New Hampshire Wine-man: 2020

Thursday, December 31, 2020

Happy New Year!

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Friday, December 25, 2020

Ryan Patrick Olsen Brothers Vineyard Yakima Valley 2018 Riesling

Ryan Patrick Olsen Brothers Vineyard Yakima Valley 2018 Riesling, $12.59-$13.99, 90 points, was a light brass color with green highlights and clear at the rim.

Aromas of apples with hints of lime and petrol were good.

Light dry white wine showed bright acidity with taut flavors of guava, apples, granite, and lime.

Finished well on the fading palate, accelerating white pepper, and a balanced 12% alcohol.

Paired perfectly with our Chinese cuisine.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Dennis Tsiorbas

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Tuesday, December 22, 2020

Galius Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2016 Bordeaux Red Wine

Galius Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2016 Bordeaux Red Wine, $33.99-$39.99, 90 points, poured an impenetrable deep red with a broad unfiltered garnet-red meniscus, a clear wine ring, and a torrent of hanging legs.

Aromas of red cherry liqueur, a hint of sour plums, a cornucopia of red and black fruit with a hint of cardamom were okay.

Full-bodied dry red wine with firm tannins, fair acidity, and robust fruit flavors begged for more time in the bottle, but now showed some possibilities with nuanced mint, earth, and a floral note.

Finished long, tannic, and warm on a balanced 14% alcohol infused white pepper spiciness.

Paired okay with my spice-rubbed medium rare Porterhouse, but was better with my Philly cheese steak sub.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Bordeaux Red Wine Vintage 2016

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Saturday, December 19, 2020

2020 Wine recommendations for last-minute Christmas gift-giving

2020 Wine recommendations for last-minute Christmas gift-giving

Posted on July 26, 2020

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Dennis Tsiorbas
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Thierry Delaunay Touraine~Val De Loire 2019 Sauvignon

Thierry Delaunay Touraine~Val De Loire 2019 Sauvignon, $14.44-$18.99, 89 points, was a light pale brass color clearing midway toward the rim.
Smells of sweet Mackintosh apple and lemon zest with just a hint of fresh-cut grass were delightful.

Light-bodied medium-dry white wine with bright acidity and floral flavors nuanced with sour lemon and Necco-wafer candy was okay with my fried fish and chips, but was a bit overwhelming; would have been better with a darker fish than Haddock.

Finished long on the trailing palate, ginger, and a modest/balanced 13% alcohol.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Sunday, December 6, 2020

Ridge Geyserville 2016 Red Wine (revisited)

Ridge Geyserville 2016 Red Wine (revisited), $34.07-$47.33, 92 points, was pretty much as reviewed on March 4, 2019, except my evaluation (score); the reason is a case of mixing-up apples and oranges: my last red wine just over-shadowed even one of my Ridge favorites: Château Montveil Pomerol 2016 Bordeaux Red Wine was just so good, that no matter what cuisine was served, I would have preferred it. David Boyer once said that drinking great Bordeaux would spoil me; David was right.
Was the Ridge a great wine? Yup! But for four dollars more . . .

Ridge, why it's a "go to" winery

INDEX

Sunday, November 29, 2020

Château Montveil Pomerol 2016 Bordeaux Red Wine

Château Montveil Pomerol 2016 Bordeaux Red Wine, $38.24-$44.99, 95 points, poured an impenetrable purple/red leaning towards ruby with dense, sticky, and copious legs, and a broad clear wine ring.

A rich bouquet of red and black fruit, flowers, juniper, something slightly sweet, underbrush and earth abounded in excellence.

Full-bodied dry red wine with good acidity, firm yet inviting tannins (lovely sleek texture), and robust flavors reflective of the bouquet combined for pure enjoyment.

Finished long on red raspberry, red cherry, and "Hot tamale" candies with a flaming, but good and balanced 14.5% alcohol.

Paired fabulously with our beef-driven meals.

INDEX

Bordeaux Red Wine Vintage 2016

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Thursday, November 26, 2020

Heitz Wine Cellars Napa Valley 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon

Heitz Wine Cellars Napa Valley 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, $51.62-$71.99, 93 points, poured an opaque cranberry red with violet highlights, fat hanging legs, and a thin silver meniscus.

A lovely bouquet of cedar, mulling spices, a floral perfume, ripe mulberry, and rich red fruit were outstanding.

Not quite a full-bodied red wine, Heitz Wine Cellars Napa Valley 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon showed well with a round mouth-feel, good acidity, firm underlayment of tannin, and concentrated flavors of spearmint, white pepper, and red raspberry with nuanced citrus, oak, and black cherry.

Finished very long on the trailing palate and a spiced infused 14.5% alcohol.

As usual Heitz is more a Left-bank Bordeaux-like cab than a Cali cab, and that's just fine with me.

Paired well with my spice-rubbed rib eye steak.

2014 California Cabernet Sauvignon wines tasted

INDEX

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Sunday, November 15, 2020

Mount Veeder Winery Napa Valley 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon

Mount Veeder Winery Napa Valley 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon,

$31.44-$39.99, 89 points, poured a deep ruby trending blood red with a broad clear meniscus and fat hanging legs.

Smells of mulling spices, a bit of funk, plums, black currents, and Kirsch were complex and interesting if not gloriously fragrant.

Full-bodied red wine, firm grainy tannins, fair to good acidity, and flavors of oak, currants, anise, and wild black cherry were quite good and very robust.

Finished well on white pepper and a balanced 14.5% alcohol with hints of mint and savory.

Paired fine with my spice-rubbed T-bone steak.

Index

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Monday, November 9, 2020

Château Coufran Haut-Médoc 2015 Bordeaux

Château Coufran Haut-Médoc 2015 Bordeaux, $18.27-$21.49, 88 points, poured a deep garnet red with a clear meniscus and a stained-teared necklace.

Aromas of licorice, mulling spice, and plums were fine.

Near full-bodied red wine, dry, showing good acidity, firm to aggressive tannins, and flavors of black currants, fennel, plums, and baking herbs which were quite good.

Finished long, a bit chalky, and showing good pepper spices with a balanced and typical 13.5% alcohol.

Paired well with my spiced-rubbed Porterhouse steak.

Bordeaux Red Wine Vintage-2015

Index

Thursday, November 5, 2020

Château Des Laurets St. Émilion Grand Vin 2015 Bordeaux Red Wine

Château Des Laurets St. Émilion Grand Vin 2015 Bordeaux Red Wine,

$27.19-$31.99, 90 points, poured an opaque red with purple highlights, a bright clear wine ring, and hanging stained legs.

Aromas of plums, cinnamon, oak, and hints of mint and funk were quite good.

A full-bodied red wine with fair acidity, firm persistent tannins, a rather tight texture, and flavors which mimicked the aromas with an unsweet-candied red cherry was nicely balanced.

Finished very long on the fading palate, developing pepper spices, and a warm 14.5% alcohol.

Paired well with our pepperoni pizza.

Bordeaux Red Wine Vintage 2015

Index

Sunday, November 1, 2020

V. Sattui Napa Valley 2018 Chardonnay

V. Sattui Napa Valley 2018 Chardonnay, $13.59-$37.99, 89 points, was a goldenrod yellow with a greying meniscus.
The bouquet was lovely honeysuckle, jasmine, and apple cider, with just a hint of wood and tangerine.
More than a medium-bodied white wine with good acidity, a round mouth feel, dry, and marked by flavors of restrained vanilla, slightly sour citrus, abundantly floral, with a developing caramel on the long finish nuanced with ginger and a well balanced 13.9% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with our roast chicken.

Index

Copyright 2010-2020 All rights reserved
Dennis Tsiorbas
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Monday, October 26, 2020

Ruffino Modus Toscana I.G.T. 2017 Red Wine

Ruffino Modus Toscana I.G.T. 2017 Red Wine, $19.54-$25.99, 93 points, poured a deep rosewood red trending ruby with heavy stained legs and a broad clear meniscus.

Aromatic cedar, underbrush, and wild red raspberry were outstanding.

Near full-bodied red wine with good acidity, a firm supportive underlayment of tannin, round mouth-feel, and complex evolving flavors marked by Damson plum, tangy citrus, white pepper spice, and coffee notes were also outstanding.

Finished long on the fading palate, balanced, a quite warm alcohol (14.5%), and spicy oak.

I've always loved this wine, but this is the best vintage I've had, and better on day two.

Paired great with Hawaiian pizza.

Index

Dennis Tsiorbas

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Thursday, October 22, 2020

Argiano NC Non Confunditur 2017 Toscana (IGT)

Argiano NC Non Confunditur 2017 Toscana (IGT), $16.99-$22.99, 87 points, poured an opaque garnet red with modest stained legs and a typical clear meniscus.

Smells of plum, red raspberry, coffee, and cocoa were pleasant.

Medium-plus body supported by fair acids and tannins provided a well-rounded red table wine which paired fine with our pizza, cheeseburgers, and milk chocolate dessert.

Flavors mimicked the nose with a layer of mulberry and red pepper which carried on into the thinning finish along with the warm 14% alcohol.

Varietals were Syrah, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Index

Dennis Tsiorbas

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Monday, October 19, 2020

Hugel Les Amours Alsace 2018 Pinot Blanc

Hugel Les Amours Alsace 2018 Pinot Blanc,

$10.19-$14.99, 88 points, was a very light yellow gold color and fading midway toward the the glass rim.

Aromas were pleasantly dominated by Granny smith apple, but nuanced with crème brulee, lime, and lemon.

Light-bodied white wine with bright acidity, a bit tart, quite dry, and showing a good bit of ginger and green melon rind flavors.

Finished on a well-balanced 13% alcohol, and though a bit sour/tart, surprisingly satisfactory as a food-friendly white wine cutting through our heavily fried and sauced Chinese cuisine.

Index

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Friday, October 16, 2020

Castellare 2018 Chianti Classico (DOCG)

Castellare 2018 Chianti Classico (DOCG),

$18.69-$24.99, 87+ points, poured a lovely sunburst cranberry red trending to garnet red, a neckless of stained legs, and a very broad clear wine ring.

Aromas of unripe mulberry with blueberry, black tea, and oregano were just okay for me.

Medium-bodied red wine with bright acidity and fine-grainy tannins managed to translate the aromas onto the palate intensely.

Finished long and tart on the trailing palate, a light touch of lamb, red pepper, and a typically balanced 13.5% alcohol.

Pairing this wine with a parmesan/meatball sub made the wine better, which is only half of what I expect in a good Chianti.

Index of all reviewed wines

Dennis Tsiorbas

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Wednesday, October 14, 2020

Matanzas Creek Winery Sonoma County 2018 Chardonnay

Matanzas Creek Winery Sonoma County 2018 Chardonnay, $16.99-$24.99, 90 points, was a medium yellow gold color clearing towards the rim.

Smells of Mandarin zest, green melon rind, Lemon meringue pie, and a hint of white pepper were excellent.

Medium-plus body managed soft acidity, and good flavors of cantaloupe and apples, with a touch of vanilla and ginger.

Finished well on a balanced 14.1% alcohol (I thought it might be a tad higher), a whisper of oak, and the fading palate.

Paired perfectly with my salt and vinegar fried chicken wings.

Index of all reviewed wines

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Sunday, October 11, 2020

Honig Napa Valley 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon

Honig Napa Valley 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon, $32.29-$39.99, 93 points, poured deep purple/reds with a cranberry penumbra followed by a broad clear wine ring and raining stained legs.

