2011 Ruffino Orvieto Classico

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





2011 Ruffino Orvieto Classico
#nb-04-13


The Orvieto Classico wine is named after one of Umbria's most beautiful cities, located on a hilltop between Florence and Rome. This city is known for its magnificent dome. Wine has been made in Orvieto since the days of the Etruscans. Over the years, winegrowers from the Chianti region have also maintained vineyards in Orvieto. They are driven by the desire to produce a class of white wine as well known and loved as Chianti itself. Other than Pinot Grigio, there is hardly any other Italian white wine as widely known and loved as the Orvieto Classico with its easy drinking character and distinct Italian style. For myself, I prefer it to Pinot Grigio.

The 2011 Ruffino Orvieto Classico is typical of the Ruffino Orvieto wines which I have loved in the past. It is a blended white, which is 50% Grechetto, 30% Procanico, 10% Verdello, and 10% Canaiolo Bianco. The alcohol content is 12%. It is straw yellow in color, and the nose is like a bouquet of fresh picked wild flowers from the meadow.

It is fresh and clean, with the flowery bouquet followed by solid apple and pear flavors, with a hint of tropical fruit, finishing with a light and crisp citrus aftertaste. Best with antipasto, it serves well as a before dinner wine, or pairs well with milder fish and fowl dinner dishes. If you like to just sip white wine, this is the one for you, and at it's modest price you can enjoy as much as you want! Norm's score is an 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:
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WINE - God's proof of his love for humanity

2010 Simi Sonoma County Chardonnay

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





2010 Simi Sonoma County Chardonnay
#NB-03-13


I like Chardonnay, but the "Chardonnay Queen" loves it, and we have a few that are perennial favorites. One of these is Simi Chardonnay, which we make sure and try whenever a current vintage is available, and one which we have not sampled in the past.

This one was the 2010 Simi Sonoma County Chardonnay. We have enjoyed every vintage of this wine for the past five or six years, and the 2010 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. The 2010 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.

Score: 88
Price: $14 - $19

Norm

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

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







WINE - God's proof of his love for humanity

2010 Cline Ancient Vines Zinfandel

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






2010 Cline Ancient Vines Zinfandel
#NB-02-13


I like Zinfandel, and I especially like old vine Zinfandel. The 2010 Cline Ancient Vines Zinfandel has all of the qualities I enjoy in this almost native California grape, which originally hailed from Italy. A lot of these old vines were planted in the late 1800's by Italian Immigrants who brought vines from the old country with them. The old gnarly and twisted vines produce an intense juice which builds a powerful statement which is more than just Dago Red.

The Cline opens with heady aromas of black raspberry and blackberry, which float above the glass. The flavors remain true to the scent with the addition of cherry and a little vanilla which explode into a jammy taste sensation. The finish is solid, and the fruit lingers with a soft presence which belies the 15% alcohol, which is neither hot nor harsh.

I always enjoy Zinfandel with spaghetti, but it is an excellent companion for anything from burgers to barbecue. If you can get venison, this wine is perfect for a winter-time bowl of hearty venison stew! Norm's score is 88.

Score: 88
Price: $12 - $16

Norm

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

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






WINE - God's proof of his love for humanity

2010 Tenuta Frescobaldi di Castiglioni

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






2010 Tenuta Frescobaldi di Castiglioni
#nb-01-13


The wines from Tuscany under the banner Toscana IGT are often called Super Tuscans, and are usually a blend of grape varieties. The 2010 Tenuta Frescobaldi di Castiglioni is such a blend, featuring 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Sangiovese. The harmony of these grapes in this bottle of wine is excellent. The wines of Fresobaldi go back hundreds of years in Italy, and this is a great example of a modern style wine backed by an ancient lineage.

The bouquet is powerful, with big fruit fragrances suggesting cherries, highlighted by a presence of black currant. The flavors abound with the cherry being dominate, but backed with surrounding features of blueberry, plum, and a hint of strawberry. The finish is strong and lingering with a slight peppery aftertaste, and a bit of earthy undertone. The wine simply begs for another sip, and then another.

We enjoyed this bottle of wine with Rack of Lamb grilled to a perfect medimum rare. It was a wonderful combination, but other good choices would be prime rib, or any other grilled or roasted meat, including veal. Norm's score is 90.


Score: 90
Price: $20 - $25

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