New Hampshire Wine-man

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

Monday, August 17, 2026

Château La Croix De Beaucaillou Saint-Julien 2009 Bordeaux Red Wine

Château La Croix De Beaucaillou Saint-Julien 2009 Bordeaux Red Wine, $42.49-$49.99, 95 points, was roundly black grading to a deep garnet red with a still clear meniscus, and sticky glass legs.
The aromas of brandy, caramel, and licorice were lovely.
The 2026 rendition of this 2009 Bordeaux was an amazing wine experience as the wine itself beautifully evolved as a better wine than when first tasted more than thirteen years ago. Can you say that about many wines? At seventeen years old this wine was rich, supportive, balanced, and with flavors reflective of the aromas, a gift with a bright bow.
Finished long, pure, and with its spot-on 13.5% alcohol.
Paired PERFECTLY with my rare rib-eye.

Bordeaux Red Wine vintage 2009

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Friday, August 14, 2026

Tiefenbrunner 2024 Pinot Grigio IGT (Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy)

Tiefenbrunner 2024 Pinot Grigio IGT (Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy), $13.59-$17.99, 91 points, was a medium straw-yellow color with an indistinct graying penumbra.
The dominant aromas of citrus were nuanced with orchard blossoms, and a lovely cream soda note.
This always delightful Pinot Grigio was light-bodied, brightly acidic, delivered the nose energetically onto the palate with the fuel of ginger and mineral notes.
Finished long on the slowly fading late palate and a sweet-spot 12.5% alcohol.
Paired well with my seafood buffet.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Tuesday, August 4, 2026

Cline Family Cellars Los Carneros, Hat Strap, 2021 Chardonnay

Cline Family Cellars Los Carneros, Hat Strap, 2021 Chardonnay, $28.79-$31.99, 89 points, was a medium-dark straw yellow color with a broad grey penumbra.
The aromas were a pleasant minerality nuanced with lemon zest and woody notes.
The Cline family delivered a balanced white wine with just enough oak, just enough citrus fruit, ginger, and tertiary notes of caramel and Crème brûlée all in a medium-bodied, dry, fairly acidic package.
Finished quite long on the trailing palate with a still balanced 14.5% alcohol.
Paired well with our rotisserie chicken.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Saturday, August 1, 2026

Rock and Roots N/V Moscato (Spain)

Rock and Roots N/V Moscato (Spain), $5.39-$5.99, 90 points, was medium brass color with a lime green sheen throughout.
The floral and shoe-polish aromas were dominated by pleasant wood notes.
This Spanish Moscato was an interesting tart/sweet affair, light-bodied, showed good acidity, with a more angular texture than many Italian Moscato wines. Flavors of wood, lime, orange peel, lemon oil, Crème brûlée, and a hint of ginger were rather complex for $5 bottle of wine.
Finished long on the trailing palate and a modest 10.5% alcohol.
Paired well with my Buffalo hot wings.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Thursday, July 30, 2026

Villa Antinori Toscana 2024 White Wine IGT

Villa Antinori Toscana 2024 White Wine IGT, $17.15-$22.00, 90 points, was a very light (almost palladium) yellow gold, with a broad graying penumbra.
The sweet aromas of lime were nuanced with Pomelo and vanilla bean were bright and refreshing.
This white IGT was light-bodied, dry, appropriately acidic, and showed tart/tasty flavors that mirrored the nose with a bit of green grassiness.
Finished long on floral and ginger notes and partnered perfectly with the well-balanced 12% alcohol.
Paired fine with my New Brunswick oysters.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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