use another 12-18 months mellow a bit. Nice indeed. Tasted Aug 2022.

Tornatore Nerello Mascalese/Nerello Cappuccio 2017, Doc Etna Rosso

Very much like the '15, which is to say, a bit angular, austere and thin. Certainly there is some nice red fruit and crisp acidity but lacks complexity and depth and the finish is a bit clipped. Disappointing. I long for the '14. Tasted Aug 2020.