Masciarelli 2015 Trebbiano D'Abruzzo (Italy)

Masciarelli 2015 Trebbiano D'Abruzzo (Italy), 
$9.34-$12.99, 87 points, was a light glossy gold color with a slight green hue.
The nose was lovely pome blossoms with apple and soft pineapple aromas.
Light, crisp, tart, and appropriately acidic, Masciarelli carried rather nondescript flavors that left me thinking crabapple, cumquat, and ginger; however as the wine warmed it took on a  delicious somewhat creamy melon flavor.
Finished long on the trailing palate, flint, and a well-balanced 12.5% alcohol.
Paired well with my steamed Maine lobster.

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Produttori del 2012 Barbaresco DOCG (Piedmont, Italy)

Produttori del 2012 Barbaresco DOCG (Piedmont, Italy), $25.49-$32.99, 92+ points, poured a bright orange/red at the glass edge and broad clear wine ring, while shading ruby at the core.
The aromas were a bit subtle, but lovely roses, sandalwood, a whisper of vanilla, and red cherry notes were excellent.
Barely medium-bodied with mouth-watering acidity and grainy firm tannins carried a plethora of palate pleasing cherry notes, orange pekoe tea, plum, truffle, and cola flavors.
Finished on a vigorous gestalt of acids, spices, tannins, and a 14% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my spice-rubbed Angus Porterhouse steak.
Such a special wine for about $25.

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Argiolas Costamoloni D.O.C. Vermentino di Sardegna 2015

Argiolas Costamoloni D.O.C. Vermentino di Sardegna 2015, $12.99-$16.99, 92 points*,  poured a rich gold color with a green cast.
Smells of apple and pome fruit with a fresh-cut hay aroma were excellent.
Light-bodied with good acidity harbored elusive flavors which were reflective of the aromas accented by granite infused lime notes.
Finished fantastic on lively ginger, melon rind, and a potent 14% alcohol.
A rather complex white wine comparable with a good Sauvignon Blanc.
Paired perfectly with my steamed Maine lobster and melted butter.
*In vino veritas: Cellar Tracker was not as impressed with this wine, but after spending several hours with this one, I'll stick with my high praise.

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Caparzo 2011 Brunello DI Montalcino

Caparzo 2011 Brunello DI Montalcino, $32.29-$37.99, 92+ points, poured a deep ruby with flashes of maroon toward the broad clear wine ring and a slightly leggy glass bowl.
Aromatic cherries, flowers, and cinnamon were excellent.
Medium-plus body, typically food-friendly acidic Sangiovese, and comfortably firm tannins coalesced in managing great flavors of cherries, savory, truffles, and black tea.
Finished long on the black tea, cayenne, and white pepper with a warm 14% alcohol.
Perfect with my spaghetti and meatballs.

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Palagetto 2014 Vernaccia Di San Gimignano (Italy)

Palagetto 2014 Vernaccia Di San Gimignano (Italy), $14.99-$17.99, 88 points, poured a light polished gold color.
Shy aromas hinted at pleasant juniper, apple, and white grape.
Light, crisp, appropriately acidic, and with excellent tart citrus flavors accented by a light nuttiness was a perfect pairing with my fried North Atlantic haddock.
Finished long on steely notes, cumquat, and a sweet-spot 12.5% alcohol.

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Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona 2013 Rosso di Montalcino

Va bene, sto pregando per il popolo del centro Italia,
  ma ho voluto mostrare il sostegno in un altro modo,
  ecco il mio acquisto di olive, olio d'oliva e il vino
(Un grande vino a quello).
  Dio sia con la buona gente di Italia.

 

Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona 2013 Rosso di Montalcino, $20.69-$22.99, 91 points, poured a bright red from stem to the broad clear wine ring.
Aromatic roses, cinnamon spiced red cherry, ripe red raspberry, and a hint of sandalwood were excellent.
Medium-bodied (bone-dry) with mouthwatering acidity, tense tannin, and flavors that reflected the nose were outstanding.
Finished long and strong on the trailing palate and a warm 14.5% alcohol inspirited spiciness.
This Rosso di Montalcino is the perfect red table wine, and paired gracefully with my green salad of Bella Di Cerignola olives and feta cheese, but do pair this red wine with traditional Italian cuisine.
Salute!

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Michael David Earthquake/Lodi 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon

Earthquake it is!

With a rocking 15% alcohol,

a full body,

and rolling flavors like black currant, serious blueberries,

 to hot spices that just might crack you-up thinking you've just experienced an earthquake in your mouth!

Michael David Earthquake/Lodi 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, $19.54-$28.99, 88 points, poured core black with bright reds showing toward the broad clear wine ring.
Smells of cedar, black fruit and blueberry were quite good.
Adding to the introductory flavors of the preface were strong flavors of plum, chocolate, and licorice feeding into the fair hot finish.
Paired perfectly with our Italian-styled peperoni pizza.

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Domaine de la Petite Mairie Bourgueil Loire Rosé of Cabernet Franc (France)

 

Domaine de la Petite Mairie Bourgueil Loire Rosé of Cabernet Franc (France), $20.69-$22.99, 87 points, poured the color of Pink-Salmon Caviar.
Aromas were a bit different for Rosé, with Marshmallow Peanut Candy, kiwi, strawberry, a hint of celery-salt, and a floral note which made for a rather complex bouquet.
A somewhat thin representation of the aromas translated onto the palate with good, but not quite the acidity I have come to expect from French Rosé wines, and not as dry either.
Alcohol was an inconspicuous 12.5%, and lead the way to a less than memorable finish.
Paired fine with my beef and cheese burritos.
I bought this Rosé at The Whole Foods of Bedford.

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Vinum Cellars White Elephant 2014 White Wine

When one takes their first whiff of a wine and says: "Nice!" You know it's propitious.

Vinum Cellars White Elephant 2014 White Wine, $17.99-$19.99, 90 points, poured a pale brass color with a slight green tint.
Smells of pome blossoms, apple, honeysuckle, soft vanilla, and faint caramel notes were enticing.
Ironically, with no inclusion of Chardonnay, it was very much reminiscent of one, but considerably lighter with more acidity, and the influence of French oak fermentation clinched the comparison.
Flavors mirrored the aromas, but nothing over-the-top.
Finished long and powerful on white pepper, ginger, the trailing palate, and a warming 13.9% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my marinated broiled Mako shark steak.
Varietals were 58% Chenin Blanc, 32% Viognier, and 10% Roussanne.
I bought this white wine at The Whole Foods of Bedford.

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Honig Napa Valley 2014 Sauvignon Blanc

 

 

Honig Napa Valley 2014 Sauvignon Blanc, $11.89-$16.99, 90 points, was a light polished gold color trending gray and finally water clear at the glass edge.
Aromatic fresh-cut hay (dominant), lemon-grass, and hints of honeysuckle were good.
Light-bodied with acute acidity managed flavors reflective of the aromas plus a Necco Wafer vibe.
Finished strong on the trailing palate, a well-integrated 13.5% alcohol, hints of bland pineapple, good ginger, and white pepper notes.
Paired perfectly with my sautéed North Atlantic sea scallops.

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Silverado 'MT George Vineyard' Coombsville Napa Valley 2012 Merlot

Silverado 'MT George Vineyard' Coombsville Napa Valley 2012 Merlot, $25.49-$38.99, 90 points, poured a deep maroon trending a bright ruby and having a typical transparent wine ring at the glass edge.
Aromatic spiced plum notes with hints of cedar, soft sea-breeze smells, and a kiss of chocolate were excellent.
Medium-bodied with good acidity and moderately firm grainy tannins were sure, but textured silky enough to be described as luscious.
Flavors followed the trail of ripe black plums, cardamom, hints of sandalwood and cocoa.
Finished crazy long on the trailing palate, pomegranate, easy spice notes, a smidgen of something like iron-ore (and no, I'm not on antibiotics), and a warm 14.6% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with our hamburger and roasted garden tomato pizza.
Varietals were 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon.

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"Notorious Pink" 2015 Grenache Rosé (France)

"Notorious Pink" 2015 Grenache Rosé (France), $17.09-$23.99, 89 points, was a Peach Rosé color in an elegant bottle with a glass closure.
Aromatic strawberry, apple, and flowers, with a subtle hint of lanolin were fine.
Light-bodied with good acidity and flavors reflective of the aromas were excellent.
Finished dry, the still building strawberry flavor, hints of ginger, and a well-integrated 11.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my beef and bean hot chili.
I bought this Rosé at the Shaw's Super Market in Londonderry.

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Robert Mondavi Napa Valley 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon

 

Handsome photographs and interesting information about the 50th Anniversary of an icon of our USA wine heritage (Robert Mondavi).

I've continued my celebration with:

Robert Mondavi Napa Valley 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, $24.99-$29.99, 91 points, poured a deep-dark maroon trending black currant purple/red which encroached upon the clear wine ring; there was some sheeting on the glass bowl.
Recalcitrant black fruit aromas with soft notes of sweet cooking spices were outstanding.
The medium-plus body was satin smooth, tannins were a much resolved mellow underlayment, and the acidity was good.
Soft black currant and blackberry fruit with cedar and savory flavors were excellent and trailed well into the long finish of easy spices and a balanced 14.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with our afternoon burgers.

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Château Sainte Marguerite (Cuvée Symphonie) Côtes De Provence 2015 Rosé

Château Sainte Marguerite (Cuvée Symphonie) Côtes De Provence 2015 Rosé, approximately $30.00 (Gift), 91 points, poured a deep peach pink trailing water clear at the glass edge.
The strawberry aroma was dominant, but was accented by lovely pome blossoms and a hint of juniper.
Light, crisp, acidic, and dry, this serious Rosé confronted the notion that the bottle was solitarily the wine's marketability.
Sophisticated flavors of kiwi, strawberry, red cherry, and melon rind lead into the long finish of white pepper and a perfect 12.5% alcohol.
Paired well with my grilled chipotle sauced sourdough bread with melted Monterey jack cheese.

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Zardetto Brut Prosecco

Zardetto Brut Prosecco, $4.99-$5.99 (375ml), $12,99-$15.99 (750ml), 88 points, poured light brass and ever-so slightly green colors with a full head of foam, and continued to form a continuous, but diminishing, eruption of medium-sized bubbles.
Almost dumb to shy cedar-chest, piney, and near-neutral Glera grape aromas were okay.
Light, crisp and having typically good acidity, this Prosecco had some edgy tart citrus flavors, but was lacking a dominant fruit character; a common trait often associated with Prosecco wines. However, typically as well, it was quite refreshing.
Finished brut-dry with a floral vibe and a restrained 11% alcohol.
Paired well with my BLT.

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Tortoise Creek Le Charmel Côtes de Provence 2015 Rosé

Tortoise Creek Le Charmel Côtes De Provence 2015 Rosé, $12.74-$14.99, 88 points, poured salmon pink with a light tinge of apricot orange.
Somewhat shy aromas of strawberry and pome fruit were good.
Light, crisp, appropriately acidic, and delicious reflections of the nose made for a great pairing with our Asian cuisine.
Finished fair with a touch of ginger, a hint of peach, and a well-balanced 12.5% alcohol.
Varietals were Syrah, Cinsault, Mourvedre, Grenache, and Rolle (Vermentino).


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Yarden Galilee Golan Heights Winery (Israel) 2014 Sauvignon Blanc

Yarden Galilee Golan Heights Winery (Israel) 2014 Sauvignon Blanc, $16.99-$18.99, 88 points, was a rich anointing of a deep glossy gold color.
Aromatic lemon grass was accented by a shy floral vibe.
Light-plus body shepherded a rather tame though delicious representation of the aromas with crisp citrus notes despite the fair-plus acidity.
Finished fair on the trailing palate, a hint of ginger and pome fruit with a well-balanced 13.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with our Asian cuisine.




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Charles Krug Peter Mondavi Family Saint Helena-Napa Valley 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon

With all the anniversaries
swirling around the Mondavi Family this year
(controversies aside),
I've occasionally swirled, and will continue to swirl more than one glass of
Mondavi Family wines to celebrate with them.
Cheers to the American Wine Heritage!



Charles Krug Peter Mondavi Family Saint Helena-Napa Valley 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, $22.94-$30.99, 91 points, poured core black trending an almost Shiraz purple/red toward the clear wine ring and leggy glass bowl.
The lovely aromas were soft and perfumed with hints of sandalwood, violets, cedar, coffee, and blackberries.
Full-bodied without being cumbersome, appropriately acidic, sweet, firm, and grainy tannins (a bit much for some at this time) excelled with unobtrusive flavors of black fruit, cedar, tobacco, and savory.
Finished long on warm spice notes, a whisper of oak, and an apropos 14.7% alcohol (good developing chocolate notes on the second day).
Paired perfectly with our spiced strip-steak and Monterey jack cheese subs.
This Cabernet Sauvignon was quite reminiscent of a 'Left-Bank' Bordeaux; well done!

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Groth Napa Valley 2015 Sauvignon Blanc

Groth Napa Valley 2015 Sauvignon Blanc, $16.95-$21.99, 94 points, poured a light glossy gold color trending clear at the glass edge.
Soft aromatic notes crossing the boundaries of tropical, citrus, grassy, and floral were excellent.
Light-bodied with mouth-watering acidity managed a bounty of balanced Lychee, peach, citrus, and floral flavors.
Finished exceptionally long on the trailing palate, melon rind, good ginger notes, and a well-integrated big 14.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with our steamed Maine Lobsters and fresh Atlantic Oysters on the half-shell with lemon and peri-peri sauce.
Varietals were 81% Sauvignon Blanc and 19% Sémillon which was from five-year old vines.
Today is exactly one year since I tasted the Groth 2014 SB, but this 2015 just could be the best Sauvignon Blanc I've ever tasted; beautiful!

Groth Vineyards, why it's a "go to" winery.

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Orin Swift "Papillon" 2013 Bordeaux Styled Red Wine

Orin Swift "Papillon" 2013 Bordeaux Styled Red Wine, $53.54-$76.99, 93 points, poured core black trending a deep purple/red up to the transparent wine ring at the glass bowl.
Profusely aromatic with ripe blackberry, clove, cedar, cinnamon, and a bouquet of flowers.
Full-bodied with satiny layered tannins, fair-plus acidity, and luscious flavors reflective of the aromas plus subtle savory and cooking herbs as complex complements. 
Finished long and smooth on the trailing palate, mint, and an amazingly well-integrated potent 15.1% alcohol.
This is a big sophisticated red wine with much to commend, and paired perfectly with my spiced rare fillet mignon.
Varietals were a Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec, and Cabernet Franc.

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Klinker Brick Lodi Old Vine 2013 Zinfandel

Klinker Brick Lodi Old Vine 2013 Zinfandel,  $16.99-$18.99, 88 points, poured dark maroon throughout the glass bowl except for the clear wine ring; the glass showed heavy sheeting.
Aromatic warm wild blackberry, coffee, cinnamon, and a hint of sandalwood were excellent.
Full-bodied with fair acidity, soft mellow tannins, and flavors of black licorice, black fruit, and hints of marjoram were a bit heavy, but excellent for this style of Zinfandel; over the last six years I've found this to be a consistently good QPR wine.
Finished long on heat (15.8% alcohol) enhanced spice notes.
Paired great with my red pepper sausage pizza.

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Foxglove Paso Robles 2013 Zinfandel

Foxglove Paso Robles 2013 Zinfandel, $15.29-$16.99, 86 points, poured a bright maroon at the core trending pomegranate red toward the exceptionally broad clear wine ring.
Blueberry, red raspberry, and mulberry aromas dominated this fruit-forward wine.
Medium-bodied with good acidity and a supportive underlayment of tannin managed flavors reflective of the aromas.
Finished fair on a sweet-spot 14.5% alcohol, red licorice, and easy spice notes.
Bought at Whole Foods of Bedford.
Paired fine with my Angus spice-rubbed rib eye steak, buttered mashed potatoes, and cucumber salad.



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J. Lohr 'Flume Crossing' Monterey 2015 Sauvignon Blanc

J. Lohr 'Flume Crossing' Monterey 2015 Sauvignon Blanc, $11.99-$13.99, 89 points, was a light polished gold color.
Though hints of citrus and fresh-cut grass on the nose were present, it was the pome and tropical fruits which vied in a balanced and 'pear-ed' tango/mango dance of aromas winning the high scores.
Cali typical light-bodied, crisp, appropriately acidic, carrying citrus, apple and pineapple flavors deep into the fair finish imbued with ginger notes and an amble 13.5% alcohol.
Paired well with my Sautéed Chilean sea-bass.



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True Myth Paso Robles 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon

True Myth Paso Robles 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, $16.99-$19.99,  89 points, was a deep purple/red trending more a bright red at the clear wine ring at the leggy glass bowl.
Profuse aromas of cedar, plum, ripe black cherry with hints of juniper and sandalwood were almost mythical.
Medium-plus body carried a full-bodied flavor profile reflective of the aromas.
The fair acidity was supported by soft sufficiently firm tannins which fully developed at the end of the moderately long finish marked by a balanced 14.5% alcohol, chewy licorice, and notable, but easy spices.
Paired well with our BBQ burgers.



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