New Hampshire Wine-man: 2026

Saturday, January 24, 2026

Penner-Ash Willamette Valley 2022 Pinot Noir

Penner-Ash Willamette Valley 2022 Pinot Noir, $50.14-$58.99, 95 points, poured a deep and bright ruby red at the core grading to cranberry red with a broad clear meniscus and light thin legs.
Aromas of perfumed cherry fruit with hints of milk chocolate, soft evergreen, floral and citrus notes were excellent.
This Willamette Valley Pinot Noir was a robust medium-bodied dry red wine with good acidity, very fine grainy tannins, and rich developing flavors throughout the palate; flavors commensurate with the nose leap-frogged one another cascading in a never-ending Pinot Noir grape specific flavor, warm white pepper, and a touch of virgin olive oil.
Alcohol was a well-balanced 14.1%.
Paired perfectly with my beef stew.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Saturday, January 17, 2026

Altocedro Ano Cero, Uco Valley, Mendoza, 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon

Altocedro Ano Cero, Uco Valley, Mendoza, 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon, $9.59-$11.99, 85 points, poured core black transitioning to a deep rosewood red with a thin bleeding meniscus and sticky glass sheeting.
Aromas of mulberry with hints of chocolate, flowers, and blueberries were pleasant.
This red wine from Argentina was full-bodied, showed good acidity, a plank of underlayment tannin, and an astringent mouthfeel with tart mostly raisin flavors nuanced with burnt caramel, iron, and red pepper.
Finished long on a spice-infused 14.4% alcohol.
Did not pair well with our burgers.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Thursday, January 15, 2026

Greywacke Marlborough New Zealand 2024 Sauvignon Blanc

Greywacke Marlborough New Zealand 2024 Sauvignon Blanc, $19.99-$21.99, 91 points, was almost water clear with lemon peel yellow highlights.
The dusty citrus smells were nuanced with subtle tropical fruit and minerality.
This Kiwi Sauvignon Blanc was typically acidic, showed bright and refreshing with the citrus/Tropical fruit flavors.
Finished long on grapefruit, ginger, and an appropriate 13.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my fried clams.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Wednesday, January 14, 2026

Chateau Graves de Pez Saint-Estèphe 2022 Red Wine

Chateau Graves de Pez Saint-Estèphe 2022 Red Wine, $25.70-$69.99, 89 points, poured core black grading to a deep ruby red with a broad clear meniscus and sticky glass sheeting.
The perfumed black fruit aromas were nuanced with a lovely cedar box, loam, a subtle violet notes.
This Saint-Estèphe 2022 Red Wine was full-bodied, showed good acidity, a supportive underlayment of round tannins, and delivered robust flavors of red raspberry, black currants, anise, and intense late palate peppery spice.
Mid-palate struggled a bit with a lack of substance, but overall, a worthy table wine.
Finished spicy, showed a strong iron flavor, and what seemed an underrated 13.5% alcohol.
Varietals were 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot.
Pair with beef or lamb.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Wednesday, January 7, 2026

Coppo Costebianche Piemonte 2022 Chardonnay (DOC)

Coppo Costebianche Piemonte 2022 Chardonnay (DOC), $19.49-$24.99, 87 points, was a medium yellow-gold color with a broad gray meniscus.
Aromas of dusty mandarin peel, minerality, and a hint of lime juice were okay.
This Italian Chardonnay was light to medium-bodied, with an angular mouthfeel, fair acidity, and delivered a rather straightforward tart citrus, caramel, and mineral flavor profile.
Finished fair on the trailing palate and a soft 12.5% alcohol.
Paired fine with our Thanksgiving-styled dinner.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Frog's Leap Napa Valley 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Revisited

Frog's Leap Napa Valley 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Revisited, $37.99, 89 points, poured core black transitioning to an unfiltered garnet with a thin bleeding meniscus and thin "raining" legs.
The herbal/earthy aromas dominated a soft floral vibe.
This Frog's Leap has evolved towards a medium-bodied red wine, a bit thin, but still quite tasty with licorice, loam, and herb notes nuanced with plums, warm spice, and mushrooms while showing resolved tannins and fair acidity.
Alcohol was 13.6%.
Paired fine with our spaghetti and meatballs.
I first had this wine almost exactly 15 years ago, and this bottle has been in my Euro-cave ever since.

2007 California Cabernet Sauvignon wines tasted

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Monday, January 5, 2026

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Artemis 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Revisited

Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Artemis 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Revisited, $39.15-$58.00, 92 points, poured an opaque ruby-red with just a hint of copper coloring towards the still clear meniscus.
A perfumed bouquet of melted tertiary notes of flowers, ripe black fruit, coffee, dried cooking herbs, and conifer needles were lovely.
This 2007 Stag's Leap Cab was near full-bodied, showed good acidity, a still supportive underlayment of tannin, and rich flavors of anise, Damson plum, brandy and earth notes, but the 14.5% alcohol was a bit of a distraction.
Finished long on a spice infused alcohol, chocolate, and black licorice.
Paired perfectly with my spiced Australian lamb rib chops.
When I reviewed this wine more than 14 years ago, I said: "drink now, drink for years to come." The years to come was on target for this wine.

2007 California Cabernet Sauvignon wines tasted

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Thursday, January 1, 2026

Concha y Toro Don Melchor Vineyard 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon (Puente Alto, Chile)

Concha y Toro Don Melchor Vineyard 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon (Puente Alto, Chile), current price begins at $164.99, 93 points, poured core black and barely transitioning to a muddy purple/reddish towards the thin bleeding russet meniscus.
The bouquet of subtle tertiary notes of coffee, brandy, floral red licorice, and herbal notes were rich.
The 2007 Don Melchor which sat in my Euro-cave for a dozen years, was full-bodied, showed good acidity, fine mellow tannins, and lively spice-infused flavors reflective of the bouquet.
Finished long, a bit tart, showed hints of mint, iron, and loam notes with a well-balanced 14% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my Texas burger.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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