New Hampshire Wine-man

Tuesday, October 15, 2024

Alexander Valley Vineyards, Sonoma County 2022 Sauvignon Blanc

Alexander Valley Vineyards, Sonoma County 2022 Sauvignon Blanc, $16.99-$21.99, 89 points, was a pale-yellow gold color and graying midway towards the rim.
The aroma of dusty hay dampened the lemon zest, vanilla, and wood notes.
Alexander Valley delivered a cut and dry light-bodied white wine with good acidity and straight-forward flavors reflective of the aromas with bright ginger notes.
Finished long on a fabulous ginger and a big but comfortable 14% alcohol.
Paired well with my chicken club sandwich.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Monday, October 14, 2024

Dutton Goldfield Dutton Ranch Russian River 2021 Chardonnay

Dutton Goldfield Dutton Ranch Russian River 2021 Chardonnay, $23.99-$39.99, 92 points, was a medium brass color graying towards the glass rim.
Aromas were an excellent balance of lemon, apple, and floral notes.
Dutton gives us in vintage 2021 a clean medium-bodied dry white wine with good acidity, a bracing mouthfeel, and deep flavors reflective of the nose with hints of wood, fig, and citrus.
Finished long on the fading palate, green melon, orange zest, and a sweet-spot 13.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my chicken-club sandwich and my fried jumbo shrimp.
At under $25 you can impress those at the Thanksgiving table with a balanced Cali/Chablis Chardonnay.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Saturday, October 12, 2024

Seghesio Sonoma County 2021 Zinfandel

Seghesio Sonoma County 2021 Zinfandel, $15.26-$25.99, 89 points, poured a bright ruby red with a very broad clear meniscus with massive sticky and stained-legs.
Soft aromas of briar fruit, a floral vibe, and smoky wood notes were pleasant.
This is my twelfth Seghesio Zinfandel and a good one at that (QPR); bone-dry medium bodied, fine grainy tannins, good acidity, and tasty flavors reflective of the aromas with iron and pepper spices late palate.
Finished long, showed hints of rose pedal, iron, cayenne pepper, and a big but balanced 15% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my spinach/cheese/ and beef ravioli.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Thursday, October 10, 2024

Stoller Family Estate Willamette Valley 2022 Pinot Noir

Stoller Family Estate Willamette Valley 2022 Pinot Noir, $17.89-$24.99, 89 points, poured a cloudy pomegranate red with a broad clear wine ring and many thin legs.
Aromas of mulberry, cherry fruit, black tea, and a hint of rubber were pleasant.
This Willamette Pinot was medium-bodied, showed good acidity, mellow grainy tannins, and good cherry fruit flavors with hints of red pepper, dried cooking herbs, and a hint of citrus.
Finished long on minerality and a super well-balanced 13% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my Asian cuisine and batter-fried chicken breast.
I seldom miss with a Willamette Valley Pinot Noir and Stoller was/is no exception.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Monday, October 7, 2024

Brancaia Tre Rosso Toscana IGT 2018 Red Wine

Brancaia Tre Rosso Toscana IGT 2018 Red Wine, $18.69-$24.99, 92 points, poured a deep cranberry red with ruby highlights, a broad clear meniscus, and thin copious stained-legs.
Aromas of dynamic red fruit, beech wood, perfumed rose pedal, and hints of sweet spices and milk chocolate were complex and pleasant.
This Toscana was near full-bodied, dry, showed firm grainy tannins, bright acidity, and tasty flavors reflective of the aromas.
Finished long, tart, showing red raspberry, cayenne pepper, and a spot-on 13.5% alcohol.
Varietals were 90% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Merlot.
Paired perfectly with my meatballs and spaghetti.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Sunday, October 6, 2024

StellaTerre Siciliane 2022 Moscato (IGT)

StellaTerre Siciliane 2022 Moscato (IGT), $8.94-$12.99, 87 points, was a light brass color with platinum highlights and a broad gray penumbra.
Aromas were subtle notes of lemon peel, ginger, autumn pine needles, and dusty orange blossoms.
This tasty Moscato was medium-bodied, showed fair to good acidity, less sweet (semi-sweet) than most others I've had, no effervescence, slightly tart, and flavors faintly akin to the aromas.
Finished on the trailing palate with a hint of grapefruit and an unobtrusive 10% alcohol.
Didn't particularly pair well with my hot buffalo wings but was wonderful with my Turkish halva.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Friday, October 4, 2024

Hook and Ladder Los Amigos Ranch Chalk Hill, Estate 2021 Cabernet Franc

Hook and Ladder Los Amigos Ranch Chalk Hill, Estate 2021 Cabernet Franc, $18.70-$45.99, 90 points, poured an opaque garnet red with purple highlights, thin bleeding meniscus, and fat stained-legs.
Aromas of subtle cinnamon, black cherry, sun ripened blackberry, cedar and herbal notes were complex and pleasant.
It's been several years since I've had a straight domestic Cab/Franc, and this was a good choice: round mouthfeel, full-bodied, fair acidity, soft tannins, tasty flavors that mirrored the nose, a bit herbaceous, and textually similar to my last French Malbec but with far more interesting flavors.
Finished long, showed a smidgeon of pepper spice, a slight astringency, and a big but balanced 14.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my Spaghetti and meatballs.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES