It's only wine but I like it

Château De Corneilla Pur Sang 2020, Single Vineyard, A.P. Côtes Du Roussillon

Second tasting Aug 2024, still excellent.

An excellent red from the Roussillon, Complex and ripe, with plenty of herbs, pepper and meaty notes. I get just a wee bit of astringency that JS notes, which fades in the glass but no sense of under ripeness. Balanced and long finishing. Worth seeking out. For drinking now with a decant of hold another 18-24 months. Tasted Dec 2023.

Seméli Nemea Reserve Red 2017, Pdo

Really delicious red from Nemea. Complex, not heavy and ready to drink. Fine value indeed. Tasted Feb 2024.

Château De Montfaucon "La Côte" Côtes Du Rhône 2019, Ap

What a lovely, balanced CdR, a wine that questions why anyone would spend $50+ for a Chateauneuf de Pape when, for $22, delicious reds like this are produced in this region and labelled "lowly" Cotes du Rhone. Brimming with ripe fruit, spice and pepper with a long finish, Ready to drink. Tasted Sep 2024.

Garzón Pinot Rosé De Corte 2023, Garzón

Barely pink in colour, so pale is this wine. At first, I was "meh", but this grew on me. I suspect it was a wee bit too cold when I first tried it, which my have rather deadened my palate. The wine is crisp and light, hints of orchard fruit (peaches) and strawberries. Charming and nifty. Now I know where Uruguay is on the map.
Tasted Jul 2024.

Lafage Cayrol Vieilles Vignes Carignan 2021, I.G.P. Côtes Catalanes

Not too often that one comes across a wine made from 100% Carignan. Very ripe, with lots of alcohol (15% according to the label). An in-your-face wine, with lots of concentrated fruit, and plenty of herbal notes. A bit of bitterness on the finish which you may like or not. Really fine wine, as one has come to expect from this producer. Tasted Jul 2024.

Mazzei Fonterutoli Chianti Classico 2021, Docg

A bit heavy on the oak ageing, this is a simple CC from Fonterutoli. Sure, it has some of the cherry fruit and dusty tannin associated with Sangiovese, but it all seems so muted. Decent, but over-priced. Tasted Aug 2024.

Malivoire Estate Grown Chardonnay 2022, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment

A very solid vintage of Malivoire's Estate Chardonnay, at the bottom of their price range, but this is hardly plonk. Nicely ripened fruit with notes of citrus, peaches and some more exotic flavours (possibly due to the inclusion of some of the musqué clone in the blend). Wood is wisely kept to a minimum, Very nicely done. For near(er) term consumption, And fine value too. Tasted Dec 2024.

Cave Spring Estate Grown Cabernet Franc 2022, Sustainable, Cave Spring Vineyard, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment

I don't often find Niagara reds interesting in the sub $22 price bracket but this is a pleasant exception from Cave Spring. A fine vintage was 2022 (save the nasty winter damage), but this is a nicely ripened cab franc, with plenty of juicy red fruit, just of hint of red pepper, and wood that is seamlessly integrated. Just missing a wee bit of length on the finish, but for $21, no complaints. Really fine value. Drinking now, should hold another couple of years. Tasted Apr 2025.

Tenuta Di Renieri Chianti Classico 2020, Docg

I struggled with this wine. High acidity, slightly tart red fruit, taut tannin....as one would expect from a CC, Yet, it seems rather austere and a bit joyless at the moment. Agree with DL, I would age this another few years, it may mellow and provide more pleasure. Tasted Oct 2024.

Planeta Plumbago Nero D'avola 2021, D.O.C. Sicilia

Good red here from Planeta but somehow I was underwhelmed. A bit monolithic and astringent. Maybe just needs a bit more time to round out. Tasted April 2025.