It's only wine but I like it

Coltibuono Cetamura Chianti 2015

A fresh lively Chianti, mostly Sangiovese with no oak (I can't taste any and Coltibuono's website seems to imply no oak in this non-Classico Chianti). Sour cherry, fine acidity and more depth than I would have expected in a $16 wine from Tuscany. Delicious and exactly what I look for in an inexpensive Chianti. For drinking now through end of 2019. Tasted July 2018.

Lua Cheia Old Vines Red 2015, Doc Douro

Not quite up to the '14, this is still a solid Douro red. Appealing dark fruit, youthful, and very drinkable. Light tannin and some lemony acidity on the medium finish. Not sure this will age very long, but fine for drinking over the next couple of years. Nice value. Tasted Feb 2018.

Vale Do Bomfim 2015, Doc Douro

A bit floral on the nose. Dark fruit and spice dominant the flavours along with some medicinal notes (I find common to Douro reds - not a fault) and turning a bit sour on the finish. Hard to go wrong at the price. Tasted March 2018.

Charles Tort Old Vines 2015, Cotes Du Rhone

No thing of grace, this is still a solid red with good south Rhone character. Very ripe, with notes of local herbs and pepper. A bit rough and ready, and finishes with some heat. Agree with Steve, chill this just a bit. Being discontinued at the LCBO, this is on sale for just over $11 - a deal at that price. Tasted May 2019.

Ramirez De La Piscina Crianza 2013, Doca Rioja

re-tasted Nov 2018. Consistent notes,

Quite a rich, ripe Rioja here. Seems well evolved with a fairly hefty dose of oak. The wood is not overdone, just a bit heavy for my tastes. Tasted June 2018.

Lilás 2014, Doc Douro

A fairly big, slightly course Douro here. Some floral notes come through on the nose with ripe blackberry fruit on the palate. While no model of refinement, this is quite delicious, especially for summer bb1 season. Fine value. Tasted June 2018.

Errazuriz Aconcagua Alto Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, Do Aconcagua Valley

Nicely ripened Cabernet fruit, bolstered by a bit of vanilla and coffee from the oak. Tannin is nicely managed, making the wine drinkable today, yet should hold through 2024 or so without concern. A shade less oak would have pushed my score above 90, but that's just my oak-a-phobia. tasted Aug 2020.

Marrenon Versant Nord Luberon 2015, Ac

The winery's website says 80% Syrah/20% Grenache in French version but says 80% Grenache /20% Syrah in the English version. The bottle says main Syrah and my taste buds agree, so mostly Syrah it is. Fresh blackberry fruit, along with black olives and a splash of black pepper. Come to think of it, the colour of the wine is almost black....and the label also black. A bit of a theme here. In the end, a solid if not exciting syrah based wine here without any influence from oak (aged in stainless steel). Tasted Dec 2018.

Il Palagio Di Panzano Chianti Classico Docg 2015

Re-tasted June2022 - Still a superb CC,ageing perfectly.

A prime example of why i often avoid the higher priced (and usually heavily oaked-infused) Riservas and Gran Selezione Chianti Classicos. The CC normale is pure Tuscany, pure Sangiovese. No resorting to overextraction or oak flavours. Delicious red cherry/raspberry fruit, hints of earth, that wonderful Sangiovese acidity and a long finish. Superior CC, obviously grown and vinified by people who really know and love their vineyard. Superb. Drinking now, should easily hold 3-5 more years. Tasted Nov 2020.

J P Azeitao Red 2017, Peninsula De Setubal

Fresh, lively, with smokey blackberry fruit, hints of black pepper and a bit of an herbal finish. Light-medium bodied, with low tannin and a decent finish. No great depth or complexity, just an honest to goodness good wine - stellar value at the price. Chill in the fridge for 30-40 minutes. Worthy of multiple bottle purchase. Tasted Dec 2018.