Philipps-Eckstein Graacher Himmelreich Mosel 2008 Riesling Kabinett

Philipps-Eckstein Graacher Himmelreich Mosel 2008 Riesling Kabinett, $13.59-$21.99, 90 points, appeared pale straw yellow.
Light lemon with hints of petrol and honeysuckle were good on the nose.
The near medium body (off dry) with good acidity carried pleasant flavors of kiwi, tangerine, and sweet Macintosh nicely balanced with a tart Granny smith apple.
Finished long on the trailing palate with a nearly unnoticeable 8.5% alcohol.
I satisfactorily paired this Riesling with a rich vegetable chicken stew.

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Paraduxx Napa Valley 2009 Z Blend Red Wine

Paraduxx Napa Valley 2009 Z Blend Red Wine, $23.79-$49.99, 92 points, appeared just shy of Cabernet purple/red trending Tannat black toward a leggy glass wall with a thin transparent ring.
Very aromatic with copious cooking spices, black fruit (especially cherry), and just a hint of violets.
The medium-plus body of good acidity began with a mellow juicy mouth-feel, but magically torqued-up late-palate with bright and zesty wild blackberry. Subtle flavor notes of tobacco and coffee give a sense of roundness, and the long finish of noticeable tannin, white pepper, alcohol, and Cholula, gave good climax.




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Château Les Grands-Maréchaux Premières Côtes de Blaye 2009 Bordeaux Red Wine

Château Les Grands-Maréchaux Premières Côtes de Blaye 2009 Bordeaux Red Wine, $24.29-$26.99, 88 points, began in the glass with a traditional crushed black currant Bordeaux purple/red, opaque at the core while reaching the leggy glass wall transparent.
Profuse black currant aroma with a hint of tomato and earth was just okay for me, but with air added nice floral notes.
The juicy near full body of good acidity and firm, but manageable tannin carried a panoply of flavors, with a dominant black currant, blackberry cordial, plum, cola, licorice, and coffee notes to mention several.
Finished long on the trailing palate with spice, heat (14.5% alcohol), and mint.
Varietals include: 84% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc, and 7% Cabernet Sauvignon.

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Labelle Granite State Red Wine (Non-Vintage)

Labelle Granite State Red Wine (Non-Vintage) was a gift from a friend, $15.99 (approx.), 85 points, appeared as a light Cabernet purple/red color with a broad transparent rim.
Profuse blueberry with hints of hibiscus and sweet red cherry were aromatic.
The medium body had good acidity and mild tannin which began juicy, but trended with an almost spritz-like cola texture.
Flavors mirrored the aroma which trailed a bit thin into the finish with just a hint of the 11.5% alcohol.
For my money, this wine was a big improvement from the four NH Marechal Foch Red Wines I tasted earlier this year.

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Jean-Paul et Benoit Droin 2009 Chablis

Jean-Paul et Benoit Droin 2009 Chablis,  approximately $20.00, 90 points, displayed a light gold color, and
lemon/lime on the nose.
Having a very clean texture and taste, this white wine with slate mineral notes on a light crisp body of good acidity, found its flavors mostly on the long finish of gentle beech-wood,
vanilla-orange sherbet, and a hint of ginger with a touch of the 12.5% alcohol.
I enjoyed this Chablis with Asian cuisine and by itself.





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Reichsgraf Von Kesselstatt (RK) 2011 Riesling

Reichsgraf Von Kesselstatt (RK) 2011 Riesling, $12.74-$16.99, 87 points, began in the glass as a light brass color trending straw-yellow.
Aromatically pome with dominant apple and pear, but hints of honey and petrol added an interesting complexity.
The near medium body carried good acidity and a nice balance between tart apple and a mild sweet green melon flavors.
Finished fair on a trailing palate with a touch of ginger and a warm 12% alcohol.

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Staglin Family Vineyard Estates Rutherford Napa Valley 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon--What's Out Your Chritmas Day Window?

