It's only wine but I like it

Clos Bagatelle à L'origine 2022, Ap Saint Chinian

DL noted the hashish aromas so I decided just to whiff this wine over the course of a couple of hours without drinking it. As the night progressed, for some reason, I got the munchies.

Eventually tried the wine. Maybe all that hashish aromas might have impaired my judgement, so take this with a grain of salt, but I really liked it, Great value. Buy up! Tasted (and whiffed) Aug 2024.

Il Poggio Sannio Aglianico 2019, Dop

Swarthy, southern Italian red on a cold February night. A perfect remedy to the winter blahs. Love wines like this. No catering to modern tastes, especially this abysmal trend to low/no alcohol wines.
Tasted Feb 2025.

Catena Cabernet Sauvignon High Mountain Vines 2022, Mendoza

A slightly odd combination of richness and cool climate herbal notes. Dark fruit and some oak, which seems well under control. Overall, a good cabernet but not especially compelling. At $18 (post LCBO discount and sans HST), not bad value. For nearer term consumption. Tasted Dec 2024.

Finca Sophenia Altosur Malbec 2023, Uco Valley

Rip and juicy as one would expect from Malbec, but this is also very nicely balanced. Not sure ripe or heavy and the oak is nicely in the background. Complexity is good and this is simply delicious. For drinking in the near(er) term to capture that fruit Great value. Tasted in the evening as the sun was setting, pondering, pondering. what to do?

Mount Langi Ghiran Cliff Edge Shiraz 2004, "Grampians, Victoria"

A very nicely made Shiraz, which really should be labelled Syrah. Why? Because this wine has much more in common with the red wines of the north Rhone than with most Aussie Shiraz. Dark berry fruit, pepper and well-judged oak, with a fine backbone of acidity. My only gripe is that it lacks a bit of character. Stil at a dicsounted price of less than $17 a good buy.

Cave Spring Estate Riesling 2007, Beamsville Bench

For as long as I can remember, CS has been a benchmark in Niagara Riesling. In this vintage, the trend continues, though with a little less vibrancy that past vintages. I suspect that this was due to the warm vintage, which does not suit more delicate varieties such as Riesling. Still, plenty to admire here, with citrusy/floral aromas and good concentration of fruit. Drinking well now.

Fassati Pasiteo Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano 2005, Docg

Well-made, food-friendly red from the Montepulciano region of Tuscany. Good fruit, subtle oak treatment and fine structure and acidity. Drink now or hold for a few years.

Domaine Grand Veneur Les Champauvins Côtes Du Rhône Villages 2007, Ac

I am going against the grain with this one - I was not overly impressed with this wine. Now, I love Cotes du Rhone, but I found this a bit short in fruit and high in herbeceousness. Also, a bit hollow in the mid-palate as well. Disappointing given the positive reviews I have read. Bottle variation?

Ferraton Père & Fils La Matinière Crozes Hermitage 2006, Ac

Has typical syrah notes of blackberries, smoke and dashes of pepper but unfortunately finishes with strong notes of over-ripe, pruney fruit that is very off-putting. The wine has clearly becoming somewhat oxidized. The cork was tight and dry, so I can only assume that the wine is over-the-hill already or that I had a flawed bottle. Drink now if you have it. Tasted Dec 2011.

Famille Perrin Les Cornuds Vinsobres 2007

A 50-50 Grenache-Syrah blend from the Perrin family. Rich and balanced, with loads of black fruit, spice and herbs. Good acidity and fine structure. A very fine Cotes du Rone Village and was fairly priced at about $18.