2020 Toad Hollow Francine's Selection Chardonnay

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2020 Toad Hollow Francine's Selection Chardonnay

#16-2024

Last night we enjoyed a sautéed shrimp and scallop salad, with avocado, and a bottle of un-oaked Chardonnay from Toad Hollow of Mendocino County, California.  We have had some warm spring weather, and a chilled salad with a good Chard really hit the spot.

The Toad Hollow has a fresh and attractive nose, with citrus and apple aromas.  The flavors are citrus with a lemony touch, and a bold presence of Granny Smith apples for a stout backbone.  It has a very crisp and clean finish, which begs for another sip!  The alcohol content is 13.8%. and Norm's score is 90.

Pair this one up with seafood, hot or cold, and you have just what the doctor ordered!

score: 90

price : $14 - $17

Norm

normwine@bellsouth.net

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AVAILABLE ONLINE AT:

Pine Island Eagle.com

ALSO AVAILABLE at: Dunwoody Patch

2021 Rodney Strong Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2021 Rodney Strong Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

#15-2024

Quite some time back, I learned that you could usually count on Pinot Noir from Sonoma County's Russian River Valley to be dependably good. The 2021 selection from Rodney Strong fits the bill.  This is a classy Pinot Noir for a fairly mundane price.

The scent waifs across the room as you uncork the bottle, a harbinger of good things to come.  The initial flavor is cherry, backed up by dark plum.  The nuances in the background are a bit of earthy spice and a mellow toasty oak for the finish.  The alcohol content is 14.5% and Norm's score is 89.

I usually recommend Pinot Noir for Prime Rib, or Grilled Salmon, however. I would suggest you pair this one with Lamb Osso Buco for a real treat!

score: 89

price : $17 - $21

Norm

normwine@bellsouth.net

Facebook/Norm's Tasting Notes

normwine.blogspot.com

AVAILABLE ONLINE AT:

Pine Island Eagle.com

ALSO AVAILABLE at: Dunwoody Patch

Dunwoody, GA Patch

Wine - God's Proof of his Love for Humanity

2021 R. Stuart Big Fire Willamette Valley Pinot Gris

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2021 R. Stuart Big Fire Willamette Valley Pinot Gris

#14-2024

With our Easter Ham this year we served the 2021 Big Fire Pinot Gris from R. Stuart in Oregon.  This delightful wine certainly enhanced our Easter Feast.  The wine complimented an array of flavors at the table, with a certain pizzazz, befitting the occasion!

This is a multi-faceted wine with an inviting bouquet and a complex array of flavors.  The initial taste is stone fruit backed by melon and a touch of citrus.  The finish is of a spicy, herbal tone, with a lingering finish.  The alcohol content is 12.9%. and Norm's score is 90.

This Willamette Valley standout is a good choice for most seafood fare, and a delightful companion for summer salads!

score: 90

price : $17 - $22

Norm

normwine@bellsouth.net

Facebook/Norm's Tasting Notes

normwine.blogspot.com

AVAILABLE ONLINE AT:

Pine Island Eagle.com

ALSO AVAILABLE at: Dunwoody Patch

Dunwoody, GA Patch

Wine - God's Proof of his Love for Humanity

2022 Concha y Toro Casillero del Diablo Cabernet Sauvignon

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2022 Concha y Toro Casillero del Diablo Cabernet Sauvignon

#13-2024

When you are speaking of everyday Cabs, the entry from Concha y Toro in Chile has to be on the list.  The consistency of these wines labeled "House of the Devil", is at times astonishing. The 2022 Cassillero del Diablo Cabernet Sauvignon is yet another in the long line of winners from this winery.  By the way, in its early days, the winery's cellar was a cave named "House of the Devil", to scare off superstitious, "would-be" thieves who were afraid of that sign post.

The color is ruby red, and the bouquet is powerful enough to grab you by the nose when you pull the cork.  The flavors are dark cherry with plum and a hint of cassis.  This is a medium-bodied wine with a lingering finish. The alcohol content is 13.5%. and Norm's score is 88.

Try this one with grilled meats or marinated kabobs for a real treat!

score: 88

price : $11 - $15

Norm

normwine@bellsouth.net

Facebook/Norm's Tasting Notes

normwine.blogspot.com

AVAILABLE ONLINE AT:

Pine Island Eagle.com

ALSO AVAILABLE at: Dunwoody Patch

Dunwoody, GA Patch

Wine - God's Proof of his Love for Humanity

2021 Gnarly Head Old Vines Zinfandel

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2021 Gnarly Head Old Vine Zinfandel

#12-2024

We invited an old friend to dinner the other night, to sit alongside our thick grilled center-cut pork chop.  We set the 2021 Gnarly Head Zin next to our grilled chop for a mid-week  delight!  I wrote about Gnarly Head Old Vine Zin more than a decade ago, and quoted the old song lyric, "Oh Lord stuck in Lodi again."  Well these days, Lodi, California has become center stage for these noble old Italian Zinfandel vines, and the wines they produce!

The wine is still intense and lip-smacking good, with jammy flavors of blackberry, along with other dark berries, leading to a spicy finish, which only improves the food.  The alcohol content is 14.5%. and Norm's score is 89.

This is a versatile wine which goes well with grilled meat, but is especially good with spicy food, such as Barbecue, Spaghetti, and even Mexican or Southwest fare.

score: 89

price : $10 - $13

Norm

normwine@bellsouth.net

Facebook/Norm's Tasting Notes

normwine.blogspot.com

AVAILABLE ONLINE AT:

Pine Island Eagle.com

ALSO AVAILABLE at: Dunwoody Patch

Dunwoody, GA Patch

Wine - God's Proof of his Love for Humanity

2019 Clemente VII Rosso di Toscana Settimo

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2019 Clemente VII Rosso di Toscana Settimo

#11-2024

I don't always pair steak with Cabernet Sauvignon, since I like most red wines, I often choose others for my grilled delights.  One of my favorites is the Italian Tuscan blends, which are usually Sangiovese, with added Merlot, and guess what, Cabernet Sauvignon (sometimes Syrah).  This IGT Toscana was wonderful with my medium-rare fillet hot off the grill!

The wine is dark red in the glass, with a nose full of cherries and dark berries.  The flavor spectrum is a marvelous blend of cherry, blackberry, and a touch of plum.  There is a strong and mellow finish, which lingers until the next sip. The alcohol content is 14%. and Norm's score is 89.

I would recommend this Tuscan with almost any red-sauced pasta dish, and of course, with a variety of grilled meats.

score: 91

price : $14 - $17

Norm

normwine@bellsouth.net

Facebook/Norm's Tasting Notes

normwine.blogspot.com

AVAILABLE ONLINE AT:

Pine Island Eagle.com

ALSO AVAILABLE at: Dunwoody Patch

Dunwoody, GA Patch

Wine - God's Proof of his Love for Humanity

2022 Hess Select Monterey Chardonnay

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2022 Hess Select Monterey Chardonnay

#10-2024

If you are looking for an everyday Chardonnay at a decent price, which is consistent in quality year after year, you might want to try the Hess Select Monterey Chardonnay.  The 2022 vintage got the stamp of approval from the Chardonnay Queen, as we enjoyed a bottle the other night with a cheesy seafood casserole.

The wine has an aromatic nose, suggesting fresh pear scents coupled with a generous dose of lemony citrus.  The flavors are apple, pear and a touch of pineapple flowing toward a clean finish.  The alcohol content is 13.5%. and Norm's score is 88.

This one is great as a "back porch sipper", or paired with most seafood, especially chilled shellfish salads.

score: 88

price : $10 - $14

Norm

normwine@bellsouth.net

Facebook/Norm's Tasting Notes

normwine.blogspot.com

AVAILABLE ONLINE AT:

Pine Island Eagle.com

ALSO AVAILABLE at: Dunwoody Patch

Dunwoody, GA Patch

Wine - God's Proof of his Love for Humanity