Staglin Family Vineyard Estates Rutherford Napa Valley 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon,  $160.99-$185.99, 96 points, appeared crushed black currant and boysenberry until it drapes at the leggy glass wall with a clear surface rim.
Cherry blossom and fruit with hints of black currant and toasty earth on the nose were exquisite.
Full bodied with near perfect balance of acidity and restrained, but powerful tannin (more cellar time suggested).
Lush black fruit throughout, accented with flavor notes of chocolate, truffle, tobacco, and herbs were delicious.
Finished very long with mint, bright white pepper, and escalating heat (14.9% alcohol) left me a bit without words. Nice!

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Clos Pegase Napa Valley 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon

Clos Pegase Napa Valley 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, $39,99-$44.99, 93 points, appeared a much brighter ruby trending more Bordeaux red than previously reviewed California Cabernets in this series, but ended with a leggy glass wall and a clear rim.
The nose of lovely lilac and sweet cooking spice with just a hint of earth was quite good.
Flavors of black-berries, cola, and mint were carried along on a medium-plus body of good acidity and mostly resolved tannin which only became noticeable on the long finish of the trailing palate with spice and some heat (14.9% alcohol).

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Sequoia Grove Napa Valley 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon

Sequoia Grove Napa Valley 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, $25.49-$32.99, 92 points, appeared just a shade softer deep purple/red than some of the recent Cabernets reviewed, and was opaque up to the clear rim.
Flowers, blackberries, and toasty vanilla on the nose were wonderful.
The medium-plus body carried good acidity, well layered tannin, and rich flavors of truffle, blackberry, boysenberry, black cherry, cardamom, and chocolate notes, all of which culminated in a fabulous red table wine.
Pair this wine perfectly with lamb rib-chops, rare steak (rib-eye will do for me), or serve with rich stews with a hearty bread and butter for winter dining.
Finished juicy with some spicy heat (14.2% alcohol) and just a hint of spearmint.
I am reminded of Alan Rickman as Steven Spurrier saying something like: "All these California wines are so good!"
Bottle Shock


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Staglin Family Vineyard Estates Rutherford Napa Valley 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon

Christmas Day's Cabernet!

There are lots of reasons to look forward to Christmas,

 not the least is "our" faith, but also the riches of family, and since some in my family also love wine, I'm saving this for them (me too).

I want to take the time to thank all my readers and friends, in wishing you all the very best!

Staglin Family Vineyard Estates Rutherford Napa Valley 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon--What's Out Your Chritmas Day Window?


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Need some music?

Maranatha Sings "Mary Did You Know"
 

Markham Napa Valley 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon

Markham Napa Valley 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, $29-$35, 90 points, began in the glass opaque at the core trending a lush black currant purple with a transparent rim.
Cedar, sweet cooking spice aroma with a whiff of alcohol (14.2%), a bit of chocolate, and sea breeze reverse-christened this bottle of Cabernet!
Loads of chocolate greeted me with the first taste of this tart, acidic, and tannic, Cabernet; medium-plus body was juicy and tasted good with notes of blackberry, earth and cola flavors, but straight-out of the bottle, this one was a little rough. However, it mellows a bit with air, making for an excellent wine with hefty stews, spiced beef, or lamb.
Finished long on the rather strident tannin, spice, and some heat with eucalyptus.
This one may need a little time in the cellar.

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Robert Mondavi Oakville 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon

 

Robert Mondavi Oakville 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, $48.44-$56.99, 92+ points, appeared leggy on the glass wall with a broad transparent circumferential rim, while trending deep crushed black currant purple/red toward the black core.
With hints of chocolate, black currant, and toasty blackberry pie, the restrained aroma was quite good.
The lush full body carried good acidity and granny tannin.
Flavors consistently reflected the aroma, all of which trailed toward a spectacular finish of intense spice, heat (14.5%alcohol), and mint. Finally, just a hint of astringency might be too much for some.


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Jordan Alexander Valley 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon

Jordan Alexander Valley 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, $47.99-$49.99, 91 points, appeared opaque at the core trending a rich black currant purple with a transparent rim.
Black berries, especially currant, aroma was dominantly fruity, but some earthy notes developed.
Medium-plus body carried a complex layering of flavors beginning with blackberry, then cola flavors, followed by black currant. Seldom have I notice such a clear demarcation.
Though the body of this Jordan Cabernet was a bit wooly, the acidity was good and the moderate tannin mellowed the wine somewhat.
Finished long with a hint of sweet red grape, spice, and the 13.5% alcohol.




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O'Shaughnessy Howell Mountain 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon

O'Shaughnessy Howell Mountain 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, $51.74-$79.99, 95 points, doesn't display the color of crushed black currant and blackberry until it laps at the leggy glass wall (almost black throughout) where it terminates with a transparent rim; you might want to decant or let this wine stand upright for a day or two before opening (debris).
With a magnificent bouquet of warm brownies, flowers, marzipan, and sea breezes, this is a fragrance to "bottle".
Full bodied, luscious, opulent and so much more, O'Shaughnessy Howell Mountain 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon improved over night. This Cabernet was more a tactile experience than a flavor experience, though deep black fruit and blueberry were rich and cola notes lively, the acids were good and the tannin blanketed like a down comforter.
Finished long on the trailing palate and climaxed with spice and a perfectly integrated 14.8% alcohol.

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Columbia-Crest Horse Heaven Hills 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon

Columbia-Crest Horse Heaven Hills 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, $11.99-$14.99, 87 points, appeared opaque at the core trending deep black currant purple/red with a transparent rim at the leggy glass wall.
Smells a bit like sweet purple-grape with hints of cedar, black cherry, and glycerin.
Brightly acidic with slightly astringent tannin, the medium-plus body was juicy and carried notable chocolate notes with blackberry and boysenberry.
Finished fair with some heat (14.5 alcohol), spice, and eucalyptus.







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Kenwood Sonoma County 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon

Kenwood Sonoma County 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, $12.09-$16.99, 88+ points, appeared black currant purple/red and near black at the core with a broad clear circumferential rim.
Red and black fruit dominated the aroma with hints of cedar, earth, and clove.
This is a medium bodied Cabernet displaying good acidity and rather firm tannin, but it was juicy with blackberry and boysenberry, coffee, tobacco, and oak notes added complexity.
Finished fair on the trailing palate with accelerating tannin and hints of spice and the 13.5% alcohol.


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Wine Reviews, a New Hampshire perspective!

Wine Reviews, a New Hampshire perspective,

up front and personal!

 

  I've talked about getting a NH perspective on wine before; my major problem is that the broad view of wine reviews is quantity on every side where the "broadways" often take the wine seeker to frustration-alley, because wines that often intrigue and interest us in NH are not available, unless you want to get on the unwieldy mailing lists.

  This is not intended to be a diatribe against the "Big Boy's" critiques or mailing lists, they have a place, but just as we advertise "buy local", so too we can reference reviews locally, even as we listen to local radio verses national radio.

  Okay, I'm about an audience, I don't want to just talk to myself, do you? Understanding the limits of what one does is important, I'm about taking friends and family on those figurative walks through the woods on a personally made path surrounded by Hemlocks and Hornbeams, erratics (Glacial rocks), songs of Winter wrens and the hoots of Barred owls.

  Below I have two pictures for you, one is the big highway of international wine reviews, the other is a walk where we can sit and really taste what's in that there bottle.

  Christmas is upon us, and some of us have wine lovers on their Christmas lists; what to buy? I hope you'll be pleased with my index of wines and their availability in NH. Though I'm completing my reviews of Cabernet Sauvignon, wine gifting is personal even as is each palate, but make no mistake, there is a general agreement about what is a good or great wine.

   I think what concerns many of us is the cost! This is one reason that a numerical score is helpful (many hate them). You compare Waterstone Napa Cab. that costs about $20 and scored 92 points juxtaposed to Whitehall Lane's Reserve Cab. that costs about $60 and also scored 92 points: what stands out is the cost. Those looking to please a wine lover on their Christmas list can easily make a choice between cost and name.

Merry Christmas! And a Happy New Year!

Don't Drink and Drive, but  feel free to come for a walk with me on a path which I and the dogs have made through the NH woods.

