It's only wine but I like it

Vietti Barolo Castiglione 2009

Purchased at Premier wines in Buffalo for USD 39.99, this is a forward ripe Barolo from Vietti, no doubt due to the warm 2009 vintage. Concentration and flavour depth are excellent as one would expect from a wine in this price range. Plenty of red cherry notes but with a hint of oxidation creeping in. This does not detract from current enjoyment of the wine but is something to be mindful of if intending to hold this wine longer term - I think that this is best consumed in the next couple of years. But lovely juice here. Tasted Aug 2017.

Val Di Suga Brunello Di Montalcino 2010, Docg

Fully mature, savoury and complex Brunello. Oxidized, dried fruit, integrated wood and a long finish. Traditional Brunello and a fine one at that. At its peak now. Tasted Feb 2020.

G. D. Vajra Albe Barolo 2011

A bit darker and riper than some Barolo, this is a wine that shows why Nebbiolo is perhaps my favourite grape variety. Aromatic, with complex flavours of sour red fruit, dried fruit, earth and wood that is so well-integrated that it barely registers. Tannin is still noted but is mellowing and, of course, there is wonderful acidity on the very long finish. Never heavy or ponderous, this reminds me why I am willing to pay $50+ for a bottle of wine. Lovely stuff. Drinking now, but surely no rush, this should hold another 5+ years. Tasted April 1, 2021 (no fooling).

Donatella Cinelli Colombini Brunello Di Montalcino 2008, Docg

A fairly big, concentrated Brunello here from Donatella Cinelli Colombini, quite amazing considering that '08 was considered merely a good vintage in the Montalcino region. Rick, ripe dark cherry fruit, with notes of sour cherries and vanilla on the long finish, as are some youthful tannin. Complex, deep, and delicious. Lots of life left in this. Really well done. Tasted Aug 2018.

Ravine Vineyard Chardonnay 2011, VQA Niagara Peninsula

Oak dominates the simple fruit. Out of balance. Unmemorable.

Poças Colheita Port 1994, Vieilli En Fût, Doc Douro

This single vintage tawny is most comparable to a 20 year old tawny port. Flavours range from dried fruit to toffee and butterscotch. The alcohol is well-balanced as is the sweetness. I do find this a bit rougher and shorter-finishing than , say, a Taylor's 20 year old. Still, a fine tawny. Tasted Dec 2014.

Fattoria Di Fèlsina Chianti Classico Riserva Rància 2005, Docg

the 2006 vintage.

Almost 15 years on, this is still very much alive. Sour cherry fruit with some dried fruit, earth and hint of balsamic. Complex and, interestingly enough, quite a bit better on the second night after opening. Still life left in it but better to drink sooner than later. Nice indeed. Tasted June 1, 2021.

Château Léoville Poyferré 2008, Ac St Julien

The 2003 vintage:
Unexpected surprise. Given the hot vintage and "modern-wine" reputation of the producer, I expected something ore over the top. But instead, this is a wonderfully complex authentic left-bank red, with perfectly judged oak, ripe (but not overly) black fruit, cedar, vanilla and a very long finish. Tannin is still noted, so this is still (at 13 years) a bit young but still a sensation red. I have another bottle too! Drink now through 2030...maybe longer. Tasted Dec 2016.

Il Molino Di Grace Il Margone Gran Selezione Chianti Classico 2011, Docg

Quite big for a Chianti Classico, with plenty of depth and ripeness and some firm tannin and acidity on the finish. This is clearly a very fine wine, yet the sheen of oak robs the wine of some of its Tuscan character (as least, in my view). Admittedly, there is some excellent fruit here to balance the oak, so I am sure lovers of Super Tuscans will really enjoy this. Drinking now, but probably better in 2021. I liked it....just didnt love it. Tasted Nov 2019.

Château Les Gravières 2010, Ac Saint émilion

At about 11 years of age, this is still showing some youthful tannin. Concentrated, powerful fruit, well judged oak and a very long finish. Seriously good now, but several years ahead of this for sure. Wonderful. Tasted Oct 2021.