It's only wine but I like it
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Following (3)
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Reviews (1367)
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Reviews
Journey'S End The Bluegum Merlot 2021, Wo Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch, South Africa$18.95
This Merlot calls to mind cooler climate reds, more like a Bordeaux than, say, an Australian or Chilean. A bit lean (in a good way), with some fine plummy fruit, finishing with pleasant tartness and some firm tannin. I should think that this will keep for a few years. Really good wine here, not the slightest bit blowsy. At $19, a great value. Tasted Oct 2025/
3.5 Stars
(0)V
Auntsfield Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2025, Southern Valleys
Marlborough, New Zealand$21.95
A bit leaner and more pungent that the '23 I had a couple of summers ago. Still, some tropical fruit notes appear along side the citrus and green flavours. Brisk acidity and fine complexity here. Just a superb Sauvignon again from Auntsfield, lovely indeed in the summer heat. Picked up on sale for about $18 which is simply a steal (Still great value at its regular $22 price), Drink over the next couple of years.
3.5 Stars
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Rede Reserva 2011, Doc Douro
Douro, Portugal$14.95
Good value in Douro red made with the Touriga amigos (Roriz, Nacional, Franca). Mostly black fruits, with a solid kick of spice and coconut from the oak. Hanging in well for a 2011. Tasted May 2019.
3.5 Stars
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Muralhas De Monção Vinho Verde 2016, Doc
Vinho Verde, Portugal$15.95
Mmmm, lemony...Citrus, citrus, and more citrus. Dry, fairly crisp, refreshing. Definitely some spritz here (as evidenced by fine bubbles arising after I transferred the remained of the bottle to a smaller bottle). A bit more weight than some Vinho Verdes. Finishes very dry. Decent value for consuming this summer. Tasted July 2018.
3.5 Stars
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Château La Roche Bazin 2014, Ac Côtes De Bordeaux Blaye
Bordeaux, France$18.95
A fine right-bank red from an under-rated
vintage (in the shadow of '15 and '16). Medium-bodied, with nicely ripened (though still cooler climate) red fruit, with only hints of influence from barrel ageing. Dry, crisp, and a nice way to experience red Bordeaux without having to take out a second mortgage. Tasted Feb 2019.
3.5 Stars
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Adegamãe Dory Red 2015, Vinho Regional Lisboa
Portugal$11.75
A ripe, robust and highly satisfying red made from a blend or Portuguese and French varieties. Easy drinking and not highly structured, this wine is not intended for anything but short term ageing (as further evidenced by the short, cheapo particle board cork). Plenty of ripe, smoking fruit and more complexity and length than one often finds at the price. Nice stuff indeed. Tasted August 2018.
3.5 Stars
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Pierre Amadieu Les Hautes Rives Cairanne 2015, Ap
Rhône, France$17.75
Nicely balanced Cairanne from Amadieu. Nothing is out of place - alcohol is in check, no overt wood, fruit perfectly ripened, Rhone spice. Lovely stuff and very fine value. Tasted Sep 2020.
3.5 Stars
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Villa Cafaggio Chianti Classico Riserva 2012, Docg
Tuscany, Italy$26.95
A CC Riserva that doesn't try too hard. Bright red cherries and currants, with well-integrated wood, softening tannin and telltale Sangiovese acidity. A food wine, as Chianti's should be. Just missing a bit of that extra depth to push over 90pts. Tasted Aug 2018.
3.5 Stars
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Domaine Les Grands Bois Cuvée Maximilien Côtes Du Rhône-villages Cairanne 2015, Unfiltered, Ac
Rhône, France$20.75
50% Grenache, 35% mouvedre, 15% syrah, More deeply coloured and denser on the palate than most CdR, even at the Villages levels as this one is. As DL points out, this is no doubt due to the higher proportion of Mouvedre in the blend. Very ripe dark fruits (14.5% abv declared) with hints of herbs and black pepper and some tannin. Perhaps a bit blunt for now, but delicious to drink anyway. No oak ageing. Tasted Feb 2019.
3.5 Stars
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Quinta De Bons-ventos 2016, Vinho Regional Lisboa
Portugal$10.80
A simple, easygoing Portuguese red. Quite ripe, with a bit of a raisined note along with the ripe fruit. Well made, but nothing particular complex, this has soft tannin and an average finish. Fine enough for less than $13 but not worthy of another purchase for me. Tasted Oct 2019.
3.5 Stars
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