Domaine La Croix Belle N° 7 IGP Cotes de Thongue 2015 Rosé, $13.99-$16.99, 90 points, was a Pink-Salmon Caviar color.
Aromas of strawberry, pome blossoms, and kiwi were good.
Light, almost early palate thin, but good acidity and developing Cavendish and Harvey watermelon, strawberry, grapefruit, and faint black cherry fruit drop afterburner flavors made for a delicious aperitif and pairing partner with my roasted chicken with Chilean asparagus tips, buttered mash potatoes, and butternut squash.
Finished well on ginger, a floral vibe, and a potent 13.5% alcohol.
Varietals were Syrah, Mourvèdre, Grenache Noir, Carignan, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot.
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Delamotte Blanc De Blancs NV Champagne,
$21.24-$24.99 (375ml), 91 points, poured a light gold color clearing toward the rim, and with a deep head of foam erupting from plentiful small bubbles which quickly transitioned to large intermittent bubbles.
VG, yes indeed, the nose was toasty apple pie and yeast.
Light, crisp, bright acidity, and palate fizzy with excellent flavors reflective of the nose all of which were impressive.
Finished long on an aftertaste reminiscent of pie crust pastry and a spot-on 12% (dry) alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my Pad Thai.
Comments: Excellent wine, but still pricy, which makes my point about sourcing other bubblies from Austria, Spain, Italy, Australia, New Mexico, California, and the North West.
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Champagne with regrets, because I just don't drink enough of them to matter, but to keep my files (Index) in some kind of order I've found it imperative that I create this shamefully deficient designated Champagne file, and no I'll not even link an expert's website here; Champagne is foreign to me and if I were you (the searcher) I'd look elsewhere for advice.
In other posts I've said things like this: Real Champagne, with its usually higher price-tag and questionable taste, may just require an "eeny meeny miny mo".
And here: I'll admit the unacceptable: Champagne doesn't appeal to me (Blasphemy!), but then I've not spent more than $80 for a bottle, but that's my point! Okay, I want to buy a $200 bottle of Champagne, but since the lesser ones are not the breadcrumbs of Hansel and Gretel leading me to the Gingerbread-house of satisfaction, I'll leave Champagne to the experts and hope someone will turn-me-on to the golden fleece of wine (Vinogirl is working on that).
That being said, here's my short list of French bubblies, from the cherished appellation, I've tasted.
Aubert Et Fils Brut Champagne, $24.966-$34.68, 90 points
*Charles Heidsieck Champagne Rosé Réserve, $65.44-$79.99, 94 points
Delamotte Blanc De Blancs NV Champagne, $21.24-$24.99 (375ml), 91 points
Heidsieck and Co Monopole Blue Top Brut NV Champagne (France), $29.24-$32.99, 88 points
Heidsieck and Co Monopole Gold Top Brut 2005 Champagne (France), $38.24-$49.99, 89 points
Moët and Chandon Mini Imperial (187ML) Champagne, $4.49-$11.99, 89 points
Moët & Chandon Brut Imperial (375ML) Champagne, $23.20-$27.99, 90 points
Nicolas Feuillatte Reserve Exclusive Brut Champagne, $38.99, 90 points
Schramsberg Mirabelle 31st Bottling Brut Champagne, $23,79-$27.99, 92 points
Simonnet-Febvre Crémant de Bourgogne (Chardonnay) Brut NV Sparkling Wine, France, $13.99-$24.99, 88 points
Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin Brut Champagne, 375 ML, $25.00, 89 points
*Rosé
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Kumeu River Village 2014 Chardonnay Revisited (New Zealand), $15.29-$17.99, 87+ points, was a light bass color with a faint green tint and graying toward the glass shallows.
Aromas of kiwi and apple were okay.
Light-plus body with good acidity, clean Granny Smith apple, and stony flavors refreshed and paired well with my Icelandic cod and garden salad, but was extraordinary with my baked fig square dessert.
Finished rather neutral on hints of ginger, melon rind, and a balanced 13.5% alcohol.
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Tres Sabores 'Por qué no?' Napa Valley 2012 Red Wine, $26.99-$29.99, 89 points, poured core black grading wine red plain color toward the clear wine ring and glass bowl of moderate tears.
Aromatic cedar, clove, red cherry, with a floral perfume were excellent.
Medium-plus body carried good acidity and a firm underlayment of tannin.
Flavors were dominated by the preponderance of the Zinfandel's (56%) wild blackberry fruit, while cola, coffee, and chocolate accents, with complex textures, added depth from the 31% Petite Sirah, 12% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 1% Petit Verdot.
Finished long on plum pudding, white pepper, and a bright 14.4% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with our Italian-styled pizzas.
I bought this red wine at the Whole Foods of Bedford.
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Domaine Chandon NV Brut Sparkling White Wine, $4.49-$4.99 (187ML), 86 points, poured a glossy gold color with a fair head of foam, but the moderately large bubbles dissipated rather quickly.
Hazel nuts and hay aromas were okay.
Light-plus body with medium acidity managed rather neutral and uninspired flavors, though a bit of apple skin was pleasantly tart.
Finished on the trailing palate and a modest 12.5% alcohol.
Paired well with my broccoli and cheddar cheese soup.
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Bodegas Señorío de Barahonda 'Carro' 2012 Vinho Tinto, Yecla (Spain), $8.99-$12.99, 87+ points, pored core black quickly grading pomegranate red toward the thin transparent wine ring and moderately leggy glass bowl.
The wild mulberry aroma evolved into a softer evergreen potpourri with a hint of brine.
Medium-plus body with good acidity and a supportive underlayment of tannin carried lively flavors of mulberry, tart pomegranate, and a bit of toasty plum.
Finished fair on the trailing palate (quite stable over hours), easy warm spices, and a hefty 14% alcohol.
Excellent red table wine; paired perfectly with my cheese enchiladas and chili relleno.
Varietals were 50% Monastrell (Mourvèdre), 30% Syrah, 12% Merlot and 8% Tempranillo.
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Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Napa Valley AVETA 2015 Sauvignon Blanc, $20.39-$26.99, 90 points, poured a light gold color clearing toward the glass shallows.
Aromas were a reticent lemon, tangerine, honeysuckle, and fresh-cut hay.
Light-bodied, but intense with a 14.5% alcohol (a bit out of balance), typically bright acidity, and flavors reflective of the aromas.
Finished well on the trailing palate with good ginger and white pepper notes.
Paired perfectly with my deep fried Icelandic cod loin and Japanese rangoon.
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Storybook Mountain 2012 Antaeus Red Wine, $29.74-$34.99, 92 points, poured a ruby red with a clear wine ring and glass bowl of sticky sheeting.
The smells of wild mulberry, briar fruit, cedar, and an evergreen potpourri were excellent.
Medium-plus body with good acidity and fine, firm, grainy tannins carried bright flavors reflective of the aromas accented by red raspberry.
Finished long on a bit oak and a warm 14.9% alcohol inspirited spiciness.
Varietals were 53% Zinfandel, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot, and 3% Merlot.
Paired perfectly with my spicy Mexican cuisine.
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Hahn 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, $10.19-$14.99, 88 points, poured wine red with a broad clear wine ring and leggy glass bowl.
Soft boysenberry and tanned leather aromas needed swishing and swirling, but were quite pleasant.
Medium-bodied with good acidity and tight, but manageable tannins carried flavors of pomegranate, boysenberry jam, red licorice, and cherry cola notes.
Finished long on plum, walnuts, white pepper, and an engaging 14.5% alcohol.
Paired well with our fresh thick-cut mozzarella cheese pizza.
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Jacob's Creek Classic 2015 Chardonnay (South Eastern Australia), $6.99-$8.99, 88 points, was a light green color.
Aromas were lovely pome fruit with hints of honeysuckle and pineapple.
Medium-bodied with fair-plus acidity, the slightest hint of vanilla, apple, and fruity citrus made this a 'best buy' white wine.
Finished well on the trailing palate, hints of tangerine, lemon, and ginger with a reasonable 13.1% alcohol.
Paired fine with my roasted chicken with steamed asparagus and green peppers.
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Sequoia Grove Napa Valley 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, $25.49-$32.99, 91 points, was a "red, red wine" with a clear wine ring at the tear laden glass wall.
Ah! And Ah again as finally after three bottles of red wine fool's gold I found the mother-load; Sequoia Grove struck me with rich aromas of pencil, lavender, cedar, black currant and blackberry with a hint of tanned leather.
The smooth full body with good acidity and firm fine tannins supported flavors reflective of the aromas plus trailing plum
notes.
Finished long on the late palate with a bit of savory, easy warm spices, and a balanced 14.2% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my spiced-rubbed rare Angus strip-steak.
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H and G Collector's Edition Oakville 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon, $17.99-$19.99, 85 points, poured ruby red with a broad clear wine ring and a glass bowl of moderate sheeting.
The aromas began funky with a bit of tomato, but after breathing for thirty minutes started to settle down to a more acceptable dusty mulberry with a hint of coffee.
Unusually light (medium) body, for a Cab, with a soft underlayment of tannin carried rather thin flavors reflective of the aromas.
Finished fair on earthy spices, pomegranate, and a sweet spot 13.7% alcohol.
Paired okay with Debbie's beef stew.
I bought this Cabernet Sauvignon at the Whole Foods of Bedford.
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Bodegas Atalaya 'Laya' 2013 Red Wine (Almansa, Spain), $7.96-$9.95, 80 points, was a dark ruby red with a clear wine ring and leggy glass bowl.
Smells of sour grapes wasn't pleasant.
Medium-bodied with good acidity and firm tannins just couldn't elevate a sour red wine.
Finished as it began (unpleasant); alcohol was 14%.
Varietals were 70% Garnacha-Tintorera and 30% Monastrell (Mourvèdre).
Probable spoiled (flawed) wine.
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Shoo Fly 'Aussie Salute' 2007 Red Wine (Australia), $7.20-$13.99, 70 points, poured a somewhat cloudy bright ruby red culminating with a slightly rusty bleeding wine ring.
Aromas were dominated by a Riesling-like petrol aroma.
Medium-bodied with little tannin, fair acidity, and pervasive indistinct sour flavors, which carried into the unpleasant finish, were either the victim of age, spoilage, or just a plain poor red wine.
The 14.5% alcohol seemed awkward.
It was undrinkable for me.
The screw-cap and the Koala bear didn't save this wine.
Varietals were 48% Grenache, 47% Shiraz, and 5% Viognier.
I bought this wine at the Hannaford's Super Market in Londonderry.
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Te Kahu (Hawkes Bay New Zealand), Craggy Range Single Vineyard 2011 Bordeaux Styled Red Wine, $17.59-$21.99, 89 points, poured a Pantone Burgundy color with a broad clear wine ring.
Aromas were perfumed shy sandalwood, sea breezes, and boysenberry jam.
Medium-bodied with good acidity and drying tannins managed great flavors of black tea, blueberry, and violets.
Finished long on the trailing palate with a reasonable 13% alcohol.
Paired wonderfully with my cheese ravioli, and I extrapolate that it would pair well with a broad range of foods.
Varietals were 69% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc and 9% Malbec
I bought this red wine at the Whole Foods of Bedford.
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True Myth Paso Robles 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, $15.29-$19.99, 89 points, was a deep purple/red color with a clear wine ring.
Aromas began with a bright fruity mulberry evolving toward a more subtle lavender, juniper, and toasty blackberry.
Near full-bodied with good acidity and a fine underlayment of tannin carried flavors of blackberries, plums, and a touch of anise.
Finished long on the trailing palate, mulberries, wintergreen, warm intense spice notes, and a big Paso Robles 14.5% alcohol.
Paired well with our beefy Mexican cuisine.
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Castello Vicchiomaggio La Prima 2012 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione, $42.49-$49.99, 93 points, poured a ruby red pearl color with a broad clear wine ring.
Aromas of earthy black cherry and a subtle floral note were pleasant.
Medium-bodied with vibrant acidity and firm grainy tannins carried clean, crisp, and delicious flavors of cherries, black tea, oak, plums and a hint of spearmint.
Finished long on the trailing palate, easy spices, and a perfect 13.5% alcohol.
Paired wonderfully with my spinach ravioli and hot Italian sausage.
Varietals were 90% Sangiovese and 10% Merlot.
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Plungerhead Lodi 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, $11.89-$15.99, 86 points, was deep burgundy colors with a broad clear wine ring and slow tears.
Aromas were shy potpourri and blackberry.
Near full-bodied with fair acidity and soft tannins managed flavors of mulberry, chalky plum, and cola notes.
Finished okay on the trailing palate with a hint of mint, evolving slightly drying tannins, easy warm spice, and a restrained 13.5% alcohol.
Paired fine with our cheese pizza and Kalamata olive salad.
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Buehler Napa Valley 2012 Zinfandel, $10.19-$19.99, 88 points, poured cranberry red brightening toward the clear wine ring.
Aromatic dusty blackberries with floral red cherries were excellent.
Medium-bodied with fair acidity and a supportive underlayment of tannin managed flavors reflective of the aromas with hints of Oreo cookie, plum, and cola notes.
Finished well on the trailing palate and a substantial 14.9% alcohol.
Paired fine with our nachos supreme.
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Penfolds South Australia "Max's" 2014 Shiraz/Cabernet, $19.99-$23.99, 87 points, poured core black grading Shiraz purple/red toward the broad clear wine ring and heavily draped glass bowl.
Aromatic floral cedar with ripe mulberry were pleasant.
Full-bodied with good acidity and somewhat austere tannins which overcame what negatives ascribed with rich, warm, and lively flavors of spiced black fruits and a hint of tobacco.
Finished long on the trailing palate, pomegranate, a robust 14.5% alcohol, and mucho warm spices.
Paired engagingly with my spicy chili and Monterey jack soft tacos.
Varietals were 85% Shiraz and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon.
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