2007 Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells Merlot

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





2007 Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells Merlot
#nb-20-10

The renowned wines from Chateau Ste. Michelle of Washinton State have gathered numerous acclaims for both excellence and value. Their northern most growing area is the Wahluke Slope, which is bordered on both the south and west by the Columbia River. Here we find the Indian Wells Vineyard where some of the state's best wines are produced. No exception is the 2007 Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells Merlot. This wine was scored a 92 by "Wine and Spirits" magazine and an 89 by the "The Wine Spectator."

I often tell customers that, "I taste bad wine so they won't have to!" This was not the case with the Indian Wells Merlot. This a lush and fragrant wine which is well balanced and not overbearing in any way. Its aroma is well rounded with both the the essance of cherries and dark berries. It is pleasing to the palate with tones of black cherry, plum, and a hint of cedar. This Merlot has a strong and lingering finsih which is not over powering, but begs for another sip!

It is a great value for a wine under twenty dollars, and would pair well with any grilled meat, or game dish. I think it would be a wonderful companion to roasted pheasant or duck, and would be a first choice for lamb. It is hearty but not overly so, and I would score it a 91.

Price - $14 - $18
Score - 91

Norm

Norm's Tasting Notes available online at either:

dawsontimes.com or
pineisland-eagle.com

2008 J. Lohr Estates Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon

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






2008 J. Lohr Estates Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon
#nb-19-10

I love the fall weather when the sky is dark blue, and the temperature range is between 45 at night and 75 during the day, with a dry cool breeze blowing. It makes me remember the first down run, the touchdown pass, and the big game. I also think of that big strike, and hauling in that five pound bass or that twenty inch speckled trout. What warms me up in this slightly chilly weather is that big glass of dark red wine served with a two inch thick steak, or a big bowl of venison stew, or of course, a big plate of spaghetti and meat sauce!

In light of the above, we decided to celebrate the fall with a big plate of spaghetti and meat sauce, and a bottle of 2008 J. Lohr Estates Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon. We have enjoyed the Seven Oaks Cabernet many times during the last decade, and it always scores in the high eighties to low nineties. The 2008 was no let-down, and I would give it a solid 88.

The 2008 Seven Oaks like many bottles labeled Cabernet Sauvignon is actually a blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petite Sirah, 4% Syrah, and small amounts of Merlot, Petite Verdot, Cabernet Franc, and other reds. Very Bordeaux in style it is what I would call a Claret, or some might say a Meritage. It is 100% delightful, with more than a year of oak aging and an alcohol level of 13.5 %. The wine is a beautiful reddish purple in color and has the aroma of currants and cherries. The flavor swells in the glass to reveal black cherry, with overtones of other dark berries, and a wonderful nuance of plum, which finishes with toasty oak and vanilla.

The Seven Oaks was great with the spaghetti and kept growing larger and larger in the glass which climaxed the evening, with the last of the wine, when the meal was long gone. It is very good right now, but should be even better by 2015, if you can wait that long! My score would be an 88, but it might be over 90 in 2015.

Price - $12 - $16
Score - 88

Norm


Norm's Tasting Notes available online at either:

dawsontimes.com or
pineisland-eagle.com

2009 Chateau Ste. Michelle Horse Heaven Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc

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






2009 Chateau Ste. Michelle Horse Heaven Sauvignon Blanc
#nb-18-10

I just got back from paradise, and man did I hate to leave! Paradise for the "Chardonnay Queen" and I, is our little cottage by the sea in Matlacha, Florida.

For those of you who don't know where Matlacha is, it is right offshore from Cape Coral, FL (Fort Myers), and is inside of the barrier islands of Captiva, Sannibel, and Pine Island. Matlacha is a small community of around 700 residents and has several very good restaurants, a thriving art community, and some of the best fishing in the whole state!

There were several good meals and a number of good bottles of wine, but the star of the trip was the 2009 Chateau Ste. Michelle Horse Heaven Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc. Now that's a long name for a bottle of wine, but this one is also long on taste! This wonderful Sauvignon Blanc accompanied a terrific meal at "Red's Fresh Seafood" on Pine Island. For starters, there was a succulent cup of crab and red pepper bisque, followed by a platter of both oysters and shrimp.

The Horse Heaven Sauvignon Blanc hails from Washington State and is a blend of 89% Sauvignon Blanc and 11% Semillon, and is a perfect 13.5% alcohol. The wine starts with a light lime citus aroma which melts into the taste of a little citrus, a little grassy, and a lot of ripe pear. The finish is clean and crisp, and sails on into the night.

The "Wine Spectator scored this one an 89, which is one point below the 90 bestowed on the 2008 vintage. I would have to agree, as I also subtract one point from the previous vintage, since I found this one to be a touch lighter. This wine is so tasty, you could sit on the back porch and consume the whole bottle by yourself! However, shared with someone special with a platter of fresh shellfish, makes for a wonderful evening.

Price - $14 - $18
Score - 89

Norm

Norm's Tasting Notes available online at either:

dawsontimes.com or
pineisland-eagle.com