New Hampshire Wine-man: October 2020

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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