It's only wine but I like it

Convey 2016

Certainly less heavy and extracted than many Priorats, this is actually quite bright and lively. Fruit is nicely ripened with surprisingly good acidity on the finish and supple tannin. Perhaps missing just a bit of complexity to rate higher. From the "Destination Collection", only available at one store and perhaps (as was the case here), if you are really lucky, online at the lcbo's own awful website. Tasted Feb 2020.

Altos De Inurrieta Reserva 2015

A big rich wine, inky dark in colour.
Flavours are concentrated, very much in the dark berry spectrum, along with some dark chocolate. Finishes with some noted and rather astringent tannin. And that is what detracts from this wine. I'd like to say that one can give it another few years, but I don't think that astringency will ever recede. A good wine to be sure - certainly adventurous, just lacking some charm. Tasted Oct 2022.

Tornatore Nerello Mascalese/Nerello Cappuccio 2017, Doc Etna Rosso

Very much like the '15, which is to say, a bit angular, austere and thin. Certainly there is some nice red fruit and crisp acidity but lacks complexity and depth and the finish is a bit clipped. Disappointing. I long for the '14. Tasted Aug 2020.

Peller Estates Private Reserve Cabernet Franc 2017, Niagara Peninsula

Medium bodied, with ripe red fruit, but still with a little typical cool climate vegetal/herbeceous notes. Oak certainly makes an appearance but is nicely integrated into the flavour profile. This is a very good Niagara Cab Franc from Peller, No need to age, though no rush either. Tasted Feb 2020.

Trius Red (The Icon) 2016, VQA Niagara Peninsula

This is a solid cool climate Bordeaux blend. Fruit is decently ripened thanks to the hot, drought 2016 vintage, but still with the tell-tale green pepper/vegetal component like many Niagara Bordeaux blends. Oak is well integrated and the finish is solid. A very good wine, just not a 90+ pointer for me. Tasted Sept 2019.

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.

Domaine Brusset Laurent B. 2017, Côtes Du Rhône D.O.C.

re-tasted Mar '24- more mellow, but I fear slightly on the fade. drink up.

A well-made Cotes du Rhone, medium-bodied with notes of pepper and spice enhancing the the fruit. More depth and complexity than the generic CdR designation might indicate, but still this wine somehow failed to excite me. Another bottle awaits in the cellar so perhaps time (18 mths?) will enhance the charms here. Tasted June 2020.

Fattoria Della Aiola Chianti Classico 2016, Docg Chianti Classico

Maturing though not at all over-the-hill, this Chianti Classico has a silky tannin structure that comes with age. Bright cherry fruit is joined by notes of dried fruit and hints of herbs. Long finishing with that crisp Sangiovese acidity that makes CC such a food friendly wine. Wood ageing is completely subsumed into the greater whole. Top kit Tuscan red, a model for modern Chianti Classico. I'd guess this is at about its peak now. Tasted Sep 2023.