New Hampshire Wine-man

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