New Hampshire Wine-man

Friday, February 10, 2023

2018 Vintage California Chardonnay

2018 Vintage California Chardonnay

With another vintage specific Cali Chardonnay list, someone just might think I like Chardonnay!

Baileyana Grand Firepeak Edna Valley 2018 Chardonnay, $16.99-$22.99, 88 points

Charles Krug Carneros, Napa Valley, 2018 Chardonnay, $20.39-$23.99, 91 points

Ferrari-Carano Russian River Valley, Sonoma, 2018 Chardonnay, $22.94-$29.99, 88 points

Grgich Hills Estate Napa Valley 2018 Chardonnay, $33.99-$39.99, 94 points

Matanzas Creek Winery Sonoma County 2018 Chardonnay, $16.99-$24.99, 90 points

Napa Cellars Napa Valley 2018 Chardonnay, $14.44-$19.99, 92 points

Riddle Edna Valley, Estate Bottled, 2018 Chardonnay, $6.99, 87 points

Rodney Strong Sonoma County Chalk Hill 2018 Chardonnay, $19.79-$21.99, 87 points

Trefethen Oak Knoll, Napa Valley, 2018 Chardonnay, $29.74-$39.99, 92 points

V. Sattui Napa Valley 2018 Chardonnay, $13.59-$37.99, 89 points

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Charles Krug Carneros, Napa Valley, 2018 Chardonnay

Charles Krug Carneros, Napa Valley, 2018 Chardonnay, $20.39-$23.99, 91 points, was a medium unfiltered straw yellow color with a broad gray wine ring.
Aromas of apples, lemon zest, and just a hint of passion fruit were quite nice.
Charles Krug was a near full-bodied dry white wine with good acidity, a stoney mouthfeel, and sleek flavors of modest oak, gentle apple and lemon, and accented ginger.
Finished long on the fading palate, a whisper of lime, and a rather notorious 14.4% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my pineapple ham steak, and okay with my American grilled cheese.

2018 Vintage California Chardonnay

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Thursday, February 9, 2023

Frog's Leap Rutherford-Napa Valley 2018 Merlot

Frog's Leap Rutherford-Napa Valley 2018 Merlot, $36.54-$44.99, 89 points, poured a deep ruby red with purple highlights, a clear wine ring, and moderate stained legs.
Aromas were fruity with more notable strawberry and red raspberry leading the way for more nuanced plum, mulberry, cinnamon, and a hint of cocoa tying a bow.
This Merlot was a medium-bodied dry red wine with bright acidity (unusual for a Merlot), supportive tannins, stoney mouthfeel, and good flavors reflective of the aromas with a bit of anise and chocolate.
Finished long on the fading palate, a bit tart (not a typical round/soft Merlot), a bit spicy, and on a European-type 13.3% alcohol.
Paired fine with my Steak and potatoes dinner.

Frog's Leap Napa Valley, Why it's a "Go to Winery."

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Monday, February 6, 2023

Portia Roble Ribera del Duero 2020 Tempranillo Red Wine

Portia Roble Ribera del Duero 2020 Tempranillo Red Wine, $14.44-$19.99, 92 points, poured core black grading to a deep purple red with a clear wine ring and sheets of stained legs.
Aromas of cinnamon, cloves, citrus, cedar, mint, red fruit, and a floral note were outstanding.
This Tempranillo was full-bodied, lush, dry, with good acidity, "sweet" tannins, and luscious flavors reflective of the aromas plus a late burst of cayenne pepper.
Finished well on the trailing palate with hints of iron and plum, closing with a big 14.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my Italian meatball sub.
A big beautiful red wine with a small price tag.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Saturday, February 4, 2023

Donatella Cinelli Colombini 2019 Rosso Di Montalcino (DOCG)

Donatella Cinelli Colombini 2019 Rosso Di Montalcino (DOCG), $19.79-$36.99, 93 points, poured a bright cranberry red with an orange penumbra, a broad clear meniscus, and copious legs.
Aromas of strawberries, black tea, dried cooking herbs, and a hint of milk chocolate were lovely.
As is typical for Rosso Di Montalcino red wines, the medium body was quite dry, crisp, and moderately supportive with tannins and brightly acidic.
Flavors of hibiscus complemented flavors of strawberry, black tea, hints of milk chocolate, and an amazing escalating cayenne pepper.
Finished long, tart, juicy, and with a pepper infused 14% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my beef stew and veggies.
The spiciness, tight-mouthfeel, and medium body may not accommodate a soft/round Merlot lover's palate, but for the everyday Chianti palate, this just might be the surprise you've been looking for.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINE

Thursday, February 2, 2023

Château Talbot Connétable Talbot Saint-Julien 2018 Bordeaux Red Wine

Château Talbot Connétable Talbot Saint-Julien 2018 Bordeaux Red Wine, $28.05-$32.99, 93 points, poured a deep rosewood red color with purple highlights, a clear wine ring, and moderate fat-stained legs.
Aromas of red fruit, mulling spice, black plum, loam, and black tea were excellent.
Château Talbot delivered a rich luscious full-bodied red wine with good acidity, a firm supportive underlayment of tannin, and flavors which mirrored the aromas.
Finished long on the trailing palate, a bit of oak, cayenne pepper, and a well-balanced 14% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my pizza supreme.

Bordeaux Red Wine Vintage 2018

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Wednesday, February 1, 2023

Cantine Povero Priore 2017 Barolo (DOCG)

Cantine Povero Priore 2017 Barolo (DOCG), $33.99-$41.99, 93 points, poured a brilliant ruby red with an orange sheen towards the rim, a broad clear meniscus, and a necklace of thin clinging tears.
Aromas of floral cinnamon, citrus, black tea, rose pedal, and light red cherry were lovely.
This medium-bodied Barolo was a medium-bodied bone-dry red wine with bright acidity, crisp tannins, and a bounty of pepper spices with cherry cola and spearminty flavors.
Finished quite long on the tingling pepper, Damson plum, and a well-balanced 14.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my Texas cheeseburger.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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