New Hampshire Wine-man: August 2025

Sunday, August 31, 2025

Caparzo 2019 Brunello DI Montalcino (DOCG)

Caparzo 2019 Brunello DI Montalcino (DOCG), $33.99-$41.99, 93 points, poured a slightly unfiltered ruby red with copious stained legs and a clear meniscus.
Aromas of licorice, pine resin, and a rich perfumed red fruit were pleasant and interesting.
This Caparzo Brunello was more full-bodied than previous vintages I've tasted (this being my eleventh), rounder more mellow tannins, showed good acidity, and delivered tasty tea notes with hints of oak, black cherry and cayenne pepper.
Finished long, a bit austere, and with a well-balanced 14.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my meatballs and spaghetti.
This is high quality reasonably priced Sangiovese; always has been.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Friday, August 29, 2025

Castel Giocondo (Marchesi de' Frescobaldi) 2010 Brunello DI Montalcino Revisited

Castel Giocondo (Marchesi de' Frescobaldi) 2010 Brunello DI Montalcino Revisited, $33.99-$65.99, nine years later scored 92 points, poured a deep brandy color with copper colored fat legs and a clear meniscus.
The aromas of sweet raisin, caramel, and an oxymoronic floral funk were interesting and somewhat unusual.
This twenty five year old Brunello was bone-dry, medium-bodied, still showed good acidity and an underlayment of grainy tannins. Flavors were reflective of the aromas with a hint of mint and intense alcohol (15%) infused spiciness.
Finished on the spice and heat.
Paired okay with my Texas burger.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Thursday, August 28, 2025

Raymond Napa Valley, Reserve Selection, 2021 Chardonnay

Raymond Napa Valley, Reserve Selection, 2021 Chardonnay, $19.99-$24.99, 90 points, was a medium straw yellow color with a broad gray meniscus.
Aromas of dry hay, lemon oil, and an unripe cantaloupe meat were pleasant.
This, my first Raymond Chardonnay was a dry medium-bodied white wine with good acidity and for a Chardonnay, quite zesty marked by ginger, white pepper, lemon oil, and wood notes.
Finished long on the trailing palate and a big 14.5% alcohol.
Paired fine with my fried chicken.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Monday, August 25, 2025

Montes D. O. Valle De Colchagua, Chile, Classic Series 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon

Montes D. O. Valle De Colchagua, Chile, Classic Series 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon, $12.99-$14.99, 86 points, poured an opaque core pomegranate red with a clear wine ring and stained legs.
The nose was dominated by a perfumed fruit-forward wash with hints of cooking herbs and wood.
This Chilean red wine was full-bodied, textually between soft and angular, showed good acidity, a structured underlayment of tannin, and flavors true to the aromas.
Finished long, herbal, spicy, and with a well-balanced 14% alcohol.
Paired okay with our Texas burgers.
A competent Cabernet Sauvignon, but more a table wine rather than a "show piece".

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Thursday, August 21, 2025

Gaetano D'Aquino 2021 Chianti Riserva DOCG

Gaetano D'Aquino 2021 Chianti Riserva DOCG, $7.99 (Trader Joe's), 88 points, poured a bright ruby red with a broad clear meniscus and thin stained legs.
Aromas of red raspberry, black tea, a bit of wood, and a floral vibe were good.
This Chianti Riserva was a dry medium-bodied red wine that showed typical Sangiovese acidity, softer tannins than I would have expected, and a dominant flavor profile of cherry syrup nuanced with black tea, dried cooking herbs, and a hint of cayenne pepper.
Finished long on the trailing palate and a well-balanced 13% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my cilantro salsa burger.
Very good Q/P/R Chianti.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Tuesday, August 19, 2025

Louise d' Estree Brut Sparkling Chenin Blanc

Louise d' Estree Brut Sparkling Chenin Blanc, $10.99 (Trader Joe's), 90 points, was a light yellow/gold color with a clear meniscus and good effervescence.

The pleasant aromas of sweet apple, lemon peel, and a hint of hops pleased.
A light-bodied Champagne with good acidity and straight-forward flavors reflective of the nose.
Finished long on the trailing palate, a touch of ginger-ale, and a well-balanced 11% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my Asian cuisine and our baked-spiced chicken wings.
An excellent Q/P/R Sparkling white wine.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Friday, August 15, 2025

Castellare 2017 Chianti Classico (DOCG) Revisited

Castellare 2017 Chianti Classico (DOCG) Revisited, (reviewed in 2019), $21.99-$24.99, 92 points, poured a clear ruby red with light amber highlights, a broad clear meniscus, and copious stained legs.
Red fruit and wood aroma notes dominated hints of perfumed floral and tea notes.
This rendition of the Castellare 2017 Chianti Classico was a soft and dry medium-bodied red wine with good acidity, a sufficient underlayment of tannin, and tasty red fruit flavors with hints of mint and black tea.
Finished long on the fading palate, a whisper of oak, and a well-balanced 13.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my Caprice pizza and my Italian spaghetti and meatballs.
I think the six years in my Euro-cave aged this wine well.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Wednesday, August 13, 2025

Allegro California 2023 Moscato

Allegro California 2023 Moscato, $9.99-$13.99, 89 points, was a medium brass color with a broad graying penumbra.
Aromas of orange zest, pome blossoms, and hints of white chocolate and a minty lime were lovely.
This Cali Moscato was near medium-bodied, showed fair acidity, sweet flavor profile marked by tasty stone fruit and rock candy.
Finished well with an 8% alcohol.
Paired great with my Mexican cuisine and just okay with my baked red raspberry dessert.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Tuesday, August 12, 2025

La Devise de Lilian Grand Vin De Bordeaux Saint-Estèphe 2018 Bordeaux Red Wine

La Devise de Lilian Grand Vin De Bordeaux Saint-Estèphe 2018 Bordeaux Red Wine, $19.99 (Trader Joe's), 89 points, poured core black grading to a slightly unfiltered pomegranate red, showed fat stained legs and a fairly broad clear meniscus.
Rich black fruit and earth notes were nuanced with plum and a floral vibe.
This 2018 Bordeaux was full-bodied, showed good acidity, a sure foundation of tannin, and tasty flavors reflective of the nose.
Finished long with a slightly tart wood note, spearmint, iron, and a big 14.5% alcohol.
Paired fine with my cheese pizza with black olives.
Varietals were 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Bordeaux Red Wine Vintage 2018

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Saturday, August 9, 2025

Aresca-San Luigi-Nizza 2021 Barbera d'Asti DOCG

Aresca-San Luigi-Nizza 2021 Barbera d'Asti DOCG, $8.08-$24.99, 89 points, poured a bright ruby red with a broad clear wine ring and dense, stained, fat-legs.
The nose was an alcohol-tinged perfumed black fruit, earth notes, and a lovely fennel.
This Barbera was near full-bodied, showed good acidity, fine grainy tannins, and though the high alcohol (14.5%) seemed to dominate this red wine, it didn't really bother me, and I'm not saying it won't bother others, but the palate was quite pairable, tasty, and ironically round.
Finished long and earthy on plum, anise, and citrus notes.
Paired perfectly with my Mongolian beef.
At this price, this wine is a steal.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Friday, August 8, 2025

Tenute Cisa Asinari Dei Marchesi La Serra 2023 Moscato D'Asti

Tenute Cisa Asinari Dei Marchesi La Serra 2023 Moscato D'Asti, $17.99, 93 points, was the lightest yellow/gold color with a broad clear meniscus.
The fresh aromas of sweet apple cider, orange zest, a hint of pineapple, and a sense of minerality were outstanding.
This Moscato D'Asti was near medium-bodied, sweet without being cloying, and so tasty with orange Julius, rock candy, and a touch of pineapple, you might drink the whole bottle.
Finished long on the trailing palate and an appropriate 5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my Mexican cuisine and ginger dessert.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Tuesday, August 5, 2025

Maison Julien 2023 Sauvignon Blanc

Maison Julien 2023 Sauvignon Blanc, $9.34-$21.99, 89 points, was a light brass color with a broad graying penumbra.
The bright refreshing aromas of fresh-cut grass nuanced with lemon zest and minerality was lovely.
This French non-Sancerre Sauvignon Blanc was light-bodied, dry, brightly acidic, a rather lean white wine showing flavors reflective of the nose with a touch of black pepper.
Finished a bit flinty and with a well-balanced 12.5% alcohol.
Paired great with my friend clams and chips.
The QPR (quality/price/ratio) was wonderful.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Sunday, August 3, 2025

Trivento Golden Reserve Mendoza 2021 Malbec

Trivento Golden Reserve Mendoza 2021 Malbec, $16.99-$21.99, 92 points, poured core black grading to a deep pomegranate red with a thin clear wine ring and fat, sticky, stained-legs.
The rich aromas of loam, sun-warmed blackberry, dried cooking herbs, and a subtle chocolate note were lovely.
This is a full-bodied, fairly acidic and dry red wine with flavors of anise and blackberries, which dominated a firm herbaceous underlayment of tannins, and trailed with a complex palate of traces notes.
Finished long, showed hints of red pepper, iron, and mint with a big 14.5% alcohol.
Paired fine with my veggie pizza, probably better with a big steak.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Saturday, August 2, 2025

Villadoria Serralunga D'Alba "Lirio" 2020 Barolo

Villadoria Serralunga D'Alba "Lirio" 2020 Barolo, $29.74-$38.99, 90 points, poured a light garnet with a broad clear meniscus and thin stained legs.
Aromas were dominated by a soft perfumed Orange Peko nuanced by red raspberry.
"Lirio" was light-medium-bodied dry red wine with bright acidity, fine grainy tannins, and tasty flavors reflective of the aromas and a bit of alcohol (13.5%) infused spiciness.
Paired well with my Texas burger and manicotti.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES