New Hampshire Wine-man

Monday, March 9, 2026

Ruffino Aziano 2021 Chianti Classico

Ruffino Aziano 2021 Chianti Classico, $18.99-$21.99, 91 points, poured unusually dark with a black core grading to an opaque pomegranate red with a broad clear meniscus and sticky stained-legs.
Aromas of bright red raspberries, black tea, underbrush, and a floral vibe were quite good.
This 2021 Chianti Classico was full-bodied, bone-dry, showed appropriate acidity for a Tuscan Sangiovese, supportive fine grainy tannins, and delicious flavors reflective of the nose with hints of wood, cayenne, and licorice.
Finished long, showed a bit of iron, slightly austere, spicy, and with an archetypical 13.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with several different Italian dishes.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Thursday, March 5, 2026

Doris Leopold 2024 Grüner Veltliner Daham

Doris Leopold 2024 Grüner Veltliner Daham, $6.99, 89 points, was a very light yellow/gold color with a graying penumbra.
Aromas of honey, apricots, lime juice, and a white blossom floral vibe were pleasant.
This Grüner Veltliner was light-bodied, dry, showed fair to good acidity, and delivered tasty flavors reflective of the aromas with a bright accent of ginger.
Finished fair on the trailing palate and a well-balanced 12.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with our curry-Asian cuisine.
Another excellent value from Trader Joe's:

Trader Joe's Wines Tasted

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Tuesday, March 3, 2026

Ridge Lytton Springs 2022 Red Wine

Ridge Lytton Springs 2022 Red Wine, $48.35-$56.99, 94 points, poured an opaque pomegranate red with a broad clear meniscus and copious stained legs.
Aromas of perfumed cherry fruit, an undercurrent of briarberries, and a floral vibe were fresh and pleasant.
This Lytton Springs with the substitution of Alicante Bouschet for Mourvèdre was near full-bodied, bone dry, showed good acidity, was well supported with grainy tannins, and endowed with an array of complex flavors led by tart briar fruit, tangy red cherry, earth and wood notes with warm pepper spices.
Finished very long on the trailing palate, a hint of mint, plum, and an appropriate 14.4% alcohol.
Varietals were 67% Zinfandel, 19% Petite Sirah,11% Carignane, and 3% Alicante Bouschet.
Paired absolutely perfectly with my Mexican cuisine, and very good with my spice-rubbed rack-of-lamb.

Ridge, why it's a "go to" winery!

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Saturday, February 28, 2026

Castello di Neive Montebertotto 2024 Arneis (DOC) Langhe Piedmont, Italy

Castello di Neive Montebertotto 2024 Arneis (DOC) Langhe Piedmont, Italy, $18.69-$23.99, 91 points, was almost clear with palladium highlights and a graying penumbra.
Lovely aromas of warmed mandarin peel and dusty citrus notes dominated a will-o-the wisp floral jasmine perfume.
This Arneis was a silky mercury medium-bodied dry white wine with fair to good acidity and tasty flavors of flint, stone fruit, and bright ginger notes.
Finished long, clean, and with a well-balanced 12.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my sardines in extra virgin olive oil.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Friday, February 27, 2026

Vignealte Zeni 2024 Soave Classico DOC

Vignealte Zeni 2024 Soave Classico DOC, $15.99-$17.99, 90 points, was a very light yellow/gold color with a broad graying penumbra.
The very clean, pure, and softly minty, citrusy, and floral aromas were lovely.
This Soave was slightly weightier than light-bodied with good acidity and tasty flavors of flint, stone fruit, and bright ginger notes.
Finished robustly on the trailing palate and a well-balanced 12.5% alcohol.
paired perfectly with my fried clams.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Wednesday, February 25, 2026

Marcelo Pelleriti Signature Valle De Uco, Mendoza 2021 Malbec Revisited

Marcelo Pelleriti Signature Valle De Uco, Mendoza 2021 Malbec, Revisited$16.99-$22.99, 90 points, poured a deep purple/red color with a clear wine ring and a torrent of stained legs.
The profuse perfumed black and red fruit aromas were well balanced with subtle chocolate/coffee notes.
This Malbec was a robust full-bodied red wine with round yet edgy tannins, good acidity, and a rich cornucopia of fruit flavors that trailed a bit sour and quite spicy.
Finished long on the fading palate, fennel, and a big 14.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my spaghetti and meat balls.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Sunday, February 22, 2026

Matanzas Creek Winery Alexander Valley 2022 Merlot

Matanzas Creek Winery Alexander Valley 2022 Merlot, $37.39-$47.99, 90 points, poured core black grading to a deep ruby red with a clear meniscus and fat stained-legs.
Aromas of perfumed plum and cocoa notes with dried cooking herbs were pleasant.
The was a full-bodied, dry, soft, nose reflective tasty red wine with fair to good acidity and round smooth tannins.
Finished juicy, tangy, and with a well-balanced 14.3% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with our lamb and beef cuisines.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES