Friday, May 31, 2013

Clayhouse Red Cedar Vineyard Old Vines Paso Robles 2009 Petite Sirah




Clayhouse Red Cedar Vineyard Paso Robles 2009 Petite Sirah, $18.74-$24.99, 92 points, with a nose of sweet spice, earth, and cedar, I'm already reminded of how much I love their wines.
Flavors are mirrors of the aroma, carried on a near full body of strong acidity and intense, but drinkable tannin (Drink now and just maybe for years to come). In addition, loads of smoky black fruit and licorice complement this red wine of intensity, followed by a long persistent finish of spice (VERY DRY RED WINE).
Pair this wine with a whole host of American and Mexican cuisine; I had this with a black-peppercorn buttered mashed potato with pork gravy on prosciutto, but tostadas, grilled steak, or nearly any spicy foods will go well with this versatile red wine; don't forget simple things like hamburgers or Saturday's hotdogs and beans.



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Thursday, May 30, 2013

Borgo Scopeto 2009 Chianti Classico


Borgo Scopeto 2009 Chianti Classico, $9.99-$18.99, 86 points, appears a light, cranberry red with a very broad watery rim.
A dense perfume aroma fills the glass with thick smells of earth, flowers, and cherry.
Just as a side note, as so often is the case with European red wines, this is the second one consecutively with a mere 13% alcohol, which is not typically the case with North American red wines.
The medium-plus body of good acidity and moderate tannin begins fairly smooth with a bit of plum and red cherry, but gathers a scratchy edge of spice with a sour note, that carries into the finish.
I see this wine as more a red-table-wine than a drink-alone sipper.





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Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Château Léoville Barton St.-Julien 2009 Bordeaux

 
 Someone who should know, said about this Bordeaux: "Drink now or you'll have a twenty year wait." Well, I don't think I have twenty years left in me, and if I do, I'd probably forget that I had this wine. So. . . 





Château Léoville Barton Saint-Julien 2009 Bordeaux, $110.49-$164.99, 96 points, appears more a Shiraz purple/red with a clear rim than a Bordeaux black currant red.
The aroma sleeps at this point, but a subtle toasty red cherry and vanilla are yet making themselves known.
A remarkably silky texture and clarity of flavor drive this medium bodied wine of pronounced acidity and mild-plus tannin with 13% alcohol as if it were a cascading spring mountain stream (unusually refreshing for a big red wine).
Focused red and black cherry with damson plum, coffee notes and bay leaf lead to a very long escalating finish of delightful spice and a hint of mint.
Varietals were 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22.5% Merlot and a dollop of Cabernet Fran.
This wine is way too easy to drink, yet lends itself toward being contemplative. Quite obviously it's doing justice to the number six spot on Wine Spectator's Top 100 of 2012 wines. 
I'm contemplating this wine with the BEETHOVEN-SYMPHONY PASTORAL,  thanks to FM 99.50 Boston!

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Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Limerick Lane Estate Grown Russian River 2009 Syrah





 Limerick Lane Estate Grown Russian River 2009 Syrah,  $16,99-$33.99, 89 points, is a dense ruby, trending purple in color with a broad clear rim.
A restrained floral aroma with hints of black fruit, red cherry, earth, and sweet cooking spice is grand.
Full bodied with striking acidity and mild tannin carry rich plum flavors, licorice, coffee notes along with a more parochial black fruit accompaniment.
Finishing with a note of sour plum, black currant and a hint of spice is fair, but anti-climatic.

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Monday, May 27, 2013

Best wines of 2013 just before summer begins.



New Hampshire's best wines of 2013 just before summer begins, represents what I consider to be the very best value in red and white wines tasted in the first five months of 2013; so much so is the case, that these are wines I've bought (In New Hampshire), tasted, and have or would buy again without a second thought; in fact I have eagerly done so. They take into account as primacy, flavor and then cost (Low price listed in the review), but I present them as "links" in no particular order (I'll leave that up to your wallet and will), except Red Wines are listed separate from White Wines.
 
Red Wines
Blau cellars can blau D.O. Montsant-Spain 2011 Red Wine, $12.00, 90 points
Groth Oakville-Napa Valley 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, $76,49-$89.99, 96 points
Waterstone Napa Valley 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, $16.99-$22.99, 92 points
Seghesio Sonoma County 2011 Zinfandel, $22.99-$25.99, 93 points
Poggio Antico 2009 Rosso Di Montalcino, $28.30-$36.99, 93 points
Château Le Prieuré Grand Cru Classé de Saint-Emilion 2009 Bordeaux, $52.69-$61.99, 95+ points

Caparzo 2008 Brunello DI Montalcino, $29.06-$37.99, 93 points
IL Poggione 2007 Brunello Di Montalcino, $67.99-$79.99, 95 points
J Vineyards Russian River 2008 Pinot Noir, $16.99-$34.99, 92 points
 
White Wines
Naveran Cava, $12.74-$16.99, 92 points
Tommasi Viticoltori Tenuta Filodora DOC Prosecco, $14.53-$18.99, 92 points

Joh. Jos. Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr 2010 Riesling Spätlese, $36,54-$42.99, 94 points
Banfi Castello San Angelo 2011 Pinot Grigio, $12.32-$17.99, 93 points
Acrobat Oregon 2011 Pinot Gris, $11.99-$13.99, 91 points


Food and wine? These are wines you will easily enjoy without food, but most of us are thinking barbecues and pick nicks!  Need some help pairing? Check-out What wine goes with what food? (WineIntro) 

Cheers from The New Hampshire Wineman, be good and drink responsibly!


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Château Magrez Fombrauge Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2009 Bordeaux


Château Magrez Fombrauge Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2009 Bordeaux, $156.39-$183.99, 94 points, appeared elegant, tasted luscious, and expired on a floral plain with spice and menthol.
Poured core black trending opaque toward a "leggy" glass wall and the transparent wine ring.
Fragrant aromatic medley of toasted coffee, roses, cedar, sweet cooking spice, and dried herbs were opulent.
Approachably firm layered tannin with good acidity facilitated a comfortable structure for this full bodied Merlot with a dollop of Cabernet Franc, and building upon its bounty of flowers, licorice, boysenberry, blackberry, gathering hints of descending plum and black cherry, with some heat (15% alcohol), added not only to the finish but the foundation overall.
My opinion? Quality, Price, Ratio (QPR) was not there for me with this wine. Other Bordeaux red wines, like the Château La Dominique Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé 2009 Bordeaux, at one third the cost, I not being a speculator, was a better value. I would not buy this Château Magrez Fombrauge Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2009 Bordeaux again, unless I  inherited a large sum of money.

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Sunday, May 26, 2013

Firestone Santa Ynez Valley 2010 Sauvignon Blanc



Firestone Santa Ynez Valley 2010 Sauvignon Blanc, $7.99-$15.99, 90 points, begins in the glass as a very light golden color in a matrix of a viscous light-plus body with good acidity.
Smells of lemon, hay, and mint are pleasant.
Flavors of lemon and grapefruit dominate, but subtle floral and melon flavors with a long ginger-like finish add good tasteful nuances and complexity.
Paired well with a gently sautéed King crab.





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Saturday, May 25, 2013

Sauvignon Blanc (USA)


Sauvignon Blanc White Wines make-up a user friendly list of NHWM reviewed Sauvignon Blanc White Wines  (a work in progress) that links these wines with reviews, but attempts to report the cost, rating, and to a lesser extent, the availability of these wines to New Hampshire wine shoppers, and making this information more accessible, especially to those using smart phones.




