New Hampshire Wine-man: February 2021

Saturday, February 27, 2021

Brotte Château De Bord 2017 Côtes du Rhône Villages

Brotte Château De Bord 2017 Côtes du Rhône Villages, $11.89-$27.99, 90 points, poured a bright candy-apple red grading rosewood-red toward the clear meniscus and a densely hung neckless of stained legs.
Smells of mulling spice, chocolate, ripe mulberry, and dusty ripe blackberries were excellent.
A near full-bodied dry red wine, thins a bit mid-palate but showed good acidity and firm/slightly astringent tannins, and complex flavors with a reigning red raspberry nuanced with earth, citrus, and red pepper.
Finished very long on a tangy muted orange peel and a hot 14.5% alcohol infused spiciness.
Paired perfectly with my spice-rubbed bone-in strip steak.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Thursday, February 25, 2021

Cantina Del Redi 2015 Toscana Rosso (IGT)

Cantina Del Redi 2015 Toscana Rosso (IGT), $17.84-$42.99, 92 points, poured a deep garnet red with a broad clear wine ring and copious legs.
The aromas were softly floral, fruity, nuanced with cinnamon and dry cocoa.
Not quite full-bodied, but more so than Chianti.
Bright acidity with grainy fine tannins supported flavors reflective of the aromas with a lovely spearmint and earthiness.
Finished long and bone-dry with warm-pepper spiciness and a well-balanced 14% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with our burgers and milk chocolate dessert.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Tuesday, February 23, 2021

Ogier Artesis 2017 Côtes du Rhône White Wine

Ogier Artesis 2017 Côtes du Rhône White Wine, $7.64-$16.99, 89 points, was a medium copper/gold color and clearing before the rim.
The bouquet was a bit faint with hints of lemon zest, apricot, pear, and pome blossoms.
A medium-bodied off-dry white wine with good acidity and a complex flavor profile dominated with tangerine zest, melon rind, and apricot, nuanced with white pepper.
Finished fair, softly tart, and on a well-balanced 12.5% alcohol.
Paired great with my BLT as well a smorgasbord of appetizers.
Varietals were 30% Grenache Blanc, 20% Clairette, 20% Bourboulenc, 10% Roussanne, 10% Marsanne, and 10% Viognier.

Index-of-reviewed-wines

Sunday, February 21, 2021

3015 Jumilla 2018 Monastrell (Mourvèdre)

3015 Jumilla 2018 Monastrell (Mourvèdre), $11.69-$16.99, 88 points, poured a deep candy-apple red with a maroon cast, heavy stained legs, and a very broad clear meniscus.
Smells of cigars, mulberry, coffee, white chocolate, and blueberry were complex, interesting, and pleasant.
A full-bodied dry red wine with fair acidity, supportive underlayment of tannin, and flavors reflective of the aromas dominated by blueberry made for a good red-table wine.
A mulberry finish was okay and managed to surface a mild spiciness and a balanced 14.5% alcohol.
Paired fine with my Mac and cheese with provincial hamburgers.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Friday, February 19, 2021

William Fevre Champs Royaux 2018 Chablis

William Fevre Champs Royaux 2018 Chablis, $23.99, 89 points, was a light lime-green color with a brass sheen.
Aromas of wet stones in summer, slate, and pome blossoms were pleasant if not striking.
A light-bodied steely near dry white wine with good acidity and flavors commensurate with the aromas, a somewhat austere palate, that paired well with my spicy Asian cuisine.
Finished fine on the fading palate, a hint of citrus, and a balanced 13% alcohol.

Index-of-Reviewed Wines

Wednesday, February 17, 2021

Bucciarelli Vino Biologico 2015 Chianti Classico (DOCG)

Bucciarelli Vino Biologico 2015 Chianti Classico (DOCG), $16.14-$18.99, 91 points, poured a somewhat cloudy cranberry color with a dense cluster of stained hanging legs to form a neckless, and a thin clear wine ring.
A floral bouquet of Bordeaux lily and violets was nuanced with shoe polish, steeped black tea, and plum.
The medium-plus body showed bright acidity, fine-grainy tannins, and flavors that reflected the bouquet; the palate thins-out a bit midway, but turbo-boosts late and into the long finish marked by Kirsch, anise, earth, and a seemingly under-rated 14% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my loaded pizza.

Index-of-reviewed-wines

Monday, February 15, 2021

Château Jas de Bressy 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge

Château Jas de Bressy 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Rouge, $33.99-$41.99, 93 points, poured a deep purple/red with thick stained sheeting on the glass, and a broad clear meniscus.
Aromas of cola, blackberries, chocolate, ripe red raspberry, a lily-floral note, and a bit of the barnyard/shoe polish were complex and pleasant.
A big, delicious, and full-bodied bone-dry red wine with good acidity, extremely fine grainy tannins, and flavors reflective of the aromas.
Finished very long on Sambuca (15% ABV), a gradually fading palate, and a plethora of pepper spices.
Paired perfectly with my spice-rubbed rare rib eye.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Saturday, February 13, 2021