Full-bodied red wine with profuse aromas of cinnamon, clove, black current, anise, and a touch of sour black cherry which were buoyed on the palate by good acidity, firm comfortable tannins, and flavors reflective of the aromas with a good dollop of black pepper.

Finished very long of the fading palate nuanced with mint and a well balanced 14% alcohol.

Paired well with our steak and cheese subs.

Index of reviewed wines

Friday, October 9, 2020

Volver La Mancha 2017 Tempranillo (Spain)

Volver La Mancha 2017 Tempranillo (Spain), $12.74-$16.99, 90 points, poured an opaque ruby red with a broad clear meniscus and hanging stained legs.

Aromatic reduced red raspberry, black grape, an odd floral note, sage, and savory were intriguing.

Full-bodied red wine with good acidity, firm tannins, bone-dry, and complex flavors of a panoply of fruits, especially plum and red raspberry, sweet tobacco, and spearmint.

Finished long on the trailing palate, dried cooking herbs, and a big 15% alcohol.

Paired fine with my Chicago-styled pepperoni pizza.

Index of reviewed wines

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Wednesday, October 7, 2020

Fattoria Monsanto Fabrizio Bianchi 2016 Chianti Classico Riserva

Fattoria Monsanto Fabrizio Bianchi 2016 Chianti Classico Riserva, $21.24-$26.99, 91 points, poured a lovely ruby red with orange highlights, a clear wine ring, and dense, sticky, and stained legs.

Aromas of faded Bordeaux lily, red fruit, and mulling spices were quite good.

More than a medium-bodied red wine, bone dry, rather smooth up front, and showing bright acidity nuanced with flavors reflective of the aromas and pairing perfectly with my spinach/ricotta ravioli and Italian sausage, and demonstrated why this vineyard always performs well.

Finished long and warm (14% alcohol) with a building plank of grainy tannins.

Index of reviewed wines

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Sunday, October 4, 2020

Les Cadrans de Lassègue Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2015 Bordeaux Red Wine

Les Cadrans de Lassègue Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2015 Bordeaux Red Wine, $24.64-$31.99, 89 points, poured a deep candy-apple red with a medium clear meniscus and copious stained legs.

Aromas of underbrush, black grapes in the warm sunshine, black plums, with hints of cloves, cinnamon, and just a whisper of a horse stable were quite good.

Full-bodied red wine with good acidity, a firm supportive plank of tannins, and flavors of plums, fennel, and subtle dried cooking herbs.

Finished long on the fading palate, a bit chalky, mildly spicy, and with a robust balanced 14% alcohol.

Paired well with our "meat-lovers" pizza.

Bordeaux Red Wine Vintage 2015

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Friday, October 2, 2020

Bodega Norton 1895 Colección 2019 Chardonnay (Argentina)

Bodega Norton 1895 Colección 2019 Chardonnay (Argentina), $5.94-$14.99, 86 points, was a medium yellow-gold color with a broad clear meniscus.

Smells of honey, tart apples, and soft pome blossoms with a touch of sweet hay were quite good.

This was a medium-bodied white wine showing fair acidity, not dry, but not sweet, and flavors of slightly sour lemon, wood, and green melon were okay.

Mid-palate thin, but finished well on a balanced 13% alcohol and a satisfying ginger note.

Paired well with my fried haddock (fish and chips) and Baklava dessert.

Index of Reviewed Wines

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Tuesday, September 29, 2020

Charles Krug Napa Valley 2016 Merlot

Charles Krug Napa Valley 2016 Merlot, $17.84-$24.99 (same price as three years ago), 91 points, poured a deep ruby red with a broad clear meniscus and copious stained and hanging legs.

Aromatic with black-grape, plums, loam with hints of clove, cinnamon, and lavender (restrained, but quite lovely).

Full-bodied round red wine with good acidity, robust tannins, and rich flavors reflective of the aromas with a touch of spearmint and fennel.
Finished long with a fair amount of spiced-infused alcohol (15%) and anise.
Paired perfectly with my spice-rubbed tenderloin.

This was a great value red wine with a high QPR.

A bit of trivia below, and provided by Vinsanity.

True Wine Lover 13 and The Oldest Winery in Napa

Index Of Reviewed Wines

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Friday, September 25, 2020

Rose Rock "Drouhin", Eola-Amity Hills, Willamette Valley, 2017 Chardonnay (Oregon)

Rose Rock "Drouhin", Eola-Amity Hills, Willamette Valley, 2017 Chardonnay (Oregon), $28.89-$36.99, 90 points, was a lovely light to medium light yellow gold color with but a clear wine ring.

Aromas of lemon and Clementine zest, a sunflower floral note, and a hint of fennel were soft, but very nice.

Medium-bodied (very clean) dry white wine showed a great deal of minerality, a bit tart on nuanced Pomelos and lemon; appropriately acidic.

Finished fair on the fading palate and a spot-on 13.9% alcohol.

An excellent old-world Chardonnay.

Paired okay with my spinach pie with feta cheese, but was wonderful with my Japanese crab rangoon, honey roasted chicken wings, and Baklava for dessert.

Index of Reviewed Wines

2010-2020 Copyright Dennis Tsiorbas.

Tuesday, September 22, 2020

Bartenura Kosher 2018 Moscato (DOCG)

Bartenura Kosher 2018 Moscato (DOCG), $15.99, 90 points, was the lightest brass color, almost water clear and a bit fizzy.

The nose was near "dumb", but gentle aromas of orange, sweet apple, and pome blossoms were lovely.

A not quite medium-bodied white wine, sweet, but not cloyingly so, a tad fizzy but not quite frizzante and more fizzy than Vinho Verde, and showing bright flavors of candied apple, pear, apricot, and a hint of fig.

Finished long on the trailing palate with no surprises, and with a tiny 5% alcohol.

Paired great with my Habanero chili.

Index of reviewed wines

Monday, September 21, 2020

Wild grapes are good, but for what?

Fox grape (V. labrusca), Summer grape (V. aestivalis), and Riverbank grape (V. riparia) are wild grapes, tough, and bitter, but oh how lovely and floral their smell wafts when ripe sunlit berries fill the valley; I'm told that they make a fine jelly.

As for me, on a hot sweaty hike the fruit is tasty, but tough, and spitting out the seeds is no problem; the skins at first are a bit bitter, though tasty, but soon morph into a tannic storm as to make any Bordeaux blush.
I've always noticed and "eaten" wild grapes (thank you God), but this year they are ubiquitous and in some places overwhelming to other species of plants; well, better than purple loosestrife.

Sunday, September 20, 2020

Neal Napa Valley 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon

Neal Napa Valley 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, $29.74-$55.99, 91 points, poured a deep ruby red with a garnet red cast, sticky stained legs, and a thin clear wine ring.

Aromas of plums, hints of prune, earthy underbrush, cinnamon and clove were quite good.

This was a full-bodied red wine with medium acidity, dry, mostly softened tannins, but still supportive, and showing more than competent flavors reflective of the aromas with nuanced anise, coffee, and Black cherry.

Finished long on the trailing palate, mint, and a warm 14.5% alcohol.

Paired well with my bone-in spice-rubbed rib eye.

2014 California Cabernet Sauvignon wines tasted

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Friday, September 18, 2020

TOHU Marlborough, New Zealand 2018 Sauvignon Blanc

TOHU Marlborough, New Zealand 2018 Sauvignon Blanc, $14.99-$16.99, 91 points, was the lightest of yellow-gold colors, but water clear toward the glass shallows.

Aromatic fresh-cut grass, sweet hay, lime, ripe pear, and floral citrus zest were outstanding.

Light-bodied white wine, crisp, spicy, desirably tart, dry, acidic, and bestowed a straight forward unabashed grassy flavor.

