It's only wine but I like it

Lanciola Chianti Colli Fiorentini 2010, Docg

A straightforward pleasant and well-made Chianti. Sour red cherry flavours are the dominant theme, with hints of earth and finishing with brisk acidity. In short, a very typical Chianti, and it is that typicity that I find so attractive. No resorting to heavy oaking or over-ripening, just authentic Chianti. Delicious with polenta and tomato-based vege sauce. Picked up on sale for $12.75. Tasted Feb 2014.

Castillo De Monseran Garnacha 2012

Simple, juicy red, with notes of red fruit and hint of spice. A bit hollow and short finishing. Chilling will help this a bit, but even at $10, I'm not looking to buy again. Tasted March 2014.

Quartetto 2009, Alentejano

Mid-weight Portuguese red. Black fruit seems to be the dominant theme here, with hints of spice and herbeceousness. Seems a bit lacking in mid-palate and the finish is merely good. Still, a decent and authentic wine with no overmaniuplation. A good value at its sale price of $12 and change. Tasted February 2015.

Beso De Vino Seleccion Red 2014

I don't get the port-like flavours in this wine that ST and DL allude to (bottle variation?). This is indeed a very ripe wine, but with good balance of flavours. More complexity and structure than one usually finds in such an inexpensive wine. It does have a hint of sweetness, but nothing like an overripe Aussie Shiraz can be. A very nice wine, and a stellar value. Tasted Nov 2013.

Resta Squinzano 2009

Very earthy, oxidized style of wine from Puglia. Flavours of dried fruit (prunes) and hints of spice. Very rustic, just a little too much so even for me (as I usually like this style e.g Taurino's excellent reds). Just doesn't quite strike the right balance to me. tasted April 2014.

Boutari Naoussa 2009, Pdo Naoussa

Retasted Feb 2016: Matured quite a lot from last tasting, with some slightly oxidative notes creeping in. Drink soon.

Aug 2014: While the price is up $1 over the '08, this red remains a great value. Flavours of dried red fruit, sour cherries, and hints of leather. Finish has firm tannin, and acidity along with pleasant tartness. Delicious.

San Felice Chianti Classico 2010

The 2010 vintage, purchased from Premier WInes in Buffalo. This is a pleasant authentic Chianti Classico, with typical flavours of sour red cherries, hints of herbs and palate-clensing acidity. It just seems a bit light on flavour intensity. No off flavours, just a bit light. Still, for about $12 at Premier, this is a fine value. I'm sure that this would retail for $19 of so at the LCBO ($21 at SAQ is a rip-off). Tasted Feb 2014.

Hacienda Lopez De Haro Reserva 2005, Doca Rioja

fine balance between the red fruit and cedary oak. There are hints of pleasant herbeceousness (reminds me a bit of a left bank Bordeaux in that regard). Perhaps not a thing of grace, but fine complexity for $18. Drinking very nicely now, should hold a few more years. Tasted Feb 2014.

Carmen Reserva Carmenère 2013

Simple red, with dark fruit, and rather prominant notes of green peppers, spinach. To be honest, I have never been much of a carmenere fan, preferring it as a blending variety. On its own, especially in lower priced wines such as this, the vege notes just dominate too much. Thanksfully short finishing. Suffice it to say, I won;t be re-purchasing (even discounted at $10.45). Tasted April 2014.

Cono Sur Bicicleta Chardonnay 2013

simple, pleasing, easy to like chard. good value.