Bodegas Adalina 2019 Verdejo

Bodegas Adalina 2019 Verdejo, under $5.00 at Trader Joes, 86 points, was a medium yellow gold color with a brass sheen.
First aroma noted was of McIntosh apple, but quickly dissipated into a subtle lemon/lime with a soft floral character.
More than a light-bodied not quite dry white wine with fair to good acidity and flavors of apricot, lemon zest, and a hint of black pepper were well balanced and without offence.
Finished a bit short, but again without offense. Alcohol was a balanced 12%.
Paired fine with my baked Halibut.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Thursday, February 11, 2021

Château Vrai Canon Bouché Canon-Fronsac 2015 Bordeaux Red Wine

Château Vrai Canon Bouché Canon-Fronsac 2015 Bordeaux Red Wine, $21.24-$24.99, 91 points, poured a deep ruby red with purpled flecks, a clear meniscus, and dense stained legs.
Aromas were dominated by currant fruit, cloves, cinnamon, with a whiff of sour plum.
Full-bodied dry red wine with bright acidity, and firm grainy tannin managed a somewhat young/austere textured wine that was rich in red and black fruit, anise, wood, and warm pepper spices.
Finished quite long on the warm spice infused 14% alcohol and pomegranate.
Paired well with my spice-rubbed rib eye.
If you like tight red wines (vs. soft round red wines), then this Grand Vin Bordeaux has a high QPR.

Bordeaux Red Wine Vintage 2015

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Tuesday, February 9, 2021

Floriana 2019 Grüner Veltliner (Hungry)

Floriana 2019 Grüner Veltliner, (HUNGRY) $5.99, 86 points, was almost clear with yellow gold highlights.
Smelled something like dusty apricots, green apples, and a hint of lime which were all pleasant.
A light-bodied acidic dry white wine with melon-rind flavors nuanced with tart green apple, and a nondescript floral flavor which made this a competent table wine with no impediments.
Finished fair on the failing palate and a complementing 12% alcohol.
Paired fine with my Yellowfin tuna salad.
At the Trader Joe's price, the near empty wallet/pocketbook has a friend.

Index of Reviewed wines

Grüner Veltliner, The "National" Wine of Austria, but Look For It Elsewhere

Austrian Wines

Floriana 2019 Grüner Veltliner (Hungry)

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Sunday, February 7, 2021

Two Hands Angel's Share 2018 Shiraz (McLAREN VALE)

Two Hands Angel's Share 2018 Shiraz (McLAREN VALE), $27.19-$36.99, 92 points, poured core black grading deep purple/red with both a ruby and a broad clear meniscus.
A bouquet of blackberry cordial, a hint of vanilla, and cardamom was lovely.
A full-bodied dry red wine with fair to good acidity, softly supported tannins, and a fruit-filled cornucopia flavor profile finessed with a spice infused and warm 14.2% alcohol which mellifluously descends and beguiles.
Paired perfectly with my spice-rubbed rare Porterhouse.

Index of reviewed wines

Friday, February 5, 2021

Los Clop, Mendoza, Argentina, 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva

Los Clop, Mendoza, Argentina, 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva, $16.99-$49.99, 89 points, poured a deep blood-red with a clear meniscus and a moderate density of clear legs.
Smells of sour mulberry and blueberry with plum notes were only okay for me.
More than showing a medium-body with fair to good acidity, an underlayment of tannin becoming more pronounced on the finish, and flavors of blueberry, ripe mulberry, tart strawberry, and iron managed to heighten my pleasure in this cab.
Finished well on a warm spicy infused 14% alcohol with a whisper of citrus and eucalyptus.
Paired nicely with my steak, chef salad with blue cheese, and rosemary potatoes.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Tuesday, February 2, 2021

Stone Castle Vineyards and Winery, Kosovo, 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve

Stone Castle Vineyards and Winery, Kosovo, 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, $16.14-$37.99, 91 points, poured a deep rosewood red with a thin clear meniscus and light runny legs.
Excellent aromas were soft perfumed red fruit, whispers of cooking herbs, cedar, and nuanced with floral notes.
A medium-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon (dry red wine), even to the 13.8% well-balanced alcohol, acidity, and tannins.
Flavors mirrored the aromas faithfully with a bit of anise, iron, and a hint of citrus.
Finished fair on the fading palate.
Paired fine with my spice-rubbed rare Porterhouse steak.
In this genre of medium-bodied Cabs, this one excelled, and was a diamond in the rough.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Monday, February 1, 2021

Robert Debuisson Grand Vin Bourgogne 2018 Pouilly Fuissé

Robert Debuisson Grand Vin Bourgogne 2018 Pouilly Fuissé, $16.14-$36.99, 92 points, was a medium brass color with a broad clear rim.
Aromas of wet stones, white pepper, and a light floral perfume were lovely.
A medium-bodied, sleek textured, and appropriately acidic white wine with weak pineapple flavor notes nuanced with melon rind, lemon zest, and a fine minerality.
Finished very long on the fading palate, an almost imperceptible vanilla, hints of ginger, and a well-balanced 13% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my brine marinated fried chicken, spicy Santa Fe egg rolls, and white chocolate dessert.

Index of reviewed wines