It's only wine but I like it

Coltibuono Cancelli Sangiovese Di Toscana 2011, Igt Toscana

A lighter-bodied Tuscan red, despite the reported 14% alcohol.. Red fruit flavours (cherry, cranberry) with light tannin and bright acidity. Decent Tuscan character and a pleasant wine, just a bit simple. Would be better priced at about $13 instead of $16. For current consumption. Tasted Oct 2014.

Domaine Berthoumieu Haute Tradition Madiran 2011, Ac

Retasted June 2016: this fine Madiran seems to have mellowed quite a bit since I tasted it almost 2 years ago. Evolving very nicely, this is drinking well now but should still keep another few years. Upgraded a point.

Original note:A stern red, as one might expect from Madiran. Cool blackberry fruit, with just a hint of oak and quite firm tannin. Really, a solid mouthful but cetainlynot a casual sipping wine. Very nicely made, but I should think that this could use a few years of bottle age. Tasted Oct 2014.

Tons De Duorum Red 2011, Douro Valley

Good value here indeed. Spicy dark fruit, with smoky and herbal overtones. Never veers into overripeness, indeed is quite crisp and fresh. While I still have a slight preference for the Pessoa for sheer value in Portuguese reds, this Douro red is most welcome on my table any time, thank you very much. Worth buying a few bottles at this price. Tasted June 2015.

López De Haro Crianza 2008, Doca Rioja

"Old school", "Traditional"..yep, those are apt descriptors for this Rioja. Ripe red fruit, with good dose of oak, notes of leather and soft tannin. Hanging in pretty well for an '08 Crianza. Spanish wine lovers should enjoy this. Nicely made and fairly priced (did I really say that about a wine a the LCBO?!). Tasted Sep 2014.

Gabbiano Chianti Classico 2012

A pleasant light-mid weight CC, with typical sour/dried cherry notes, good acidity and slightly earthy notes. Just enough structure and virtually no oak that I can detect. I really like the authenticity of this red. A fine deal at $13.95 on sale, certainly worth picking up a few for Pizza Wednesday nights. Tasted Dec 2014.

E. Guigal Côtes Du Rhône 2011

A shame that the price of this wine has risen to $19 in recent years (though I picked it up for $2 off), but I grudgingly admit that it is worth the price. This is indeed a very fine and authentic CdR, with lovely ripeness, black pepper, and herbs so prevalent in good CdR. Balance and length of finish are very good. And 3.5 million bottles produced annually. Amazing how they can maintain such high quailty with such a large production. A must purchase by any fan of south Rhione wines. Tasted May 2015.

Hinterbrook Deeply Red 2012, VQA Niagara Peninsula

Fairly typical Niagara red in the lower price range. Medium bodied with simple but pleasant red fruit framed by notable herbeceousness and fine acidity. A well made red but you gotta like that cool climate herbeceousness (despite the warm vintage) to appreciate this. Very fairly priced. For current consumption. Tasted Oct 2014.

Roche Bastide Côtes Du Rhône 2012

Soft, mild, inoffensive are the descriptors that come to mind in tasting this wine. Where's the spice, bright fruit, structure that one finds in better examples from the CdR? Easy enough to drink but all in all, rather boring. This would be acceptable at $11, not at nearly $15. Tasted Sept 2014.

Castellani Filicheto Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano 2010

Again this vintage, Castellani has fashioned an authentic Vino Nobile, with no resorting to heavy handed oak treatment or other wine making tricks. Fine red fruit, vibrant acidity and decent structure. Unfortunately, $2 higher than previous vintages courtesy of the wine monopoly but still represents decent value. For drinking in the next 3 years or so. Tasted Oct 2014.

Quinta Da Ponte Pedrinha 2012

Re-tasted March 2017: A bit softer and more tart red fruit than the last tasting. Holding on to the fruit, but a simple red. 86 pts this time, so let's average the two.
Original Note:
Fresh and spicy, with bright red fruits and foresty notes (think evergreens). Not particularly complex (the '08 was superior) but a decent value in genuine Portuguese red. 88 pts. Tasted March 2015.