Thursday, July 31, 2014

Kunde Magnolia Lane Sonoma Valley 2013 Sauvignon Blanc






Kunde Magnolia Lane Sonoma Valley 2013 Sauvignon Blanc, $11.06-$,14.99, 88 points, poured a very light brass color.
Faint tangerine and orange blossom aromas were good.
Light-plus body carried good acidity and rather one dimensional tangerine and floral flavors.
Finished fair on a gently creamy texture with a tenuous ginger note, peach, and a hint of the 13.8% alcohol.

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Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Noster Inicial Priorat 2009 Red Wine




Noster Inicial Priorat 2009 Red Wine, $15.99-$18.99, 90+ points, poured a bright pomegranate red with a thin transition to ruby/orange before the broad clear rim and leggy glass wall.
Earth, toasty black cherry, and cedar on the nose were very good.
Medium body carried firm, but not uncomfortable tannin, good acidity, and tangy flavors of red fruit, sweet tobacco, and paprika.
Finished well with red licorice, a touch of eucalyptus, and some warmth from the 14% alcohol.




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Tuesday, July 29, 2014

South African Wines

David Finlayson 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon-South Africa, $16.99-$19.99, 92 points
De Wetshof Estate "Limestone Hill" Unoaked (unwooded) 2015 Chardonnay, South Africa, $15.99-$16.99, 89 points
Ernie Els Big Easy 2010 Red Wine, $16.99-$19.99, 87 points
Excelsior South African 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, $7.19-$10.99, 86 points
Glen Carlou 2015 Chardonnay (South Africa), $6.99-$14.99, 88 points
Goats Do Roam 2008 Red Wine, $6.99-$9.99, 86 points
Goats Do Roam 2010 Red Wine, $6.99-$9.99, 85 points
Ken Forrester "Petit" 2011 Chenin Blanc, $8.49-$11.99, 87 points
Ken Forrester Vineyards Old Vine Reserve 2014 Chenin Blanc (Stellenbosch, So. Africa), $13.49-$14.99, 88 points
M.A.N. 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon $8.10-$12.00, 89 points
M.A.N Family Wines 'Warrelwind' (South Africa) 2015 Sauvignon Blanc, $6.99-$10.99, 89 points
MAN-Vintners 2009 South African Chenin Blanc, $6.79, 89 points
Meerlust Estate Stellenbosch 2012 Chardonnay (South Africa), $14.99-$26.99, 84 points
Meerlust Estate Stellenbosch 2014 Red Wine (South Africa), $13.59-$18.99, 88 points,
Meerlust Estate Stellenbosch 'Rubicon' 2009 Red Wine (South Africa), $27.19-$34.99, 93 points
Neil Ellis "Sincerely" 2008 Shiraz (South Africa), $8.99-$14.99, 83 points
ONYX Darling South Africa 2007 Shiraz, $13.50-$18.00, 87 points
Roos Family Vineyards 'The Lemongrass' 2016 Sauvignon Blanc/Chenin Blanc (South-Africa), $12.79-$15.99, 86 points
Six hats-South Africa-2009 Shiraz, $10.10-$11.99, 86+ points
Southern Right Walker Bay 2017 Sauvignon Blanc (South Africa), $10.19-$11.99, 91 points
Stark-Condé Jonkershoek Valley 'Postcard Series' 2015 Pinot Noir (South Africa), $9.34-$19.99, 87 points
The Delicious Monster McGregor, South Africa, White Wine, $6.99, 87 points
The Royal Old Vines Steen 2013 Chenin Blanc (South Africa), $12.00, 88 points
Tokara Stellenbosch Director's Reserve 2007 Red Wine, $50.33, 92 points
Tormentoso 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon (South Africa), $7.99-$17.99, 87 points
Two-Oceans-South-Africa-2009-shiraz, $5.99-$10.99, 88 points
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Honoro Vera Jumilla 2013 Monastrell Red Wine




 
Honoro Vera Jumilla 2013 Monastrell Red Wine, $8.10-$9.00, 83 points, poured core opaque and trended ruby toward the leggy glass wall with a clear rim.
Black currant and bell pepper were profuse and a bit overwhelming on the nose.
The vegetative aroma dominates the palate to the exclusion of any suppressed subtle flavors.
Finished long on tabasco spice with considerable heat from the 15% alcohol.
The last time I tasted a comparable Monastrell Red Wine was in January when the Juan Gil 20101 Jumilla Red Wine, $17.10-$22,99, 91 points wowed my taste buds! This one not so much!
 
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Monday, July 28, 2014

Boutari 2012 Moschofilero (Greek White Wine)





Boutari Moschofilero Greek White Wine, $13.99-$15.99, 86 points, appeared a light lemon yellow trending water gray toward the glass wall.
A gentle floral component was dominated by a green melon aroma.
Good acidic dry white wine with tart lime and green melon flavors.
Finished fair on the trailing palate with a hint of the 12% alcohol.
Paired well with Asian cuisine.



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Sunday, July 27, 2014

Buehler Napa Valley 2011 Zinfandel


Buehler Napa Valley 2011 Zinfandel, $13.85-$22.99, 90 points, appeared core-opaque trending ruby up to the broad transparent rim.
Earth, blackberry, and Bell-pepper on the nose were just okay for me.
Medium-plus body carried good acidity and smooth moderate tannin.
Plum, black currant, licorice, savory, and hints of coffee and sweet tobacco flavors were excellent.
Finished long on the trailing palate and spice with a sweet-spot 14.9% alcohol for mild heat.
Above par Zinfandel for a great price: Last chance wine at the NHLS.




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Saturday, July 26, 2014

Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve 2013 Sauvignon Blanc





Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve 2013 Sauvignon Blanc, $13.99, 88 points, poured a very light lemon/lime color trending water clear.
Quintessential Cali Sauvignon Blanc marked by a crisp light body, good acidity, lemon grass, citrus, and cantaloupe on the nose, which mirrored perfectly on the palate. Finished long on the trailing palate, ginger notes, and a well integrated 13.5% alcohol.
Paired well with fried clams and tartar sauce.
I bought the KJ SB at the Derry Hannaford's Super Market. 
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Friday, July 25, 2014

Merriam Vineyards Russian River Danielle's Estate 2013 Sauvignon Blanc



Merriam Vineyards Russian River Danielle's Estate 2013 Sauvignon Blanc, $14.99, 93 points, began as a light burnished brass color.
Grapefruit, light green melon, lemon-meringue, and a light floral note magnified the lovely aroma.
Light bodied with good acidity and a gentle feminine texture which abandoned the typically coarse/ wooly characteristic of many Sauvignon Blanc wines (6% Semillon wine).
Hints of slate, toast, vanilla, green melon, and jasmine were rather unique and silky.
Finished long on the trailing palate with an incredibly well balanced 13.9% alcohol.
Paired beautifully with Key-Lime pie and Crème brûlée.



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Thursday, July 24, 2014

Rombauer Vineyards California 2011 Zinfandel




Rombauer Vineyards California 2011 Zinfandel, $26.99-$29.99, 93 points, poured a lovely ruby trending maroon up to the transparent wine-ring at the glass wall.
Bright black fruit, toast, with gentle floral and sweet tobacco components made for a lovely aroma.
Medium bodied with good acidity and moderate tannin carried a complex array of flavors that reflected the aroma, but hints of plum, cedar, clove, and mulberry contributed to this lovely Zinfandel.
Finished long on spice, licorice, and considerable, but comfortable heat (15.9% alcohol).
Varietals were 93% Zinfandel and 7% Petite Sirah.
Rombauer 2011 Zinfandel is more expensive than your run-of-the-mill Zinfandel, but you get what you pay for (most of the time).




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Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Geyser Peak 2013 Sauvignon Blanc







Geyser Peak 2013 Sauvignon Blanc, $8.49-$12.99, 87 points, began with a light brass color trending considerably gray toward the glass wall.
Honeysuckle, vanilla, and watermelon on the nose were pleasant.
The light body was crisp and carried good acidity with flavors of lemongrass, green melon, and key-lime pie.
Finished on the trailing palate with good ginger spice and a well integrated 13% alcohol.
Paired well with Asian cuisine.

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Monday, July 21, 2014

Dancing Bull 2013 Sauvignon Blanc




Dancing Bull 2013 Sauvignon Blanc, $9.44-$10.49, 86 points, poured a lovely polished brass color with a gray wash toward the glass wall.
Granny smith apple, tangerine, and a hint of honeysuckle were pleasant on the nose.
The near medium body carried good acidity, slightly sweet with tart citrus flavors and green apple.
Finished fair with a hint of ginger and a well integrated 12.3% alcohol.
I bought this wine at the Hannaford's Super Market in Londonderry.

