It's only wine but I like it

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Reviews
Periquita White 2016, Peninsula De Setubal
Portugal$8.95
A fresh, lively white from Portugal. Dominated by citrus flavours (lemon, grapefruit) along with pleasant touch of bitterness. Fairly light-bodied, no oak and a good finish. And this is under $8? Outstanding value! This was a perfect match with seafood stew...would also be a great summer sipper, though we'll have to wait several months for that...tasted Nov 2017.
E. Guigal Côtes Du Rhône 2013
Rhône, France$20.95
Smooth, approachable Cotes du Rhone once again from Guigal. This possesses the requisite Cotes du Rhone character (vague notions of pepper, and herbs, over dark berry fruit). Dry (3g residual sugar)and decent length. Not particularly complex but an enjoyable wine. Still, the value, like the '12, remains questionable at $20. There are many examples from the CdR at the LCBO for $20 or less that outshine this. Tasted Nov 2017.
Henry Of Pelham Cabernet Merlot 2016, VQA Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$15.95
Nicely ripened cab merlot blend in this arid vintage. This has a nicely leafy complexity (I suspect from a high % of cab franc), not at all like unpleasant under ripeness from cool vintages. Fairly soft, but with enough tannin to keep it interesting. Fine value indeed at about $16 (bought on sale for $14, so an even more compelling value). Best consumed over the next 2-3 years. Tasted July 2018.
Trapiche Malbec Reserve 2016
Mendoza, Argentina$12.95
Decent, if rather faceless red from Trapiche, but Malbec often is a bit non-descript. Soft, ripe, with mostly red fruits along with some vanilla from the oak. Decent enough value at the price. Tasted April 2018.
Herdade Paço Do Conde 2015, Vinho Regional Alentejano
Alentejo, Portugal$16.25
The bottle that I sampled say 2016 and those people on the label are below the "Herdade Paco do Condo". Must have been a mixed shipment. Anyway, this is a very ripe, slightly jammy red from the hot south of Portugal. Some spice and oak flavours mixed in but nothing too obtrusive. Simple, and a bit short but a decent enough wine. Tasted Aug 2018.
Cave Spring Riesling Dry 2007, Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$14.95
Cave Spring Riesling's have been no-brainer purchases for as long as I can remember and this is no exception. Crisp, pure citrus flavours. Light-bodied with fine acidity makes this perfect summer sipping. While labelled "dry", there is a tocuh of well-judged residual sugar which keeps the wine from becoming too austere. Much better than the more expensive 07 Calamus Riesling I had a few weeks ago. Drink now or will hold several years.
Cave Spring Pinot Noir 2007, Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$18.95
A pleasant surprise...Cave Spring often misses the mark on their reds. Light-to medium bodied, with nicely ripened red fruti, a bit of earth and some structure which is often sadly lacking in Niagara pinots. I'd recommend holding a year or two to allow the tannin to soften but drinkable now. A good effort and decent value as far as pinot noir is concerned.
Terres D'avignon Cardinalices Côtes Du Rhône 2007, Ac
Rhône, France$13.95
I do love a good Cotes du Rhone. this, unfortuantely, is not a particularly good one. While it has some of the spicy dark berry fruit I love from the south Rhone, it is essentially over-ripe, a touch oxidized with even a touch of residual sugar. Not a bad wine, but a couple of more $ can usually get you a better wine from this region. drink ASAP.
Fuzion Chenin Blanc Chardonnay 2009, Mendoza
Argentina$7.95
A splendid example of why I spend more than $10 on wine. This wine from Argentina was light on aroma and flavour, with nothing to distinguish it in any way from the oceans of other cheap vino on the market. Thin, with little varietal characther , and a finish that can be measure in tenths of a second. Suffice it to say I didn't particularly like this wine. Over-priced at under $8. All IMHO, of course.
Messias Late Bottled Vintage Port 2004, Doc Douro, Btld. 2012
Douro, Portugal$18.95
Notes of prune, and dried raisins with notes of oxidation. Really, I tiresome wine to taste and provides little enjoyment. Drink now if you have to or make it into a port sauce for your next bbq steak. Tasted Oct 2011.