It's only wine but I like it

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.

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.

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.

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.

Château Rahoul 2010, Ac Graves

At almost 11 years of age, the Graves is in a very good place. Fruit is still very much alive, tannin still firm (in a nice way), and the oak is so nicely integrated that is goes unnoticed. Perhaps not quite the complexity and finish of more expensive Bordeaux but immensely enjoyable wine. Drink now, but surely no rush either. Tasted May 2021.

Quinta De Ventozelo Reserva Tawny Port, Doc Douro

Typically sweet, with notes of dried fruit, raisins, and hints on nuts. Smooth and approachable, with decent acidity to balance the sweetness. As Mr Lawrason notes, do chill it a bit. Very nice value, just what the doctor ordered for a cold February evening!. Tasted Feb 2013.

La Pieve Barolo 2008, Docg

To my taste, this Barolo is a bit modern leaning, with noted flavours of sweet oak amidst the red fruit (sour cherries, cranberry). Luckily, the oak does not overwhelm the character of the nebbiolo. Tannin is softening, making this wine quite enjoyable to drink now or to hold another 3-5 years. $28.95 on release was decent value (subsequently reduced to a stellar $21.25). Tasted OCt 2014.

Socré Barbaresco 2008, Docg

Re-tasted July 2017.
A further (nearly) 4 years of ageing has softened this wine, but still enough structure to hold a bit more. Taking on some more interesting nuances (dried fruit, faded roses). Really interesting mature Barbaresco. Upped score a point to 91.

A slightly more approachable Barbaresco than the norm. Nicely fragant. this is a medium-bodied red, with red fruit, firm (but not astringent) tannin and a long finish with a hint of pleasant tartness. Nice to drink now, but I think another year or two would benefit this wine. Should hold through 2020. Tasted Sept 2013

Lionello Marchesi Coldisole Brunello Di Montalcino 2006, Docg

A very good BdM that is neither traditional or modern, embracing both worlds. Certainly, vermouth-y flavours, dried cherry fruit and oxidative notes are more traditional Brunello. Yet, there is a significant dose of vanilla from the ageing in small oak barrels. While not up with the superior (and ore expensive) reds of the region, this mis-mash of styles works. Tannin seems quite mellow. I'd say that there is no benefit in ageing further, this seems to be at or near its peak. Tasted Feb 2017.

Vieil Armand Médaille Gewurztraminer 2010, Ac Alsace

Golden yellow in colour, and viscous when swirled in the glass. Very fragrant, with notes of spring flowers and spices. On the palate, intense notes of sweet apricots, oranges and spices. Quite a bit of residual sweetness, though not quite to late harvest status. To my taste, this calls to my Riesling as much as it does Gewurz. Whatever, an excellent white for near term drinking. Tasted Dec 2012.