Domaine Vincent Delaporte a Chavignol Loire, France 2016 Sancerre

Domaine Vincent Delaporte a Chavignol Loire, France 2016 Sancerre, $16.69-$19.99, 92 points, poured a light gold color.
Perfumed aromas of pome blossoms and lemon grass with a hint of gooseberry were excellent.
The Light body was crisply acidic and carried aroma-mirrored flavors deftly in a wash of minerality.
Finished long on the trailing palate, citrus notes, ginger, and an easy 13% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my Maritime steamed lobster in drawn butter, and apple pie.




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Domaine Laroche Saint Martin 2015 Chablis

Domaine Laroche Saint Martin 2015 Chablis, $18.69-$21.99, 91 points, poured straw yellow clearing at the glass edge.
Aromas of petrichor, pome blossoms, and hints of citrus were lovely.
Medium-bodied with good acidity carried clean subtle flavors of pome fruit, citrus, flint, and  Necco Wafers.
Finished long, tart, a bit chalky, mouthwatering, and with a European modest 12.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with our medley of chicken wing appetizers.

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Banfi Castello 2012 Brunello DI Montalcino

Banfi Castello 2012 Brunello DI Montalcino, $50.99-$59.99, 94 points, poured blood red with a broad clear wine ring and glass bowl of considerable legs.
Aromas of black cherry, plum, cedar, truffle, and roses were outstanding.
Near full-bodied Brunello with good acidity that though quite young displayed an early palate satin texture, but that deception quickly concluded with gripping very fine tannins late palate.
Flavors of red raspberry, pomegranate, and orange pekoe tea gave much life to flavors reflective of the nose.
Finished bone dry and quite long on the trailing palate, warm spices, and a routine 14% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with our Italian styled pizzas.


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Oyster Bay Marlborough (NZ) 2016 Chardonnay

Oyster Bay Marlborough (NZ) 2016 Chardonnay, $8.95-$14.99, 88 points, poured a golden color grading yellow to clear toward the glass shallows.
Aromas (cold) of wet stones and a typical neutral Chardonnay grape were okay, but as this wine warmed a lovely white chocolate aroma enchanted.
Medium-bodied with better than fair acidity managed dragon fruit and cantaloupe flavors.
Finished long on unripe fig, citrus notes, and black and white pepper with a comfortable 13.5% alcohol.
Paired well with my barbecued pork ribs.

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Brooks Willamette Valley 2013 Riesling

Brooks Willamette Valley 2013 Riesling, $16.99-$19.99, 87 points, was an apple juice gold color.
Very shy aromas of apple and the slightest hint of petrol were incidental.
Light-bodied with mouthwatering acidity presented a dry, not bone-dry, Riesling.
Flavors were almost as incidental as the aromas, but hints of pear, apple, apricot, and petrol were okay and carried deep into the fair finish.
Paired fine with my provincial roast beef on seeded rye with mustard, mac and cheese, and baked fig pastry.

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Wente Vineyards Livermore Valley 2016 Louis Mel Sauvignon Blanc

Wente Vineyards Livermore Valley 2016 Louis Mel Sauvignon Blanc, $11.04-$13.99, 87 points, poured a light brass color with green highlights.
Aromatic honeydew melon, pineapple, kiwi, and a hint of lemon grass were quite good.
Light-bodied with fair to good acidity carried flavors reflective of the aromas, and garnished with tart citrus notes.
Finished a bit short and unrelieved; alcohol was a modest 13%.
Paired nicely with my Beach Plum Seafood platter.

Sauvignon Blanc 2016 (Cali)
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Bodegas Torremoron Ribera del Duero 2012 Tempranillo

Bodegas Torremoron Ribera del Duero 2012 Tempranillo, $11.99-$15.99, 89 points, poured core black grading purple/red toward the slightly 'bleeding' clear wine ring and moderately leggy glass bowl.
Profuse grapey aromas were nicely accented with savory, black fruit, dried herbs, and clove.
Medium-bodied with good acidity and a supportive underlayment of tannin managed a fruity flavor profile with nuanced sweet tobacco and dried herbs including marjoram.
Finished fair on the trailing palate, hot peppers, and a spot-on 13.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my meatball sub.
Great wine at a great price typical of vino generosa España.

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Seghesio "La villa" 2012 Barolo (DOCG)

Seghesio "La villa" 2012 Barolo (DOCG),
$39.94-$46.99, 93 points, poured a  Classical Burgundy red with a clear wine ring and light draping.
Aromatic sea breezes, roses, and cherry fruit were excellent.
The muscular medium body was lean and mean with mouthwatering acidity and firm grainy tannins; a wine that's drinking fine at seven, but way before its prime.
A complex array of flowery flavors were shrouded in black tea, hot spices, plum, cherries, and earth notes.
Finished long, dry, and an alcohol influenced (14.5%) forever teasing black tea taste.
Paired okay with my barbecued baby back ribs, but would have been better with traditional tomato based Italian cuisine.




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Maison Mont D' Azur 'Cloud Chaser' Côtes De Provence 2016 Rosé

Maison Mont D' Azur 'Cloud Chaser' Côtes De Provence 2016 Rosé, $24.99-$28.99, 88 points, appeared a translucent peach color.
Light and lovely aromatic floral strawberry with a hint of bubble gum pleased.
Light-bodied (dry) with good acidity spotted a mixed bag of flavors and intensity reflective of the aromas.
Finished quite long on the trailing palate, watermelon rind, and an appropriate 12.5% alcohol.
Paired well with my cheese enchiladas and spicy bean and beef chili.

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Paydirt Paso Robles 2013 Zinfandel

Paydirt Paso Robles 2013 Zinfandel, $11.89-$25.99, 90 points, poured a purple/red color with a clear wine ring and nearly without a 'holiday' tear painted glass bowl.
Aromatic cloves, cinnamon, cedar, wild blackberry, loam, and violets were outstanding.
Medium-plus body with good acidity and discreet tannins behaved themselves.
Ripe blackberry with plum, red cherry, cloves, and cinnamon flavors were powerfully expressed.
Finished long on the trailing palate, cola notes, juniper berry, and a 15.2% inspirited red pepper.
Paired perfectly with my spicy Sloppy Joes.
This closeout Zinfandel was a steal, and would be a good QPR red wine at the full price; just my two cents.



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Chardonnay (Northwest USA)

A to Z Oregon 2014 Chardonnay, $14.99-$16.99, 90 points

A to Z Oregon 2019 Chardonnay Wineworks, $15.29-$17.99, 91 points

A to Z Oregon 2020 Chardonnay Wineworks, $15.29-$17.99, 89 points
Badger Mountain Columbia Valley, Washington 2008 Chardonnay, 85 points
Bledsoe Family Winery Walla Walla Valley, WA., "Elizabeth" 2018 Chardonnay, $39.10-$45.99, 91 points

Brown Family Vineyards-Bitner Estate- Columbia Valley 2021 Chardonnay, $25.49-$29.99, 93 points
Buried Cane Columbia Valley 2013 Chardonnay, $12.99-$14.99, 89 points

Ch Substance Washington, State 2019 Chardonnay, $12.74-$18.99, 87 points
Columbia Crest Grand-Estates 2009 Chardonnay, $8.49-$12.99, 89 points

Columbia Crest Grand Estates Columbia Valley 2012 Chardonnay, $8.99-$12.99, 87 points

Columbia Crest Horse Heaven Hills 2009 Chardonnay, $11.99-$14.99, 88 points

Duck Pond, Oregon, 2021 Chardonnay, $12.74-$14.99, 90 points

Elouan, Oregon, 2019 Chardonnay, $11.49-$17.99, 87 points

Hedges C.M.S Columbia Valley, Washington 2018 Chardonnay, $12 74-$16.99, 87 points

Hogue Columbia Valley 2012 Chardonnay, $8.55-$10.99, 88 points
North By Northwest Columbia Valley 2015 Chardonnay, $6.99-$12.99, 88 points
Ryan Patrick Rock Island Columbia Valley Chardonnay, $15.29-$17.99, 91 points
Sixto Moxee Washington State 2015 Chardonnay, $38.24-$44.99, 90 points
Sokol Blosser Dundee Hills Estate 2017 Chardonnay (Oregon), $23.79-$27.99, 91 points
Sokol Blosser Dundee Hills Estate 2017 Chardonnay (Oregon) revisited, $23.79-$27.99, 89 points

Stoller Family Estate Dundee Hills 2021 Chardonnay, $19.54-$24.99, 89 points
Vin du Lac Barrel Select, Yakima Valley 2013 Chardonnay (Columbia Valley), $10.19-$19.99, 86 points

Waterbrook, Columbia Valley, Washington, 2019 Chardonnay, $14.99-$16.99, 88 points

Willamette Valley

Adelsheim Willamette Valley 2014 Chardonnay, $19.54-$24.99, 90 points

Bergström "Old Stones" Willamette Valley 2021 Chardonnay, $35.19-$43.99, 94 points
Lange Estate Winery and Vineyards Willamette Valley 2015 Chardonnay (Oregon), $15.99-$18.99, 89 points

Lange Estate Winery and Vineyards Willamette Valley 2019 Chardonnay (Oregon), $21.24-$24.99, 89 points

Rex Hill Willamette Valley 2013 Chardonnay, $17.99-$21.99, 90 points

Rose Rock "Drouhin", Eola-Amity Hills, Willamette Valley, 2017 Chardonnay (Oregon), $28.89-$36.99, 90 points

Cristom Eola-Amity Hills, Willamette Valley, 2020 Chardonnay, $29.74-$41.99, 92 points
Willamette Valley Vineyards Dijon Clone 2014 Chardonnay, $14.99-$24.99, 86 points

Willamette Valley Vineyards Dijon Clone 2019 Chardonnay, $18.69-$23.99, 88 points

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Adelsheim Willamette Valley 2014 Chardonnay

Adelsheim Willamette Valley 2014 Chardonnay,
$19.54-$24.99, 90 points, poured a light gold color.
Apple pie, honeysuckle, and honeydew melon on the nose were shy, but pleasant.
Medium-bodied with good acidity managed a fruity flavor profile accentuated by bright apple with hints of lemon/lime.
Finished well on lemon zest, a hint of ginger, a spot on 13.5% alcohol, and bit of wet stoniness.
Paired fine with our MOJO Cuban rotisserie chicken dinner, but excelled with our baked apple crisp dessert.




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Cupcake Vineyards Marlborough 2016 Sauvignon Blanc

Cupcake Vineyards Marlborough 2016 Sauvignon Blanc, $7.99-$12.99, 87 points, poured a light brass color.
Aromatically grassy.
Light, acidic, and marked by flavors of lemon/grapefruit grapefruit/lemon that dominated the nuanced lime and gooseberry flavors.
Finished cumquat tart with the palate following aft, a residual grassy flavor, and a well-balanced 13% alcohol.
Quintessentially a New Zealand SB!
Paired fine with my sautéed North Atlantic cod loin.
I bought this SB at the Market Basket of Londonderry, and no wonder, at this price and quality, there was a 'mountain' display of Cupcake wines.

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Fritz Estate Dry Creek Valley 2015 LATE HARVEST Zinfandel

Fritz Estate Dry Creek Valley 2015 LATE HARVEST Zinfandel, $29.00 (birthday gift), 89 points, was a bright clear burgundy purple/red with a clear wine ring and fairly fat legs.
Aromatic cedar, wafting cherry, and a toasty black fruit medley were excellent.
Full-bodied, moderately sweet, supported with a soft underlayment of lush tannins, and medium acidity carried interesting flavors of blackberry liqueur and tart pomegranate.
Finished long on a 16.4% alcohol inspirited red pepper black cherry syrup.
Paired okay with my pecan pie, but an excellent digestif as well.


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Château Lafite Monteil 2011 Grand Vin De Bordeaux Supérieur Red Bordeaux Wine

Château Lafite Monteil 2011 Grand Vin De Bordeaux Supérieur Red Bordeaux Wine,  $9.99-$19.99, 87 points, appeared a high clarity sienna color with a clear wine ring and heavy draping.
Aromatic cedar potpourri with dried flowers, coffee, and black fruit notes was a bit shy, but lovely. 
Medium-bodied with good acidity and a firm underlayment of tannin carried flavors of less than fruity black fruit notes nuanced with tobacco, coffee, and black licorice.
Finished fair on the trailing palate, a bit astringent, and an innocent 13% alcohol.
Varietals were 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Paired fine with my spanakopita and Kalamata olives.

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Glendi 2017 is upon us, but what about the wines?

Above Photograph provided by Ethan Tsiorbas

Glendi 2017 at St. George Cathedral in Manchester arrived yesterday; for me, it's a chance to pick up Greek cuisine, and bump into some old friends and family, but always on my mind is the wine pairing.
Greek wines of course! Well, not so fast, there just isn't that many to choose from; here's my few Greek wines I've reviewed: Greek Wines.

For lamb, I like Shiraz (Australia).

For baked chicken and rice pilaf, my choices are (white) California Chardonnay found everywhere, and a good (red) Northwest Pinot Noir.

Finally, pair spanakopita with a good Bordeaux red wine. Just some suggestions and JMO!


My complete list: 
Bordeaux Red Wines
Chardonnay (USA)
Pinot Noir (USA)

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   .  

Brick And Mortar Sweetwater Springs Vineyard Russian River Valley 2014 Chardonnay

Brick And Mortar Sweetwater Springs Vineyard Russian River Valley 2014 Chardonnay, $32.29-$42.99, 90 points, poured a brassy yellow color that cleared at the glass wall.
Cantaloupe, vanilla, and a hint of citrus aromas were just okay for me.
Medium to medium-plus body kicked in with good acidity, a light/juicy mouth-feel, and carried excellent flavors of tamed oak notes and hints of lemon peel and ginger which trailed long into the delicious finish.
Alcohol was a restrained 13.5%.
Paired well with my grilled bone-in pork chops, garden salad, and nutty biscotti.

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Souverain North Coast 2016 Sauvignon Blanc

Souverain North Coast 2016 Sauvignon Blanc, $8.99-$11.99, 87 points, poured a light brass color trending water-clear at the glass edge.
Shy aromas of orange peel, freshly harvested hay, and honeydew melon were okay.
Lighter than light-bodied, almost insubstantial, carried weak flavors reflective of the aromas.
The long finish was essentially the best part of this Sauvignon Blanc: having a dominant hay/grassy flavor profile with a welcome touch of black pepper, watermelon rind, and a spot on 13.3% alcohol rescued this white wine.
Paired fine with my deep fried Ipswich clams.

Sauvignon Blanc 2016 (Cali)

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Piazzo 2013 Barbaresco (DOCG)

Piazzo 2013 Barbaresco (DOCG), $26.99-$32.99, 92 points, was expressed perfectly in this dark Red Rubin color with a broad clear wine ring and light draping.
Upon pouring, soft redolent smells of Welch's grape juice reminded of being a kid again, but that aroma quickly evolved into more traditional roses and black tea (quite lovely).
Medium-bodied with good acidity and a sheer curtain of tannin spun delicate snowflake flavors of truffle, spices, black tea, cherry notes, and everything nice which pirouetted into the long finish of intrigue.
A dry red wine with a modest 13.5% alcohol that paired fine with my Mexican cuisine.

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HKG Russian River NV Pinot Noir Sparkling Rosé Wine

HKG Russian River NV Pinot Noir Sparkling Rosé Wine, $13.57-$27.99, 88 points, poured with a full head of medium sized bubbles releasing an intense strawberry aroma; color was rich shades of silky salmon pink.
Light-bodied with mouthwatering acidity and fair cherry/raspberry and truncated strawberry flavors.
Finished well on the trailing palate and a balanced 12.5% alcohol.
Paired fine with my spicy bean/ beef burrito and nutty nougat roll, but less so with my fruit salad.




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Wind Gap Sonoma Coast 2013 Syrah

Wind Gap Sonoma Coast 2013 Syrah, $33.99-$39.99, 91 points, poured a centrally opaque purple/red grading lighter toward the clear wine ring and moderate glass draping.
Aromas of ripe blackberry and blueberry were garnished with a hint of sandalwood.
Medium-bodied with good acidity and soft sufficient tannin showed a feminine styled Syrah: subtle, sophisticated, and mature, but quite quaffable.
Flavors were fruity with a touch of truffle.
Finished long on easy spices, red raspberry, tangy pomegranate, and a benign 12.4% alcohol.
Please be sure to decant this wine.
Paired fine with my rare spice-rubbed rib eye.

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Quinta De Honor 20 Year Tawny Port Bottled In 2004

Quinta De Honor 20 Year Tawny Port Bottled In 2004, $33.99-$79.99, 94 points, poured a variable Mandarin orange color with sticky fat legs.
Profuse apricot, caramel, raisins, plum liqueur, and citrus notes were mesmerizing.
Full-bodied, dense, opulent, decadent, mouthwateringly acidic, mild supportive tannins, spicy, typically 19.5% alcohol warm with flavors following the fragrance all of which endured 'forever' with just a touch of sweetness.
No expert on Port am I, but I loved this wine as an aperitif, but paired with our Sticky Ginger Pudding was out of this world.

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Hourglass "HG III" Napa Valley 2014 Red Wine

Hourglass "HG III" Napa Valley 2014 Red Wine, $40.79-$47.99, 92 points, appeared black throughout save for the Shiraz purple at the glass edge, broad clear wine ring, and leggy bowl.
Aromatic cedar potpourri with cocoa and black currant were effluvious.
Densely full-bodied with good acidity and deep underlayment of round supportive tannin managed flavors reflective of the aromas with tangy pomegranate and blackberry.
Finished long on blackberry liqueur, hints of plum, and a warm 14.8% alcohol inspirited spiciness.
Varietals were Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petite Sirah.
Paired perfectly with my spiced-rubbed rare Angus rib-eye.

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