2011 Kris Pinot Grigio

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






2011 Kris Pinot Grigio
#nb-29-12

I like Pinot Grigio in the summertime because it is so easy to drink, and works well with a lot of summertime foods. The other night we paired a bottle of 2011 Kris Pinot Grigio with a summer menu of shrimp scampi, grilled zucchini and basil infused jasmine rice. It was a great combination! The Kris is light and crisp, but with solid charecteristics which make it a best buy, year in and year out, in the below fifteen dollar range.

We had a lot of different flavors going on in our meal, and the Kris had the backbone to stand up to the entire array without trying to take center stage. The bouquet is floral with citrus highlights, which flow into flavors of peach and melon, with a hint of honeysuckle The finish is typical Pinot Grigio, which is light and crisp, with a lingering fruit flavor that is off-dry at the end. The alcohol level is 12.5%.

A perfect match with shrimp scampi, it would also be wonderful with salmon or grilled chicken salad. Make no mistake, this wine is so easy to drink that you could sip it all night long, and never get around to dinner. Norm's score is 88.


Score: 88
Price: $10 - $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:
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WINE - God's proof of his love for humanity

2010 Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells Cabernet Sauvignon

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





2010 Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells Cabernet Sauvignon
#nb-28-12


The pedigree for this wine for the last five years, has been scores of 90 and above. I see no need to change that trend. This is a very drinkable Cabernet from the folks at Chateau Ste. Michelle, and will continue to drink well for the next three or four years.

The Ste. Michelle Indian Wells vineyard is located in the Columbia Valley in the southeast portion of Washington, where it enjoys long warm growing days. The Indian Wells Cabernet is 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, with small amounts of Syrah, Malbec, and Cabernet Franc added to balance its flavor spectrum. Fifteen months of oak aging also helped smooth out its edges, and added a little toasty vanilla oak to the finish. The alcohol content is 14.5%.

The nose is heady with the fragrance of cherries, which drift into jammy flavors of dark berries and black cherry. The finish has the subtle untertones of oak which allow the concentrated fruit flavors to sail on into the night. The touch of Syrah adds a hint of pepper to this verry approachable Cabernet. The style is modern but sturdy enough to stand up to any full flavored grilled meat, especially steak.

We skewered some chunks of tenderloin with peppers and onions, and slathered on a thick teriyaki sauce, and cooked them on the grill. We added a salad and a bottle of the Indian Wells Cabernet and had ourselves a feast. That's summer living in hot Atlanta!

Score: 90
Price: $15 - $19

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 Los Vascos Cabernet Sauvignon

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





2010 Los Vascos Cabernet Sauvignon
#nb-27-12


How about a bottle of Bordeaux from Chile? Well its really not Bordeaux, but it is from the Los Vascos estate owned by Bordeaux giant Domaines Barons de Rothschild-Lafite since 1988. The 2010 Los Vascos Cabernet Sauvignon is an excellent example of the superior wines coming out of Chile with a French Flair.

The wine has a deep red color and a fragrant bouquet of cherry, plum, and cassis. The flavors develop in concert with the nose of the wine, and feature big dark berry delights accented by cherry and plum. The finish is full of fruit, with a background of mild tannins, and continues on until the next sip. The alcohol content is a sturdy, but mild 14%.

We enjoyed the Los Vacos Cabernet with a two inch thick fillet mignon, grilled outdoors to a perfect medium rare. It was great with our steak, and would pair well with any other grilled meats, and at less than half the price of a decent Bordeaux, we could enjoy two bottles with our meal. Norm's score is 88.

Score: 88
Price: $10 - $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

2010 Biltmore Estates Century White Wine

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





2010 Biltmore Estates Century White Wine
#nb-26-12


We decided to do something different for the Fourth of July this year, but still keep American history in focus. Instead of our normal barbecue, we had a New England Boil featuring Lobster Claws, and a bottle of 2010 Biltmore Estates Century White Wine, both a part of tradition and American history. New England boiled dinners go back to the beginning of the country, and the Biltmore Century White celebrates the one hundred year birthday of Biltmore House in Asheville, NC.

The Biltmore Century White is a blended wine with Gewurztraminer, Muscat Canelli, Riesling, and Symphony. It is a big fruit wine with an off dry finish. The nose is floral with a bit citrus and floods the senses with its bouquet. The flavors are folded together in harmony, and contain green apple, melon, a touch of tropical fruit, and a hint of orange peel. The finish is clean and crisp, with just a suggestion of the big fruit flavors lingering on.

Our New England boil contained corn on the cob, new potatoes, lobster claws and lots of seasoning, and the Biltmore White was a perfect fit It would go great with summer salads, or just as a "Back Porch Sipper". Norm's score is 89.


Score: 89
Price: $12 - $16

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