It's only wine but I like it
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Following (3)
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Reviews (1267)
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Reviews
Melini Chianti Classico Reserva 2011
Tuscany, Italy$19.95
A nice step up from the '09, this is a fresher and more complex CCR, yet fully mature. I like the leathery/earthy notes that have emerged along with the red cherry fruit. Tannin has softened and the finish has just a hint of old wood. On sale until April 28, this is fine value. Tasted April 2019.
3.5 Stars
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Viñademoya Centenaria Mencía 2016, Do Bierzo
Galicia, Spain$15.75
Smoky dark fruit, spice and pepper. Not as big as I was expecting, but that is no flaw. Enough tannin to provide backbone and I like the crisp acidity on the finish. Worked really well with a meat-tomato based pasta dish. Fine Mencia and an excellent value at under $16 on sale....still some left, worth a try for sure. Tasted Feb 2019.
3.5 Stars
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Ken Forrester Old Vine Reserve Chenin Blanc 2017, Wo Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch, South Africa$17.95
Deep Golden yellow in colour would have one believe this is an older wine. First whiff and taste will dispel any notions of a maturing wine, this is fresh and lively, with fine acidity underlying citrus and apple flavours. Concentrated and long finishing, oak is but a vague accent. I imagine that this would fetch high $20 range if this was labelled Loire Valley instead of Stellenbosch. Such is perception in the wine world but as wine lovers, our gain. Tasted Dec 2018.
3.5 Stars
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Cave Spring Cabernet Franc 2016, VQA Niagara Escarpment
Ontario, Canada$17.95
A light-medium bodied cab franc with crisp red cherry/currant fruit, not unlike a sangiovese. Thanks to the ripe vintage, none of the green pepper flavours that often mar this variety in cooler Niagara vintages. Oak seems well dialed in until the finish where the wood flavours seem to outlast the fruit. Still. a fine red from Cave Spring. Tasted Feb 2019.
3.5 Stars
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Domaine De Verquière Plan De Dieu 2015, Ac Côtes Du Rhône Villages
Rhône, France$16.75
Checks all the boxes for a fine CdR Villages: Ripe red fruit (strawberries come to mind), infused with herbs and black pepper and a bit of warming alcohol on the finish. Delicious. Tasted Sep 2019.
3.5 Stars
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Lua Cheia Em Vinhas Velhas Reserva Especial Tinto 2015, Doc Douro
Douro, Portugal$21.95
The 2016 vintage.
Yet another example of a producer's top tiered wine being over-made (eg like many Chianti Classico Gran Selezione). Aged 100% in new oak, the flavours of the wood mask much of the wines character - this could come from anywhere. This producer's less expensive Old Vines red is much more interesting. This is certainly a good wine where, but I cannot help think how much better it would be without all the oak. Tasted nov 2021
3.5 Stars
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Domaine Naturaliste Discovery Syrah 2014, Margaret River, Western Australia
Western Australia, Australia$24.95
Certainly leans more toward the typical French (Syrah) model than the Aussie (Shiraz) model for this grape (yes, I am generalizing). Peppery dark fruit, a bit of scrub brush and fine tannin. Yet on the finish, I pick up a bit of a vermouth-y/boozy note that is not that appealing. 14% abv is not that high and the wine does not taste hot but these flavours are notable to me. Still, a decent red. Tasted Oct 2019.
3.5 Stars
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Château Coupe Roses Les Plots 2017
Languedoc, France$20.20
The 2018 vintage, which I somehow found on the LCBO's horrendous website. Glad that I did find it (no longer available) as this is an excellent Syrah *mostly), Grenache, Mourvedre blend. Brimming with perfectly ripened fruit, black olives, pepper and herbs, this is southern French terroir. No Oak. Lovely. Hoping that the LCBO brings this one back. Tasted June 2022.
3.5 Stars
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Duncan Savage Untamed Shiraz 2017, Wo Swartland
Swartland, South Africa$12.75
Corrected previously erroneous rating (95pts,?? Must have had too much wine...._)
Rich, ripe shiraz exhibiting lots of upfront fruit and little in the way of oak, Has some decent complexity and depth. Seems like there is a bit of sweetness in the middle palate that detracts a bit (though the wine only has 3g RS/L), but overall a very good value. Fine bbq now that the weather is turning for the better. Tasted March 2019.
3.5 Stars
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Sous La Montagne Dsm Vin D'altitude 2016, Ap Côtes Du Roussillon Villages
Languedoc, France$17.25
Complex, with loads of ripe fruit, herbs, black pepper. Not heavy at all and no heavy handed use of oak (well, no oak at all!). Structure and a long finish, Hard to believe that this is still lingering on the shelves since March, even after a discount. If you like the wines of the south of France, this is for you. Fine wine, a steal at just over $17. Tasted Aug 2019.
3.5 Stars
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