242 San Bernabe 2013 Sauvignon Blanc (Noble Vines), $9.89-$13.99, 87 points
Alexander Valley Vineyards, Sonoma County 2022 Sauvignon Blanc, $16.99-$21.99, 89 points
Angeline Russian River 2013 Sauvignon Blanc, $11.99-$14.99, 88 points
Angeline Vineyards Sonoma County 'Reserve' 2017 Sauvignon Blanc, $8.49-$13.99, 87+ points
AVA Grace Vineyards 2015 Sauvignon Blanc, $6.79-$10.99, 86 points
Benziger North Coast 2013 Sauvginon Blanc, $7.64-$11.99, 87 points
Beringer Founders' Estate 2013 Sauvignon Blanc, $7.99-$10.99, 88 points
Black Stallion Estate Winery Napa Valley 2015 Sauvignon Blanc, $14.99-$18.99, 91 points
Bogle Vineyards California 2018 Sauvignon Blanc, $8.99,-$11.99, 87 points
Bommarito Napa Valley (Whitehall Lane) 2013 Sauvignon Blanc, $9.09-$18.99 (NHLS gift-card applied), 88 points
Bonterra Mendocino County And Lake County 2013 Sauvignon Blanc, $10.19-$14.99, 89 points
Bonterra Lake, Mendocino, and Sonoma Counties 2016 Sauvignon Blanc, $11.99-$14.99, 89 points
CK Mondavi "Willow Springs" 2015 Sauvignon Blanc, $7.19-$7.99, 86 points
Cade Napa Valley 2014 Sauvignon Blanc, $30, 91 points
Cade Napa Valley 2015 Sauvignon Blanc, $28.04-$32.99, 92 points
Cade Napa Valley 2016 Sauvignon Blanc, $28.04-$32.99, 94 points
Cade Napa Valley 2017 Sauvignon Blanc, $29.74-$34.99, 92+ points
Charles Krug Peter Mondavi Family Napa Valley 2020 Sauvignon Blanc, $14.44-$19.99, 89 points
Chateau St, Jean 2016 Sauvignon Blanc, $10.99-$13.99, 88 points
Chateau Ste Michelle Columbia Valley 2010 Sauvignon Blanc, $7.64-$10.99, 86+ points
Chateau Ste Michelle Columbia Valley 2013 Sauvignon Blanc, $10.64, 88 points
CK Mondavi "Willow Springs" 2015 Sauvignon Blanc, $7.19-$7.99, 86 points
Clayhouse Paso Robles 2009 Sauvignon Blanc, $13.99-$17.99, 88 points
Clos du Bois North Coast 2013 Sauvignon Blanc, $8.50-$12.99, 88 points
Clos Du val Napa Valley 2016 Sauvignon Blanc, $14.99-$30.99, 92 points
Clos Lachance Central Coast 2013 Sauvignon Blanc, $13.00, 86 points
CMS Washington State 2016 Sauvignon Blanc, $10.19-$11.99, 87 points
Columbia Crest Horse Heaven Hills 2013 Sauvignon Blanc $11.99-$14.99, 88 points
Concannon 2013 Sauvignon Blanc, $9.99, 84 points
Covey Run Columbia Valley 2007 (Fume Blanc), $3.99, 87 points
Cuvaison Carneros, Napa Valley Estate Grown 2016 Sauvignon Blanc, $10.62-$25.99, 88 points
Dancing Bull 2013 Sauvignon Blanc, $9.44-$10.49, 86 points
Ferrari Carano 2019 Fumé Blanc, $11.99-$16.99, 88 points
Firestone Santa Ynez Valley 2010 Sauvignon Blanc, $7.99-$15.99, 90 points
First Press Napa Valley 2013 Sauvignon Blanc, $15.00, 88 points
Fitvine 2016 Sauvignon Blanc, $16.19-$17.99, 86 points
Fountain Grove Napa Valley 2017 Sauvignon Blanc Reserve, $7.99, 88 points
Franciscan Estate Napa Valley 2013 Sauvignon Blanc, $15.99-$17.99, 89 points
Freemark Abbey Napa Valley 2017 Sauvignon Blanc, $19.99-$22.99, 88 points
Frei Brothers Russian River Sonoma County 2013 Sauvignon Blanc, $12.74-$16.99, 87 points
Frog's Leap Napa Valley 2009 Sauvignon Blanc, $18.99-$21.99, 90 points
Frog's Leap Napa Valley 2013 Sauvignon Blanc, $17.84-$22.99, 92 points
Frog's Leap Napa Valley 2014 Sauvignon Blanc, $19.79-$23.99, 90 points
Frog's Leap Napa Valley 2015 Sauvignon Blanc, $22.09-$25.99, 90 points
Frog's Leap Napa Valley 2016 Sauvignon Blanc, $18.69-$25.99, 92 points
Girard Napa Valley 2021 Sauvignon Blanc, $16.99-$21.99, 89 points
Grgich Hills Estate Grown Napa Valley 2012 Fumé Blanc, $23.99-$29.99, 91 points
Grgich Hills Estate Grown Napa Valley 2014 Fumé Blanc, $25.49-$29.99, 90 points
Groth Napa Valley 2011 Sauvignon Blanc, $16.82-$24.99, 90 points
Groth Napa Valley 2012 Sauvignon Blanc, $17.99-$24.99, 92 points
Groth Napa Valley 2013 Sauvignon Blanc, $9.00 (NHLS-promotional gift-card applied)-$24.99, 91 points
Groth Napa Valley 2014 Sauvignon Blanc, $17.95-$24.99, 92 points
Groth Napa Valley 2015 Sauvignon Blanc, $16.95-$21.99, 94 points
Groth Napa Valley 2016 Sauvignon Blanc, $18.69-$21.99, 92 points
Groth Napa Valley 2017 Sauvignon Blanc, $20.39-$26.99, 90 points
Groth Napa Valley 2018 Sauvignon Blanc, $24.39-$26.99, 90 points
Hagafen Napa Valley 2010 Sauvignon Blanc, $14.40-$20.00, 86 points
Hall Napa Valley 2008, $13.59, 89 points
Hall Napa valley 2011 Sauvignon Blanc, $17.99-$22.99, 91 points
Hall Napa Valley 2012 Sauvignon Blanc, $13.76-$22.99, 90 points
Hall Napa Valley 2013 Sauvignon Blanc, $20.99-$24.99, 90 points
Hall Napa Valley 2015 Sauvignon Blanc, $21.99-$24.99, 91 points
Hall Napa Valley 2017 Sauvignon Blanc, $21.99-$24.99, 92 points
Haraszthy Family Cellas "Beartage" Lodi 2015 Sauvignon Blanc, $14.39-$15.99, 88 points
Heritance Napa Valley 2013 Sauvgnon Blanc, $8.99-$17.99, 91 points
Hess Select North Coast 2017 sauvignon Blanc, $7.99-$15.99, 88 points
