It's only wine but I like it
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Following (3)
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Reviews (1260)
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Reviews
Château De Panigon 2010, Ac Médoc
Bordeaux, France$19.95
A ripe but balanced left bank Bordeaux with noted but well integrated ok. Plummy red fruit, and hints of coffee and cedar. Tannin is pleasantly firm and the finish is good. Not the depth or complexity if classified growths but this is an authentic Bordeaux and a decent value consider its origin. Drinking nicely now, should keep another couple of years. Tasted April 2015.
3.5 Stars
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Château De Ventenac Grand Réserve Cabardès 2009
Languedoc, France$15.25
Cab-Merlot-Syrah blend. Quite dry, with notes of dried sour cherries, black tea and herbs. Solid, dry finish with some tannin noted but not obtrusive. Quite a nicely made wine, my only minor quibble being that it lacks a bit of regional character. Picked up on sale at $15.25. a good value at that price. Tasted Dec 2013.
3.5 Stars
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Caparzo Brunello Di Montalcino 2008, Docg
Tuscany, Italy$44.95
Lighter and leaner than most Brunello (the vintage?), this Caparzo is Chianti Classico in weight and flavours. Sour cherry fruit, tart cranberries and hints of spice, but they is little in the way of oxidative fruit - this is quite fresh, even at nearly 10 years of age. Wood is but a minor feature. Once one gets past the expectations of a bigger richer wine, there is much to appreciate here. Complex, long finishing and food friendly. Fine current drinking and should hold for a few more years. Tasted Jul 2018.
3.5 Stars
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Capezzana Barco Reale Di Carmignano 2010
Tuscany, Italy$17.95
Another fine offering from Capezzana. Bright sour cherry fruit, with notes of herbs and earthiness. The Sangivoese character really shines through here. Finishes with pleasant tartness, fine acidity and light but firm tannin. Not quite the value it was in past years (thanks to the additional $1 LCBO gouge) but a worthy purchase in Tuscan red. Tasted nov 2013.
3.5 Stars
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Les Parcelles De Stéphane Derenoncourt 2010, Ac Saint Estèphe
Bordeaux, France$18.60
Mid-weight Cab-Merlot blend here from vineyards somewhere in St Estephe from well-known wine consultant Stéphane Derenoncourt. Not particularly complex, this is, for the most part nicely balanced. Well ripened fruit, oak left well in the background and just a bit of awkward acidic tang on the finish. Won't get any better from here so drink up. Tasted March 2019.
3.5 Stars
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Tessellae Carignan Vieilles Vignes 2011, Igp Côtes Catalanes
Southwest, France$17.95
Very deepply coloured, this red from southern France has ample ripe fruit, notes of earth, black pepper and herbs. Alas, those positives are marred by some bitter astrignency and noticeable alcohol. Perhaps time will soften the astrigency, but I wouldn't bet on it. A decent wine, but really doesn't provide alot of joy. Tasted Dec 2013.
3.5 Stars
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Taylor Fladgate Late Bottled Vintage Port 2008
Douro, Portugal$16.00
An LBV with typical notes of dried fruits (prunes, raisins, dates). The alcohol is well-carried and no sense of a cloying finiish. The only slight deteaction is a bit of astringency on the finish. Not sure if a year or two in the cellar would help, but its only a minor quibble to an otherwise well-made LBV. However, I do have to give the nod to Grahams as being the superior LBV (based on my tasting of the '06 and '07, I haven't tried the Grahams '08 LBV yet). Tasted Dec 2013.
3.5 Stars
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Errazuriz Max Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
Aconcagua Valley, Chile$19.05
Certaintly good concentration of ripe ripe fruit and some decent structure as well. But overwhelming it all is pronounced notes of mocha/vanilla and even coconut. I suppose that this style of wine has its fans but I just can't get past the dominance of the oak in the wine. Corporate commercial wine to my tastes. On sale at $15.95, not a purchase for me again though. Tasted Nov 2013.
3.5 Stars
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M. Chapoutier Les Vignes De Bila Haut Côtes Du Roussillon Villages 2012, Ac
Languedoc, France$15.95
A very solid, well made Roussillon. Dark fruits, hints of local herbs, pepper, and black olives. Tannin seems nicely integrated, providing just the right amount of structure. In short, all one could hope for in a modestly-priced southern French wine. Tasted April 2015 and re-tasted July 2016 with consistent notes - a lovely value.
3.5 Stars
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Castelgreve Chianti Classico Riserva 2009, Docg
Tuscany, Italy$19.95
I wanted to like this wine - a Chianti Classico Riserva for $20, sounds great, no? But I never quite warmed up to it. The flavours hint at Sangiovese but seem a touch muddled and not all together cohesive. Has some firm tannin and high acidity (not out of place in Chiants, of course). A good wine, just left me a bit cold. Tasted March 2014.
3.5 Stars
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