It's only wine but I like it

Cave De Roquebrun La Grange Des Combes Saint Chinian Roquebrun 2010, Ac

Dark, rich blackberry fruit, with prominent notes of herbs, meat, and pepper. Good structure, though it seemed to me to be quite approachable now. A red loaded with regional character. Tasted April 2013.

Lealtanza Reserva 2005, Doca Rioja

What a revelation, a Rioja that isn't like touring a saw-cutting mill. So much going on here: red cherry fruit, herbs, earth, perfectly judged oak and super length. While exceedingly enjoyable now, this could stand another couple of years on the bottle and should keep through the end of the decade, Excellent. Tasted August 2012.

D'angelo Aglianico Del Vulture 2008, Doc Basilicata

Maturing, complex aglianico with all sorts of interesting flavours ranging from dried red fruits, leather, and prunes. Firmly structured along with palate clensiing acidity. Long finishing with pleasant tartness. I can see that this would be a polarizing wine for many but I really enjoyed this. Ceratinly no catering to modern tastes here and, for that, I am grateful. Drink now or can hold a few more years. Tasted July 2014.

Château Brane Cantenac 2006, Ac Margaux

60% Cab Sauv/36% Merlot/4% Cab Franc aged in 60% new French oak. This red from the Margaux Ac is a still youthful deep purple colour. Blackberry and cassis flavours, bolstered by smoky notes and a touch of vanilla from the oak. Medium bodied with still some firm tannin on the finish. Brane Cantenac has fashioned a superbly integrated Bordeaux here, which has lots of life in it at nearly 12 years of age. Should keep until the late 2020's in a cool cellar. Lovely indeed. Purchased in 2009 from Empire Wines in Albany for $US37. Tasted June 2018.

Domaine De Longue Toque Gigondas 2006, Ac

Textbook red from the Gigondas in the Cotes du Rhone. Plenty of spice and pepper, with deep ripe dark fruit and some firm tannin. Drinking fairly well now, but better in another year or two. Should hold another five with ease.

Château Branaire Ducru 2001, St Julien

Purchased several years ago, this St. Julien still possesses a deep purple colour at 10+ years of age. Fine concentration of dark berry fruit with noted influence of oak ageing. While the oak is not dominant, it does tend to detract slightly from the terroir. Still, a very well made red Bordeaux. Drinking well now, but can hold another 5 years at least. Tasted April 2012.

Luis Felipe Edwards Lfe 900 Single Vineyard Blend 2014, Colchagua Valley

A full-bodied, rich red from high elevation grapes (mostly shiraz). Certainly leans toward new world styling, with all that ripe bold fruit, and plenty of oak. Everything seems to be in good balance, though, and there is some decent acidity keeping all that ripeness in check. This does finish a bit hot. Tasted July 2018.

Raats Family Wines Dolomite Cabernet Franc 2012

The 2012 vintage of the Red Jasper bottling from Raats (not the Dolomite) :

81% Cab Franc (along with Malbec, Cab Sauv, PV and Merlot), this is a perfectly ripened red, with notes of dark cherries, tobacco, mellowing tannin and perfectly judged oak (no new oak used at all). A wine of great finish and harmony. Remarkably delicious. Picked up at Premier wines in Buffalo for US$16.99, a steal for a wine of this quality. Seriously good stuff. Tasted Oct 2017.

Puklus Pincészet Tokaji Aszú 3 Puttonyos 2012, Tokaj Hegyalja (500ml)

Golden yellow, this pours with plenty of viscosity. Sweet apricots, dried mango and honey flavours linger nicely on the palate. Enough acidity to balance the sweetness. The mid-level of sweetness makes this a versatile after-dinner wine, matching with many desserts. Superb value indeed. tasted Dec 2016.

Fattoria Di Basciano Il Corto 2009, Igt Colli Della Toscana Centrale

Impressive concentration and density to this Sangiovese-dominated red. Red cherries, hints of earth and some vanilla from oak ageing. To me, this is a modern take on a tradional model....a wine that hasn't lost sight of its Tuscan roots. Drinking nicely now, but another year or two should see this mellow a bit further. Tasted Sept 2014.