High Valley Lake County California 2013 Sauvignon Blanc, $13.99-$29.99, 90 points
Honig Napa Valley 2012 Sauvignon Blanc, $9.83-$16.99, 91 points
Honig Napa Valley 2013 Sauvignon Blanc, $14.99-$16.99, 92 points
Honig Napa Valley 2014 Sauvignon Blanc, $11.89-$16.99, 90 points
Honig Napa Valley 2016 Sauvignon Blanc, $12.74-$17.99, 91 points
Justin Central Coast 2020 Sauvignon Blanc, $16.99-$19.99, 88 points
Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve 2013 Sauvignon Blanc, $13.99, 88 points
Kenwood Sonoma Valley 2009 Sauv-Blanc (Disappointing, workmen-like, uninspired), $11.99-$13.99, 86 points
Kenwood Sonoma County 2013 Sauvgnon Blanc, $10.99-$13.99, 85 points
Kunde Magnolia Lane Sonoma Valley 2012 Sauvignon Blanc, $12.74-$17.99, 90 points
Kunde Magnolia Lane Sonoma Valley 2013 Sauvignon Blanc, $11.06-$,14.99, 88 points
Line 39 California 2013 Sauvignon Blanc, $8.99-$10.99, 89 points
Matanzas Creek Alexander Valley 2017 Sauvignon Blanc, $15.29-$19.99, 89 points
Matanzas Creek Winery Sonoma County 2011 Sauvignon Blanc, $13.00-$19.99, 91 points
Matanzas Creek Winery Sonoma County 2013 Sauvignon Blanc, $14.39-$19.99, 90 points
Merriam Vineyards Russian River Danielle's Estate 2013 Sauvignon Blanc, $14.99, 93 points
Merriam Vineyards Russian River Danielle's Estate 2014 Sauvignon Blanc, $11.59-$17.99, 89 points
Morgan Arroyo Seco, Monterey County, 2021 Sauvignon Blanc, $15.29-$19.99, 90 points
MSH Cellars Yountville-Napa Valley 2013 Sauvignon, $11.99-$20.99, 90 points
Murphy-Goode 2010 The Fumé Blanc, $10.99-$13.99, 89 points
NAPA Cellars 2014 Sauvignon Blanc, $13.99-$17.99, 91 points
NAPA Cellars 2016 Sauvignon Blanc, $14.99-$17.99, 90 points
Neal Napa Valley 2009 Sauvignon Blanc, $17.99-$19.99, 90 points
Neal Napa Valley 2011 Sauvignon Blanc, $16.14-$19.99, 91 points
Neal Napa Valley 2013 Sauvignon Blanc, $14.39-$19.99, 89+ points
Novelty Hill 'Stillwater Creek Vineyard' Columbia Valley 2013 Sauvignon Blanc, $19.99-$23.99, 88 points
Onehope California 2016 Sauvignon Blanc, $8.79-$10.99, 87 points
Patianna Mendocino 2010 Sauvignon Blanc, $7.64-$19.99, 86 points
Paul Dolan Potter Valley/Mendocino County 2016 Sauvignon Blanc, $8.49-$18.99, 90 points
Reflection Ridge Estate Monterey Conty 2021 Sauvignon Blanc, $11.42-$12.99, 77 points
Rex-Goliath New Release Sauvignon Blanc, $5.99-$7.99, 87 points
Robert Hall Paso Robles 2017 Sauvignon Blanc, $12.74-$19.99, 87 points
Robert Mondavi Napa Valley 2007 (Fume Blanc), $14.00, 88, points
Robert Mondavi Napa Valley 2013 (Fume Blanc), $16.99-$20.99, 91 points
*CK Mondavi "Willow Springs" 2015 Sauvignon Blanc, $7.19-$7.99, 86 points
Rochioli 2013 Sauvignon Blanc, $33.14-$38.99, 90 points
Rodney Strong Charlotte's Home Northern Sonoma 2010 Sauvignon Blanc, $11.04-$14.99, 90 points
Rodney Strong Charlotte's Home Northern Sonoma 2013 Sauvignon Blanc, $11.99-$19.99, 88 points
Rodney Strong Charlotte's Home Northern Sonoma 2016 Sauvignon Blanc, $11.04-$16.99, 91 points
Rombauer Vineyards Napa Valley 2017 Sauvignon Blanc, $16.99-$24.99, 90 points
Rombauer Vineyards Napa Valley 2018 Sauvignon Blanc, $19.99-$26.99, 92 points
Sand Point, (Langetwins) California, 2022 Sauvignon Blanc, $12.74-$14.99, 87 points
Save Me San Francisco Wine Co. 'Bulletproof Picasso' 2011 Sauvignon Blanc, $8.99, 85 points
Schug Sonoma Coast 2012 Sauvignon Blanc, $11.47-$14.99, 88 points
Sean Minor 4B California 2013 Sauvignon Blanc, $13.99, 89 points
Silverado Miller Ranch Napa Valley 2012 Sauvignon Blanc, $13.00-$19.99, 92 points
Silverado Miller Ranch Napa Valley 2013 Sauvignon Blanc, $14.39-$19.99, 91+ points
Silverado Miller Ranch Napa Valley 2014 Sauvignon Blanc, $14.44-$19.99, 91+ points
Silverado Miller Ranch Napa Valley 2016 Sauvignon Blanc, $19.99-$22.99, 91 points
Silverado Miller Ranch Napa Valley 2018 Sauvignon Blanc, $16.99-$22.99, 89 points
SIMI Sonoma County 2013 Sauvignon Blanc, $12.74-$17.99, 86 points
SIMI Sonoma County 2018 Sauvignon Blanc, $10.16-$17.99, 87 points
Smoking Loon 2013 Sauvignon Blanc, $8.99-$12.99, 86+ points
Smoking Loon 2016 Sauvignon Blanc, $6,76-$12.99, 85 points
Souverain North Coast 2013 Sauvignon Blanc, $9.99-$15.99, 91 points
Souverain North Coast 2016 Sauvignon Blanc, $8.99-$11.99, 87 points
Spottswoode 2013 Sauvignon Blanc, $33.29-$36.99, 92 points
St. Clement Vineyards Napa Valley 2013 Sauvignon Blanc, $10.19-$21.99, 88 points
St. Supery 2008 Sauvignon Blanc, $15.99-$19.99, 90 points
St. Supery Napa Valley 2015 Sauvignon Blanc, $17.99-$21.99, 93 points
St. Supery Napa Valley 2016 Sauvignon Blanc, $18.99-$21.99, 90 points
St. Supery Napa Valley 2017 Sauvignon Blanc, $15.29-$21.99, 91 points
St. Supery Napa Valley 2018 Sauvignon Blanc, $16.99-$21.99, 92 points

