New Hampshire Wine-man

Sunday, September 27, 2026

La Crema Sonoma County 2024 Sauvignon Blanc

La Crema Sonoma County 2024 Sauvignon Blanc, $17.99-$19.99, 88 points, was a very light brass color with a frosty-white sheen and a gray penumbra.
The aromas of perfumed fresh-cut grass, dried hay, floral passion fruit, and Rio Star grapefruit were lovely.
La Crema gave us a very mellow Sauvignon Blanc, light-medium bodied, dry, appropriately acidic, and flavor showing a good but faint reflection of the nose with a hint of flint and ginger.
Finished long on white pepper and a well-balanced 13.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my North Atlantic lobster roll.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Saturday, September 19, 2026

Castello di Bossi Berardo 2021 Chianti Classic Riserva DOCG

Castello di Bossi Berardo 2021 Chianti Classic Riserva DOCG, $30.00-$32.00, 93 points, poured cranberry red with a brandy sheen, dense sticky legs, and a very broad clear meniscus.
The lovely aromas were spicy, showed blackberry, bourbon, caramel, and smokey wood notes.
This bone-dry, acidic, medium-bodied Riserva was rather intense (I like intense), firm grainy tannins accentuated the overall body and was supported by the spicy flavor profile and muscular 14.5% alcohol.
Finished strong on cayenne pepper and Crème brûlée.
Paired perfectly with my spaghetti and meatballs.

2021 was a very good year!

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Thursday, September 17, 2026

Chianti/Brunello/Morellino Di Scansano/Vino Nobile 2021 A Very Good Year

2021 was a Very Good Year

Chianti/Brunello/Morellino Di Scansano 2021 was A Very Good Year, and though the high-ranking vintage year 2021 finds me drinking mostly various Chianti red wines, due to availability in NH, and affordability, I do try to branch out with other Sangiovese expressions and Super Tuscans.
My list thus far are linked below:

Bindi Sergardi Al Canapo 2021 Chianti Colli Senesi DOCG, $19.55-$22.99, 87 points

Brancaia 2021 Chianti Classic Riserva DOCG, $36.54-$47.99, 95 points

Carpineto 2021 Chianti Classico DOCG, $16.99-$21.99, 90 points

Castellare 2021 Chianti Classico (DOCG), $18.69-$23.99, 93 points

Castello di Bossi Berardo 2021 Chianti Classic Riserva DOCG, $30.00-$32.00, 93 points

Castello di Verrazzano 2021 Chianti Classico DOCG, $16.99-$21.99, 91 points

Fattoria Monsanto Fabrizio Bianchi 2021 Chianti Classico Riserva (DOCG), $25.49-$32.99, 90 points

Gaetano D'Aquino 2021 Chianti Riserva DOCG, $7.99 (Trader Joe's), 88 points

Luiano 2021 Chianti Classico, $13.99-$21.99, 91 points

Marchesi Frescobaldi Tenuta Perano 2021 Chianti Classico DOCG, $19.55-$22.99, 92 points

Melini 2021 Chianti (Riserva) DOCG, $14.44-19.99, 89 points

Renzo Masi 2021 Chianti Riserva, $16.00-$22.00, 89 points

Ruffino Aziano 2021 Chianti Classico, $18.99-$21.99, 91 points

Ruffino Riserva Ducale 2021 Chianti Classico Riserva, $19.99-$23.99, 93 points

Santa Margherita D.O.C.G. 2021 Chianti Classico Riserva, $19.44-$24.99, 89 points

Tenuta di Nozzole D.O.C.G. 2021 Chianti Classico Riserva, $16.14-$21.99, 91 points

Val Delle Roso 2021 Morellino Di Scansano DOCG, $12.74-$24.99, 90 points

Villa Antinori 2021 Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG, $31.44-$39.99, 94 points

Villa Cerna Primocolle 2021 Chianti Classico, $11.38-$24.99, 89 points

Volpaia 2021 Chianti Classico DOCG, $25.50-$33.00, 92 points

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Sunday, September 6, 2026

Sandrone Le Vigne 2004 Barolo Revisited

Sandrone Le Vigne 2004 Barolo Revisited, $84.99-$139.99 (2012 $s) current price $119-$219, 91 points, poured a deep brandy red with clear glass sheeting and a razor-thin meniscus.
The aromas were dominated by sweet plums and anise.
The dry medium-bodied red wine was clean, still showed fair acidity and an underlayment of fine tannins, and brandy flavors with warm red pepper spice and Sambuca were rich and satisfying.
Finished long on the trailing palate and its well-balanced 14% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with our cheese and tomato pizza.
Having first tasted this wine in 2012, this 22-year-old cellared Barolo easily demonstrates its aging potential.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Thursday, September 3, 2026

Renzo Masi 2021 Chianti Riserva

Renzo Masi 2021 Chianti Riserva, $16.00-$22.00, 89 points, poured an opaque ruby red with a thin bleeding meniscus and sticky stained legs.
A rich floral black cherry aroma was gently nuanced with smoky herbs and cocoa.
This Chianti was bone-dry, medium-bodied, acidic, showed firm grainy tannins and good flavors reflective of the aromas with added cayenne pepper notes.
Finished long on a spicy fennel flavor and a firm 14% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with our spaghetti in a beefy meat sauce.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Monday, August 31, 2026

Sara Bee Puglia, Italy, N/V Sweet Moscato (IGT)

Sara Bee Puglia, Italy, N/V Sweet Moscato (IGT), $7.99 (Trader Joe's), 86 points, was a light brass color with yellow highlights and a graying penumbra.
Aromas were dominated by a Champagne-like hops nose nuanced with orange zest, pleasant if a bit uncomplicated.
This Moscato was soft, showed mellow acidity, richly sweet yet with a slightly green astringency, but the rock-candy flavor, though fine with my spicy Quesada was just okay as an apéritif.
Finished fair on the trailing palate, a hint of ginger, and a sweet 5.5% alcohol.
As for the quality, price, ratio (Q/P/R)? Who can complain, unless one just doesn't have a place on their palate for sweet white wine.

Trader Joe's Wines Tasted

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Friday, August 28, 2026

R-Stuart & Co. Winery Willamette Valley 2023 Pinot Noir Reserve

R-Stuart & Co. Winery Willamette Valley 2023 Pinot Noir Reserve, $21.24-$59.99, 92 points, poured cranberry red with an orange sheen, showing a torrent of sticky legs, and a broad clear meniscus.
Aromas of smokey cherry fruit, cinnamon, cloves, and a bouquet of floral notes were outstanding.
This Willamette Valley Pinot Noir was a dry medium-bodied red wine with good acidity, soft supportive tannins, and flavors that mirrored the nose with a touch of cayenne pepper.
Finished long on herb and cardamom bitters with a spicy infused 12.9% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with our Five-Guys cheeseburger with grilled onions.
At the close-out price, this was a steal, aka: high Q/P/R Pinot!

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES