Friday, December 28, 2012

2011 Franciscan Estate Napa Valley Chardonnay



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



2011 Franciscan Estate Napa Valley Chardonnay

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It is always pleasing to find a bottle of wine that tastes like it costs more than its actual retail price, and this was the case with the 2011 Franciscan Estate Napa Valley Chardonnay.  If you did not know better, you would think that this is a twenty dollar plus bottle of Chardonnay, when it can actually be purchased for around fifteen dollars.

The nose is fresh with aromas of apple and melon which burst above the rim of the glass. The opening flavors are definitely Chardonnay with pronounced green apple, a nuance of pear, and a generous serving of ripe melon.  These flavors transcend into a big mouth-feel of creamy and buttery tones, wrapped up in a slight citrus breeze.  The finish is crisp with a nod toward the wine's barrel fermentation, and seven months of oak aging.

This wine is in perfect harmony, with a pleasing balance between the fruit and acidity, and the mild oak undertones.  We enjoyed this wine with a chilled shellfish salad of lobster, shrimp, and king crab, which was magnificent with the Franciscan as a companion.  Norm's score is 91.

Score: 91
Price: $13 - $18

Norm

Norm's Tasting Notes can also be accessed at his Blog:
Norm's Tasting Notes available online at either:
dawsontimes.com
pineisland-eagle.com









WINE - God's proof of his love for humanity

Friday, December 14, 2012

"2012 Christmas Special"





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



Christmas Special
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First let me say MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY DINING!...To make this happen you will need to make some good choices for your holiday meals. Below is a list of suggestions for which wines go best with which foods, that I put together several years ago. I hope this will help you with your holiday planning.

Grilled Steak or Beef Tenderloin - Cabernet Sauvignon
Lamb Chops or Pork Loin Chops - Merlot
Barbecued Ribs or Spaghetti - Zinfandel
Prime Rib or Roast Duck - Pinot Noir
Lobster, King Crab, Half Shell Oysters - Chardonnay
Oysters Rockefeller or Broiled Fish - Sauvignon Blanc
Shrimp Alfredo or Clams Marinara - Pinot Grigio
Baked Fish, Poached Flounder - Riesling or Pinot Grigio
Cornish Game Hens - Chardonnay or Pinot Noir
Grilled or Baked Salmon - Chardonnay, or Pinot Noir

The following is a top ten list of some of the wines that I have written about earlier this year, which I would recommend as good choices for some of the above.

2009 Francis Coppola Director's Cabernet Sauvignon - 91 score
2007 Barba Vignafranca Momtepulciano - 92 score
2010 Chateau Ste. Michelle Chardonnay - 90 score
2010 Robert Mondavi Carneros Pinot Noir - 91 score
2009 Marques de Casa Concha Cabernet Sauvignon - 92 score
2009 Edna Valley Paragon Chardonnay - 90 score
2006 Three Sisters Cabernet Franc - 93 score
2005 Sargrantino di Montefalco Collepiano - 93 score
2010 Dry Creek Fume Blanc - 91 score
2009 Beringer Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon - 93 score

This year's Wild Card selection would be any vintage you can find of Rodney Strong
Russian River Chardonnay, which would be the pick from the "Chardonnay Queen" to
accompany her famous "Christmas Eve Seafood Salad".

Whatever special dinner or wine you enjoy this year, I hope you have a:

Merry Christmas  - Norm's Score - 100!

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







WINE - God's proof of his love for humanity

       

Friday, December 7, 2012

2010 Robert Mondavi Carneros Pinot Noir


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





2010 Robert Mondavi Carneros Pinot Noir
#nb-44-12


Just in time for the holidays, especially if you intend to serve prime rib, or another beef dish during the season, the 2010 Robert Mondavi Caneros Pinot Noir is arriving in the nick of time! This is one really good bottle of Pinot Noir, and I hope you can get a bottle for your holiday feast!

We sampled a bottle last night with my famous Beef Bourguignon and all the "Chardonnay Queen" could say was, "I think we better write this one down"! That is high praise indeed. The nose leaps out of the glass and grabs your attention with an array of aromas, ranging from blackberry to plum. The flavors swirl, with an abundance of plum and blueberry, and a trailing hint of strawberry. The finish is long and clean, and makes an eloquent statement so smooth, that it denies an alcohol content of 14.8%,, which is normally a little high for a Pinot Noir.

Pinot Noir and Beef Burgundy are a natural, but not as much so, as when paired with my favorite, prime rib! This wine would also be an excellent companion for broiled salmon. Norm's score is 91.

Score: 91
Price: $24 - $28

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







WINE - God's proof of his love for humanity