2013 Spring Fishing

Norm's Tasting Notes By: Norm Bentley North Georgia Wine Advisor normwine@bellsouth.net             2013 Spring Fishing #nb-15-13     Spring fishing beckons us down to our little cottage by the sea in Matlacha, Florida, where we will enjoy fresh fish with our wine for a few weeks. I have already caught a few nice bass in nearby waters, so now its time to try out the saltwater, and perhaps land a few sea trout. There will be a full report of our adventures when we get back, but meanwhile here is something I wrote a little while ago.   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: http://cumminghome.com/ http://dawsontimes.com/ http://pineisland-eagle.com/ WINE – God’s Proof of his love for humanity

2011 Rodney Strong Sauvignon Blanc

Norm's Tasting Notes By: Norm Bentley North Georgia Wine Advisor normwine@bellsouth.net   2011 Rodney Strong Charlotte's Home Sauvignon Blanc #nb-14-13 The wine choices for Easter ham can vary from a light and dry Rose to a sturdy Chardonnay, or even a lighter style Pinot Noir. For this year's spring feast we chose the 2011 Charlotte's Home Sauvignon Blanc from Rodney Strong to accompany our ham. I have enjoyed several vintages of this one in the past, and felt that this would be a good selection. It was even better than I had expected!   The Charlotte's Home opens with a bouquet of spring flowers highlighted by honeysuckle, that literally leaps out of the glass to announce its presence. This is a lush big fruit wine which abounds with flavors of tropical fruit and ripe pear, highlighted by the presence of honeydew melon. There is just the slightest nuance of citrus, and the finish is long and clean with a pleasing crisp aftertaste. There is almost none of the grassy nature which I usually associate with a California Sauvignon Blanc. The alcohol content is 13.5% I have enjoyed several previous vintages of the Charlotte's Home, but this may the best one yet. It was a great choice for our Easter ham, and I could not help thinking how good it would be with a seafood dish in a creamy sauce such as Seafood Fettuccine Alfredo, with a hot baguette of sourdough frenchbread, and Caesar salad. Norm's score is 91.    Score 91 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: http://cumminghome.com/ http://dawsontimes.com/ http://pineisland-eagle.com/ WINE – God’s Proof of his love for humanity