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Sunday, July 20, 2014

Grgich Hills Estate Grown Napa Valley 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon





Grgich Hills Estate Grown Napa Valley 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, $50.99-$59.99, 93 points, poured a deep Bordeaux black fruit color transitioning beet-red toward the broad clear rim and leggy glass wall.
Sweet tobacco and cedar required a bit of swishing to overcome the dominant black currant aroma.
Just shy of full bodied, the 2010 Grgich Cabernet carried good acidity with measured and accelerating tannin which enhanced the sense of strength and crispness without diminishing the luxury of texture.
Flavors of black currant, cedar, tobacco, savoy, and licorice were well balanced, and carried over seamlessly into the very long finish accentuated with warm spice and the 14.7% alcohol.

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Saturday, July 19, 2014

14 Hands Columbia Valley 2012 Moscato

 
 

14 Hands Columbia Valley 2012 Moscato, $8.10-$9.00, 86 points, poured golden in the middle and trended water clear toward the glass wall.
The aroma was quite similar to some Rieslings I've had, with a touch of petrol, ash, and honeysuckle.
Just shy of having a medium body with moderate sweetness and good acidity.
Though the flavor profile was rather one dimensional, it was quite good with apricot, slate, tangerine, and a hint of butterscotch.
Finished long on the trailing palate with a hint of the 10.5% alcohol.
I bought this white wine at Hannaford's Super Market in Londonderry.



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Friday, July 18, 2014

Rex~Goliath Non-Vintage Giant 47 pound Rooster Moscato





Rex~Goliath Non-Vintage Giant 47 pound Rooster Moscato, $5.99-$9.99, 83 points, appeared with a pretty polished gold core radiating almost water clear toward the glass wall.
The aroma was dull melon (2 year-old bottle).
With the medium body of good acidity carrying an overall sticky-sweet taste with fair flavors of apricot and a hint of tangerine which traveled into the fair finish with a well integrated 9.5% alcohol.

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Muscat White Wine: Moscato (Italian), and Moscatel (Spanish), with Melon de Bourgogne grape unique





To many wine drinkers, Moscato means sweet white wine, and that it most often is. This white wine does have less sweet and even dry representatives, but I tend to think its newfound popularity is for the sweet easy drinking white wines.
Without going into a lot of technical where, when, and how of the varietal (see Wikipedia) I'll list what I have found and reviewed in New Hampshire.



14 Hands Columbia Valley 2012 Moscato, $8.10-$9.00, 86 points
Barefoot Foot Moscato, $5.49-$7.49, 85 points
Cavit Trevenezie 2023 Moscato IGT, $7.64-$9.99, 85 points
Chambers Rosewood Rutherglen Muscat (Australia), $16.49 (375 ml), 87 points, is a 'sticky'
Dolev Non-Vintage Moscato (Israel), $8.99-$10.99, 87 points
Domaine De La Fruitière 2016 Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine Sur Lie, Loire, France, $12.59-$13.99, 85 points
Domaine Pierre-Luc Bouchard 2017 Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine Sur Lie, Loire, France, $12.99-$14.99, 87 points
Donnafugata "Lighea" IGT 2013 Zibibbo (Moscato d'Alessandria), $20.66-$22.95, 87 points
Emeri De Bortoli Australian Sparkling Pink Moscato, $9.99, 89 points
Jacobs Creek 2010 Moscato, $6.99-$8.99, 87 points
Jacob's Creek Sparkling Moscato Rosé, $11.99-$14.99, 88 points
Januik Champoux Vineyard 2014 Muscat Canelli, $6.79-$19.99, 87 points
Jorge Ordoñez And Co. "Botani" 2013 Sparkling Muscat (Moscatel, Sierras de Malaga, Spain), $14.99-$17.99, 89 points
Jorge Ordonez And Co. "Bontani" Old Vines 2015 Muscate (Sierras de Malaga, Spain), $14.99-$17.99, 89 points
Jorge Ordonez And Co. No 2 Victoria 2012 Moscatel (Malaga, Spain), $19.99-$45.99 (375ml), 90 points
Kenwood 2011 Moscato Zacchera (Splash), $6.88-$14.99, 86+ points
Kuleto 2013 dry Moscato, $30, (91 points)
Marchesi Di Barolo Zagara 2014 Moscato D'Asti (DOCG), $9.49-$17.99, 89 points
Villa Pozzi, Terre Siciliane 2022 Moscato (IGT), $10.39-$14.99, 90 points
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Thursday, July 17, 2014

Herdade Do Esporão Monte Velho VNHO Regional Alentejano 2012 Portuguese Red Wine



Herdade Do Esporão Monte Velho VNHO Regional Alentejano 2012 Red Wine, $9.99-$11.99, 84 points, appeared a medium light ruby trending maroon with a transparent rim.
The nose was a toasty mulberry and leather.
Medium body, medium soft, with fair acidity and mild-plus tannin reflected qualities of a more expensive wine, but the flavors of red fruit and leather just wasn't enough for me. It is very difficult to enjoy 'normal' red table wines after you have tasted wines like Groth CS, Insignia, Château Cantemerle Bordeaux, or many Brunello wines; I was warned that this would happen (That might make me a wine snob!). However, I did buy this, and it did pair well with my olive salad and pizza. So, it served the purpose of a red table wine.
Finished on the trailing palate with some spice and alcohol (14%) notes.
 
