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Kareem, Nabeel and Salim Massoud of Paumanok Vineyards hold three of the winery’s four 93-point wines, as awarded by The Wine Advocate. (Credit: Vera Chinese)

We’re counting down the top coolest stories of 2015 on northforker.com. We will publish one story on our list per day, every day, until Jan. 1.

Coming in at number 2 is the accolades the Long Island wine region received this year.

Long Island wines received enthusiastic and record-breaking reviews from one of the industry’s most influential wine publications last summer.

In a recent edition of Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate — arguably one of the wine world’s most important publication — 78 local wines received scores of at least a 90, a number commonly considered to denote an outstanding wine.

Two wines from Wölffer Estate Vineyard received a 94 — the highest score ever for a Long Island wine — while five other Long Island wines received a 93 and 17 received a 92. The previous record had been 92 points, a score several wines have received from wine critics over the years.

“They were simply impressive, completely refuting any notion anyone might have that this is not a serious wine region,” wrote Wine Advocate critic Mark Squires.

The publication also revisited the region and published a November piece that gave 25 out of nearly 80 Long Island wines scores of 90 or better, including scores of 93 for two bottles from Paumanok Vineyards: Cabernet Sauvignon Tuthills Lane Vineyard and Merlot Grand Vintage.

The Aquebogue winery, which received four scores of 93 in the June issue, was also named “Winery of the Year” at the New York Wine and Food Classic in upstate Geneva. It was the third year in a row a Long Island producer took home the coveted award. McCall Wines in Cutchogue won in 2013 and Macari Vineyards in 2014.

“Of course, we are very pleased with this recognition, as our three sons’ work is being recognized at the state level,” said Paumanok Vineyards founder Charles Massoud. “Even more so as this is the second time that Paumanok is awarded the Winery of the Year. We are very happy for our family and the entire Paumanok team.”

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