New Hampshire Wine-man: February 2024

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

Hillick and Hobbs Seneca Lake Estate Vineyard 2020 Dry Riesling

Hillick and Hobbs Seneca Lake Estate Vineyard 2020 Dry Riesling, $27.99-$34.99, 93 points, was a very light brass color and near water-clear midway towards the glass rim.
Aromas of petrol dominated the more nuanced dusty paper-pulp, lime juice, lovely hints of white chocolate, fig, and apricot, all of which made for a pleated whole.
This New York Riesling was light-bodied, dry as advertised, showed bright acidity, and a complex evolution of flavors: from green grapes, fresh hay, lemon peel to white pepper, a rich minerality, and orange zest.
Finished quite long, subtly tart, unfolded apple flavor notes, and with a spot-on 12.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my fried haddock.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Sunday, February 25, 2024

Brendel Napa Valley Coopers Reed 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon

Brendel Napa Valley Coopers Reed 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, $29.59-$39.99, 90 points, poured an unfiltered burgundy red with thin rosewood red and clear penumbras and light stained legs.
The complex and complementary aromas were earthy, floral, fruity, and herbal.
As is typical with Napa Cabs, this Brendel was full-bodied, rich, reflected the aromas onto the palate, and showed fair acidity and not so typical round unobtrusive tannins.
Finished with loads of warm spice, fennel, plums, and that fairly balanced 14% alcohol.
Paired great with my spice-rubbed rib eye.
At $29.59 this is a buy Napa Cab (JMO).

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Friday, February 23, 2024

Chateau Ste Michelle Columbia Valley 2020 Dry Riesling

Chateau Ste Michelle Columbia Valley 2020 Dry Riesling, $11.19-$13.99, 88 points, was a very light yellow/gold color with a narrow clear meniscus.
The aromas of dusty apricot, floral petrol, multifaceted citrus notes, and a whisper of lime squeeze were lovely.
A light-bodied dry white wine, a bit thin up front, but with a good evolution of flavors and showing good acidity and minerality.
Finished well, a bit metallic, showed a fair layer of ginger, and supported by a spot-on 12.5% alcohol.
Paired great with my fried chicken wing buffet.
A very good QPR Riesling.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Wednesday, February 21, 2024

Catena Padrillos-Mendoza, Argentina-2022 Malbec

Catena Padrillos-Mendoza, Argentina-2022 Malbec, $10.19-$13.99, 88 points, poured a bright rosewood red color with a broad clear wine ring and copious stained legs.
Aromas of blueberries, rose pedals, red cherries, and dried Lamiaceae herbs with a hint of chocolate were pleasant.
This Malbec was last tasted nine years ago, but seems more refined, lush, full-bodied, showed soft tannins, tart flavors of blueberries, citrus, a hint of chocolate, red raspberry and loam notes, and still with good acidity.
Finished long on the fading palate, a whisper of orange peel and warm spice, and a well-balanced 13.5% alcohol.
Paired fine with my spice-rubbed rib eye.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Monday, February 19, 2024

Doña Paula High Altitude Mendoza, Argentina 2021 Malbec

Doña Paula High Altitude Mendoza, Argentina 2021 Malbec, $13.59-$17.99, 86+ points, poured a very deep ruby red with violet highlights, a broad clear meniscus, and sticky fat legs.
The dominant aroma was black grapes nuanced with citrus and earth notes.
Of all the recent Mendoza Malbec wines I've had, this Doña Paula Malbec was the most angular, and that might just be the effect of the high 14.5% alcohol, otherwise of note were the grapy flavors, citrus, and loamy character of this wine. It showed soft tannins and fair acidity.
Finished as it began but with a bit or tart mandarin zest.
Paired fine with my Greek Spanakopita.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Saturday, February 17, 2024

Givon, Galil 2021 Chardonnay (Israel)

Givon, Galil 2021 Chardonnay (Israel), $7.99, 87 points, was a light yellow/gold color with a broad clear penumbra.
The lemony aroma was nuanced with lime and a dusty melon rind.
This Chardonnay from Galilee was rather steely and showed good acidity and straightforward citrus flavors in a matrix of minerality.
Finished long on that straightforward palate without complexity but a good purity and a well-balanced 12% alcohol.
Paired nicely with fired chicken livers and Mac and cheese.
A good QPR white table wine.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Wednesday, February 14, 2024

Jean- Claude Boisset Ladoix 1er Cru “Hautes Mourottes” 2019 Grand Vin De Bourgogne

Jean- Claude Boisset Ladoix 1er Cru “Hautes Mourottes” 2019 Grand Vin De Bourgogne, $39.19-$48.99, 93 points, poured a rich ruby red with a broad clear meniscus and light legs.
Aromas of toasty black cherry, cinnamon, cloves, and lovely complex floral notes were excellent.
This Pinot Noir was rich, medium-bodied, showed good acidity, a supportive underlayment of tannin, and cerebral flavors reflective of the aromas.
Finished very long on cherry fruit, hints of iron, citrus notes, and a well-balanced 14% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my spice-rubbed Porterhouse steak.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Tuesday, February 13, 2024

Gruet Brut N/V Sparkling White Wine

Gruet Brut N/V Sparkling White Wine, $15.29-$19.99, 89 points, was a medium brass color with copper highlights, a fair head of foam, and a broad clear penumbra.
Smells of barley hops, orange peel, and a hint of lemon meringue pie were pleasant.
This Gruet was a bit pungent with strident flavors of a citrusy IPA with an aftertaste of ginger, wood, and a whisper of lemon.
Finished quite long, showed a lovely crème brûlée and a well-balanced 12% alcohol.
Paired fine with my bone-in fried thin pork chops.
This is an "everyday" sort of bubbly, being inexpensive, tasty, and ever so pairable.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Friday, February 9, 2024

Château La Gorce Médoc Grand Vin De Bordeaux Cru Bourgeois 2018 Bordeaux Red Wine

Château La Gorce Médoc Grand Vin De Bordeaux Cru Bourgeois 2018 Bordeaux Red Wine, $12.74-$24.99, 91 points, poured core black grading to a bright ruby red with a broad clear meniscus and light legs.
Aromas of rose pedal, chocolate, black fruit, a hint of oak, and a touch of leather were pleasant.
This Bordeaux was typically full-bodied, showed good acidity, firm comfortable tannins, and a mouthfeel somewhere between soft and angular, and flavors that nicely mirrored the aromas with good cayenne pepper accents.
Finished long with hints of anise, chocolate, blackberry, that pepper, and a well-balanced 14% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my spice-rubbed rib eye.
I would call this a high quality/price/ratio (QPR) red wine, and under-rated by many.

Bordeaux Red Wine Vintage 2018

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Wednesday, February 7, 2024

Brewer-Clifton Sta. Rita Hills 2022 Chardonnay (California)

Brewer-Clifton Sta. Rita Hills 2022 Chardonnay (California), $26.39-$34.99, 89 points, was a medium brass color and graying towards the broad clear meniscus.
aromas of dusty roasted mandarin peel, a hint of lemon meringue, and washed linen were excellent.
This Sta. Rita Hills 2022 Chardonnay was near full-bodied, showed fair acidity and steely tart citrus flavors, a hint of wood, whisper of pomelo, and white pepper.
Finished long on the trailing palate and a well-balanced 13.5% alcohol.
Paired fine with my salmon burgers in white gravy.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Tuesday, February 6, 2024

La Crema Sonoma Coast 2021 Pinot Noir

La Crema Sonoma Coast 2021 Pinot Noir, $18.39-$24.99, 89 points, poured a deep red raspberry red with a very broad and clear meniscus and light runny legs.
The aromas were floral red fruit nuanced with thyme and petrichor.
It's been almost ten years since I had a La Crema Pinot Noir and after this bottle, I need to rectify that: medium-bodied, a firm unobtrusive layer of tannins, good acidity, and tasty flavors of Pinot Noir specific grape, a hint of milk chocolate, white pepper, and red raspberry.
Finished long on the trailing palate, eucalyptus, a floral vibe, and a well-balanced 13.5% alcohol.
Paired nicely with my Buffalo chili.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Sunday, February 4, 2024

Trefethen Eshcol Oak Knoll 2020 Chardonnay

Trefethen Eshcol Oak Knoll 2020 Chardonnay, $15.99-$19.99, 89 points, was almost clear with a light yellow/gold sheen.
Aromas of lime juice, dusty lemon zest, and a hint of pine resin were light and refreshing.
This Trefethen Chardonnay reminds me of the Bordeaux "Second growth" wines; Trefethen is one of my favorite go-to Chardonnay wineries and this Second growth was wonderful.
Really quite light-bodied with a fresh spring-like texture with good acidity and gentle flavor hints reflective of the aromas plus a touch of ginger.
Finished fair on the trailing palate with a well-balanced 14.1% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my baked ham dinner.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Saturday, February 3, 2024

Nicolas Feuillatte Reserve Exclusive Brut Champagne

Nicolas Feuillatte Reserve Exclusive Brut Champagne, $38.99, 90 points, poured with a powerfully explosive fizz and a medium brass color.
Aromas were dominated by ginger ale notes with subtle oven-fresh white bread.
A very excited tipple with flavors reflective of the aromas.
Finished long on all that liveliness and a well-balanced 12% alcohol.
Varietals were 40% Pinot Meunier, 40% Pinot Noir, 20% Chardonnay.
Paired great with all our birthday party treats and fried chicken, vegie pizza, and Polish ham.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Thursday, February 1, 2024

Cave de Ribeauvillé Lieu Dit Mühlforst Alsace 2019 Riesling Réserve

Cave de Ribeauvillé Lieu Dit Mühlforst Alsace 2019 Riesling Réserve, $15.99-$26.99, 93 points, was a medium brass color turning shades of gray midway towards the rim.
Complex and lovely aromas began with a good petrol note nuanced with jasmine, pine resin, pears, and floral vibes.
This Alsace brut-dry Riesling was light-bodied, showed good acidity, and complex flavors that righteously mirrored the aromas on a rather steely mouthfeel.
Finished quite long on the trailing palate, a hint of citrus, and a big sneaky 14% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with our Asian cuisine.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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