2010 Mezzacorona Pinot Grigio

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






2010 Mezzacorona Pinot Grigio
#nb-17-12


So what do you serve with salmon salad? Our choice last night was a bottle of 2010 Mezzacorona Vigneti delle Dolomiti Pinot Grigio, which proved to be an excellent choice for a warm spring evening repast. The Mezzacorona hails from the cool mountain vineyards of Northern Italy's Dolomite Mountains, and is a clean and refreshing Pinot Grigio. It is almost always a "Best Buy" choice, and the winery was recently awarded "European Winery of the Year" by the "The Wine Enthusiast" magazine.

The wine is a pale yellow with aromas of flowers and fruit. There are flavors of apple and honey which lead into a dry and clean finish, and would make it a good "Back Porch Sipper". The salmon salad was a bit on the spicy side with pickles and onions and was highlighted by the rich spicy taste of the Pinot Grigio.,

This would be a great choice for any summer salad or light seafood entree, and would also be perfect with baby Swiss cheese and a bowl of grapes. Norm's score is 87.



Score: 87
Price: $8 - $11

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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WINE - God's proof of his love for humanity

2009 Columbia Crest Grand Estates Chardonnay

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






2009 Columbia Crest Grand Estates Chardonnay
#nb-16-12


I don't know how many vintages of the Columbia Crest Grand Estates Chardonnay I have sampled over the years, but I do know that I don't ever remember a bad one. The 2009 vintage is another excellent example of a good bottle of wine for a good price. Columbia Crest is a secondary label for Chateau Ste. Michelle, out of Washington, but there is nothing secondary about the taste of this Chardonnay.

It opens with a pleasant fruit-filled bouquet of apples and pear, highlighted by the presence of citrus aromas. The taste is abundant with green apple, laced with tropical fruit, and a hint of lime. It has a somewhat buttery and creamy mouth-feel, which translates into a crisp and lively finish, suggesting another sip. The alcohol level is 13.5%, which is almost perfect for Chardonnay.

We enjoyed this delightful wine with a dinner of "Shrimp and Scallops Jamboree", which is a combination of shellfish accompanied by tomatoes, sweet peppers and onions, with garlic, served over a bed of Jasmine rice. What a treat! I liked the wine so much that when I found it on sale at a local retailer, I bought a whole case, which made the "Chardonnay Queen" very happy. Norm's score is 89.


Score: 89
Price: $9 - $12

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
cumminghome.com
pineisland-eagle.com
thecherokeeconnection.com








WINE - God's proof of his love for humanity

2005 Sagrantino di Montefalco Collepiano

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





2005 Sagrantino di Montefalco Collepiano
#nb-15-12


Umbria is a region in Italy located in the center of the country and sometimes refered to as the "Green Heart" of Italy. Within Umbria is the village of Montefalco and the nearby vineyards of Arnaldo Caprai founded in 1971. This is almost the only place in the world where you find the Sagrantino grape, which is native to the area, at least since the Roman days. Sagrantino is a thick-skinned grape which produces a huge amount of tannin, and a very dark and robust wine. It is not for the faint of heart.

It is however, a wonderful wine for those of us who enjoy a powerful wine paired with a hearty meal, such as wine and garlic marinated lamb chops seared on the grill, and served medium rare. This is exactly what we chose for this year's Easter Feast. The lamb was great, and the wine was fantastic! The beginning was a knock-out bouquet that threatened to over-power the senses. Clouds of cherry and currant surrounded by vanilla leapt out of the glass. The flavor was rich and robust with the cherry and currant being accompanied by a little pepper, and earthy undertones. The finish is powerful and long with evidence of the twenty-two months aging in oak. The alcohol content is 14%.

The presence of tannin is still pronounced, as the wine is still quite young at seven years old, and should continue to improve for several more years. This is an elegant wine which is ready now for hearty game dishes, and meats such as our grilled lamb, but if you have the time, lay it down for three to five more years and then enjoy this splendid offering from the heart of Italy. Norm's score is 93.


Score: 93
Price: $50 - $65

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
cumminghome.com
pineisland-eagle.com
thecherokeeconnection.com







WINE - God's proof of his love for humanity

2010 Dry Creek Fume Blanc

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






2010 Dry Creek Fume Blanc
#nb-14-12


It was so good a couple of decades ago, that the Chardonnay Queen and I served it at our wedding. The 2010 Dry Creek Fume Blanc brought back memories of that great taste, the same, only different, We had a bottle last night with grilled steelhead, and it was wonderful. Now I am not sure whether I can tell the difference between steelhead and salmon, but I do know a good Sauvignon Blanc, when I taste one. The "Wine Spectator" scored this one an 88. I may be prejudiced due to past experience, but I give it a 91.

The bouquet literally leaps out of the glass and attacks your senses with aromas of apples and lemon zest. The flavors abound with orange and lemon, surrounded by granny smith apples, and a trace of that Sauvignon Blanc classic grassiness. The combination of citrus and apple continues into a crisp finish, with lingering capability, despite the lack of oak. This wine is 100% stainless steel fermented and has an alcohol content of a pleasant 13.5%.

This Dry Creek has been the California leader in Sauvignon Blancs since the seventies and continues its reign with the 2010 vintage. It was teriffic with grilled steelhead and would be a first choice for a picnic, with either cold chicken, or just fruit and cheese.


Score: 91
Price: $11 - $15


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
cumminghome.com
pineisland-eagle.com
thecherokeeconnection.com







WINE - God's proof of his love for humanity