Cinquante Cinq 2016 Viognier (France)

Cinquante Cinq 2016 Viognier (France), $13.59-$16.99, 90 points, poured a medium gold color grading clear at the glass edge.
The aromatic Red-delicious apple, jasmine, and perfumed floral notes were outstanding.
Light and crisp body with appropriate acidity carried lovely flavors of honeysuckle, apple, and dragon fruit.
Finished long on the trailing palate, citrus, white pepper, and a well-balanced 13% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my Maine lobster teriyaki with vegetables.
I bought this Viognier at the Whole Foods of Bedford.

Index-of-reviewed-wines

Copyright 2010-2018 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved, Template provided by Blogger

Buehler Napa Valley 2013 Zinfandel

Buehler Napa Valley 2013 Zinfandel, $10.19-$19.99, 85 points, poured opaque purple/red grading brighter near the thin clear wine rim and moderately leggy glass bowl.
Smells were somewhat sour black fruits with hints of chocolate and plum.
Medium-plus body carried good acidity and a mellow underlayment of tannin.
Flavors reflected the aromas and lacked balance, but the spicy finish helped to save this first Buehler wine I did not like. 
The 14.5% alcohol was well-integrated.

Index-of-reviewed-wines

Copyright 2010-2018 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved, Template provided by Blogger

Château Croix Cardinale, Saint-Émilion, Grand Cru 2014 Bordeaux Red Wine

Château Croix Cardinale, Saint-Émilion, Grand Cru 2014 Bordeaux Red Wine, $25.07-$29.49, 92 points, poured an opaque ruby red with a clear wine ring and glass bowl of considerable legs.
Sweet red fruit, mushrooms, and a juniper potpourri nose was lovely.
The round near full body showed good acidity and comfortable fine tannins.
Flavors reflective of the aromas were accented with plum, cocoa, and violets.
Finished long, spicy, and tart; the 14% alcohol was well-integrated.
Varietals were 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc.
Paired perfectly with our loaded pizza.
Excellent value wine, and if you like Merlot based Bordeaux or red wine, stock up!

Bordeaux Red Wine vintage 2014
Index-of-reviewed-wines

Copyright 2010-2018 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved, Template provided by Blogger

Concannon Vineyards Monterey County 2014 Chardonnay

Concannon Vineyards Monterey County 2014 Chardonnay, $8.49-$11.99, 86 points, was a straw yellow color.
Smells of vanilla and toffee were rather strong, but a softer fresh baked white bread aroma was good.
Medium-plus body with fair acidity managed a noticeably oaked Chardonnay with whispers of apple flavors.
Finished long on caramel, hints of ginger, and a reasonable 13.5% alcohol.
Paired fine with my ham steak, tomato salad, and mac and cheese.

Index-of-reviewed-wines

Copyright 2010-2018 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved, Template provided by Blogger

Château Malescot-St.-Exupéry Margaux 2014 Bordeaux Red Wine

Château Malescot-St.-Exupéry Margaux 2014 Bordeaux Red Wine, $46.32-$54.49, 92 points, poured core black grading more red than purple with a broad clear wine ring and lightly draped glass bowl.
Aromatic floral perfume, lush black fruit and black olives were excellent.
The satiny full body with good acidity and comfortably firm tannins delivered a straight-forward smorgasbord of black fruit.
Finished long on warm spices, iron, plum, and a well-balanced 14% alcohol,
Paired perfectly with my ziti and meatballs in a marinara sauce.



Bordeaux Red Wine vintage 2014
Index-of-reviewed-wines

Copyright 2010-2018 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved, Template provided by Blogger

Ridge Geyserville (50th Vintage) 2015 Red Wine

Ridge Geyserville (50th Vintage) 2015 Red Wine, $33.14-$38.99, 92 points, poured extensively black with flashes of purple/red, broad clear and red wine rim rings, and a lightly draped glass bowl.
Aromas were earthy with black olives, blackberry, and a hint of chocolate.
Medium-bodied with good acidity, very fine grainy tannins, and a profoundly complex flavor profile dominated by blackberry liqueur, and nuanced with flavors reflective of the aromas.
Finished very long on Damson plum and mulberry notes, warm black and white pepper, anise, and an appropriate 14.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my beefy lasagna.

