Trefethen Family Vineyards Chardonnay 2016
Three stars
Oak Knoll Districtof Napa Valley, Calif. $36
Trefethen is celebrating its 50th anniversary, making it one of the earlier wineries in Napa Valley’s renaissance that began in the 1960s. The Trefethens are also celebrating the renovation of their historic winery building, which was damaged in the 2014 Napa earthquake. This chardonnay is delicious, with aromas and flavors of orchard fruit - peaches, apricots and pears - and a hint of ginger, vanilla and clove from oak barrels.
Alcohol by volume: 13.4 percent.
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Clementine Carter Grenache Blanc 2016
Two and a half stars
Santa Barbara County, Calif., $28
Grenache blanc, a white grape common in the Rhone Valley of France and in some parts of northern Spain, has become a winemaker’s darling in Central California. Grenache blanc is leaner and more acidic (and therefore more refreshing) than roussanne and marsanne, the other white Rhone grapes. It offers scents and flavors of white flowers and tropical fruit, more on the guava side than the mango. It is not seductive on first sip, but it draws you in and engages in a fascinating conversation as the evening progresses.
ABV: 13 percent.
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Great Value
1+1=3 Cava Brut
Two stars
Penedes, Spain, $17
This is a perennial favorite of mine for bargain bubbly, from a local importer and with great availability throughout the region. It is the classic cava grapes of xarello, parellada and macabeo, fermented and aged in the traditional champagne method, with the second (bubbly) fermentation in the bottle. Enjoy this with spicy salami, pasta or other light foods, or just turn a tough workday into a celebration.
ABV: 11.5 percent.
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Great Value
Massucco Dolcetto d’Alba 2017
Two stars
Piemonte, Italy, $15
This wine is worth investing in several bottles, because it will continue to get better over the next few years. It is also a great wine for stretching over several evenings, as it just keeps getting better. I love this for its dark cherry fruit and aromas of old leather and wood smoke. These flavors kept improving and becoming more pronounced a day and more after opening.
ABV: 13 percent.
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Thema 2017
Two stars
Drama, Greece, $23
This classy blend of assyrtiko and sauvignon blanc is lean and racy, with an appealing acidity that makes it suitable for matching with all sorts of dishes. It is delicious on its own, but it really benefits from pairing with food.
ABV: 13.5 percent.
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Prices are approximate. Check Winesearcher.com to verify availability, or ask a favorite wine store to order through a distributor.
3 stars: Exceptional; 2 stars: Excellent; 1 star: Very Good
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