New Hampshire Wine-man: December 2021

Thursday, December 30, 2021

Salcheto 2017 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

Salcheto 2017 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, $17.99-$23.99, 91 points, poured an opaque ruby red with rosewood and clear penumbras, and moderate legs.
Aromas of black tea, cinnamon, red cherry, a floral vibe, and juniper berry were excellent.
A near full-bodied racy bone-dry Sangiovese red wine with bright acidity, grainy tannins, and rich flavors of mushrooms, loam, red cherry with whispers of mint and oak.
Finished long on the trailing palate, iron, black tea, and a well-balanced 13.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with our loaded pizza.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Wednesday, December 29, 2021

Dr. Hermann Mosel 2019 Riesling

Dr. Hermann Mosel 2019 Riesling, $16.99-$18.99, 89 points, was a medium straw yellow color and graying midway to the rim.
Copious stone fruit aromas accented with petrichor and a faint hint of petrol were excellent.
A medium-bodied off-dry white wine with good acidity and rich flavors of guava, lemon/lime, green melon, and honey made for an excellent tipple and pairing with our Asian cuisine.
Finished long, a bit tart, slightly sweet, showing a little more acidity, and a well-balanced 10.5% alcohol.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Monday, December 27, 2021

Luke, Columbia Valley, Wahluke Slope, Washington 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon

Luke, Columbia Valley, Wahluke Slope, Washington 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, $17.84-$24.99, 90 points, poured core black transitioning to an opaque ruby red, sticky stained legs, and rosewood red and clear penumbras.
Aromas of blueberries, red raspberries, coffee, cilantro, and milk chocolate were complex and interesting.
This was a full-bodied red wine with good acidity, a firm underlayment of tannin, smooth mouthfeel, and rich flavors of black currants, blackberries, and licorice with hints of coffee, tobacco, and cocoa.
Finished long on the trailing palate, pencil-lead, and a well-balanced 14.4% alcohol.
Paired fine with my chili.
I enjoyed this wine better on the second day.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Saturday, December 25, 2021

Are Wine Labels Going To The Birds Part V?

Are Wine Labels Going to the Birds Part V?

For those who would/will buy a wine based on its wine label:

And I can't resist posting my favorite
Snowy owl photo:

Are wine Labels going to the birds?

Are Wine Labels Going To The Birds Part II?

Are Wine Labels Going To The Birds Part III?

Are Wine Labels Going To The Birds Part IV?

Index-of-reviewed-wines

Friday, December 24, 2021

Grgich Hills Estate Napa Valley 2018 Chardonnay

Grgich Hills Estate Napa Valley 2018 Chardonnay, $33.99-$39.99, 94 points, was a medium yellow gold nearing a medium straw yellow with clearing towards the rim.
Aromas came together as a lovely bouquet of flowers, passion fruit, lemon zest, and petrichor.
This dry white wine was between light and medium-bodied and displayed bright acidity, good flavors of white chocolate, lemon oil, passion fruit, and soft ginger notes; all of which lingered very long into the finish marked by a well-balanced 14.1% alcohol.
I usually drink Riesling with my Asian cuisine, but this was a fantastic pairing.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Wednesday, December 22, 2021

Château Bernon-Becot 2016 Puisseguin Saint-Émilion Red Wine

Château Bernon-Becot 2016 Puisseguin Saint-Émilion Red Wine, $29.99-$59.99, 86 points, poured core black transitioning to a deep pomegranate red with a broad clear wine ring and copious stained legs.
Aromas were toasty, fruity, and spicy with cinnamon and clove.
A near full-bodied dry red wine with fair acidity, an underlayment of tannin, and upfront red raspberry and red cherry flavors with rather weak mid and late palates.
Finished fair on easy pepper spice, a floral vibe, and a complementary 14.5% alcohol.
Paired fine with our parochial hamburgers.

Bordeaux Red Wine Vintage 2016

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Tuesday, December 21, 2021

Canard Vineyards, Napa Valley, Estate Bottled 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon

Canard Vineyards, Napa Valley, Estate Bottled 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, $46.74-$61.99, 91 points, poured core black grading to a deep blood red with a deluge of stained legs and a clear meniscus.
Strong aromas of cassis were joined by black plums, red raspberry, pine resin, and cedar (fruity and interesting).
A full-bodied dry red wine which showed brightly youthful, angular, and fruity with firm grainy tannins, good acidity, and a rich spearmint throughout.
Finished long on the fading palate with easy pepper spices, a hint of anise, iron notes, and a well-balanced 14.2% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my south-western styled Mac and Cheese, but only okay with our traditional cheeseburgers.

2018 California Cabernet Sauvignon Wines Tasted

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Saturday, December 18, 2021

King Rabbit 2019 Malbec (France)

King Rabbit 2019 Malbec (France), $7.89-$13.99, 87 points, poured a deep pomegranate red with a very broad clear meniscus and copious fat-stained legs.
Aromas were redolent juniper berries, pepper spices, blueberries, and a floral note.
This was a full-bodied near dry red wine with soft tannins (plush mouthfeel) and fair acidity.
Flavors righteously reflected the aromas with a bit of pencil lead and plum.
Finished fair and easy on the fading palate and the reticent 13% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my avocado tostadas.
A lovely red wine for under $10, and a buy for the those that have a proclivity for soft Merlots.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Tuesday, December 14, 2021

Eroica (Chateau Ste Michelle-Dr. Loosen) 2019 Columbia Valley Riesling

Eroica (Chateau Ste Michelle-Dr. Loosen) 2019 Columbia Valley Riesling, $15.29-$20.99, 92 points, was a light brass color clearing mid-way towards the glass rim.
Aromas of apples, pome blossoms, white chocolate, and dusty orange zest were excellent.
This light-bodied dry white wine showed bright acidity, tart, and a bit of sour lemon with good flavors of lime rind, jasmine tea, ginger, and a hint of limestone.
Finished long on the acid-driven rind/ginger.
Paired perfectly with our Asian cuisine.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Monday, December 13, 2021

Heitz Wine Cellars Napa Valley 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon

Heitz Wine Cellars Napa Valley 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon, $50.99-$64.99, 89 points, poured a rosewood red with violet highlights, a broad clear wine ring, and moderately thick legs.
Aromas of plums, hot cinnamon/cherry candy, tobacco, and ripe mulberry were complex and interesting.
A full-bodied dry red wine, with a sound sublayer of tannin, fair to good acidity, and flavors of spearmint, teaberry gum, red cherry and plum fruit were by themselves satisfying and tasty.
Finished a bit thin, but the 14.5% alcohol infused pepper spices were quite good.
This was the third vintage of this Cabernet Sauvignon I had; the first two were outstanding, but this 2016 was a REAL bust for me.
Pairing this wine was difficult: T-bone steak or tacos were not good pairings, but batter-fried chicken livers were better, but not perfect.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Friday, December 10, 2021

Kunde Sonoma Valley 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon

Kunde Sonoma Valley 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, $19.54-$25.99, 90 points, poured core black waxing deep ruby red with a broad clear meniscus and fat stained-legs.
Aromas were fruit-driven with red currants, cherry fruit, and Hot Cinnamon Sunset tea.
A full-bodied, bone-dry, and a bit tannic red wine with good acidity and a flavor profile that mirrored the aromas quite well, but with a hint of anise.
Finished long, drying, steely, and with a sometimes breakthrough 14.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my rare dry-rubbed filet mignon.

2018 California Cabernet Sauvignon Wines Tasted

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Wednesday, December 8, 2021

Wente Southern Hills Livermore Valley 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon

Wente Southern Hills Livermore Valley 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, $11.89-$16.99, 88 points, poured a deep purple/red color with a broad clear wine ring and moderate legs.
Aromas were fruit-driven with hints of cinnamon and juniper.
A full-bodied dry red wine with good acidity, tight and tart with tannins and edgy fruit flavors accented with iron, mint, and the sage-family of herbs.
Finished long, spicy, and with a well-balanced 13.5% alcohol.
Paired nicely with my beef and vegetables stew.

2018 California Cabernet Sauvignon Wines Tasted

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Sunday, December 5, 2021

Cecchi 2017 Chianti Classico

Cecchi 2017 Chianti Classico, $10.12-$14.05, 87 points, poured a deep pomegranate red, almost a blood red, with a broad clear meniscus and thin long legs.
Aromas of red raspberry, plums, cinnamon, and black tea were soft, but pleasant.
This was a medium-bodied bone-dry red wine with mouth-puckering acidity and tannin complemented by tight thin flavors reflective of the aromas.
Finished long and tart on a straight-forward black tea, a touch of mint, limestone minerality, and a well-balanced 13.5% alcohol.
Paired fine with my beef lasagna.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Friday, December 3, 2021

Chasing Venus Marlborough 2020 Sauvignon Blanc (New Zealand)

Chasing Venus Marlborough 2020 Sauvignon Blanc (New Zealand), $12.74-$19.99, 88 points, was a very light brass color with gold highlights and clear toward the glass rim.
Soft aromas of Lychee, passion fruit, lemon zest, and a floral vibe were good.
A light-bodied dry white wine with appropriate acidity, and early palate weak flavors of lemon oil, Honeydew melon rind, a hint of passion fruit, and not too late, finally this SB was complimented by loads of ginger and the intensifying early palate flavors with a balanced 13% alcohol, which improved the late palate and finish.
Paired well with my fried Atlantic Sea scallops.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Thursday, December 2, 2021

Dry Creek Vineyard (Hillside and Benchland Vineyards) 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon

Dry Creek Vineyard (Hillside and Benchland Vineyards) 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, $21.24-$26.99, 90 points, poured a deep ruby red with violet highlights, a broad clear wine ring, and moderate stained legs.
Aromas of plums, loam, mulling spices, pine needles, and blackberry were pleasant.
A full-bodied dry red wine with good acidity, firm grainy tannins, and rich flavors of black fruit, cranberry, cinnamon, mint, and a hint of black truffles proved quite tasty.
Finished long on the trailing palate, pepper spices, pomegranate, and a well-balanced European-styled 13.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my Australian grass-fed rib eye.

2018 California Cabernet Sauvignon Wines Tasted

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES