It's only wine but I like it

Lornano Chianti Classico 2015, Docg, Tuscany

May 2021: Consistent notes from 15 months ago, still a lovely CC.

Original notes: A bigger, more full-bodied CC here from Lornano, perhaps due to the warm (even by Tuscan standards) vintage. Still, there is no doubt that this is Sangiovese through and through - cherry fruit, perhaps a bit of darker fruit coming in, a mere hint of spice/vanilla from the wood and finishing with the expected acidity and some still chewy tannin. Really fine CC, fine now, but better in a year or 2. Should live through 2025. Of course, ignore Luca Maroni's idiotic 97 pt score...Tasted Feb 2020

Borsao Berola 2015, Do Campo De Borja

Plummy, ripe with some pleasant herbal notes. Soft and cuddly, with loads of alcohol and soft tannin. A bit hollow but ok for the $$. Tasted Nov 2019.

Rocca Delle Macìe Chianti Riserva 2015

A bit riper compared to the '14, as one might expect from the vintage. Straightforward Chianti here, without much complexity but with typical red cherry fruit and decent acidity. Nicely made and a pleasant value. Tasted nov 2018.

Les Darons 2015, Ap Languedoc

Grenache-dominated blend from the Languedoc that is all too easy to like. Nicely ripened dark fruits, bolstered by herbs and pepper. Unoaked, this allows for the terroir to take center stage. Good length, decent complexity and fine tannin. Not a wine for the ages, just one for near term enjoyment. Delicious and a fine value. Tasted Oct 2018.

Château Saint Roch Chimères 2016, Ap Côtes Du Roussillon Villages

Rich, ultra ripe, picking up some almost syrupy notes on the finish. Loads of herb-infused flavours, along with some pepper and smoky notes. The 15% alcohol (or is it even higher?) is quite notable. A lot of character for $17 and certainly warms you up on a dreary December evening but how much better could this wine have been if they had picked the grapes a little earlier and go for a bit more balance? Tasted Dec 2018.

Las Mulas Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2017

A well-made organic cab sauvignon. Fruity, without particular strong varietal character. Fairly low tannin and only an apparent hint of wood. Nice balance, and bit lacking in depth, but decent enough for the money, especially on sale. Tasted April 2019.

Avondale Jonty's Ducks Pekin Red 2014, Wo Paarl

Smoky and slightly herbal infused multi variety organic blend. Fruit is slightly leaner than one would come to expect from SA but still fully ripe. Oak is nicely integrated into the fruit. Nicely made wine here and fairly priced. Drinking well now, though could keep a few more years. Tasted Feb 2019.

Famille Perrin Les Christins Vacqueyras 2016, Ac

Another fine offering from the Perrins, this from Vacqueyras. A bit more austere and less opulent than some from the region, this is stick packed with dark fruit, herbs, spice and black pepper. Lovely balance and fine tannin, I do believe that this could benefit from another year or 2 in bottle. Delish. Tasted Oct 2020.

Aydie L'origine Madiran 2015, Ac

Well, I had the '11 5 years ago and didn't particularly like it so the fact that I find the '15 a bit joyless is no surprise. Lean and a bit tart, with some crisp barely ripe red fruit with firm tannin and high acidity on the finish. Oh, well. Tasted Nov 2019.

Camille Cayran La Réserve Plan De Dieu 2017, Ap Côtes Du Rhône Villages

Really fine CdR villages here, with plenty of ripe, balanced fruit supported by herbs, spice and fine tannin. Could use another 6-9 months but essentially ready to go now. Yum! Tasted Feb 2019.