New Hampshire Wine-man

Monday, June 15, 2026

DE FORVILLE 2022 Barbaresco DOCG

DE FORVILLE 2022 Barbaresco DOCG, $34.85-$45.00, 94 points, poured an amber/red color with a broad clear meniscus, fat, sticky, and stained legs.
Aromas of warmed caramel, perfumed rose pedals, and rich-ripe red cherries were unctuously inviting.
This Barbaresco was bone-dry, medium-bodied, brightly acidic, and planked with fine grainy tannins; cherry fruit flavors were nuanced with black tea, cayenne pepper, and lingering dragon fruit.
Finished long, tangy, warm and spicy with the 14.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with our garlic/Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese pizza.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Saturday, June 6, 2026

Battle Creek "Unconditional" Oregon 2023 Chardonnay

Battle Creek "Unconditional" Oregon 2023 Chardonnay, $20.99-$24.99, 91 points, was a light brass color with a broad graying meniscus.
Aromas of sweet apples, stone fruit, and lime juice notes were clean and lovely.
Battle Creek "Unconditional" Chardonnay was a lovely balanced white wine with a threshold good acidity, complex flavors of citrus, tropical and stone fruit, with apricot finding its way into the long finish nuanced with ginger, lemon peel, and a well-balanced 13.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my own Greek Spanakopita.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Monday, June 1, 2026

Castello Di Albola 2023 Chianti Classico DOCG

Castello Di Albola 2023 Chianti Classico DOCG, $14.00-22.00, 86 points, poured ruby red with amber highlights, a broad clear meniscus, and glass sheeting.
A panoply of red fruit aromas dominated the masked black tea and cocoa notes.
I believe this Chianti needs to age a bit, as it was quite astringent, very acidic, and with rather bitting tannins, the barely medium body was bone-dry and flavors struggled to get past all the previous observations.
Finished tense, spicy, herbal, and with an ostensibly balanced 13.5% alcohol.
Actually, paired nicely with our spaghetti in a grass-fed beef tomato sauce.
Judging this wine had me torn between its rash youthfulness and its potential.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Sunday, May 24, 2026

Dark Horse California 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon

Dark Horse California 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon, $9.00-$12.00, 84 points, poured an opaque, somewhat murky purple/red with a bleeding broad wine ring and a sticky neckless of legs.
The aroma was herbaceous and showed perfumed plums, hints of chocolate and an oaky floral vibe.
Dark Horse was full-bodied, chewy, candied (slightly cloying) though bone-dry, showed soft acidity and tannin while delivering a black licorice flavor profile accented with black fruit, plum, and Margerum.
Finished a tad tart, long on the fading palate, iron, red cherry, a hint of black pepper, and the 14.5% alcohol.
Paired okay with my wife's chili.
Does this wine make me a wine snob?

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Wednesday, May 20, 2026

Luke Wahluke Slope, Columbia Valley 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon

Luke Wahluke Slope, Columbia Valley 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, $15.99-$21.99, 88 points, poured a dark ruby red with faint amber flecks, a broad clear meniscus, and fat, sticky stained-legs.
Aromas of sun-warmed blackberries, plums, and a floral vibe were lovely.
This Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon was up-front soft, round, and full-bodied, showed dry, fair acidity, underlayment of tannin, with the flavor of anise dominating blackberry, red cherry, and alcohol (14.4%).
Finished a bit hot and spicy with the alcohol becoming prominent.
Paired perfectly with my spiced sauerkraut grass-fed burger.
If noticeable alcohol isn't a problem for you, this is a wonderful choice, especially if you're looking for a good Cab under $20.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Sunday, May 10, 2026

Trefethen Oak Knoll Napa Valley 2023 Chardonnay

Trefethen Oak Knoll Napa Valley 2023 Chardonnay, $29.74-$39.99, 93 points, was a light brass color that transitioned midway towards the rim in lightening gossamer gray hues.
Aromas of white pome blossoms, pleasant sour lemon peel, and a hint of mint leaf were excellent.
Trefethen is always one of my favorite Chardonnay white wines, and this 2023 was no exception as it showed a dry medium-body with good acidity, a bit tart, slightly/intriguingly bitter, and delivering delicious flavors which were earthy, malty, citrusy and with hints of green melon and mint.
Finished long on the trailing palate, bright ginger ale, and a well-balanced 12.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my fried chicken breast.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Monday, May 4, 2026

Castellare 2023 Chianti Classico (DOCG)

Castellare 2023 Chianti Classico (DOCG), $21.99-$24.99, 91 points, poured an almost unfiltered pomegranate red with a clear meniscus and copious stained-legs.
The perfumed floral red raspberry aroma was a standout and nuanced with hints of chocolate and cinnamon tied a lovely red "ribbon" to it.
Typically, medium-bodied, bone-dry, food-friendly acidic, and showed fine grainy tannins.
Flavors of red raspberry, black tea, and fresh dried cooking herbs were a delight.
Finished with a bit of spiciness, a touch tart, and with a well-balanced 13.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with everything Italian (esp. our spaghetti in tomato sauce).
One of my favorite labels and Chianti Classico.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES