New Hampshire Wine-man: April 2023

Sunday, April 30, 2023

Napa Cellars Napa Valley 2018 Chardonnay

Napa Cellars Napa Valley 2018 Chardonnay, $14.44-$19.99, 92 points, was a light to medium yellow gold color with a fairly broad graying penumbra towards the glass rim.
Aromas of dusty cantaloupe, white chocolate, Chardonnay-specific grape, and lemon/lime citrus notes were complex and pleasant.
This Napa Valley Chardonnay was maybe just a whisper more full-bodied than medium-bodied. Showed good acidity, an up-front round mouthfeel, and excellent flavors reflective of the aromas with this developing late palate edgy ginger ale crispiness.
Finished long on that ginger, a touch of oak, slightly sour crab apple, and a well-balanced 13.9% alcohol.
This is a food-friendly Chardonnay, think Asian, Greek, and traditional American comfort foods.
A much better Chardonnay than the 2014 which I had something like six years ago.
A very high QPR wine.

2018 Vintage California Chardonnay

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Friday, April 28, 2023

Mollydooker The Boxer McLaren Vale 2020 Shiraz

Mollydooker The Boxer McLaren Vale 2020 Shiraz, $23.79-$30.99, 86 points, poured broadly black with a purple/red penumbra, a bleeding meniscus, and bold fat legs.
Aromas of black licorice, raisins, cinnamon-spiced cherry fruit, and a strong grape smell were just okay for me.
The Boxer was a bold, full-bodied, high alcohol (16%), and out-of-balance Shiraz.
Flavors did follow the aromas, and despite its opulent mouthfeel and rich flavors, I was so overwhelmed by its imbalance that I won't be buying another; the twelve years since I've had this wine has found my palate no longer comfortable with this wine style, or maybe it's just this vintage, but at this price I don't like WASTING my money. Oh, acidity was fair, tannins were comfortably soft, and complexity was interesting.
Finished as it began but with plum notes and alcohol-infused spiciness.
Paired only okay with my pepperoni pizza.
INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Copyright 2010-2023, all rights reserved, Dennis Tsiorbas
Template provided by Google Blogger

Tuesday, April 25, 2023

Cafaggio 2016 Chianti Classico Riserva (DOCG)

Cafaggio 2016 Chianti Classico Riserva (DOCG), $16.99-$39.99 (closeout), 90 points, poured a ruby red with amber highlights, a broad clear meniscus, and copious stained legs.
A cornucopia of will-o'-the-wisp aromas, surging and fading, were wonderful; aromas of juniper, clove, jasmine, red raspberry, mushrooms, and black tea managed to inspire my imagination.
This Chianti Classico Riserva was typically medium-bodied with good acidity, grainy/edgy tannins, and flavors of mint, red fruit, black tea, and citrus notes.
Finished long on the trailing palate, hints of iron, white truffle, and a well-balanced 14% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my hot Italian sausage pizza.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Template provided by Google Blogger

Monday, April 24, 2023

Waghorn Family Wines "Astrolabe" Marlborough 2021 Sauvignon Blanc

Waghorn Family Wines "Astrolabe" Marlborough 2021 Sauvignon Blanc, $18.69-$21.99, 90 points, was a medium brass color with yellow gold highlights and a narrow gray band at the rim.
Brisk aroma of lemon juice was dominant, and nuanced with passion fruit, gooseberry, and fresh-cut grass tied the nose bow.
This NZ SB was typically acidic, light-bodied, and with good flavors reflective of the aromas plus lime zest and a bit of ginger ale.
Finished well on the trailing edgy palate with a balanced 13% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my beer-battered jumbo shrimp.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Saturday, April 22, 2023

Damilano Lecinquevigne 2017 Barolo (DOCG)

Damilano Lecinquevigne 2017 Barolo (DOCG), $34.84-$42.99, 92 points, poured cranberry red with a broad clear wine ring and copious legs.
Aromas of cinnamon, cedar, a spritz of citrus, ripe strawberry, and black tea were soft and subtle, but quite nice.
This was a medium-bodied Barolo with bright acidity, easy fine grainy tannins, and good flavors reflective of the aromas.
Finished long on the trailing palate, embracing warm spices, nicely tart, and on a well-balanced 14.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my grilled Munster/Chorizo sandwich.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Wednesday, April 19, 2023

Mastroberardino 2019 Greco Di Tufo DOCG

Mastroberardino 2019 Greco Di Tufo DOCG, $13.59-$15.99, 91 points, was a medium straw yellow color with a broad graying penumbra.
Aromas of jasmine, lime, orange zest, and a bit of the swamp were pleasant.
This somewhat (in New Hampshire) esoteric light-plus white wine, though four years old, showed good vibrance, fair to good acidity, complex flavors of ginger, lime juice, honeydew melon and its rind, and weakly a bit of sour cantaloupe.
Finished long, dry, gingery, and with an apropos 12.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my fried Alaskan haddock.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Template provided by Google Blogger

Monday, April 17, 2023

Château Les Hauts De Granget Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2018 Bordeaux Red Wine

Château Les Hauts De Granget Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2018 Bordeaux Red Wine, $25.49-$69.99 (close-out), 92 points, poured core black with a common deep Burgundy red with a broad clear meniscus and copious stained legs.
Aromas of black olives, loam, coffee, violets, cloves, and nondescript black fruit were complex and pleasant.
This Saint-Émilion Red Wine was typically rich with a robust mouthfeel, good acidity, supportive tannins, and flavors righteously reflective of its aromas.
Finished long and spicy with a good edge and a well-balanced 14% alcohol content.
Paired perfectly with my Mexican cuisine.
At about $25.00, this is an excellent purchase (QPR), and will age well.

