It's only wine but I like it
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Following (3)
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Reviews (1222)
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Reviews
Château Des Charmes St. David's Bench Vineyard Gamay Noir Droit 2012, VQA St. David's Bench, Niagara Peninsula
Ontario, Canada$16.95
I simply cannot fathom the 90+ scores for this wine. Simple red fruit, with a strong herbal note which reminds me of cool climate (read, unripe) cab franc. A bit thin (yes, I know is gamay) and short finishing. Maybe I don't get gamay (possible) or maybe there is bottle variation (I doubt it) but this failed to impress me.
On the second night, this showed better with more depth but no way this is a 90pt wine. Score upgraded to 87.
Tasted Oct 2015.
4.0 Stars
Carpineto Farnito Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, Igt Toscana
Tuscany, Italy$27.95
What fine Cabernet this is! Superior complexity with nice ripeness, well-integrated oak and a long finish. The hints of sour cherries and the welcome acidity and hints of tartness remind me of sangiovese....or maybe that is just the character of Tuscany. Drinking nicely now, but no rush, this should hold for a few more years. Excellent and easily worth $28, Tasted Oct 2017.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Grand Vin De Glenelly Red 2009, Wo Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch, South Africa$19.95
A concentrated Rhone+Bordeaux blend, at a fine stage of drinking. Fruit is ripe and complex without being overripe. A sheen of vanilla and mocha complete the picture. Therein lies my only, admittedly, small complaint: The oak s just a bit too prominent for me tastes. That said, this is most definitely not overoaked, that is just my personal preference. Tasted Jan 2016.
4.0 Stars
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Lavau Vacqueyras 2012, Ac
Rhône, France$25.95
A fairly big and very ripe Vacqueyras, veering a bit over the line. Baked red fruits, hints of prunes and the requisite black pepper/herbal notes that one often finds in the CdR. Certainly a good wine, but this would have scored higher had the grapes been a bit less ripe at harvest. Tasted June 2017.
4.0 Stars
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Le Fonti Di Panzano Chianti Classico Riserva 2011, Docg
Tuscany, Italy$33.75
Certainly not lacking in concentration, this CCR is on the riper side of the genre. Very good depth and complexity, but the ripeness seems to have taken away some of the vibrant Tuscan character that Chianti's often show. Still, this is a very good wine to be sure, but I'd err on the side of caution and drink sooner rather than later. There is a hint of oxidation creeping in that will increase in the future. Tasted Sept 2017.
4.0 Stars
(0)V
Castello Di Gabbiano Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Bellezza 2012, Docg
Tuscany, Italy$39.95
Gran Selezione:is supposed to be the top tier in Chianti Classico but, in my experience, this category is the least authentic CC. Highly ripened and extracted fruit slathered in a huge amount of oak, to the point where any Sangiovese character is a mere wish. If I had tasted this blind and had been given 6 guesses at the where this wine was from, Tuscany would not have been on that list. Guess that you can tell that I did not enjoy this wine. Tasted oct 2020.
4.0 Stars
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Patrizi Barolo 2011, Docg
Piedmont, Italy$34.95
An authentic young Barolo, Fragrant and inviting, with attractive flavours of sour dried red fruits with little in the way of intrusive oak. Some considerable tannin and high acidity on the finish, as expected from nebbiolo. A bit of bitterness and just an average finish detract a little but overall a decent Barolo for the money. Will show better in a few years. Tasted Jan 2017.
4.0 Stars
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Closson Chase Vineyard Chardonnay 2014, VQA Prince Edward County
Ontario, Canada$29.95
A lean, minerally chard from Closson Chase. Plenty of tart lemon flavour along with some green apple. Oak is very well judged, only playing a supporting role. This wine impressed more the longer it sat in the glass (perhaps a function of being served a bit too cold, perhaps it simply needed some air). The finish is quite long. I do wish that they would have spent a few extra cents on a decent cork. After all, this is nearly a $30 wine (though I picked it up for about $22 on sale). Drink over the next year as I don't think that the cork will hold out longer term. Tasted Oct 2017
4.0 Stars
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Lindes De Remelluri Viñedos De San Vicente 2011
Rioja, Spain$27.95
Densely flavoured Rioja, but not at all heavy. Loaded with dark fruit with notable spice and hints of vanilla. Tannin is still quite notable and there is a good (but welcome) dose of acidity. Still too young, its seems not quite fully integrated. Suggest giving this another couple of years. Nice indeed. Tasted July 2017.
4.0 Stars
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Domaine La Fourmone Le Poète Vacqueyras 2013, Ap
Rhône, France$23.75
A fine Vacqueyras here, with all of the ripe fruit, local herbs and spice that make CdR reds so appealing. Oak is invisible (since it is aged 100% in tanks, no oak at all). Still firm but not astringent tannin and some crisp acidity on the finish. Picked up on sale for $21.75 and that was a steal. Drinking now, but I think even better in another year or so and should hold into the early '20s. Tasted April 2018.
4.0 Stars
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