New Hampshire Wine-man: November 2023

Wednesday, November 29, 2023

Eroica (Chateau Ste Michelle-Dr. Loosen) 2021 Columbia Valley Riesling

Eroica (Chateau Ste Michelle-Dr. Loosen) 2021 Columbia Valley Riesling, $15.29-$20.99, 93 points, was a medium brass color with a gray penumbra.
Aromas of dusty tart apple, hints of petrol, whispers of white chocolate, touch of mint, and citrusy orange and lemon peel were exalted.
Eroica was steely crisp and clean with good acidity, minerality, and distinctive flavors of the aromas but accented with ginger ale.
Finished brightly on the trailing palate, a pucker, and a well-balanced 12% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with our Asian cuisine.
Eroica Rieslings always score in the nineties, and this 2021 was no exception, and don't say that "Rieslings are too sweet"; these are not "them"!

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Sunday, November 26, 2023

Château Carbonnieux Grand Cru Classé De Graves 2018 Bordeaux Red Wine

Château Carbonnieux Grand Cru Classé De Graves 2018 Bordeaux Red Wine, $39.52-$46.49, 92 points, poured core black grading to a deep Burgundy red color with a clear wine ring and copious stained-legs.
Aromas of rose pedal, mulberry, and hints of marjoram and clove were pleasant.
This Bordeaux (65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Petit Verdot) was full-bodied, showed fair to good acidity, firm grainy tannins, and rich flavors of tobacco, black licorice, warm spice-infused black cherry, and dried cooking herbs.
Finished long on fennel, mushrooms, cayenne pepper, a hint of mint, and a warm 14.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my prime rib.

Bordeaux Red Wine Vintage 2018

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Friday, November 24, 2023

Château Langoa Barton Saint-Julien 2018 Bordeaux Red Wine

Château Langoa Barton Saint-Julien 2018 Bordeaux Red Wine, $57.37-$67.49, 92 points, poured broadly black grading to a deep purple/red with a clear meniscus and slippery fat stained-legs.
The fragrant and complex array of aromas was a cornucopia of fruit with currants, blackberries, pomegranate nuanced with mint and flowers.
This 2018 Château Langoa Barton was a bit astringent, tart, tannic, dry, and way too young, but still satisfyingly delicious; showed developing flavors of fruit, coffee, tangy cooking herbs, red cherry bitters, and spicy warm pepper.
Finished long and puckering with good acidity and a well-balanced 13.5% alcohol.
Paired fine with my Mexican cuisine.

Bordeaux Red Wine Vintage 2018

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Wednesday, November 22, 2023

Felsina Rancia 2019 Chianti Classico Riserva

Felsina Rancia 2019 Chianti Classico Riserva, $50.99-$59.99, 93 points, poured a bright cranberry red with orange highlights, a broad clear meniscus, and light sticky glass sheeting.
Aromas of strawberry rhubarb pie, dusty clementine peel, rose pedal, and black tea were soft but deep and enduring.
Not quite a medium-bodied red wine with good acidity, round/soft tannins, and delicious but the slow to develop flavors of spicy-infused red raspberry, black tea, and a whisper of violets were deceptively furtive, but quite wonderful on the second day.
Finished long on the fading palate and the spot-on 13.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with our meat-man's pizza.
Not as good as I remember this wine from twelve years ago and about $14 more, but still a great wine for a special occasion.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Monday, November 20, 2023

Virtus Ribera Del Duero 2014 Tempranillo Red Wine

Virtus Ribera Del Duero 2014 Tempranillo Red Wine, $17.99-$34.99, 92 points, poured broadly black with a rosewood red penumbra, a thin bleeding meniscus, and heavy stained legs.
Subtle aromas of cedar, coffee, fig, black fruit were good.
This Tempranillo was full-bodied with a round luscious mouthfeel, showed big alcohol (15%), fair to good acidity, a supportive underlayment of tannin, and rich flavors of black licorice, plum, pomegranate, and dried cooking herbs.
Finished long and warm on its spice infused alcohol, a bit tart and plummy.
Paired well with my nacho supreme and my baked pork loin chops.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Thursday, November 16, 2023

Ego Bodegas -Infinito- Jumilla 2018 Monastrell

Ego Bodegas -Infinito- Jumilla 2018 Monastrell, $16.99-$22.99, 91 points, poured a bright rosewood red with a broad clear meniscus and copious stained legs.
Aromas were earthy, fruity, and nuanced with chocolate and dusty oak.
This 100% Monastrell was full-bodied, showed good acidity, firm grainy tannins, and rich flavors reflective of the aromas and set on fire by spicy infused alcohol (15%).
Finished long with hints of iodine, Damson plums, and citrus.
Paired perfectly with my organic cheeseburger.
A BIG red wine with a high QPR (Quality/Price/Ratio).

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Tuesday, November 14, 2023

Castello Banfi Fontanelle 2020 Chardonnay

Castello Banfi Fontanelle 2020 Chardonnay, $18.69-$24.99, 90 points, was a medium straw-yellow color with a thin gray penumbra.
Smells of dusty white grape, nuanced lemon zest, and a hint of jasmine were pleasant.
I am almost always a fan of Italian Chardonnay and this Banfi was no exception.
A light to medium-bodied Chardonnay with good acidity and minerality which translated into a rather angular steely white wine as opposed to a Cali round soft oaky Chardonnay. Flavors followed the aromas while trailing lemony/citrusy and with a well-balanced 13.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my baked pork chops.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Monday, November 13, 2023

Stoller Family Estate Willamette Valley 2021 Pinot Noir

Stoller Family Estate Willamette Valley 2021 Pinot Noir, $18.69-$24.99, 90 points, poured a lovely dark rose-pedal pink with a broad clear meniscus and sticky legs.
Aromas of cherry fruit, a bit herbal, and with a whisper of burnt rubber were okay.
Stoller produced a medium-bodied red wine with good acidity, light, but noticeable grainy tannins, and good flavors of cherry fruit nuanced with cooking herbs.
Finished fair on the trailing palate, accenting cayenne pepper, and a stated 13.5% alcohol.
Paired well with several main dishes and would be great for Thanksgiving.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Sunday, November 12, 2023

Ramos Pinto RP20 2012 Bottled Tawny 20 Year Port Crème Brûlée

Ramos Pinto RP20 2012 Bottled Tawny 20 Year Port, current prices range from $59.99-$89.99, (I bought this about ten years ago), and just a note as to Port, Tawny Port typically does not improve with age (see Vintage Port), and I seldom drink Port, but with the coldest morning of this season a warm-up wine seemed appropriate.
Poured a deep caramel reddish-brown color with orange fringing, heavy glass sheeting with fat legs, a broad clear meniscus, and so many tiny, suspended particles I had to strain it twice.
Smells were profoundly alcohol and raisins nuanced with wood and caramel.
This Tawny was full-bodied, showed good acidity, the mouthfeel was sleek and smooth, and the flavors were hot renditions of the aromas (just what a cold night called for).
Finished forever on wood, alcohol, and Sambuca.
Paired perfectly with my Belgian Praline Crème Brûlée.
Scoring Port is rather shaky for me, but I'd say between 91-93 points describes my satisfaction.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Saturday, November 11, 2023

Brown Family Vineyards-Bitner Estate- Columbia Valley 2021 Chardonnay

Brown Family Vineyards-Bitner Estate- Columbia Valley 2021 Chardonnay, $25.49-$29.99, 93 points, was a deep burnished bronze with a broad gray penumbra.
Aromas of dusty apple, caramel, citrus, and a whisper of lemon oil were lovely.
The Brown family gave us something special with its near full-bodied Chardonnay of distinction, with fair acidity, a sleek mouthfeel, and delicious unobtrusive flavors reflective of the aromas.
Finished long on a ginger infused caramel, a bit tart, and with a well-balanced 13.9% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my New England clam chowder.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Thursday, November 9, 2023

Carol Shelton -Rockpile- Florence Vineyard 2019 Zinfandel Reserve

Carol Shelton -Rockpile- Florence Vineyard 2019 Zinfandel Reserve, $36.54-$42.99, 94 points, poured a deep burgundy red with a broad clear wine ring and copious stained-legs.
Aromas of underbrush, wild briar fruit, and mulling spices were excellent.
This Rockpile Zinfandel Reserve was near full-bodied with good acidity, a firm underlayment of tannin, a luscious mouthfeel, and rich flavors reflective of the aromas with hints of chocolate, citrus, loam, and cayenne pepper.
Finished long on the trailing palate and a big 14.8% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my beefy chili.
Best Zinfandel I've had in a long time.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Schmitt Söhne Piesporter Michelsberg Spätlese 2020 Riesling

Schmitt Söhne Piesporter Michelsberg Spätlese 2020 Riesling, $8.49-$15.99, 87 points, was a light brass color transitioning water clear midway towards the rim.
The weak aromas of dusty white grape and hints of petrol, newspaper, and a fresh minerality were pleasant.
Spätlese, meaning late harvest, is a relatively sweet Riesling, and this one was no different: it was light-bodied, showed good acidity, was apple-tart with flavors of caramel, lemon, and of course that apple.
Finished fair on the fading palate, rock candy, and a balanced 8.5% alcohol.
Paired fine with my fiery barbeque pork loin-chops.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Sunday, November 5, 2023

Lorenzo Melani 2017 Brunello di Montalcino

Lorenzo Melani 2017 Brunello di Montalcino, $25.49-$64,99, 93 points, poured a cranberry/orange red with a clear meniscus and copious legs.
The aromas of red cherry, mint, and black tea were pleasant.
Lorenzo Melani delivered a medium-bodied red wine with bright acidity, firm grainy but comfortable tannins on a typically angular mouthfeel, and the delicious flavor of spearmint imbued red fruit.
Finished very long, warm and spicy, and with a well-balanced 13.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my three-cheese pizza.
Frankly, when I saw this Brunello at such a low price, I figured it wouldn't be very good, not all Brunello Sangiovese wines are worth $65, but I was wrong about this one.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Friday, November 3, 2023

Domaine Alain Et Adrien Gautherin 2020 Chablis Premier Cru Vaillons

Domaine Alain Et Adrien Gautherin 2020 Chablis Premier Cru Vaillons, $39.09-$49.99, 94 points, was a medium yellow/gold color with a very broad gray penumbra.
The lovely aromas were bee's wax, lemon zest, with hints of juniper and a floral note.
This medium-bodied Premier Cru was bright, ginger spicy, and delicious on fresh notes of melon rind, lemon meringue pie, and a hint of caramel.
Finished forever on that ginger infused lemon/caramel and a well-balanced 13.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with our roasted chicken dinner.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES