It's only wine but I like it

Tasca D'almerita Regaleali Bianco 2021, D.O.C. Sicilia

Another stellar white from Sicily. Perfect for summer sipper or with fish. Tasted Jul 2023.

Domaine Alary La Jean De Verde Cairanne 2015, Ac Côtes Du Rhône Villages

A serious CdR for sure, perhaps too much so. On the positive side, this is a complex red, with all the rip fruit, herbs and spice one might expect from this region. Yet, the alcohol is obvious, it is still tannic and there is some notable bitterness on this finish. Seems a bit over-extracted to my tastes. Perhaps another 2-3 years might help. Alas, I will never know - my only bottle. Tasted March 2021.

D'angelo Aglianico Del Vulture 2019, Doc Basilicata

Full bodied and brimming with flavour.
Dark red fruit, herbs, hints of dried fruit, and long finishing. Seems a bit less rustic than in the past, but still keeping to it's southern Italian roots. Perhaps the best vintage yet in this wine. Stellar value in Aglianico. Worth buying more than one bottle - try one now, cellar the others for a few years. Tasted Dec 2024.

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.

Glenelly Glass Collection Cabernet Sauvignon 2020, Wo Stellenbosch

Oodles of flavour here, really big wine. But the fruit is, to my taste, veering into the overripe region. Others will like this more than I. Tasted Dec 2024,

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.

Auntsfield Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2023, Southern Valleys

A superior Sauvignon from Auntsfield. Crisp, light yet brimming with flavours running from citrus to hints of tropical fruit. For drinking over the next year or two while the fruit is fresh. Lovely deal. Tasted Aug 2024.

Glenelly Glass Collection Merlot 2018, W.O. Stellenbosch

Solid merlot from Glenelly, fairly priced. No need to age, just drink and enjoy. Tasted May 2023.

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.

Pieropan Ruberpan Valpolicella Superiore 2019, D.O.C.

Impressive Valpolicella, vastly superior to most of the swill in this category. Complex red fruit, with some herbal notes and backed by nicely judged wood. Good stuff. Tasted Apr 2025.