Ridge, why it's a "go to" winery
Index-of-reviewed-wines

Copyright 2010-2018 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved, Template provided by Blogger

 

Rex Hill Willamette Valley 2013 Chardonnay

Rex Hill Willamette Valley 2013 Chardonnay, $17.99-$21.99, 90 points, was a medium gold color.
The excellent aromas of apple pie, vanilla, and orange peel excelled.
Medium-bodied with good acidity managed to deliver what should be a perfect archetypical Cali Chardonnay, but it's from Willamette Valley, who would have guessed!
Flavors rightly reflected the aromas and carried deep into the long finish marked by a rich spiciness and a well-balanced 13.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my son's baked chicken.

Index-of-reviewed-wines

Copyright 2010-2018 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved, Template provided by Blogger

Alexana Willamette Valley 2014 Pinot Noir

Alexana Willamette Valley 2014 Pinot Noir, $29.74-$34.99, 91 points, poured with a dark core grading a lighter sienna color with a clear wine ring and moderately fat legs.
The nearly 'dumb' nose was nuanced with black cherry jam, juniper, earth, and a soft floral vibe.
The medium-plus body delivered a silky mouth-feel with good acidity and very fine mildly supportive tannins.
Plum, peat, and PN grape flavors accented with cherry fruit were delicious.
Finished with a sophisticated gestalt of black cherry, white pepper, red licorice, oak, and a well-balanced 13.9% alcohol.

Index-of-reviewed-wines

Copyright 2010-2018 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved, Template provided by Blogger

Stark-Condé Jonkershoek Valley 'Postcard Series' 2015 Pinot Noir (South Africa)

Stark-Condé Jonkershoek Valley 'Postcard Series' 2015 Pinot Noir (South Africa), $9.34-$19.99, 87 points, poured a sunburst red with a broadly transparent wine ring and glass bowl of moderate draping.
Strong Pinot grape smell was blessed with a subtle floral perfume, loam, and red raspberry.
Dry with good acidity and enough easy tannins to buttress a rather thin medium body.
The palate rigorously followed the aromas, and ran away with them deeply into the long finish with a more pronounce red cherry, undercurrent of white pepper, and a potent 14% alcohol.

Index-of-reviewed-wines

Copyright 2010-2018 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved, Template provided by Blogger
 

Beringer 'Estate' Sonoma Coast 2014 Pinot Noir

Beringer 'Estate' Sonoma Coast 2014 Pinot Noir, $15.29-$34.99, 87 points, poured a bright sienna color with a broad clear wine ring and a moderately to heavily draped glass bowl.
Aromatic toasty and dusty red cherry aroma was nuanced with a more varietal-specific PN grape.
Medium-bodied with good acidity and a mellow underlayment of tannin carried interesting flavors of peat, cherry fruit, and a ginger-spiked ripe red raspberry.
Finished fair on the trailing palate, a hint of white pepper, and a potent 14.9% alcohol.

Index-of-reviewed-wines

Copyright 2010-2018 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved, Template provided by Blogger

Marcarini Langhe 2014 Nebbiolo, D.O.C. (Italy)

Marcarini Langhe 2014 Nebbiolo, D.O.C. (Italy), $16.14-$18.99, 90 points, poured the background red color with a broad clear wine ring and lightly draped glass bowl.
Aromas of red fruit, flowers, jasmine, and black tea were outstanding.
Medium-bodied with good acidity and a fine layer of tannin carried a delicious aroma-associated flavor profile plus a hint of earth.
Finished quite long and intensely spicy with iron, a supportive 13.5% alcohol, and hints of pomegranate.
Don't want to spend a 'fortune' on Barolo or Barbaresco? Give their sibling a try.

Index-of-reviewed-wines

Copyright 2010-2018 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved, Template provided by Blogger
 

Chateau Barbebelle Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence Cuvee Madeleine 2016 Rosé

Chateau Barbebelle Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence Cuvee Madeleine 2016 Rosé, $10.99-$15.99, 90 points, poured a medium Salmon pink color. .
Big strawberry aroma was accented with bits of white toast and watermelon.
Light and appropriately acidic with delicious flavors reflective of the aromas plus a touch of Necco Wafers.
Finished long on the trailing palate, dry yet fruity, and nuanced with the well-balanced 13.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly as my favorite Mexican cuisine's complementary wine companion.

Index-of-reviewed-wines

Copyright 2010-2018 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved, Template provided by Blogger

Monrosso Toscana IGT 2015 Red Wine

Monrosso Toscana IGT 2015 Red Wine, $11.89-$16.99, 90 points, appeared bright ruby red with a broad clear wine ring and light draping on the glass wall.
Smells of cherry fruit, black tea, and a hint of citrus were good.
Medium-bodied, crisp, dry, nicely acidic, and firmly tannic describes this excellent red table wine.
Cherry, tobacco, tea, white pepper, and hints of rose flavors were complex, and carried deep into the long finish with a respectable 13.5% alcohol.
The QPR is outstanding, and paired perfectly with my spaghetti in a beefy tomato sauce.

Index-of-reviewed-wines

Copyright 2010-2018 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved, Template provided by Blogger

Merriam Vineyards 'Lower Pond' Alexander Valley 2014 Malbec

Merriam Vineyards 'Lower Pond' Alexander Valley 2014 Malbec, $33.99-$39.99, 91 points, poured with deep purples and reds, hanging red tears, and a moderately broad transparent rim.
Profusely aromatic with lovely robust black fruit, toast, spice, and flowers.
Full-bodied with fair acidity and a sufficient underlayment of tannin managed an abundance of powerful and nuanced flavors reflective of the aromas.
Finished long with hints of mulberry, peat, red pepper, and a restrained 13.8% alcohol.
This big red begs for beef, shows domestic Malbec producers how to vinify the varietal, and, I have no doubt, impress Argentina Malbec lovers as well.

Index-of-reviewed-wines

Copyright 2010-2018 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved, Template provided by Blogger

Wine Week 2018 (New Hampshire) What's All The Hoopla?

Wine Week 2018, What's All The Hoopla?

  Wine Week (2018) in New Hampshire is beginning again, and the exciting cycle of the oxymoronic frozen frenzy of fiendishly fitting and figuring of how to make too often pedestrian wines pair with patrons, proceeds.
  This bloated buffoonery gets to the heart of my unsolicited and unrequested advice for the 2018 Wine Week: Meet people, have fun, and select important wines to taste; by important, I mean wines that have the potential to impress or wines that you may want to buy in bulk and still impress; clearly, the wines that would interest moi would be one-time wines of an unusual character, whether rare varietals, rare quality, or just scarce wines; For me, it’s the ‘adventure’ of the wine.
   Secondly, if I’m buying for a restaurant or a private boutique I’m clearly not wanting to buy just one bottle of a given wine, but buying wines that will thrill the palates of my restaurant’s clientele, easy enough with a Sauvignon Blanc (did I really say that?), but not so easy with a Cabernet Sauvignon. Of course there’s the standard supermarket wines (not always uninspiring) that the irremediable hoi-polios asks for, usually by brand name, Robert Mondavi anyone?
  Well, Here’s to Wine Week 2018: cheers, salute, down–the-Hatch, or bottoms-up should suffice to encourage this year’s Hubbub.

New Hampshire Wine Week (the link)

Index-of-reviewed-wines

Copyright 2010-2018 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved, Template provided by Blogger

Dunn Vineyards Howell Mountain 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon

 

Dunn Vineyards Howell Mountain 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, $110.99-$129.99, 94 points, poured broadly black grading ruby red at the clear wine ring.
The aromatically shy cedar potpourri was pleasant, although it took a few hours for it to emerge.
Full-bodied with bright acidity and firm very fine tannins managed a complex flavor profile showing graphite, dried sweet cooking herbs, black fruit, and mint.
Finished quite long on the finessed trailing palate, anise, easy pepper spices, and a more Bordeaux-styled 13.9% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my rare spice-rubbed Angus rib eye steak.
 
Index-of-reviewed-wines

Copyright 2010-2018 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved, Template provided by Blogger

Undaunted Columbia Valley 2015 Malbec (USA)

Undaunted Columbia Valley 2015 Malbec (USA), $11.25-$12.50, 87 points, poured mostly black with flashes of deep purple/red, a clear wine ring, and a moderately draped glass wall.
Smells of blueberries, rich blackberries, and a hint of cedar were good.
Full-bodied with fair-plus acidity and mellow sufficiently supportive tannins carried dense flavors reflective of the aromas nuanced by plum and mulberry notes.
Finished spicy with a bit of black licorice, fig paste, coffee/tobacco notes, and a well-balanced 13.9% alcohol.
Paired fine with my Loukaniko (Greek sausage) and Boston baked beans.
I bought this domestic Malbec at the Whole Foods of Bedford.

Index-of-reviewed-wines

Copyright 2010-2018 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved, Template provided by Blogger

Michel Rolland and Javier Galarreta (R&G) 2011 Rioja Red Wine

Michel Rolland and Javier Galarreta (R and G) 2011 Rioja Red Wine, $5.94-$14.99, 90 points, poured deep ruby red with a clear wine ring and a moderately leggy glass bowl.
Of the last four red wines, the Rioja's bouquet was superior and rich with aromas of flowers, coffee, ripe red raspberry, blackberry, and a hint of brine.
Surpassing medium-bodied with a good balance of acidity, tannin, texture, and bouquet mirrored flavors made for a surprisingly high valued (QPR) red wine.
Finished long, spicy, showing trifling plum notes, citrus, and a significant 14% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with our spicy burgers and cheese nachos.

Index-of-reviewed-wines

Copyright 2010-2018 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved, Template provided by Blogger

Júlio Bastos Dona Maria Vinho Regional (Alentejano) 2014 Red Wine

Júlio Bastos Dona Maria Vinho Regional (Alentejano) 2014 Red Wine, $8.29-$14.99, 87 points, was the number 1 red wine color with a broad wine ring and light glass draping.
Aromas of mulberry, sweet tobacco, and dusty blackberry liqueur were okay.
The near full body, texturally a bit hard, with good acidity and a firm underlayment of tannin carried flavors of tobacco, mulberry, and plum.
Finished long, a tad green and metallic with a lovely enduring spiciness, chalky red licorice, and the potent 14% alcohol.
Varietals were 50% Aragonez, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Alicante Bouschet, and 15% Syrah.
Made for a good red table wine, and paired fine with my buffalo-wings.

Index-of-reviewed-wines

Copyright 2010-2018 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved, Template provided by Blogger

Fattoria Del Cerro 2012 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano (DOCG)

Fattoria Del Cerro 2012 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano (DOCG), $13.49-$19.99, 89 points, poured a shade darker ruby red than the Domaine Saint Honorat 2014 Côtes du Rhône, but the clear wine ring was thinner, yet the viscosity was identical (moderately leggy).
Sea-breezes, roses, truffle notes, and cherry fruit on the nose were good.
The medium body bore bright acidity and worked well with the grainy fine tannins in supporting the nuanced flavors of tobacco, black tea, and citrus notes which complemented those of the aromas.
Finished quite long on the fading palate, warm spices, red licorice, and a well-balanced 13.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my cheese tortellini in a beefy marinara sauce.

Index-of-reviewed-wines

Copyright 2010-2018 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved, Template provided by Blogger

Domaine Saint Honorat 2014 Côtes du Rhône

Domaine Saint Honorat 2014 Côtes du Rhône, $8.49-$21.99, 88 points, poured with a dark core of ruby red grading brighter toward the broad clear wine ring and light to moderate glass tears.
Aromas of earth, red currant jam, and soft violets were okay if a bit herbal.
The body was medium, texture a bit edgy, acidity good, tannins were quietly supportive, though not silent, and flavors were reflective of the aromas.
Finished fair on the trailing palate, dry, spicy, and showing its 14% alcohol. 
Varietals were 60% Syrah and 40% Grenache.
Paired fine with my varied Mexican cuisine.
Good value red table wine, but might be a tad tight for soft Merlot lovers.

Index-of-reviewed-wines

Copyright 2010-2018 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved, Template provided by Blogger

4 Degrees Cold Could Use Red Wine

Four degrees!!!!

Ouch!