Finished long and warm on a 13% alcohol-inspirited ginger and green melon rind.

Paired perfectly with my Gulf of Maine lobster in drawn butter, as well as salt and vinegar marinated chicken wings.

It's been eight years since I tasted the last TOHU SB, but this one was outstanding from stem to stern.

2018 SB NZ

Index of Reviewed Wines

Tuesday, September 15, 2020

Christophe Patrice 2019 Petit Chablis

Christophe Patrice 2019 Petit Chablis, $16.99-$19.99, 89 points, was a medium yellow gold color which transitioned to a light grey toward the rim-shallows.

Smells of tart apple, sun shimmering Chardonnay grape skin, orange peel, and a hint of white chocolate were rich.

A medium.-bodied white wine with mouth-puckering acidity and steely flavors accented with Granny Smith apples, and melon rind.
Finished long on the fading palate, a bit sour, very lean, dry, but not bone dry, and a balanced 12.5% alcohol.
Paired only okay with my rotisserie chicken with buttered mashed potatoes.

Index of Reviewed Wines

Friday, September 11, 2020

Franciscan Oakville Napa Valley 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon

Franciscan Oakville Napa Valley 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon, birthday gift from Lori, my cousin, but prices range from $17.99-$22.99, 90 points, poured an opaque purple/red with dense hanging legs, and a cranberry-red meniscus transitioning to a clear meniscus.

Rich aromas of dusty black cherry, booming cassis, and more subtle chocolate, plum, sun-heated black grapes, and licorice notes were excellent.

Full-bodied dry red wine with massive heat, medium tannins, good acidity, and flavors that well reflected the the aromas were rewarding, long lasting, and paired well with my spiced-rubbed Porter-house steak.
Finished a bit chalky, but well balanced on the trailing palate (rich black fruit), Damson plum, and a 14.5% alcohol.

2015 California Cabernet Sauvignon wines tasted

Index of Reviewed Wines

Sunday, September 6, 2020

La Moussiere Alphonse Mellot 2018 Sancerre

La Moussiere Alphonse Mellot 2018 Sancerre,

$21.24-$24.99, 90 points, was a very light brass color with yellow highlights.

First smells were apple notes rear-ended by subtle oak/vanilla, ginger ale, and a Champagne-like yeastiness.
A light crisp (acidic) white wine descriptively flavored with a tad of cream soda, apple cider, and shadowed by citrus.
Finished long on the trailing pallet, a bright 13% alcohol, and a bit of ginger.

Paired perfectly with my steamed Gulf of Maine lobster in drawn butter.

Index of Reviewed Wines

Monday, August 3, 2020

Domaine Cherrier 2018 Sancerre

Domaine Cherrier 2018 Sancerre, $18.99, 90 points, poured the lightest of gold colors with clearing toward the rim.
Aromatic zest of mandarin orange and lemon with hints of guava, fresh mountain streams, and pome blossoms were excellent.
Light-bodied white wine with bright acidity and flavors reminiscent of the aromas, plus an aftertaste of melon rind.
Finished very long on the trailing palate, a finessed touch of ginger, and a perfect 13.5% alcohol.
Paired well with my fried Ipswich clams.

Index of Reviewed Wines

Copyright 2010-2020 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved, Template provided by Blogger

Wednesday, July 29, 2020

Château La Croix De Beaucaillou Saint-Julien 2016 Bordeaux Red Wine

Château La Croix De Beaucaillou Saint-Julien 2016 Bordeaux Red Wine, $39.52-$46.49, 95 points, poured an impenetrable purple/red with both a ruby and a broad clear meniscus with medium hanging legs.
Up front wafting aromas of ripe blackberry, chocolate, cedar, and earth with soft lavender and red raspberry were outrageously good.
Near full-bodied red wine with bright acidity, firm, but not gruesome, tannins, supple flavors reflective of the aromas with red cherry and soft oak notes.
Finished very long on the cherry, black tea, a touch of anise, and a spot-on 13.5% alcohol.
Varietals were 64% Cabernet sauvignon, 33% Merlot, and 3% Petit Verdot.
Paired perfectly with our barbeque.

