New Hampshire Wine-man: January 2024

Tuesday, January 30, 2024

Dry Creek Vineyards, Dry Creek Valley, 2021 Sauvignon Blanc Revisited

Dry Creek Vineyards, Dry Creek Valley, 2021 Sauvignon Blanc Revisited, $16.14-$21.99, 91 points, was a light brass color and clearing towards the glass rim.
Aromas were lime juice, dusty lemon zest, and a whisper of jasmine.
This 2021 Sauvignon Blanc was nicely acidic, light-bodied, showed good flavors dominated by grass and hay nuanced with citrus and ginger notes.
Finished long on the fading palate, ginger notes, sour lemon, and a well-balanced 14.1% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my baked haddock filets.

Dry Creek Vineyard, why it's a "go to" winery.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Sunday, January 28, 2024

Scattered Peaks Napa Valley 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon

Scattered Peaks Napa Valley 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon, $28.79-$39.99, 93 points, poured a bright pomegranate red with a broad clear meniscus and very fat stained-legs.
Aromas of oak, cedar, dusty red fruit, warm dusty hay, and a floral vibe were lovely.
This Napa Valley Cab was big and chewy with good acidity, pervasive but comfortable tannins, and delicious layered flavors of plums, blackberries, coffee notes, dried cooking herbs, and cayenne pepper.
Finished long on the trailing palate with accenting pepper and tannin accompanied by a compatible 14.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my spice-rubbed rib eye.
Some of the Vintage Charts say Napa Valley 2020 was not a particularly good vintage, but this Scattered Peaks defies that.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Copyright 2010-2024, all rights reserved, Dennis Tsiorbas
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Friday, January 26, 2024

Domaine Alain Et Adrien Gautherin Grand Vin De Bourgogne 2021 Chablis

Domaine Alain Et Adrien Gautherin Grand Vin De Bourgogne 2021 Chablis, $26.39-$34.99, 90 points, was a dark yellow/gold color with a copper sheen and a broad lighter penumbra.
Aromas of dusty white chocolate, lemon zest, orange peel, and a dominant minerality were lovely.
This 2021 Chablis was sleek, steely, crisp, and medium-bodied with good acidity and nuanced flavors reflective of the aromas.
Finished long with tart citrus, ginger, a bit of flint, and a well-balanced 13% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my fried haddock filet.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Thursday, January 25, 2024

Vina Robles, Paso Robles 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon

Vina Robles, Paso Robles 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, $15.99-$22.99, 89 points, poured broadly black with a large transitioning ruby red penumbra, a clear meniscus, and copious stained-legs.
Aromas were earthy with nuanced mint, cedar, rose pedal, mulberry, blackberry, and cocoa which were deep and interesting.
This 2021 Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon was full-bodied and round, showed fair acidity and a supportive underlayment of tannin, while flavors righteously reflected the aromas.
Finished long, accentuating the cocoa, a touch of cayenne, a slight hint of iron, and a big 14.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my Bison burger.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Monday, January 22, 2024

J.J. Vinent Grand Vin Bourgogne 'Marie Antoinette' 2021 Pouilly Fuissé

J.J. Vinent Grand Vin Bourgogne 'Marie Antoinette' 2021 Pouilly Fuissé, $34.39-$45.99, 94 points, was a glossy medium/gold color with a broad clear meniscus.
Aromas of tangerine, multi-faceted white blossoms, whisper notes of white chocolate, lemon zest, and a dusty minerality were outstanding.
This 2021 Pouilly Fuissé was bright showing good acidity in a medium body with crisp/pure flavors reflective of the aromas.
Finished long and steely with ginger notes and lemon with a well-balanced 13% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with Greek Spanakopita and baked bone-in center-cut pork chops.
Sadly, this wine costs $10.60 more since just last year but is still very competitive with excellent Cali Chardonnays.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Saturday, January 20, 2024

Château Pédesclaux Pauillac Grand Cru Classé 2018 Bordeaux Red Wine Revisited

Château Pédesclaux Pauillac Grand Cru Classé 2018 Bordeaux Red Wine Revisited, $47.17-$55.49, 93 points, poured broadly black grading to a rich Burgundy red with a clear meniscus and sticky stained legs.
Aromas of cinnamon, cedar, cloves, plums, earth notes, and perfumed rose pedal were excellent.
This revisited Bordeaux was full-bodied, showed a firm underlayment of tannin, good acidity, and earthy flavor notes of peat, loam, and mushrooms nuanced with blackberries, plums, and late palate red pepper.
Finished long on the trailing palate, a whisper of citrus, and a well-balanced 14.5% alcohol.
Paired nicely with my spice-rubbed rib eye.
This wine is improving with age.

Bordeaux Red Wine Vintage 2018

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Friday, January 19, 2024

Ramey Vineyard Napa Valley (Russian River-Sonoma County) 2021 Chardonnay

Ramey Vineyard Napa Valley (Russian River-Sonoma County) 2021 Chardonnay, $39.99-$52.99, 94 points, was a light-plus yellow/gold color with a gray penumbra.
Aromas of ginger ale, tangerine juice, lemon zest, and mineral water with hints of cantaloupe and melon rind were excellent!
Ramey Vineyard gives us another outstanding Napa Chardonnay with good acidity, a sleek/steely mouthfeel (medium-bodied), and delicious flavors reflective of the aromas.
Finished long on a slightly sour cantaloupe, ginger, tart lemon, a hint of white chocolate, and a well-balanced 13.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my bone-in center pork chops.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Copyright 2010-2024, all rights reserved, Dennis Tsiorbas
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Tuesday, January 16, 2024

Jordan Russian River, Sonoma, 2021 Chardonnay

Jordan Russian River, Sonoma, 2021 Chardonnay, $29.59-$36.99, 93 points, was a medium yellow/gold color with copper highlights and a gray penumbra.
Aromas of lemon juice, orange peel, dusty roasted mandarin, orchard blossoms, and falling mountain stream spray were lovely.
Jordan Russian River, Sonoma, 2021 Chardonnay was a medium-bodied dry white wine with fair to good acidity, a slightly angular mouthfeel, and rich flavors reflective of the aromas.
Finished long on lemon meringue, a hint of ginger, and a well-balanced 13.7% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with our marinated salt and vinegar wings.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Monday, January 15, 2024

The Reductionist Me (Wine tasting/pairing for an average wine lover)

The Reductionist Me (Wine tasting/pairing for an average wine lover) means that I have evolved to buy and drink wine for me only, and if my sharing my wine notes primarily with family, friends, and the New Hampshire curious is helpful, then that makes the effort worthwhile.
Part of that evolution includes going back to the same tried and proven wines, like Frog's Leap Napa Valley, Why it's a "Go to Winery." And "you" might have noticed that Argentina's Malbec has become a major choice for red wine, and that's because they are on the average high QPR (quality/price/ratio) wines, not as cerebral as an excellent Cali Cabernet Sauvignon, a few Northwest Pinot Noirs, proven Bordeaux, or even a reasonably priced Caparzo Brunello, but c'est la vie!
NHWM Blog is going on two million Page Views and that means my more than thirteen years of wine blogging has helped someone come to a greater awareness and comfort with buying wines in New Hampshire.

Cheers!

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Crios, Susana Balbo, Valle De Uco Mendoza, 2021 Malbec

Crios, Susana Balbo, Valle De Uco Mendoza, 2021 Malbec, $11.04-$14.99, 89 points, poured core black grading to a deeply purple/red pigment, a clear meniscus, and stained modest legs.
Dense black fruit aromas were nuanced with hints of cedar-box, coffee, and cigar.
Crios gave us a rich full-bodied red wine with fair acidity, soft round tannins, a luscious mouthfeel, and tasty flavors of plums, black licorice, a hint of mint, citrus, with a slightly sour note.
Finished long on the trailing palate, accelerating red pepper. and a well-balanced 14% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my spice-rubbed rib eye.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Friday, January 12, 2024

Charles Krug Napa Valley 2021 Merlot

Charles Krug Napa Valley 2021 Merlot, $23.19-$31.99, 90 points, poured a medium rosewood red with violet highlights, sticky stained-glass sheeting, and a broad clear meniscus.
The aromas were mercurial with developing notes of fennel, juniper, cloves, all in a matrix of blueberry and plums.
This 2021 Napa Merlot was full-bodied, showed fair acidity, round/soft tannins, and flavors dominated by blueberry and plum.
Finished long on rich black and blue fruit nuanced with iron, licorice, a touch of red pepper, and a well-balanced 13.8% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my beef stew.
Though considerably more expensive than my last Charles Krug Napa Valley Merlot (2016), still a good buy.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Tuesday, January 9, 2024

Los Vascos-Cromas- Valle De Colchagua Chile 2022 Gran Reserva Chardonnay

Los Vascos-Cromas- Valle De Colchagua Chile 2022 Gran Reserva Chardonnay, $15.19-$18.99, 89 points, was a medium yellow gold color and graying towards the glass rim.
Aromas were orange fruit fried peel with dusty citrus and cold mountain stream minerality.
This European rendition of Chardonnay was steely, high octane (14.5% alcohol), tart, sleek, and showed good acidity with angular flavors reflective of the aromas.
Finished long, potent, nuanced with white pepper and lime juice.
Paired fine with my chicken/vegetable stew.
Commentary: an interesting Chardonnay that might escape Chardonnay detection, very big alcohol, and quite stark for a white wine that isn't a Sauvignon Blanc, but for the money a good choice for Thanksgiving cuisine.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Sunday, January 7, 2024

Stoneleigh Marlborough 2022 Sauvignon Blanc

Stoneleigh Marlborough 2022 Sauvignon Blanc, $11.89-$18.99, 90 points, was a medium brass color with yellow-gold highlights and graying a third of the way towards the glass rim.
Aromas were bright passion fruit, lemon zest, and white grapefruit.
I loathe to say typical anything, but it has its place and this Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc bounces on the high side of typical with bright acidity, crisp flavors reflective of the aromas, and a delightfully edgy light body.
Finished long on a slightly sour ginger, a hint of gooseberry, and a typical 13% alcohol.
Paired well with both our baked haddock and our chicken/vegetable stew.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Friday, January 5, 2024

Domaine Carneros Taittinger 2018 Sparkling White Wine

Domaine Carneros Taittinger 2018 Sparkling White Wine, $29.99-$37.99, 88 points, poured with a ferocious eruption of bubbles into a deep head supported by a glossy brass base.
Smells of beer, lemon essence, ginger, and a floral vibe were excellent.
This was an in your face (traditional method) bubbly with flavors consistent with the aromas.
Finished long and paired fine with our Asian cuisine.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Thursday, January 4, 2024

Chateau Montelena Napa Valley 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Revisited

Chateau Montelena Napa Valley 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Revisited, $37.99-$47.99, 90 points, poured an unfiltered ruby red with a clear meniscus and light hanging legs.
Aromas were still quite fruit driven with blueberries and mulberries dominating nuanced juniper, cinnamon, clove, and dried cooking herbs.
This rendition of this 2012 Cabernet was full-bodied, showed fair acidity, soft tannins, and lush flavors reflective of the aromas with citrus notes provided a tasty tipple with my Australian rack of lamb.
Finished long, a bit tart, and on a still spot-on 13.8% alcohol.
My experience of this wine nearly nine years ago was completely different, though tasty, this year the wine seemed a bit prosaic.
Current price is $82.99.

2012 California Cabernet Sauvignon wines tasted

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES