Ferrari Carano Sonoma County 2018 Dry Sangiovese Rosé

Ferrari Carano Sonoma County 2018 Dry Sangiovese Rosé, $11.89-$16.99, 90 points, was a lovely peach-pink color.
Aromas were soft floral strawberry.
Light-bodied Rosé with good acidity delivered a well-balanced array of summer red fruit flavors in a dry sleek package.
Finished long on a alcohol (13.5%) inspirited spiciness, a touch of Necco wafer, and ginger.
Paired perfectly with my Mexican cuisine.

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Barone Fini Valdadige DOC 2018 Pinot Grigio

Barone Fini Valdadige DOC 2018 Pinot Grigio, $9.99-$14.99, 89 points, was a light gold color grading clear toward the glass edge.

Smelled very grassy with a hint of sweet burnt orange peel.

Light-bodied white wine with bright acidity and rich flavors of green melon, sweet hay, kiwi, ginger-ale, and a hint of pineapple was round, robust, and pleasing.

Finished well on the trailing palate, a bit tart, and with a balanced 12.5% alcohol.

Paired perfectly with my Ipswich clam chowder.

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Condado De Oriza 2014 Ribera del Duero Red Wine (Tempranillo) Reserva

Condado De Oriza 2014 Ribera del Duero Red Wine (Tempranillo) Reserva, $11.89, 89 points, poured beautiful purple/reds with a clear wine ring and light glass sheeting.
Aromas were toasty, floral, and nuanced with cocoa and red fruit.
Medium-bodied red wine with good acidity and firm fine grainy tannins supported a rather tasty, but straight-forward red fruit flavor profile.
Finished long on the fading palate, a bit of mint, red licorice, and a well-integrated 14% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my Texas burgers.


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Columbia Winery (Washington) 2016 Merlot

Columbia Winery (Washington) 2016 Merlot, $11.04-$15.99, 90 points, poured a deep cranberry red with purple highlights, a bleeding wine ring, and stained moderately fat legs.
Lush aromatic plum, chocolate, and blackberry delighted.
Medium-bodied red wine with good acidity and mellow tannins sported red raspberry, eucalyptus, and licorice flavors.
Finished well on white pepper, tart red fruit, and a well-balanced 13.9% alcohol.
Paired fine with Ollie's Supreme pizza.



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Contadino Delle Venezie 2018 Pinot Grigio

Contadino Delle Venezie 2018 Pinot Grigio, $6.99, 88 points, was nearly water clear save for a faint brass tint.
Aromas were faint as well, with hints of honeysuckle, pome flowers, lychee, and sweet hay.
Light-bodied white wine with fair to good acidity and flavors reflective of the aromas.
Finished okay on the fading palate, a touch of ginger, and a balanced 12% alcohol.
Paired fine with my Snow crab pie.

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Steele Mendocino County 'Pacini Vineyard' 2015 Zinfandel

Steele Mendocino County 'Pacini Vineyard' 2015 Zinfandel, $10.49-$16.99, 90 points, poured a lovely ruby red with a broad clear wine ring and copious stained legs.
Aromatic Zin-grape specific, briar fruit, and a floral vibe were outstanding.
Near full-bodied red wine showed a rather sleek mouth-feel, good acidity, and a supportive underlayment of tannin.
Flavors of licorice, blackberry, and red raspberry rolled into a long finish nuanced with pomegranate, red cherry, easy pepper spices, and a robust 14.5% alcohol.
Paired fine with my Mexican cuisine.
Personal comment: This is one great wine for the pesos paid.

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St. Supery Napa Valley 2018 Sauvignon Blanc

St. Supery Napa Valley 2018 Sauvignon Blanc, $16.99-$21.99, 92 points, poured a light brass color and turning water clear toward the glass edge.

Aroma was overwhelmingly passion fruit with hints of lemon zest, fresh-cut grass, and a floral vibe.

Light-bodied white wine with bright acidity and rich luscious flavors reflective of the aromas plus a bit of Necco wafer to boot.

Finished strong on the robust fading palate, an expanding white pepper, ginger, and the perfect 13.5% alcohol partner.

Paired well with my Gulf of Maine Lobster in drawn butter.

