It's only wine but I like it

Avondale Jonty's Ducks Pekin White 2015, Wo Paarl

Very fine organic white blend fro South Africa. Ripe orchard fruit but with crisp lemony acidity. Nicely balanced and a lingering finish. Excellent value, great rec by JS/DL/MG. Tasted April 2017.

Lavau Vacqueyras 2014

Solid, well made Vacqueyras with the expected ripe dark fruit, bolstered by notes of spice and herbs. Good balance, very little wood and a supple texture. The finish is merely good, so not quite 90pt+ in my view. Seems to be at its peak now, I don't see any reason to hold this further. Very good. Tasted Jan 31/20.

Mojo Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, Coonawarra

I don't get this wine at all. Rather odd sweet/sour flavour profile with unpleasantly high acidity. Overall, seems a bit unbalanced, with very little Cabernet or Coonawarra character. Doesn't work for me at all. Worth paying the extra $10 for Wynn's Cabernet. Tasted April 2017.

The Foundation Stone 2014, Wo Western Cape

Mainly a Rhone grapes blend (but with a little Tannat added), this is a balanced delicious wine with loads of character. Ripe, intense, complex, with hints of cured meat and pepper. Oak is well integrated and the finish has some lemony acidity. Really well done and picked up on sale for $16. Tasted July 2018.

Lafage Côté Sud 2014, Igp Côtes Catalanes

Loaded with herb-infused red fruit, and a bit of black pepper. Fine depth, concentration and structure for so little. Indeed, this is a great value. Tasted Sep 2017.

Graham's Late Bottled Vintage Port 2011, Douro Valley

A great value port every year. Like port? buy this. New to port and want to try? buy this. Remarkable how Graham's can make such good wine and ship it all the way across the Atlantic for such a low retail price. Drink now or hold a few years. Tasted Dec 2016.

M. Chapoutier Les Vignes De Bila Haut Côtes De Roussillon 2015, Ac

Jul 2018: Original note stands but wine is more open now. Lovely. Upped tp 89pts.

Original note:
Once again, Chapoutier delivers a fine, flavourful red from the Roussillon. Plenty of dark fruit flavours backed by notes of black olives, pepper and herbs. Seems a bit tight at the moment - wouldn't hurt to give this another year. Or better, buy a few bottles, try one now then again in a year or two. rated 88pts. Tasted Aug 2017.

Niepoort Dão Rótulo Red 2013, Doc Dão

Dirk Niepoort prefers to pick early for his table wines and this shows here in this fresh, lively Dao (just 12.5% abv). Lean red currant fruit, along with plenty of pepper and spice, and hints of evergreen. Best with food. Will show better in 18-24 months. Tasted Nov 2016.

Jaspi Negre 2013

A very ripe red blend from Montsant which is concentrated, complex and long-finishing. Despite the ripeness, it is not heavy or ponderous, and has a freshness about it that makes it quite attractive. Reminds me of a good CdR Villages (not surprising, given the large percentage of Rhone varieties). Smart purchase for $18. Tasted Sep 2017.

Caiarossa Pergolaia 2009

A fine modern Sangiovese-led blend. While there is some noted oak in the flavour profile, it never dominates the fruit. Indeed the red cherry fruit and fine acidity of the sangiovese leave no doubt about the origins of this red. Drinking very nicely now, but should hold for a few years longer. Lovely stuff. Tasted Dec 2016.