New Hampshire Wine-man

Monday, October 31, 2022

NOBILO ICON Marlborough, NZ, 2017 Pinot Noir

NOBILO ICON Marlborough, NZ, 2017 Pinot Noir, $12.74-$15.99, 87 points, poured a medium cranberry red with a light orange sheen, a clear wine ring, and a good necklace of legs.
Smells of a breezy coniferous forest, soft sun ripened red grapes, and hints of cherry fruit were pleasant but almost insignificant.
This was barely a medium-bodied dry red wine with a good underlayment of soft tannins, good acidity, and uncommitted flavors of red cherry, citrus notes, and white pepper which were tasty if not contemplative, making for a great unobtrusive pairing with my buffet.
Finished long on the trailing palate with a bit of anise and a gentle 13% alcohol.
Keep in mind that this a Pinot Noir without flaw, distraction, or ill flavor, and under $20, and for that QPR, rates relatively high for me.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Saturday, October 29, 2022

Rombauer Vineyards, Carneros 2021 Chardonnay

Rombauer Vineyards, Carneros 2021 Chardonnay, $33.99-$43.99, 92 points, poured a medium yellow-gold color and trending water-clear long before the rim.
Aromas were an array of rich passion fruit, mandarin flesh, lemon zest, and slightly dusty Chardonnay-specific grape.
Rombauer provided a delicious medium-bodied robust and quite dry white wine in this very young and fresh presentation. Acidity was fair to good, and flavors delicately followed the aromas with a more solid apple and ginger.
Finished long on the fading palate stiffened with a big 14.5% alcohol and a touch of oak.
Paired perfectly with my center-cut, bone-in, spice-rubbed pork chops.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Friday, October 28, 2022

Ramey Vineyard Napa Valley (Russian River-Sonoma County) 2019 Chardonnay

Ramey Vineyard Napa Valley (Russian River-Sonoma County) 2019 Chardonnay, $32.30-$39.99, 93 points, poured the lightest of yellow-gold color with graying towards the rim.
Aromas were delicate and subtle, but hints of beechwood, pome blossoms, apple, and dusty white grape were lovely.
Not quite a medium-bodied white wine, dry, sweet-spot acidic, and for the discerning palate with gentle flavors reflective of the aromas with peripheral notes of vanilla and ginger.
Finished long on hints of lemon peel, the ineffable sense of minerality, and easy ginger ale.
Paired perfectly with our baked turkey pie.
Comment/JMO: The last three Cali Chardonnays posted have totally restored my faith in Cali Chardonnays!!! If you love Sauvignon Blanc but find them often too acidic or tight on citrus, let me recommend these last three Chardonnays.

2019 Vintage California Chardonnay

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Tuesday, October 25, 2022

Goldeneye Anderson Valley 2019 Pinot Noir

Goldeneye Anderson Valley 2019 Pinot Noir, $42.49-$59.99, 95 points, poured a very deep ruby red with a broad clear meniscus and surprisingly fat legs.
Smells of Sambuca, bright sour red cherry, cinnamon, subtle hints of cocoa powder, and mulberry were cerebral and delightful.
This vintage Goldeneye Pinot Noir was more full-bodied than most Pinots and showed good acidity, a supportive underlayment of tannin, and rich flavors reflective of the aromas with well-nuanced cayenne pepper.
Finished long with gentle metallic notes, juicy cherry fruit, and a well-balanced 14.2% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my salmon cake.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Monday, October 24, 2022

Jordan Russian River, Sonoma, 2019 Chardonnay

Jordan Russian River, Sonoma, 2019 Chardonnay, $28.04-$34.99, 95 points, was a light yellow-gold color with a broad clear penumbra.
Aromas began quite appley but more complex aromas of cantaloupe, honey, beeswax, hints of warm dusty wood pith, and white blossoms developed.
Jordan was a light-bodied dry white wine, was crisp and clean, with bright acidity and lovely delicate flavors of lemon zest, ginger, Granny Smith apple, and white grape.
Finished long, a bit tart, hints of B and W pepper, and a spot-on 13.7% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with non-spicy Asian cuisine.
I can't tell you just how impressed I am with this Jordan and the Gary Farrell 2019 Chardonnays, but if you're looking for BIG oaky Chardonnays, these aren't that, but rather clean, crisp, and refreshing.

2019 Vintage California Chardonnay

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Saturday, October 22, 2022

Château Les Grands Chênes, Bernard Magrez, Medoc, 2018 Bordeaux Red Wine

Château Les Grands Chênes, Bernard Magrez, Medoc, 2018 Bordeaux Red Wine, $17.84-$20.99, 89 points, poured core black grading to a deep purple red with a broad clear wine ring and copious stained legs.
Aromas were a good blend of prunes with spring underbrush, rich cherry fruit, and showed quite herbal.
This 2018 Medoc red wine was a bold very full-bodied dry red wine with fair acidity, a firm underlayment of tannin, and good flavors of cherry cola, dried cooking herbs, and easy red pepper.
Finished long with developing iron notes, tannin, and a well-balanced 14% alcohol.
Paired okay with my grilled steak tips in roasted green peppers and onions.
Bordeaux Red Wine Vintage 2018

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Editions D'Art Jack was a print from a box of chocolates altered for my non-commercial review purpose.

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Thursday, October 20, 2022

Gary Farrell 'Russian River Selection' Russian River Valley Sonoma County 2019 Chardonnay

Gary Farrell 'Russian River Selection' Russian River Valley Sonoma County 2019 Chardonnay, $32.29-40.99, 96 points, poured a pristine delicate yellow/gold grading light gray towards the rim.
Aromas of subtle pome blossoms, stony minerality, and dusty white grape were outstanding more so on the second day.
This was barely a medium-bodied dry and sleek white wine with brighter acidity than is typical for Cali Chardonnay.
Flavors were reflective of the aromas with gentle lemon oil notes and bright ginger (a near perfectly balanced Chardonnay)
Finished very long with a spot-on 13.7% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my spiced chicken stew.

2019 Vintage California Chardonnay

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES