2008 Bogle Old Vines Zinfandel

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





2008 Bogle Vineyards Old Vines Zinfandel
#nb-09-11

It takes old vines to produce good wines, and in California there aren't many vines older than the old Zinfandel vines. With its origins in Italy, Zinfandel is a wonderful wine with most pasta and other spicy dishes, and even barbecue. In the 1800's there were many Italian immigrants in California who planted Zinfandel vines, many of which still produce wine today.

The 2008 Bogle Old Vine Zinfandel is produced from grapes from Lodi and Amador Counties which come from vines ranging from forty to eighty years old. These old vines produce grapes which have heavily concentrated juice, with a full range of dark berry flavors. The flavors range from blackberry, to black raspberry, intermingled with pepper and a slight jammy nature. The wine has been oak aged for ten months and comes in at 14.5% alcohol. This is an intense wine with big fruit flavors, and is most enjoyable with a wide range of spicy foods.

We enjoyed the Bogle Old Vines Zinfandel with a big plate of pasta, with tomato sauce, including beef and and Italian sausage, and a lot of garlic. It would also be great with pizza, or some really spicy barbecue. Norm's score is an 87, which happens to be the same score from "The Wine Spectator".

Price - $10 - $15
Score - 87

Norm

Norm's Tasting Notes can also be accessed at his Blog: http: //normwine.blogspot.com

Norm's Tasting Notes available online at either:
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2009 Simi Sonoma Chardonnay

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




2009 Simi Sonoma Chardonnay
#nb-08-11

When you cook dinner for your sweetheart on Valentines Day, it had better be a good one, especially if your sweetheart is the "Queen of Chardonnay"! The dinner was lobster and shrimp, steamed and served with drawn butter, accompanied by fresh asparagus, and parslied new potatoes.

The wine was the 2009 Simi Sonoma Chardonnay. We have enjoyed every vintage of this wine for the past five or six years, and the 2009 was no exception. The previous vintages have always scored in the high eighties and low nineties, and this one was is consistent with those scores.

The nose is fragrant and graceful, suggesting peaches and pears, with a slight citrus aroma. The fruit is highly concentrated with swirls of apple and pear, with an overlying pineapple presence. The finish is crisp and clean, lingering with a flirtation of oak, begging for another sip. The grapes come from Russian River, Alexander Valley, and the Carneros growing regions of Sonoma County.

The wine just ripples with luscious fruit, and enough oak to be perfect with shellfish served with drawn butter. This was a Valentine present to the both of us. The 2009 Simi Chardonnay would also be my choice for Shrimp Fettuccine Alfredo, or most any other fowl or seafood dish. Norm's score is an 88.

Price - $12 - $16
Score - 88

Norm

Norm's Tasting Notes can also be accessed at his Blog: http: //normwine.blogspot.com

Norm's Tasting Notes available online at either:
dawsontimes.com or
pineisland-eagle.com

2006 Chalone Vineyard Monterey Cabernet Sauvignon

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






2006 Chalone Vineyard Monterey Cabernet Sauvignon
#nb-07-11


There is nothing better than football, steaks on the grill, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Last week was even better, since the game was the Super Bowl, the fillet mignon was two inches thick, and a perfect medium rare, and the wine was a delicious Cabernet from Monterey.

The wine was the 2006 Chalone Vineyard Monterey County Cabernet Sauvignon, and the winery is one which underwent something of a "re-do" about a decade ago. The winery is famous for its mountain estate grown Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. But in 1998 the winery turned to its lower vineyards in the Salinas Valley to re-plant and begin to produce Cabernet Sauvignon and other varieties which still benefit from the cool Pacific Ocean breezes coming in at night from the Monterey Bay area.

The result is an enjoyable and accessible Cabernet with both finesse and drinkability. The 2006 Cabernet opens with a nice nose of jammy berry scents, followed by bold flavors of blackberry and currants. There is also a slight nuance of black cherry which melts into a mild toasty vanilla finish, which lingers on the palate until the next sip. The wine is nicely balanced with complex flavors that blend well together to form a wonderful food wine.

It was great for our Super Bowl steak, and would pair well with any grilled meat or hearty stew. Norm's score is an 89.


Price - $10 - $15
Score - 89

Norm

Norm's Tasting Notes can also be accessed at his Blog: http://normwine.blogspot.com/

Norm's Tasting Notes available online at either:

dawsontimes.com or
pineisland-eagle.com

2008 Columbia Crest Grand Estates Chardonnay

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





2008 Columbia Crest Grand Estates Chardonnay
#nb-06-11

Columbia Crest Winery, owned by Chateau Ste. Michelle in Washington State, has been making good wine at a good price for more than twenty five years now. Their 2008 Columbia Crest Grand Estates Chardonnay is no exception. We have been enjoying this Columbia Valley Chardonnay for many years now, and the last four or five vintages have had scores from the high eighties to the low nineties each year. That is consistency, with a wine priced in the ten dollar range, which the winery should be very proud of.

The other night we opened a bottle of the 2008 CC Grand Estates Chardonnay to pair with a meal of broiled flounder. It was a good match! The wine has a lot of complexity for a ten dollar bottle of wine. It starts with big fruit flavors of green apples and pears, with a nice creamy feel, and proceeds into mild vanilla and oak. The finish is clean and crisp with a slight lemon zest flair, and enough acidity to produce a complex and lingering finish. Make no mistake though, the wine while sturdy, did not over power the mild flavor of the flounder.

I can tell you that it is difficult to find a Chardonnay with big fruit, a creamy texture, and a mild oak finish for under fifteen dollars, but this certainly is one! The wine would be great with almost any fish or fowl dish, other than something which is very spicy or buttery. For those type dishes, I like just a touch more oak and acidity, but try this one with either grilled salmon, or grouper. Norm's score is an 88.

Price - $10 - $14
Score - 88

Norm

Norm's Tasting Notes can also be accessed at his Blog: http: //normwine.blogspot.com

Norm's Tasting Notes available online at either:
dawsontimes.com or
pineisland-eagle.com