Bordeaux Red Wine Vintage 2018

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Template provided by Google Blogger

Thursday, April 13, 2023

HOBO, Sonoma County, 2019 Zinfandel

HOBO, Sonoma County, 2019 Zinfandel, $23.39-$25.99, 93 points, poured core deep ruby grading to a grainier rosewood red with a broad clear meniscus and copious legs.
Aromas of warm blackberries, floral vibes, ripe black grape skin, and a dusty peppered plum were outstanding.
HOBO changed their location labeling from Dry Creek Valley (Sonoma) to just Sonoma, I'm unsure what the nuance means, but whatever, the wine was wonderful: full-bodied, good acidity, supportive underlayment of tannin, a luscious mouthfeel, and rich flavors reflective of the aromas.
Finished long, warm on a building peppered red cherry, and a well-balanced 13.6% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my veggie chili.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Template provided by Google Blogger

Wednesday, April 12, 2023

Oxford Landing, South Australia, 2021 Sauvignon Blanc

Oxford Landing, South Australia, 2021 Sauvignon Blanc, $9.89-$10.99, 85 points, was a light yellow-gold color and clearing broadly towards the rim.
Aromas were grassy, showed a dusty white grape smell, and finished with a hint of sour lemon.
Australia has not showed up its neighbors to the south (NZ) with this offering, but that said, at under $10, and with a low enough alcohol content (10.5%) to pair with my spicy Mexican cuisine, and satisfactory flavors of lime, lemon grass, and melon rind with fair to good acidity, this was not a disappointment.
Finished fair, a bit thin, but paired okay with my fried haddock, honey-stung chicken wings, and white chocolate dessert.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Monday, April 10, 2023

Primarius, Dundee, Oregon, 2019 Pinot Noir

Primarius, Dundee, Oregon, 2019 Pinot Noir, $16.99-$19.99, 89 points, poured a pomegranate red with violet highlights, a broad clear meniscus, and copious slick legs.
Aromas of plums, sour black cherry, milk chocolate, and black tea were pleasant.
Once again, the Northwest deliver a very good Pinot Noir for not only under $40, but for under $20, and this one was near full-bodied with fair to good acidity, soft easy tannins, and delicious flavors reflective of the aromas.
Finished long on the trailing palate, a well-balanced 12.9% alcohol, and hints of citrus and iron.
Paired perfectly with my wife's chili.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Template provided by Google Blogger

Friday, April 7, 2023

DR Loosen Bros. Mosel 2021 Riesling

DR Loosen Bros. Mosel 2021 Riesling, $11.04-$14.99, 88 points, was a very light brass color with a broad water-clear penumbra.
Aromas were soft pome fruit and blossoms with hints of white chocolate and passion fruit.
The Doctor Loosen Bros. gave us in their 2021 vintage a light-bodied, vibrant, beautifully acidic, clean, off-dry white wine which showed tangy Clementine Oranges zest, "rock candy", and a hint of lemon juice, not particularly complex, but a delicious tipple.
Finished fair on the trailing palate and an easy 8.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my Pacific haddock and spanakopita pie.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Tuesday, April 4, 2023

Bianchi Signature Selection Paso Robles 2018 Petite Sirah

Bianchi Signature Selection Paso Robles 2018 Petite Sirah, $28.76-$31.95, 91 points, poured core black grading to a deep Sienna red with fat-stained legs and a clear wine ring.
Aromas of ripe blackberry, subtle rose pedal, and black licorice were lovely if not particularly complex.
As is true of most Durif (Petite Sirah) red wines, this one was full-bodied! The mouthfeel was soft and round. It also showed fair acidity, a supportive underlayment of tannin, and rich flavors reflective of the aromas with a developing plum.
Finished long on the trailing palate and hints of iron, red raspberry, and a big but balanced 14.1% alcohol.
A bit pricy, but well worth the price.

Sunday, April 2, 2023

Luciano Arduini Bacan IGT 2019 Rosso Veronese

Luciano Arduini Bacan IGT 2019 Rosso Veronese, $15.29-$36.99, 93 points, poured a lovely pomegranate red with a broad clear meniscus and copious stained legs.
Aromas of cinnamon, unusual orange peel, Bordeaux lily, and shoe polish were idiosyncratic and interesting.
This Rosso Veronese was full-bodied, showed bright acidity, drifted with fine grainy tannins, and delivered flavors reflective of the aromas.
Finished quite long, tart, a bit spicy with cayenne, cranberry juice, and a very well-balanced 13.5% alcohol content.
Paired well with my Mexican cuisine.
This was a clearance wine, and I'm very glad I bought two bottles.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Saturday, April 1, 2023

Spy Valley Marlborough NZ 2021 Sauvignon Blanc

Spy Valley Marlborough NZ 2021 Sauvignon Blanc, $14.44-$19.99, 91 points, was a very light brass color with flashes of yellow gold, and water-clear towards the glass rim.
Aromas of lemon and orange peel, lime juice, white chocolate, and pome blossoms were clean and pleasant.
I spied a light-bodied, vibrant, and brightly acidic, white wine with crisp flavors of passion fruit, citrus, melon rind, and tame grassy notes.
Finished quite long on the grass notes, a hint of ginger, and a well-balanced 13% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with fried clams and spinach pie.
Great value white wine, and one of my favorites.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Template provided by Google Blogger