It’s very iffy that New Hampshire’s temperature will rise above freezing this week, so I’m planning my after-work suppertime RED (warm) wines for pairing; I like to challenge myself to scheme an interesting array of wines that will have some relationship one to another; for this exercise I‘ve chosen one red wine from France, one from Italy, one from Portugal, and one from Spain, kind of a European sampler with predominately black and white labels.
I hope this will be as interesting and fun for my followers as it will be for me, though I doubt it.

Index-of-reviewed-wines

Copyright 2010-2018 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved, Template provided by Blogger

Morécello Blackberry Cello

Black Cove Beverages Presents:

NHWM Reviews:

Morécello Blackberry Cello After Dinner Liqueur (digestive) is one of those 'rare' Dessert, Late Harvest, And Ice Wines which aren’t my usual tipple, but when one of these rightly avails themselves, especially a local-yokel producer, how can I resist?
At 25% alcohol, this is not a gulper wine, but almost a medicine for your alimentary system; do you remember Diana Barry inadvertently drinking Marilla Cuthbert’s raspberry cordial?
To the review: Morécello Blackberry Cello Liqueur, $17.99-$19.99, 90 points, presented itself as a leaker, a sticky one at that, mostly black in color with flashes of opaque sienna purple/red, quite viscous, a broad clear rim, and the expected heavy glass sheeting.
The aromas were dusty, earthy, and black fruity.
Hyper-dense body, light on the acids and tannins, but the dense structure of this liqueur precludes the necessity of those, for the potent alcohol and delicious blackberry flavor is remarkably substantial and enduring.
NHWM gives this one two thumbs up!
No pairing required.

Index-of-reviewed-wines

Copyright 2010-2018 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved, Template provided by Blogger

Dessert, Late Harvest, And Ice Wines

Chambers Rosewood Rutherglen Muscat (Australia), $16.49 (375 ml), 87 points, is a 'sticky'

Covey Run 2006 Semillon Ice Wine, $22.99-$25.99, 90 points

Fritz Estate Dry Creek Valley 2015 LATE HARVEST Zinfandel, $29.00 (birthday gift), 89 points

Harvest Moon Estate and Winery 2015 Late Harvest Gewürztraminer, $16.99-$33.99 (375ML), 86 points

Morécello Blackberry Cello Liqueur, $17.99-$19.99, 90 points

Index-of-reviewed-wines

Copyright 2010-2018 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved, Template provided by Blogger

Barossa Valley Estate Winery, Barossa Valley 2013 Shiraz

Barossa Valley Estate Winery, Barossa Valley 2013 Shiraz, $12.79-$19.99, 88 points, appeared core black grading deep purple/red toward the thin clear wine ring and moderately leggy glass bowl.
Aromas of slightly funky black berries, soft rose pedal, mulberry, and black pepper were okay.
Full-bodied with good acidity and sufficiently firm tannins carried a fair array of fruit flavors with black licorice, spearmint, and loam.
Finished long and spicy with a hint of red raspberry and a spot-on 14% alcohol.
Paired nicely with our Texas burgers. 

Index-of-reviewed-wines

Copyright 2010-2018 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved, Template provided by Blogger
 

Groth Oakville-Napa Valley 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve

Groth Oakville-Napa Valley 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve manifested a masculine deportment; from the towering emblematic bottle to the largest 60mm cork, but what follows is a red wine that wafts aromatic several feet away from the first pour of a black to opaque Shiraz purple/red Bordeaux-styled wine; the bouquet of cassis, blackberry, leather, and soft floral vibes were demonstrably reflective of the paternal respect Groth Vineyards gives to its erudite enological efforts.
The supple full body with good acidity and a remarkably mellow underlayment of tannin began the feminine side to this 76% Cabernet and 24% Merlot red wine.
Aroma mirrored flavors with those of cherry cola, plums, a hint of peat, and red licorice trailed deep into the long finish of white pepper and a potent 14.9% alcohol.
As usual, Groth has over performed with this ying/yang-balanced wine: $104.99-$125.99, 94 points.

Groth Vineyards, why it's a "go to" winery.
2013 California Cabernet Sauvignon wines tasted
Index-of-reviewed-wines

Copyright 2010-2018 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved, Template provided by Blogger