2018 Cali Sauvignon Blanc

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The Delicious Monster McGregor, South Africa, White Wine

The Delicious Monster McGregor, South Africa, White Wine, $6.99, 87 points, was a light brass color with a lime-green sheen.
Richly aromatic with melon, grass, citrus, and flowers pleased.
Though light-bodied, this white wine gave the impression of so much more: it was appropriately acidic and showed a rather complex flavor profile reflective of the nose.
Finished a bit weak, but certainly for the dollars spent was a tasty tipple.
Alcohol was a well balanced 12%.
Paired well with my sautéed Icelandic haddock.
Varietals were 60% Chenin Blanc, 20% Chardonnay, and 20% Muscat.

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Groth Oakville-Napa Valley 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon

Groth Oakville-Napa Valley 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon, $55.99-$72.99, 94 points, poured core black with holiday patches of Shiraz purple/red, a bleeding broad clear meniscus, and stained glass sheeting.
Aromatic violets, black currants, perfumed red raspberry, and cedar were outstanding.
Full-bodied red wine with good acidity and enduring tannins supported flavors reflective of the aromas plus mint, cherry cola, and a hint of fennel.
Finished long on the trailing palate, Kirsch, easy pepper spices, and a warm 14.9% alcohol.

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

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Ferrari Carano 2018 Fumé Blanc

Ferrari Carano 2018 Fumé Blanc, $12.74-$17.99, 90 points, was a very light glossy yellow gold color grading to a water clear toward the glass rim.
Aromatic sweet hay, pome blossoms, and lemon zest were good.
Light-bodied white wine with good acidity and flavors of sweet hay, a hint of grapefruit, a dash of Circus-peanut marshmallow was archetypically Cali-Sauvignon Blanc.
Finished long on the trailing palate, citrus, a touch of ginger, and a well-balanced 13.8% alcohol. 
Paired perfectly with my New England fish chowder.

2018 Cali Sauvignon Blanc
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Château Marjosse 2015 Grand Vin Bordeaux Red Wine

Château Marjosse 2015 Grand Vin Bordeaux, $11.47-$13.49, 88 points, poured a deep ruby and graded rosewood red toward the clear meniscus and moderately fat stained leg.
Aromas of black currants, cedar, clove, and a floral vibe were excellent.
Full-bodied red wine with a fairly soft/round mouth feel, good acidity, and a firm underlayment of tannin sported a straight-forward flavor profile including anise, plum, and black fruits.
Finished fair on a warm 14.5% alcohol, easy pepper spices, mint, and the fading palate.

Bordeaux Red Wine Vintage 2015

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Château la Verrière Grand Vin Supérieur 2015 Bordeaux Red Wine

Château la Verrière Grand Vin Supérieur 2015 Bordeaux Red Wine, $14.39-$15.99, 87 points, poured broadly black with 'holidays' of deep blood red patches and the rim penumbra followed by a bleeding meniscus and stained fat legs.
Aromatic fruit, juniper, and Bordeaux lily were quite good.
Full-bodied rustic red wine with strident tannins and a complex flavor profile made-up in part with cherry cola, fennel, bay leaf, red raspberry and redolent 'Moxie' soda were tasty, but a bit unfocused.
Finished on the trailing palate and a alcohol (14%) inspirited spicy white pepper.
Way better than many critics have reviewed.

Bordeaux Red Wine Vintage 2015

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Picton Bay Marlborough 2018 Sauvignon Blanc (New Zealand)

Picton Bay Marlborough 2018 Sauvignon Blanc (New Zealand), $8.99, 87 points, was a lovely light gold color clearing toward the glass shallows.
Aromas were overwhelmed with gooseberry and grapefruit.
Light-bodied white wine with bright acidity and good flavors reflective of the aromas with a bit of by now famous Necco Wafer candy.
Finished fair on the fading palate, citrus notes, and a balanced 12.5% alcohol.
Paired fine with my Maine lobster tails in drawn butter.

2018 NZ SB
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Bruno Rocca 'Fralù' Langhe 2016 Nebbiolo (DOC)

Bruno Rocca 'Fralù' Langhe 2016 Nebbiolo (DOC), $20.69-$22.99, 91 points, poured a blazing deep sunburst orange/red with a broad clear wine ring and moderately fat legs.
Floral aromas were nuanced with red cherry and cinnamon.
Medium-bodied red wine with good acidity and fine grainy tannins sported black tea, cherry fruit, a hint of mint, and pomegranate flavors.
Finished long on the fading palate, white pepper, and a perfect 14.5% alcohol.
Paired well with my rare spice-rubbed Angus strip steak.

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Charles Krug Peter Mondavi Family Saint Helena-Napa Valley 2018 Sauvignon Blanc

Charles Krug Peter Mondavi Family Saint Helena-Napa Valley 2018 Sauvignon Blanc, $15.29-$19.99, 89 points, poured a light gold color and graying toward the rim.
Lightly aromatic pineapple, dusty sweet hay, and gooseberry were good.
Subtle flavors reflective of the aromas were enhanced by the vivid acidity and delivered in this refreshingly light-bodied white wine.
Finished smartly on ginger and a well-integrated 13.5% alcohol.
Paired fine with my sautéed Atlantic haddock.



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Casale dello Sparviero 'Paronza' 2015 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione (DOCG)

Casale dello Sparviero 'Paronza' 2015 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione (DOCG), $26.99-$36.99, 92 points, poured core black grading to a deep ruby red with a broad clear meniscus and dense hanging stained legs.
Aromas were toasty and herbal with soft floral and cherry fruit.
Medium-bodied red wine with bright acidity and a firm plank of tannin managed to deliver the aromas onto the palate with red fruit and black tea.
Finished long on the trailing palate, easy pepper spices, and a well balanced 14.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with Ollie's special pizza.

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Tuatea Marlborough 2018 Sauvignon Blanc (New Zealand)

Tuatea Marlborough 2018 Sauvignon Blanc (New Zealand), $7.99, 90 points, poured a medium yellow gold color and clear toward the glass rim.
Passion fruit, cured hay, and gooseberry aromas were delightful.
Light, crisp, and fruity with flavors reflective of the aromas and tart white grapefruit.
Finished long on the trailing, ginger, and a well balanced 12.6% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my deep fried battered sea scallops.

2018 NZ SB
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Château Moulin de Curat Puisseguin Saint-Émilion 2015 Bordeaux Red Wine

Château Moulin de Curat Puisseguin Saint-Émilion 2015 Bordeaux Red Wine, $16.99-$18.99, 88 points, poured a deep burgundy purple/red with a broad clear wine ring and moderately heavy stained legs.
Aromas of toast, black grapes, violets, and earthy plum were complex and pleasant.
Medium-bodied red wine with good acidity and firm slightly astringent tannins managed good plum, a hint of pomegranate, and well blended black fruit flavors.
Finished fair on the trailing palate, tart red cherry, and with a well-integrated 14% alcohol.
Varietals were 65% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon.
Paired nicely with my spicy chipotle cuisine.

Bordeaux Red Wine Vintage 2015
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La Granja '360' 2018 Verdejo/Viura (Spain)

La Granja '360' 2018 Verdejo/Viura (Spain), $5.99, 88 points, was a light gold color clearing only at the glass rim.
Aromas of soft floral notes and cilantro were pleasant.
Light-bodied white wine (off dry) with good acidity and a remarkable bounty of flavors which were dominated by Necco wafer, sweet hay, and fruity green grape impressed.
Finished fair with a hint of ginger and a well-balanced 12.5% alcohol.
Paired fine with both chicken and lobster salads.
Varietals were 85% and 15% Viura.

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Seghesio Sonoma County 2016 Zinfandel

Seghesio Sonoma County 2016 Zinfandel, $20.39-$25.99, 89 points, poured deep purple/reds with a broad clear meniscus and fat stained legs.
Aromatic rich ripe blackberries and a hint of coffee were excellent.
Full round body provided generous black fruitiness with toasty plums, good acidity, and softly supportive tannins.
Finished long on the trailing palate, easy pepper spices, tart pomegranate, and a spot-on 14.8% alcohol.
Paired well with my spicy pork soft tacos.

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