It's only wine but I like it

Tasca D'almerita Regaleali Lamùri 2020, Doc Sicily

A delicious nero d'avola, which is dense yet light on its feet. The balance here is spot-on, with crisp acidity, complex red fruit with hints of herbs and silky tannin. Really fine wine, and great value. Alas, my only bottle and virtually none left at the LCBO. I really hope that we see this wine again. Drink now or hold a few years. Tasted Mar 2025.

Lake Breeze Bernoota Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, Langhorne Creek

From first whiff through the finish, this wine is dominated by the coconut/vanilla from the obviously generous oak ageing. Seems like there is some nice ripe fruit in there but I just can't get past the wood. If you like that sort of thing, you'll love this but it ain't my cuppa. tasted Feb 2019.

Palacios Remondo La Montesa 2021, Rioja Oriental

The balance here is impeccable. Ripeness, oak, tannin, acidity all in perfect balance. Really good wine here for current consumption or hold up to 5 years. tasted oct 2025..

Emiliana Coyam 2021, Los Robles Estate, Colchagua Valley

A multi-varietal blend led by Carmenere an Syrah. Certainly, the Carmenere makes its presence felt by the herbal notes along side the lush ripe fruit, along with hints of black pepper (Syrah). A lot of character in this wine and oak well in the background. Delicious red here, complexity in keeping with its $30 price tag. Tannin seems firm but silky smooth to me, so I think that this is fine to drink now but enough structure here to hold a few years as well. Tasted Nov 2025.

Ahi Ka Blackmore Grower Sauvignon Blanc 2023, Dillons Point, Marlborough, South Island, Sustainable

Nice Sauvignon. Nothing memorable in particular, just a well-made white for summer enjoyment.

Tasted July 2025.

Laberinto Cenizas Mezcla Tinta 2018, D.O. Colbún, Valle Del Maule

Excellent Chilean red, with lovely balance between the fruit, minimal oak intervention, tannin and acid. Great complexity and length and I like the hints of herbs. Outstanding value. Tasted May 2023.

La Nerthe Les Cassagnes Côtes Du Rhône Villages 2020, Ap

Organic GSM blend, in a stupidly heavy bottle. Medium-bodied, with more subtle flavour profile than expected, this is still a delicious fairly complex wine with light tannin and crisp acidity. 15% abv goes nearly unnoticed. For near term consumption. Tasted Dec 2023.

Trius Red (The Icon) 2016, VQA Niagara Peninsula

This is a solid cool climate Bordeaux blend. Fruit is decently ripened thanks to the hot, drought 2016 vintage, but still with the tell-tale green pepper/vegetal component like many Niagara Bordeaux blends. Oak is well integrated and the finish is solid. A very good wine, just not a 90+ pointer for me. Tasted Sept 2019.

Peller Estates Private Reserve Cabernet Franc 2017, Niagara Peninsula

Medium bodied, with ripe red fruit, but still with a little typical cool climate vegetal/herbeceous notes. Oak certainly makes an appearance but is nicely integrated into the flavour profile. This is a very good Niagara Cab Franc from Peller, No need to age, though no rush either. Tasted Feb 2020.

Domaine De Carobelle Vacqueyras 2021, A.P.

Solid southern Rhone from the Vacqueyras region. Just missing some of the complexity and wildness I associate with this region. For near(er) term consumption (in the next couple of years). Tasted Jan 2025.