Friday, May 24, 2013

Murphy-Goode Alexander Valley 2010 Claret


Murphy-Goode Alexander Valley 2010 Claret, $13.50-$22.50, 85 points, begins in the glass as a dense purple/red with the emphasis on the red, and bordering the glass rim clear.
The aroma is not altogether bad, but there are petrol notes and a rare almost beetle-bug note as well; okay, I know, what the H*ll is a "beetle-bug note"? Well, as a kid I use to collect bugs, and if my memory serves me well, I get a hint of it here; for what it's worth. Yeah, there is some cedar and blackberry too.
The "All-In Claret" has a medium-plus body with good acidity and mild tannin (Very dry wine).
Flavors of black fruit are dominant, but there are hints of violets, licorice, and glycerol which carry onto the finish with a bit of heat (14.5% alcohol).



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Thursday, May 23, 2013

Tenute Folonari Cabreo Il Borgo 2009 Toscana IGT (Red Wine)


Tenute Folonari Cabreo Il Borgo 2009 Toscana IGT (Red Wine), $34.42-$44.99, 92 points, is an unfiltered red wine of 70% Sangiovese and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, and appears as an opaque Bordeaux black currant and a transparent rim.
Black currant is prominent in an otherwise subtle aroma that includes hints of clove and cedar, earth and licorice with a touch of alcohol (15,5% alcohol). The palate is aroma faithful with hints of blackberry and coffee,
This IGT finishes warm and spicy.
Paired perfectly with lasagna and garlic bread.





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