New Hampshire Wine-man: June 2026

Monday, June 15, 2026

DE FORVILLE 2022 Barbaresco DOCG

DE FORVILLE 2022 Barbaresco DOCG, $34.85-$45.00, 94 points, poured an amber/red color with a broad clear meniscus, fat, sticky, and stained legs.
Aromas of warmed caramel, perfumed rose pedals, and rich-ripe red cherries were unctuously inviting.
This Barbaresco was bone-dry, medium-bodied, brightly acidic, and planked with fine grainy tannins; cherry fruit flavors were nuanced with black tea, cayenne pepper, and lingering dragon fruit.
Finished long, tangy, warm and spicy with the 14.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with our garlic/Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese pizza.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Saturday, June 6, 2026

Battle Creek "Unconditional" Oregon 2023 Chardonnay

Battle Creek "Unconditional" Oregon 2023 Chardonnay, $20.99-$24.99, 91 points, was a light brass color with a broad graying meniscus.
Aromas of sweet apples, stone fruit, and lime juice notes were clean and lovely.
Battle Creek "Unconditional" Chardonnay was a lovely balanced white wine with a threshold good acidity, complex flavors of citrus, tropical and stone fruit, with apricot finding its way into the long finish nuanced with ginger, lemon peel, and a well-balanced 13.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my own Greek Spanakopita.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Monday, June 1, 2026

Castello Di Albola 2023 Chianti Classico DOCG

Castello Di Albola 2023 Chianti Classico DOCG, $14.00-22.00, 86 points, poured ruby red with amber highlights, a broad clear meniscus, and glass sheeting.
A panoply of red fruit aromas dominated the masked black tea and cocoa notes.
I believe this Chianti needs to age a bit, as it was quite astringent, very acidic, and with rather bitting tannins, the barely medium body was bone-dry and flavors struggled to get past all the previous observations.
Finished tense, spicy, herbal, and with an ostensibly balanced 13.5% alcohol.
Actually, paired nicely with our spaghetti in a grass-fed beef tomato sauce.
Judging this wine had me torn between its rash youthfulness and its potential.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES