2007 Wild Horse Cabernet Sauvignon

Norm's Tasting Notes
#nb-08-10
normwine@bellsouth.net







As I have often said, I love steak on the grill with a good bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon! Last night I cubed up some fillet mignon, and skewered it with onion and grape tomatoes, and an orange teriyaki sauce. I braised the skewers on a very hot grill and served these wonderful steak ka-bobs with a bottle of 2007 Wild Horse Cabernet Sauvignon. Now if that doesn't make for a "mid-summer's night dream", then Billy was not the "Bard".

Wild Horse Winery and Vineyards is in Templeton, California just south of Paso Robles, and part of the Central Coast growing region. Warm days with nights cooled by Pacific Ocean breezes combine to produce some remarkable grapes, yielding very fine wines. The 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon from Wild Horse is a delightful bottle of wine with big fruit up front, followed by a mild toasty oak finish. The nose is heady to say the least, and the flavor swirls with a cherry-berry roundness, which begs for one sip after another.

Like many Cabernets these days, this one is a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, accented by the usual cast of characters, headed up by Malbec at 5%. It comes in at 13.9% alcohol and is smoothed out by its 12 months in the barrel. It was great with our skewered fillet, and would be perfect with any steak, or red sauce pasta dish. Norm's score is an 89.

Price - $16 - $19

Score - 89

Norm

Wine Ratings

Norm's Tasting Notes
normwine@bellsouth.net

Recent Wine Ratings





2008 Napa Cellars Chardonnay - 88
2008 Casillero del Diablo Malbec - 87
2007 Cupcake Vineyards California Cabernet Sauvignon - 87
2008 Kendall-Jackson Grand Reserve Chardonnay - 88
2008 Simi Sonoma County Sauvignon Blanc - 89
2007 Wlid Horse Central Coast Pinot Noir - 89
2007 Fontanafredda Briccotondo Barbera - 92

All of these wines have been tasted and written up on Norm's Tasting Notes.
( Enjoy a bottle with dinner tonight! )

Full articles can be read online at either:

dawsontimes.com
            or
pineisland-eagle.com

2008 Simi Sauvignon Blanc

Norm's Tasting Notes
by: Norm Bentley
North Georgia Wine Advisor
normwine@bellsouth.net





#nb-03-10
Sharing a good bottle of wine with old friends is one of life's special treats, and we had just such an occasion last night. The wine was the 2008 Simi Sauvignon Blanc, and it was an excellent choice for a hot Atlanta summer evening.

When we first opened the bottle it was a little too cold, which while being more refreshing, loses some of the flavor. The best temperature for white wine is at about 60 degrees which retains its refreshing nature, but still allows the wine to open up its bouquet.

The Simi has a wonderful bouquet with strong scents of apple, melon and citrus. The fragrance opens the door to swirling flavors of tropical fruit with grassy undertones. Depending on your palate you might notice either peach or melon as well. This Sauvignon Blanc has a good balance between fruit and acidity and has a bone dry, crisp finish, which is perfect for a hot summer night.

I love Sauvignon Blanc in the summer, and can suggest this one as an excellent pair for shrimp salad, or one of my favorites, fried flounder! The scores range from a 90 from the Wine News, to an 88 from the Wine Spectator, and an 87 from the Wine Enthusiast. Norm's score would be an 89.

Price - $11 - $15

Score - 89

Norm

Wine Scores

Norm's Tasting Notes can be read online at either:

dawsontimes.com - or - pineilsland-eagle.com

Dawson Times is an online newspaper published in Dawsonville, GA
which is in the foothills of the North Georgia Mountains. In addition to
wine articles, there are lots of interesting articles about the area, including
local wineries and the gold rush town of Dahlonaga, GA.

The Pine Island Eagle is published in Pine Island, Florida, just off the coast
of Cape Coral and Fort Myers, FL. Lots of stories of local interest to the
SW Florida area, including the islands of Sannibel and Captiva. The prettiest
village in all of Florida is on Pine Island, and is named Matlacha, which is home
to a small arts and crafts community as well as several great local seafood
restaurants. It is also a fishing paradise.

Norm

Wine News

My name is Norm Bentley.
I write a weekly article about wine.

The title is "Norm's Tasting Notes"

If you like wine and want to know more about wine, or the pairing of wine with food,
you will probably enjoy reading these articles. There are scores, plus price ranges for
all wines reviewed.

These articles can be viewed on-line at either:

dawsontimes.com - or - pineisland-eagle.com

Norm