It's only wine but I like it

Santa Carolina Reserva De Familia Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, Maipo Valley

Deeply coloured, this is indeed quite a big cabernet, with good depth and quite mouth filling. Ripe darker fruit, quite blunt and a bit tannic. There is an unusual flavour of evergreen that takes a bit of getting used to...in fact, I never quite did. It's one of those flavours that might polarize tasters. Still, alot of dept for the money ($15.95 on sale). Tasted July 2015.

Ruffino Modus 2012, Igt Toscana

Certainly a "modern" red, I didn't find it overly faceless as some of the super Tuscans can be. Yes, oak is noted but to me (one who detests over-oaked wines), it is very well integrated. The bright red fruit and acidity of the Sangiovese shines through enough to show at least some Tuscan character. A lot of complexity and depth to this wine. Really nice wine here. Fine now, though sure to keep another 5 years or so. Tasted Nov 2016.

D'angelo Aglianico Del Vulture 2010, Doc Basilicata

third tasting, April 2017. Still hanging on, this is a unique old school, oxidized wine that is still very enjoyable. Love it!

re-tasted Dec 2015, note pretty much consistent with 6 months ago but the wine has moved into an even more mature state. Drink soon.

Definitely old school, with flavours of dried fruits, oxidized sour cherries, herbs, and leather. Unique and very southern Italian. Yeah, its a bit funky and unusual but I love wines like this. The finish is merely good so I can't quite stretch to 90 pts but this is a very good wine indeed. Tasted June 2015.

Poeira Dusty 2010, Doc Douro

What a fine wine this is! Superb density and depth, with perfectly ripe fruit and fine tannin. Yet, the flavours never veer into overripeness and the wine doesn't feel at all heavy, thanks to good acidity. Certainly worthy of laying down for a few years. Super recommendation by JS and a great value for $20 (which, amazingly is being reduced to under $17 - go figure!). Portugal continues to produced stellar reds at affordable prices. Tasted July 2015.

Domaine Beau Mistral Vieilles Vignes Rasteau Côtes Du Rhône Villages 2012, Ac

Soft, with flavours of stewed fruits and hints of herbs. Seems a bit muddled and lacking in focus. Lacks the structure and complexity of a Villages level wine. Enjoyable enough but failed to really impress me. For current consumption. Tasted Oct 2015.

Ontañón Crianza 2010, Doca Rioja

From start to finish, all I can smell and taste is oak, Just completely out of balance. Were any grapes used at all to make this wine?? Way over the top.
Tasted March 2014.

Château Des Charmes Old Vines Cabernet/Merlot 2012, VQA Niagara On The Lake

While still very much a cool climate red, the (relatively) Old Vines Cab Merlot exhibits none of the greenness that mare many Niagara reds. Certainly the warm dry vintage helped as I am sure the many years of experience and wisdom at CdC. More in the Euro savoury style, this does a great job of mimicking a good right bank Bordeaux, but at substantially less $$. Good fruit, hints of herbs, fine tannin, and pleasant tartness on the finish. Seems to be in a fine drinking pace now and should hold for a few more years. Impressive. Tasted April 2017.

Descendientes De J. Palacios Pétalos 2012, Do Bierzo

A wine of superior complexity and length. Quite an interesting mix of flavours, a mix of dark berries and red fruits, with a healthy dose of herbs and spice (not wood, though which is well in the background). Fresh and drinking well now. As one would expect from Palacios, very well made. Tasted Jan 2016.

Di Majo Norante Contado Riserva Aglianico Del Molise 2011, Doc

As always, this is a savory and distintive aglianico. Loaded with rustic red fruits, dried fruits, notable acidity and firm tannin. Wonderfully complex and long finishing. Excellent now, but could use another year or two. Tasted Nov 2015.

Famille Perrin Les Christins Vacqueyras 2012, Ac

Spot-on south Rhone red here from the Perrins. Loaded with spice, herbal-inflected dark fruits, and black pepper, this is balanced and pure. Embodies everything I love about south Rhone reds. Drink now -2020, Tasted May 2017.