New Hampshire Wine-man: December 2025

Friday, December 26, 2025

Trader Joe's Wines Tasted A Miscellaneous blog post

Every once and a while I visit Trader Joe's for a look at what new wines have arrived. As usual, I find a more interesting selection of wine than most supermarkets, but a rather limited variety (more reds than whites), but as usual, almost always good examples of quality/price/ratio (Q/P/R) wines.

Wines listed by date:

Bergsträsser Winzer Terra Starkenburg 2024 Riesling Feinherb

Domaine Bunan 2021 Bandol Red Wine

Nikau Point Marlborough 2024 Sauvignon Blanc

Outlot Oak Knoll, Napa Valley, 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon

Gaetano D'Aquino 2021 Chianti Riserva DOCG

Louise d' Estree Brut Sparkling Chenin Blanc

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

de Badet- Clement and Cie Revelation Pays D'Oc 2023 Chardonnay (France)

Domaines Brocard Sainte Celine Grand Vin De Bourgogne 2023 Chablis

Il Tesoro 2019 Chianti Classico Riserva from Trader Joe's

Sauvignon Republic Marlborough 2023 Sauvignon Blanc

Kidia 2024 Sauvignon Blanc (Chile)

Casaponte 2023 Soave Classico DOC

Rosa dell 'Olmo 2023 Gavi DOCG

Château Le Grand Faurie Grand Vin Saint-Émilion 2020 Bordeaux Red Wine

Duvergey Taboureau Grand Vin De Bourgogne 2022 Chablis 1ER Cru

Poggio Lontano 2019 Brunello Di Montalcino

Bodegas Viña Cartin, Ruta 49, Rías Baixas, 2023 Albariño (D.O.)

Belhara Estate Mendoza 2021 Malbec

J. L. Quinson La Larme d'Or 2022 Chablis

Viñas Chilenas Rosario Estate Winemaker's Selection 2022 Sauvignon Blanc Reserva (Chile)

Lodole Rosso Di Toscana 2018 Red Wine (IGT)

Viña Marchigue Pichilemu DO. Curico Valley, Chile, 2021 Sauvignon Blanc

Vignals Pays D'OC 2020 Viognier

Fior di Vino 2017 Chianti Classico

Famille Perrin 2019 Côtes du Rhône Réserve White Wine

Poggio Vicino 2015 Brunello Montalcino

Bodegas Adalina 2019 Verdejo

Floriana 2019 Grüner Veltliner (Hungry)

Trader Joe's California 2017 Sauvignon Blanc

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Bergsträsser Winzer Terra Starkenburg 2024 Riesling Feinherb

Bergsträsser Winzer Terra Starkenburg 2024 Riesling Feinherb, $6.99 (Trader Joe's), 87 points, was a medium yellow/gold color with a gray penumbra.
Aromas of jasmine tea and sweet apple were nuanced with a hint of sour lemon juice were good.
This German Riesling was light-bodied with good acidity and juicy but less than robust flavors reflective of the nose.
Finished with hints of Necco wafer, petrol, ginger, and a sweet-spot 10.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with our Asian cuisine.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Tuesday, December 23, 2025

La Fiera Terre Siciliane Moscato IGT

La Fiera Terre Siciliane Moscato IGT, $4.70-$10.99, 88 points, was a light brass color with smoky-gray highlights.
The aromas were rather simple but warm notes of white chocolate and essence of rutaceae fruit were pleasant.
More a medium-bodied Moscato, off-sweet, showing fair acidity, and tasty, if a bit cut-and-dry, with flavors of stone fruit and rock candy.
Finished long on a dusty pummelo, a hint of ginger, and a great middle-of-the-road 10.5% alcohol.
I developed a bias for this bargain of a white wine as it paired perfectly not only with my spicy Mexican cuisine, but with my key lime pie.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Monday, December 22, 2025

Robert Young Estate Winery 'Scion' Alexander Valley 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon (Revisited II)

Robert Young Estate Winery 'Scion' Alexander Valley 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon (Revisited II), $30.59-$64.99, 94 points, my third experience with this excellent wine, which is approaching an age of 14 years, poured an opaque purple/red, nearly a muddy ruby/red, a thin bleeding meniscus, and thin stained legs.
The perfumed floral/coffee aromas were clean and lovely (quite different from my first visit almost nine years ago).
A full-bodied Alexander Valley Cab with still good acidity, a mild underlayment of tannin, and warm spice infused flavors of anise, coffee, and black currant.
Finished very long, pure, and with immense cayenne heat, a citrus note, iron, and a well-balanced 14.8% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my spice-rubbed grass-fed lamb rib-chops.

