2024 Top Twenty List

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2024 Top Twenty List

Dos December - 2024

Here's wishing Each and Everyone of You a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Your present from me is this year's top twenty list of the best wine which I have sampled during 2024.  I hope you have a great 2025!

Top Twenty Wines of 2024

2019 Charles Krug Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon = 93

2020 Chateau Ste. Michelle Canoe Ridge Chardonnay = 91

2019 Marcelo Pelleritti Signature Malbec = 92

2020 Sterling Heritage Collection Napa Chardonnay = 90

2019 Clemente VII Rosso di Toscana Settimo = 91

2021 R. Stuart Big Fire Willamette Valley Pinot Gris = 90

2020 Toad Hollow Francine's Selection Chardonnay = 90

2021 Z. Alexander Brown Uncaged Pinot Noir = 90

2019 Hahn GSM California Red Blend = 91

2022 Maison Louis Latour Pouilly Fuisse = 92

2020 J Lohr Los Osos (Paso Robles) Merlot = 90

2022 Ferrari-Carano Dry Sangiovese Rose (Sonoma) = 91

2022 The Four Graces Willamette Valley Pinot Noir = 91

2018 Buoncristiani Napa Valley Chardonnay = 92

2018 B-Side North Coast Cabernet Sauvignon = 91

2020 E. Guigal Cotes du Rhone Rouge = 91

2021 Villa Marchesi Antinori RossoToscana = 91

2020 Fleur de Mer Rose = 91

2019 Louis Latour Grand Ardeche Chardonnay = 92

2020 Ruffino Riserva Ducale Oro - Gold = 90

Norm's score is 90 and Up 

Now, that's just the way I see it, and you can tell them I said so!

Here's looking at you Kid!

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 Villa Marchesi Antinori Rosso Toscana

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2021 Villa Marchesi Antinori RossoToscana

Uno December - 2024

Well here we are right in between the Feast of Thanksgiving and the Feast of Christmas, so lets talk everyday American Food, like Italian Style Spaghetti.  It don't get much more American than Spaghetti!  And most of us have our own "Special Sauce", but I don't!  Since I don't measure, and often don't use all of the same ingredients, my Spaghetti Sauce is never quite the same, although folks always say that it is really good!  However though, to keep it Italian, I always use Garlic, and Oregano in large quantities.  The other night we paired this great American meal with a bottle of Villa Antinori Toscana, straight from Italy.

This is a "Knock-out" wine for Spaghetti, and a lot of other food as well!  The wine opens with a compelling nose full of dark berries, which entices your palate to indulge in the rich flavor spectrum in the glass.  The flavors are cherry, plum, and a little black currant, backed with vanilla and a touch of spice. The finish sails off into the night!  The alcohol content is 13.5%. and Norm's score is 91.

Serve the Antinori Toscana Rosso with anything from Lasagna to Steak, but especially Spaghetti!

score: 91

price : $18 - $22

Now, that's just the way I see it, and you can tell them I said so!

Here's looking at you Kid!

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

Thanksgiving 2024

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

Thanksgiving 2024

Uno November - 2024

We are getting close to the "All American Feast Day"!  So, lets talk Turkey, or Ham, or Beef, or whatever you plan to serve.  One thing for sure is, that if its a "Feast", then there will be a lot of food, and it may not all pair well with the wine you are serving.  So, you have two choices, pair the wine with the entrée, or serve the wine you enjoy the most.  You can't go wrong either way!  Below are nine good picks which I have sampled recently, and I am sure at least one will work well with your Thanksgiving table, or serve several, there are no rules!

2022 The Four Graces Willamette Valley Pinot Noir - 90

2022 Ferrari-Carano Dry Sangiovese Rose - 91

2022 Maison Louis Latour Pouilly Fuisse - 92

2021 R. Stuart Big Fire Willamette Valley Pinot Gris - 90

2019 Louis Latour Grand Ardeche Chardonnay - 92

2020 Toad Hollow Francine's Selection Chardonnay - 90

2020 J Lohr Los Osos (Paso Robles) Merlot - 90

2022 Ferrari-Carano Fume Blanc - 90

2022 Rodney Strong Russian River Valley Pinot Noir - 90

Happy Thanksgiving!

Here's looking at you Kid!

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

2020 E. Guigal Cotes du Rhone Rouge

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2020 E. Guigal Cotes du Rhone Rouge

Dos October - 2024

Once again the current vintage of E. Guigal Cotes du Rhone receives both critic's praise, as well as fan appreciation for its latest offering!  The 2020 vintage is an exceptional buy and a wonderful companion at the dinner table.

This mostly Syrah wine is a beautiful dark red in the glass, with a nose full of bright berries. Flavors of black cherries, raspberries, and a hint of blueberry dance in the glass.  This is a bold red, which is kind in nature to a variety of foods, and offers up flavors mixed with a little spice.  It has good balance, and a lingering finish, which begs for another sip!  The alcohol content is 15% and Norm's score is 91.

Sometimes called "The poor man's Chateauneuf du Pape", Cotes du Rhone is a great choice for a variety of dishes, including our Kabobs from the Barbie!

score: 91

price : $15 - $19

Now, that's just the way I see it, and you can tell them I said so!

Here's looking at you Kid!

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

Uno October - 2024

2018 B-Side North Coast Cabernet Sauvignon

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2018 B-Side North Coast Cabernet Sauvignon

Uno October - 2024

Saturday College football and slabs of beef on a hot grill, whether at the tailgate party, or the backyard patio, may be one of my favorite American traditions!  And, of course, if you have a Slab, then you need a Cab.  A great choice for the Chardonnay Queen and I was the 2018 B-Side Cabernet from the Sebastiani Family, which has been a favorite for quite awhile now.

The B-Side Cab is very approachable in the twenty, to twenty-five dollar range,  It has a big nose, a bright smile, and a lingering presence.  The flavors are black cherry and plum with a dusting of mocha toward the finish.  The alcohol content is 14.5%. and Norm's score is 91.

The pairing of grilled beef with Cabernet Sauvignon, makes this "California Cab Kid" a happy camper!

score: 91

price : $22 - $25

Now, that's just the way I see it, and you can tell them I said so!

Here's looking at you Kid!

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

2018 B-Side North Coast Cabernet Sauvignon

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2018 B-Side North Coast Cabernet Sauvignon

Uno October - 2024

Saturday College football and slabs of beef on a hot grill, whether at the tailgate party, or the backyard patio, may be one of my favorite American traditions!  And, of course, if you have a Slab, then you need a Cab.  A great choice for the Chardonnay Queen and I was the 2018 B-Side Cabernet from the Sebastiani Family, which has been a favorite for quite awhile now.

The B-Side Cab is very approachable in the twenty, to twenty-five dollar range,  It has a big nose, a bright smile, and a lingering presence.  The flavors are black cherry and plum with a dusting of mocha toward the finish.  The alcohol content is 14.5%. and Norm's score is 91.

The pairing of grilled beef with Cabernet Sauvignon, makes this "California Cab Kid" a happy camper!

score: 91

price : $22 - $25

Now, that's just the way I see it, and you can tell them I said so!

Here's looking at you Kid!

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