It's only wine but I like it

San Felice Chianti Classico 2018, Docg Tuscany

A delicious, fresh mid-weight CC from San Felice. Better ripeness and complexity in this vintage compared to some I have had in the past. Balanced, with nicely judged acid and tannin, little in the way of wood influence. In short, a fine representation of Chianti Classico at a reasonable price. Best for drinking within the next 2 years or so. Tasted April 2022.

Castello Di Gabbiano Chianti Classico Docg Cavaliere D'oro 2017

An easy-to-like Chianti Classico, with the expected red fruits, leaning toward sour cherries and lively acidity, and light tannin. Went very nicely with stuffed pasta in a cream sauce. Tasted May 2020.

Lornano Chianti Classico 2016, Docg

2nd bottle, Mar '24: Most of the astringency has faded now. a very good CC, at its peak: upped to 89pts

Certainly more deeply coloured than most CC that you come across. As expected, red fruit (cherry, red currant) dominates the palate along with a hint of oak. However, this finish is quite tannic and astringent, almost like they were trying too hard (over-extraction?). Tough to judge this wine now, certainly less joyous than the '15 at the same stage. Give this until mid-2023. I will open my second bottle then and see if this improves. 87 pts for now. Tasted Oct 2021.

Domaine La Décelle Réserve Valréas 2017, Ac Côtes Du Rhône Villages, Rhône, France

Spot-on CdR Villages. Plummy ripe fruit, some meaty notes, black pepper and herbs. A bit chewy, with a lingering finish, Can't do much better than this for $17. BBQ wine, cool night wine, when-i'm-pissed off-with-work wine. Any occasion wine, this will pick you up. Tasted Sep 2021.

Château Du Grand Caumont Cuvée Tradition Corbières 2018, Ap, Midi

A bit rough and rustic, but plenty of flavour and character. Lots of fruit, some pepper (no doubt from the syrah) and herbs. No great comlexity and the finish is a tad clipped, but quite tasty and enjoyable ....fine value for $14. Still lively almost 2 years post David's note, should still hold (though certainly no need to age further). Tasted April 2022.

Cap Royal Rouge 2016, Vegan, Ac Bordeaux Superieur

Quite a strong herbal streak along with some decent fruit, kind f reminded me of some Niagara reds. However, I just found this wine to be too heavy on the oak for my taste. But it seems this is the way of things in Bordeaux these days, even at the most modest price points. Tasted Oct 2020.

Malivoire Ladybug Rosé 2019, Niagara Peninsula

Less austere than the more expensive Moira bottling, this is a pleasant, fruity rose. Perhaps the brisk acidity here is offset by a wee bit of residual sugar (just 5.5g/l). A fine summer sipper and great value. Tasted Jul 2020.

Tenuta La Viola Romagna Sangiovese Superiore Doc Oddone 2018

The 2019 vintage, available online at the LCBO (still 15 bottles left as of now). Leaning toward the red fruit spectrum (cherries, a bit of raspberries), this is not quite Chianti Classico ('cuz it ain't from there), but the hallmarks of well made Sangiovese. Light-medium bodied, no intrusion by wood from a forest afar, and so easy to sip. Give it a try. LCBO#:150655, $17.30. No, I am not an agent, I just liked this wine. Tasted May 2022.

Marynissen Heritage Collection Nanny's Blend 2018, Niagara Peninsula

Mostly Cabernet Sauvignon (60%) with 25% Merlot, and 15% Cabernet Franc. I have never been sold on the idea of Cab Sauv in Niagara and this wine does nothing to change that view. To my taste, this is simply not fully ripe. The herbal/vegetal notes simply dominate the fruit. On the positive die, there is some good fruit there, nice texture and well-judged oak, but that green stemmy character is just too dominant. Taste Apr 2022.

Domaine Brunely 2018, Ap Cairanne

Silky and smooth, red fruit and herbs - in other words, classic Cote Du Rhone - this Cairanne is a delicious red. No pandering to overly manipulative wine-making techniques, this is just CdR, the whole CdR and nothing but the CdR. For drinking over the next couple of years. Tasted Jul 2022.