2012 California Cabernet Sauvignon wines tasted

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Friday, December 19, 2025

Fattorie Melini Terra Rossa 2017 Chianti Classico (Revisited)

Fattorie Melini Terra Rossa 2017 Chianti Classico (Revisited), $18.99, 89 points, poured an opaque ruby red with orange highlights, a clear meniscus, and sticky legs.
Aromas of perfumed red fruit, black tea, and herbaceous notes were pleasant.
This Chianti Classico was near full-bodied, bone-dry, a bit astringent, and showing fine grainy tannins and good flavors of fennel, red cherry, cayenne pepper, and slightly sour citrus notes.
Finished long on the trailing palate, a hint of iron, and a balanced 14% alcohol.
Paired fine with our spaghetti and meatballs in tomato sauce.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Tuesday, December 16, 2025

Stoneleigh Marlborough 2024 Sauvignon Blanc

Stoneleigh Marlborough 2024 Sauvignon Blanc, $15.99-$18.99, 92 points, was a very light brass color with a broad gray penumbra.
The aromas of sweet-cured hay, dusty Meyer lemon juice, and hints of passion fruit were lovely.
This Kiwi Sauvignon Blanc wasn't so typical, but a delicious variant with a good reflection of the nose onto the palate with lovely ginger ale notes.
Finished juicy and tart with sweet lemon, ginger, and a well-balanced 13% alcohol.
Paired fine with my fried oysters.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Sunday, December 14, 2025

Sequoia Grove Napa Valley 2022 Chardonnay

Sequoia Grove Napa Valley 2022 Chardonnay, $22.99-$27.99, 90 points, was a medium glossy yellow gold color tinting gray towards the rim.
Citrus notes wafted far from the glass with dusty mandarin peel on a closer approach and nuanced with a hint of lemon oil (unusual for a Cali Chardonnay).
This Napa Valley Chardonnay delivered a dry, medium-bodied white wine with fair acidity and the effects of oak fermentation, but more retrained than many; other flavors were excellent ginger, caramel, and Chardonnay-specific grape notes.
Finished quite long on the trailing palate and a balanced 14.1% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my Thanksgiving-styled dinner.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Friday, December 12, 2025

Cristom Willamette Valley 2023 Pinot Noir

Cristom Willamette Valley 2023 Pinot Noir, $22.99-$31.99, 90 points, poured ruby red with a peach-pink sheen, a broad clear meniscus, and copious legs.
The red fruit bouquet showed strawberry rhubarb, iconic red cherry pie, and a soft perfumed red raspberry.
This Willamette Valley Pinot Noir was a dry medium-bodied red wine that showed surprisingly good acidity, supportive grainy tannins, and flavors which mirrored the bouquet with herbal and pepper spice notes.
Finished long on the cherry pie, a hint of cinnamon, and a well-balanced 13.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with our Thanksgiving-styled dinner.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Wednesday, December 10, 2025

Tomaiolo 2019 Chianti Classico Riserva

Tomaiolo 2019 Chianti Classico Riserva, $14.99-$18.99, 90 points, poured a deep ruby red with orange highlights, a modestly broad clear meniscus, and copious legs.
Aromas of cocoa, black fruit, cedar, perfumed red raspberry, and earth notes were lovely.
This Riserva was full-bodied, showed good acidity, soft round tannins, and luscious flavors of black plums, milk chocolate, strawberries, black tea, and citrus notes.
Finished long on the trailing palate, a hint of iron, licorice, pepper spices, and a spot-on 13% alcohol.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Saturday, December 6, 2025

Domaine Bunan 2021 Bandol Red Wine

Domaine Bunan 2021 Bandol Red Wine, $17.99 (Trader Joe's), 91 points, poured core black grading to an unfiltered purple/red with a thin clear meniscus and fat-stained legs.
A rich perfumed black grape aroma dominated the blackberry fruit, underbrush, and subtle cedar notes.
Domaine Bunan delivered a full-bodied, dry red wine with round supportive tannins, good acidity, and an unassuming yet complex flavor profile with red licorice, Damson plum, anise, and red raspberry lining a sleek mouthfeel.
Finished long with hints of spice, iron, and a well-balanced 14.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with our beefy Mexican cuisine.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Wednesday, December 3, 2025

Clos Henri, Wairau Valley, Marlborough 2023 Sauvignon Blanc

Clos Henri, Wairau Valley, Marlborough 2023 Sauvignon Blanc, $13.70-$22.99, 91 points, was a very light brass color graying midway up to the glass rim.
Aromas of dusty gooseberries, passion fruit, and white grapefruit were rich and pleasant.
A light-bodied, dry white wine, brightly acidic, and with a robust flavor of cumquats nuanced with lemon oil, grapefruit, and ginger.
Finished long, juicy, still robust, and with a balanced 13.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my breaded baked haddock.
JMO, but it seems to me that New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is the most consistent, reliable, and reasonably priced white wine in the world.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Monday, December 1, 2025

Sergio Zingarelli 2015 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione (DOCG)

Sergio Zingarelli 2015 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione (DOCG), $54.99-$109.99, 93 points, poured a sunburst orange/red with copper highlights, a thin bleeding meniscus, and thick stained legs.
The bouquet of perfumed forest floor with sweet licorice, pine, and plume notes were special indeed.
This Gran Selezione was medium-bodied, bone dry, still showing refined somewhat resolved tannins, good acidity, and tasty flavors reflective of the bouquet accented with bourbon notes and bright cayenne pepper.
Finished long on the trailing palate and a big 14.5% alcohol.
Paired fine with our Italian prosciutto pizza.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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