Sunday, July 26, 2020

2020 Wine recommendations for last-minute Christmas gift-giving

This was my most memorable wine of the year:

2020 Wine recommendations for last-minute Christmas gift-giving has to be simple and to the point, since two major surgeries this year have kept my wine tasting to a minimum.
These are the few wines I've tasted this year that get my vote:

Red Wine:
Château Montveil Pomerol 2016 Bordeaux Red Wine, $38.24-$44.99, 95 points

Ruffino Modus Toscana I.G.T. 2017 Red Wine, $19.54-$25.99, 93 points

Roberto Sarotto Riserva 2012 Barbaresco (DOCG) Revisited, $23.79-$39.99, 93 points

Rocca delle Macie Tenuta Sant' Alfonso Single Vineyard 2016 Chianti Classico (DOCG), $15.29-$17.99, 91 points

Torres 'Salmos' Priorat (Spain) 2015 Red Wine, $23.79-$27.99, 92 points

Volver La Mancha 2017 Tempranillo (Spain), $12.74-$16.99, 90 points

White Wine
Cloudveil Oregon 2018 Pinot Gris, $9.90-$12.99, 90 points

J.J. Vinent Grand Vin Bourgogne 'Marie Antoinette' 2017 Pouilly-Fuissé, $21.24-$27.99, 92 points

Jospeh Drouhin-Vaudon 2018 Chablis, $21.24-$29.99, 91 points

Luzada 'Val do Salnes' Rias Baixas 2018 Albariño, (Spain), $8.99. 90 points

Rose Rock "Drouhin", Eola-Amity Hills, Willamette Valley, 2017 Chardonnay (Oregon), $28.89-$36.99, 90 points

William Hill Estate Winery North Coast 2018 Sauvignon Blanc, $10.19-$15.99, 90 points

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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2017 Pagani Ranch: Celebrating Ten Years of Wine Blogging with Ridge Wines and Vinogirl

Ridge Pagani Ranch 2017 Zinfandel, $33.14-$38.99, 94 points, poured a deep rosewood red with a clear wine ring and a sub-meniscus of violet.
Aromatic redolent aromas of mulling spices, ripe wild briar fruit, and Kirsch were Ridge spectacular.
This was a medium-bodied red wine with bright acidity, rich wild fruit flavors, spices galore, silky texture, pure Zinfandel pleasure, and a perfect 14.6% alcohol.
Finished ever so long on the trailing palate and nuanced with anise.
Varietals were 84% Zinfandel, 7% Alicante Bouschet, 7% Petite Sirah, and 2% Mataro (Mourvèdre).
Paired well with my spice-rubbed rib eye and dark chocolate dessert.
Now, why the "Celebrating Ten Years of Wine Blogging with Ridge Wines and Vinogirl?
I began ten years ago with Zinfandel, and through most of my blogging was the support of the best wine taster I know: Vinogirl.

Ridge, why it's a "go to" winery.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Copyright 2010-2020 Dennis Tsiorbas. All rights reserved, Template provided by Blogger

Saturday, July 25, 2020

Hedges C.M.S Columbia Valley, Washington 2018 Chardonnay

Hedges C.M.S Columbia Valley, Washington 2018 Chardonnay, $12 74-$16.99, 87 points, was a medium brass color with yellow highlights and becoming clear toward the rim.

Aromatic notes of apple and minerality with whispers of pome blossoms were clean and fresh.

Medium-bodied dry white wine with hints of anise and ginger complementing flavors of apple, caramel, and vanilla were quite good.

Finished a bit short on the trailing palate and a balanced 13.5% alcohol.

Paired okay with my Gulf of Maine lobster salad, but once again (Chardonnay) was a delight with my Baklava.

Varietals were 99% Chardonnay, 0.5% Sauvignon Blanc, and 0.5% Marsanne.

Wednesday, July 22, 2020

Sokol Blosser Dundee Hills, 2017 Estate Chardonnay (Oregon) revisited

Sokol Blosser Dundee Hills Estate 2017 Chardonnay (Oregon) revisited, $23.79-$27.99, 89 points, was a light gold color with copper highlights.

Aromatic apple, pome blossoms, and Chardonnay specific grape were lovely.

Medium-bodied white wine with fair acidity and flavors reflective of the aromas and plenty of oak related flavors, including a vanilla note.
Finished long on notes of caramel, vanilla, and a well-balanced 12,5% alcohol.
Paired just okay with my Chick-filet and my spinach pie, but was a perfect pair with my Baklava.

Sunday, July 19, 2020

William Hill Estate Winery North Coast 2018 Sauvignon Blanc

William Hill Estate Winery North Coast 2018 Sauvignon Blanc, $10.19-$15.99, 90 points, poured the lightest of brass colors and became water clear toward the rim.

Sweet hay, fresh-cut grass, a faint hint of passion fruit, and lemon méringue aromas were subtle, yet delightful.

Light-bodied white wine with bright acidity and flavors reflective of the aromas with accelerating ginger and white pepper lead well into a long finish marked by the ginger and a well balanced 13.9% alcohol.

Paired perfectly with my soft-shelled Gulf of Maine lobster in drawn butter, but paired well with fried chicken and many deserts.

Thursday, July 16, 2020

Château De Fontenelles, Corbières, France 2016 Red Wine

Château De Fontenelles, Corbières, France 2016 Red Wine, was a gift for wine tasting from Brian Tyler.

Poured colors of deep ruby red with violet highlights, clinging glass sheets, and a clear wine ring.

Aromatic peppermint, cocoa, cherry fruit, and underbrush was excellent.

More than medium-bodied, this was a complex red wine with a striking flavor of Kirsch, but it was smoky and with chocolate and coffee flavors, marked by a silky mouth-feel and good acidity with comfortably supportive tannins.
Finished long on the fading palate and dominated by anise and an appropriate 13.5% alcohol.
Varietals were 55% Syrah, 25% Grenache,10% Carignan, and 10% Mourvèdre.
Paired okay with my spiced-rubbed rib eye.
With an average price of $8.99 and rated 89 points, makes this a recommended buy!

Index-of-reviewed-wines

Saturday, July 11, 2020

Sileni Marlborough 2018 Sauvignon Blanc

Sileni Marlborough 2018 Sauvignon Blanc, $11.04-$14.99, 89 points, was a very light yellow-gold color and turned water clear long before the rim.

Gooseberry and sweet hay dominated the smells.

Light, crisp, dry, and very much a Kiwi Sauvignon Blanc white wine. Flavors followed the aroma profile with subtle hints of cream soda, white and black pepper, and a touch of ginger.

Finished very long on the trailing palate and an unobtrusive 12.5% alcohol.

Paired perfectly with my Japanese Rangoon, and well with my steamed soft-shell Gull of Maine lobster in drawn butter.

Wednesday, July 8, 2020

Silverado Miller Ranch Napa Valley 2018 Sauvignon Blanc

Silverado Miller Ranch Napa Valley 2018 Sauvignon Blanc, $16.99-$22.99, 89 points, poured a light brass color with a yellow sheen.

Aromas began (cold) as rather simple, but evolved nicely with sweet hay, grass, orange zest, and hints of passion fruit and cinnamon.

Light crisp bodied white wine with good acidity, a well-balanced alcohol, and flavors of white pepper, ginger, melon rind, and sweet hay as the warming Sauvignon Blanc coalesced.
Finished long on the trailing palate, and paired fine with my sautéed Atlantic sea scallops.