It's only wine but I like it

Gattavecchi Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano 2018, Docg

I wish that we would see more Vino Nobile at our beloved Vintages, so when one comes along, I am usually interested. This particular wine is very good, just falling short of excellent in my view. Savory red fruit with hints of herbs and even some light medicinal notes. Still fairly firm with good acidity yet just lacking that certain something, Now to 2025 or so. Tasted Feb 2023

Alta Yarí Gran Corte 2019, Gualtallary, Valle De Uco, Mendoza

It is dark, And a bit tannic, Concentrated, intense, some pleasant herbaceous from the Can franc, ripe yet there is a freshness about this wine. Very good, but my feeling is that this could use another year or two to mellow, Decant if drinking now. friends, BTW, the bottle is stupidly heavy - why? Tasted Oct 2023.

Il Molino Di Grace Chianti Classico Docg 2016

Excellent Chianti Classico from Molino di Grace. The red fruit leans a bit more to the sweeter cherry fruit than sour cherry but this is Tuscan through and through. I am not sure if this is destined for long ageing, it seems to be in a fine place right now. Excellent value at $22, Tasted Nov 2022.

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.

Falernia Gran Reserva Syrah 2017, Valle Del Elquí

re-tasted Nov 2023 with consistent notes.
The inky colour give the first hint of what to expect. This is a big, in your face, bold syrah. Super-ripe black fruit, black pepper, spice, cured meat. Not much finesse or subtlety, but this is silky smooth and quite delicious. You would be hard-pressed to find a better wine for $17. Impressive. Tasted Nov 2022.

Feudo Montoni Lagnusa Nero D'avola 2019, Sicilia D.O.C.

Red fruit dominated flavour profile along with a few hints of this and that,,,,,really cannot place those flavours but they sure add some interest. Tannin is manageable at this point but another year or two would nice. Picked up one bottle at $19.75, another at $15.85. Discounts in this inflationary environment are welcome, esp when its good wine, Tasted Nov 2022.

Ken Forrester Old Vine Reserve Chenin Blanc 2021, W.O. Stellenbosch

Re-tasted Apr 22. still great value.

Seems a bit riper this vintage yet again it has great purity and balance. Crisp, complex fruit flavours an oak so dialed in that I hardly noticed. I really am an idiot for only buying one bottle of this, I'd love to taste this with a few years of age, but one can hardly keep from drinking this young. Brilliant value one again. Tasted Sep 2022.

San Polo Rubio 2021, I.G.T. Toscana

Pleasant, fruity, ready-to-drink Tuscan red with red cherry fruit and a hint of bitterness. Certainly has some Sangiovese character, yet is seems all a bit simple to me. I was underwhelmed. Drink now. Tasted Dec 2024.

Marynissen Cabernet Franc 2020, VQA Niagara Peninsula

Fully ripe, and delicious cab franc here from Marynissen, with concentrated red fruit, hints of black pepper and herbs. The 2020 vintage in its full glory but some fine work here being done at Marynissen. Best wine I have had from them in a long time. Super value here. Tasted July 2023.

Viticcio Chianti Classico Docg 2018

Mostly Sangiovese Of course) with a touch of Merlot, this CC has lovely red cherry fruit, hints of cedar (from the oak?) and mixed herbs. While I wouldnt call this classic Chianti, it is nevertheless delicious and was a splendid match with scallops in a cream sauce. Nicely priced for the quality delivered. Tasted June 2022.