It's only wine but I like it

Trius Red (The Icon) 2016, VQA Niagara Peninsula

This is a solid cool climate Bordeaux blend. Fruit is decently ripened thanks to the hot, drought 2016 vintage, but still with the tell-tale green pepper/vegetal component like many Niagara Bordeaux blends. Oak is well integrated and the finish is solid. A very good wine, just not a 90+ pointer for me. Tasted Sept 2019.

Goretti Le Mura Saracene Montefalco Rosso 2018, D.O.C.

Dark cherry, plum, a touch of prune and (like David said) a hint of marzipan. Tannin is noted but not overbearing. The oak really does not stand out to me at all.....just a really nice, balanced wine. BTW, the remaining 15% is indeed Sagrantino (according to the Goretti website). Tasted Apr 2023.

Château De Montfaucon 2019, A.P. Lirac

A very good Lirac with all the expected herbal/peppered dark fruit that one would expect from the south Rhone. Yet, I found the wine a bit hot (15% abv) and rather angular and austere. Not sure that age will sort this out. Certainly not up to the '16 in my view. Maybe give it another year and hope? Tasted Dec 2023.

Barone Ricasoli Rocca Guicciarda Riserva Chianti Classico 2018, Docg Tuscany

Decent if unexciting CCR. Seems a little middle of the road, without the vibrant flavours of the '15. Better with food. Tasted June 2023.

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.

Viticcio Chianti Classico Docg 2018

Mostly Sangiovese Of course) with a touch of Merlot, this CC has lovely red cherry fruit, hints of cedar (from the oak?) and mixed herbs. While I wouldnt call this classic Chianti, it is nevertheless delicious and was a splendid match with scallops in a cream sauce. Nicely priced for the quality delivered. Tasted June 2022.

Marynissen Cabernet Franc 2020, VQA Niagara Peninsula

Fully ripe, and delicious cab franc here from Marynissen, with concentrated red fruit, hints of black pepper and herbs. The 2020 vintage in its full glory but some fine work here being done at Marynissen. Best wine I have had from them in a long time. Super value here. Tasted July 2023.

Ken Forrester Old Vine Reserve Chenin Blanc 2021, W.O. Stellenbosch

Re-tasted Apr 22. still great value.

Seems a bit riper this vintage yet again it has great purity and balance. Crisp, complex fruit flavours an oak so dialed in that I hardly noticed. I really am an idiot for only buying one bottle of this, I'd love to taste this with a few years of age, but one can hardly keep from drinking this young. Brilliant value one again. Tasted Sep 2022.

Lornano Riserva Chianti Colli Senesi 2016, Docg

From the lesser know Chianti sub region of Colli Senesi, near Siena. My expectation of wines from this region are that they will be lighter, easy going quaffers. Not the case here, this is a bigger red (by Chianti standards), with very ripe fruit, but with flavours much in keeping with Sangiovese (in the red fruit spectrum, with fine acidity and tannin). Easily bests most Chianti Classico in this price range and just goes to show you that it ain't the label that matters, its what is in the bottle, Fine wine indeed. Tasted June 2019.

Montirius La Muse Papilles Côtes Du Rhône 2015, Ac

Montirius is an inconsistent producer in my experience. Pure and expressive sometimes, volatile and flawed at others. Further, their Vacqueyras and Gigondas bottlings have been moved much further up the price ladder. This Cotes du Rhone bottling is a reasonably priced, delicious red without any weird or off-flavours. Ripe, bold, produced without oak but complex and satisfying. Score one for Montirius for this one. Tasted April 2020.