It's only wine but I like it

Marziano Abbona Terlo Ravera Barolo 2005, Docg

Wonderfully floral fragrance, as one might expect from Nebbiolo. Initially a bit of sweet vanilla flavours from the oak (this sees 12months in 500L French oak before going into large barrels). but this quickly fades. More prominent after this is tart cherry fruit and note of earth, with the high acidity expected of Barolo. Tannin is still firm, so I'd suggestion holding off until 2015. Should keep through 2020 with ease. Tasted April 2013.

Hecht & Bannier Côtes Du Roussillon Villages 2008, Ac

Ripe, concentrated, classic southern French red. Dark fruits, with notes of pepper, and local herbs. Very good value. For drinking now and over the next few years. Yum! Tasted Feb 2013.

Planeta Frappato Vittoria 2015

Translucent pale red. Fragrant red fruits with hints of pepper. On the palate, flavours of cranberry and beetroot, with a notes of smoke. Quite light-bodied and low tannin, this reminds me most of pinot noir (perhaps a little Loire Valley Cab Franc thrown in as well). An interesting and enjoyable find, well worth trying, especially if you enjoy lighter reds. Tasted Sept 2017.

Pearl Morissette Cuvée Dix Neuvième Chardonnay 2014, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Escarpment

A silky, complex Chardonnay here from Pearl Morissette. Certainly not your everyday chard, this has some oxidative, honeyed notes along side some citrus fruit and peaches. Long and lingering, not at all heavy. Fine wine for current consumption and should easily keep several years. Tasted Nov 2018.

Domaine La Fourmone Le Poète Vacqueyras 2013, Ap

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.

Lindes De Remelluri Viñedos De San Vicente 2011

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.

Montirius Garrigues Vacqueyras 2010, Ac

A solid, well-made Vacqueyras, significantly better than the '09 I tried last week, which must have been an off-bottle. Dominated by smooth ripe red fruit (grenache), this red is actually quite approachable and at its peak right now. It doesn't seem to have as much of that South Rhone character (garrigue, black pepper) as other reds from the region (or even from their own Le Clos bottling) nor the depth of the best wines in the region (hence the sub-90 pt score), yet the wine is certainly very delicious. Drink now or over the next couple of years. Tasted Nov 14/14.

Closson Chase Vineyard Chardonnay 2014, VQA Prince Edward County

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

Fuligni Brunello Di Montalcino 2005

2006 vintage, tasted June 1, 2024.

At nearly 18 years of age, this Fuligni Brunello is simply gorgeous. A complex mix of red cherry fruit, herbs, blackberries, earth and hints of wood. Silky but firm structure and a long, lingering finish. Simply brilliant and seemingly at a lofty peak (which should hold for some tiime). Wow.

Montirius Le Clos Vacqueyras 2006

From a biodynamic vineyard, this equal blend of Grenache and Syrah impresses with it's authenticity. The wine sees no oak ageing at all so what you taste is pure Rhone. This wine is quite different from the '05, the '06 being less tannic and shows more of the meaty/leathery flavours from the syrah to go along with its flavours of red berries and local herbs. There is also a notable whiff of barnyard, which detracts slightly ...one of the hazards of Organic/biodynamic wines is the possibility of brett. Still, this is a wine that is impressive for its uniqueness, though not for everyone.