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Dachshund 2012 German Riesling


Dachshund 2012 German Riesling, $12.99-$14.99, 85 points, appeared a rather uninspiring lemon/lime color.
The near 'dumb' smells of lemon and honeysuckle were lackluster.
Light-plus body with good acidity and medium sweetness accentuated by tart flavors of tangerine, lemon, white grapefruit, and honeydew melon saved this wine.
Finished fair on the trailing palate and a well integrated 9.5% alcohol.
Yes! I bought this wine because of the label! I've been known to do that :-)






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Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Ruca Malen 2010 Malbec Reserva



Ruca Malen 2010 Malbec Reserva, 
$12.74-$17.99, 89 points, poured core black transitioning to a deep purple/red toward the clear ring at the glass wall.
In addition to the lovely color, hints of espresso, cedar and blackberry on the nose, made for a propitious beginning.
The luscious full body carried fair-plus acidity with velvety tannin.
Though almost jammy with rich flavors of black and blue fruit plus just a hint of tart pomegranate, this is no fruit-bomb, but a sleek and sophisticated partner to saucy red meats.
Finished slightly green, but long on the trailing palate, sweet tobacco, white pepper, and a well integrated 13.9% alcohol.



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Monday, July 14, 2014

Clos du Bois North Coast 2013 Sauvignon Blanc






Clos du Bois North Coast 2013 Sauvignon Blanc, $8.50-$12.99,  88 points, appeared as a light silver/green with brass highlights.
Subtle aromas of peach and apricot notes with an underlayment of citrus were good.
The light and crisp body carried good acidity with a rather sharp/rough texture.
Flavors mirrored the aromas with considerable lemongrass.
Finished long on the trailing palate with intense ginger notes and a well integrated 13.5% alcohol.
This white wine has a very good QPR, and if you're buying by the case, your guests will be grateful.

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Sunday, July 13, 2014

Dolmo Vendimia Seleccionada Ribera del Duero 2011 Tempranillo





Dolmo Vendimia Seleccionada Ribera del Duero 2011 Tempranillo, $14, (on line for $10) 89 points, began core black and transitioned to blood red toward the clear rim.
Just a hint of flowers, earth, black and red cherry aroma notes were pleasant.
Medium-plus bodied with good acidity and near strident, but appropriate tannin carried a bounty of flavors, with mint, licorice, black cherry, and pomegranate being wonderfully balanced.
Finished on the trailing palate with hints of tobacco and a well integrated 13.5% alcohol.
I bought mine at the Londonderry Hannaford's Super Market.
This is a great tasting great value dry red wine, super for BBQs, or for veggie burgers, and though a tad rough texturally, more than a good value.

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Saturday, July 12, 2014

Summertime Photo Gallery--Flowers and Wine

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Chartron La Fleur White Bordeaux 2013 Sauvignon Blanc





Chartron La Fleur White Bordeaux 2013 Sauvignon Blanc, $9.99-$11.99, 87 points, appeared as a very light lemon/lime color trending gray toward the glass wall.
Aromas of lemongrass, honeydew melon, honeysuckle, and cantaloupe were pleasant.
The light and crisp body carried good acidity and flavors that mirrored the aromas.
Finished fair on lingering citrus notes and a well integrated 12% alcohol.
A more delicate Sauvignon Blanc than what I've experienced from California or New Zealand.
A quick note on table-settings; though, in my humble opinion, there are better SB white wines at this this price point, few will have the decorative gravitas of this bottle; at a barbecue? No one will care, but a more formal gathering just might call for something a little more elegant. 

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Friday, July 11, 2014

Tenute Silvio Nardi 2010 Rosso Di Montalcino





Tenute Silvio Nardi 2010 Rosso Di Montalcino, $24.99, 91 points, poured a deep pomegranate red with a thin transitioning orange ring before the clear rim.
Red cherry, roses, and a whiff of alcohol (14%) were pleasant.
Medium bodied with good acidity and comfortable background tannin carried lush truffle, cola, black cherry, cardamom, and plum flavors.
The long finish had a spark of tart pomegranate with gentle spice notes.
Paired well with my sausage lasagna, but was very good by itself.

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