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,

Trasqua Fanatico Riserva Chianti Classico 2018, Docg

Very solid CC Riserva. Still a bit chewy, but fine for current drinking or holding a few more years. Nicely priced. Tasted Mar 2025.

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.

Château Chapelle D'aliénor 2015, Ac Bordeaux Supérieur

Decent, if unexciting Bordeaux Supérieur. Thankfully, the fruit takes center stage with no interference from oak. Unfortunately, some significant bitterness emerges on the finish which detracts.
Overextracted? Tasted Nov 2020.

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.

Fielding Cabernet Franc 2022, VQA Niagara Peninsula

Nicely ripened cab franc in this fine vintage with red currant and raspberry flavours and a tangy twist. All this is, unfortunately, dominated by a huge whack of oak that detracts, at least to my taste (American oak it seems thought the website says French) . Just not my cuppa. Tasted M ay 2025

Auntsfield Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2023, Southern Valleys

A superior Sauvignon from Auntsfield. Crisp, light yet brimming with flavours running from citrus to hints of tropical fruit. For drinking over the next year or two while the fruit is fresh. Lovely deal. Tasted Aug 2024.