 

 

 

 

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Duckhorn Napa Valley 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon

Duckhorn Napa Valley 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, $57.79-$72.99, 93 points, began in the glass a fresh purple/red with a broad clear rim.
Aromatic with cinnamon, clove, cedar, violets, licorice, and blueberry.
The near full body was juicy and lush with good acidity and an accelerating, but pleasant tannin.
Flavors of blackberry, boysenberry, just a touch of tart pomegranate with hints of  tobacco and eucalyptus were clean and lovely.
Finished long on the trailing palate with white pepper and a touch of heat (14.5% alcohol).
Merlot lovers may just be surprised just how much they'll love this wine; if you love Merlot, but shy away from Cabernet Sauvignon, then get out of that box with this one; you'll thank me.


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Shafer Hillside Select 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon

  I think we all know that wine lovers need no special occasion to drink a "great" wine, but posting a celebratory cause to the drinking is always a good thing. With that said, I decided to celebrate my one thousandth post with, for some, a one hundred point (98 RP) Cabernet Sauvignon. Only in opening, breathing-in, and slowly, methodically tasting such a special wine will tell-the-tale of how I judge the Shafer Hillside Select.
 Now, I'm not saying I'm any more qualified than my neighbor or my aunt to judge, but unlike them, I'm willing to spill my "brains" about it. Hopefully, that's all I spill!

Shafer Hillside Select 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, $186.99-$219.99 (current prices start at $244.99), 97 points, certainly sets the standard for excellent Cabernet Sauvignon.
The appearance of crushed black currant and blackberry is black at the core and lends itself to a rich purple/red toward the quite leggy glass wall with a transparent rim.
The spectacular bouquet of cedar, violets, sweet cooking spice, pine resin, and warm toasty loam is absolutely beautiful.
Near full bodied, the Hillside Select carried good acidity with persistently fine tannin (This wine is ready to drink now!).
Flavors perfectly mirrored the bouquet, translating onto the palate in a waltz of harmony with a velvet texture and a perfectly balanced 15.5% alcohol.
Finished very long on the trailing palate with white pepper, Cholula, thyme, and spearmint.
As I tasted this wine upon opening, it's important to note that hours after opening, The Hillside Select gained a developing panoply of aroma (perfume notes) and recess flavors of tobacco and anise. Though this development added to this Cabernet Sauvignon's complexity, it also (for me) slightly detracted from the cleanly pristine nature of my first impression.

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Oberon Napa Valley 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon

Oberon Napa Valley 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, $16.99-$21.99, 86 points, appeared more a rosewood red with just a hint of black-berry purple and a clear circumferential rim.
The aroma was a weak plum, mint, and cedar.
Good acidity with mild-plus tannin carried on a medium body with good flavors that mirrored the aroma, managed an overall satisfactory drinking experience.
Finished fair with spice, a hint of the 13% alcohol, and tobacco.

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Jacob's Creek 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon

Jacob's Creek 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon, $6.99-$8.99, 86 points, appeared pomegranate red to bright ruby toward a broad clear rim.
The interesting aroma reminded me of the smell of my own true love's hair warmed by the sun with a hint of strawberry 8-)
Less than medium bodied with fair acidity and mild tannin, Jacob's Creek is another Cabernet in the genre of light to medium bodied wines with good strawberry and watermelon flavors which were carried deep into the tart finish of spice and just a hint of the 13% alcohol.

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Unique Christmas Music: Capella Carol Bells

Tommasi Poggio AL Tufo Maremma Toscana 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon

Tommasi Poggio AL Tufo Maremma Toscana 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, 89 points, $13.50-$18.75, points, appeared deep black currant purple/red trending rosewood red toward the transparent rim.
Floral/cedar aroma was subtle, and hints of red fruit, though weak were not offensive.
The near full body carried good acidity and nicely layered tannin.
Flavors of blackberry and boysenberry were good, and with coffee notes riding a juicy texture set the stage for a fair finish of mild alcohol (13%) and gentle spice.
I bought this Cabernet sauvignon at the Londonderry Hannafords supermarket.

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