2011 Biltmore Reserve Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

Norm's Tasting Notes

By: Norm Bentley

North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

 

 

 

 

 

2011 Biltmore Estates Reserve Russian River Pinot Noir

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The Biltmore House in Asheville, NC is not only a fabulous place to visit, it is also a good place to get a decent bottle of wine. I recently had an opportunity to sample the 2011 Biltmore Reserve Russian River Valley Pinot Noir.  I found it to be delightful.

The grapes of course, hail from the Russian River Valley in Sonoma County, California, and the wine is made at the Biltmore Estate Winery.  The wine is a bright cherry red in color, and has a good nose which displays aromas of plum and cherry.  The flavors are strong on cherry, with a hint of strawberry, backed up with a touch of oak.  The finish is long and clean, with a little tannin to round it out.  The alcohol content is 14.6%.

This fine wine was paired with a nice thick fillet from the grill, with a baked potato, and a fresh garden salad.  It was an enjoyable combination.  This Pinot Noir would also be excellent with grilled salmon.  Norm's score is 88.

 

 

Score: 88

Price: $18 - $23

 

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://pineisland-eagle.com/

http://cumminghome.com/

http://dawsontimes.com/

 

Also on "The Patch" at Oconee, Dunwoody and others:

oconee.patch.com/

WINE – God’s Proof of his love for humanity

2010 Simi Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Norm's Tasting Notes

By: Norm Bentley

North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

 

 

 

 

2010 Simi Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

#nb-38-13 

Last weekend was the annual outing for my old college friends up at the lake, where we grilled steaks and enjoyed good wine, and told lies about our lost youth.  The highlight as far as the wine was concerned, was the 2010 Simi Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, which has been one of my favorites in the past few years.

The Alexander Valley is in the north eastern portion of Sonoma County and has the Russian River running through it. The grapes in this bottle contained 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, and a scattering of Malbec, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc.  Very Bordeaux in style, and a very rich and robust bottle of wine, suitable for most grilled meats.

The nose is powerful with aromas of dark fruits basted in chocolate and spice. The color is a dark ruby red with purplish tinges.  The flavors abound with cherry and dark fruit blending with cassis and a touch of plum.  The finish is strong with toasty oak and a background of vanilla which were a perfect complement to my steak.  Norm's score is 89.

No wine report next week, I will be fishing down in Paradise, (Matlacha,FL).

 

 

Score: 89

Price: $19 - $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:

http://pineisland-eagle.com/

http://cumminghome.com/

http://dawsontimes.com/

 

Also on "The Patch" at Oconee, Dunwoody and others:

oconee.patch.com/

WINE – God’s Proof of his love for humanity

2010 Waterstone Napa Valley Merlot

Norm's Tasting Notes

By: Norm Bentley

North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

 

 

 

 

 

2010 Waterstone Napa Valley Merlot

#nb-37-13

"Tasting Talker" attached

 

 

 

 

Decent red wines from Napa, in the under twenty dollar range, are hard to come by, but the 2010 Waterstone Merlot is an exception. This is a firm and supple Merlot with a lot of Cabernet character, and a modest price range.  The grapes are 100% Merlot and come from both Carneros, and the Chiles Valley., which represent both the north and south of Napa.  The wine was aged in oak for 24 months, and is not a large run, with only 1232 cases being produced.

The nose opens up with a heavy punch to the senses full of blackberry and cherry aromas, which immediately announce that this is a wine of substance.  The flavors abound with cherry, blackberry and plum, leading into a lingering finish, highlighted by a touch of vanilla, and a hint of oak.  The wine finishes long and clean, suggesting another sip.  The alcohol content is a healthy, but mild 15.1%.

The Waterstone Merlot is an excellent choice for grilled meats, such as steaks and chops. If you really enjoy red wine, you may want to just sip this one, and maybe add a piece of aged sharp cheese.  Norm's score is 90.

 

 

Score: 90

Price: $16 - $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:

http://pineisland-eagle.com/

http://cumminghome.com/

http://dawsontimes.com/

 

Also on "The Patch" at Oconee, Dunwoody and others:

oconee.patch.com/

WINE – God’s Proof of his love for humanity

2012 Oyster Bay Chardonnay

Norm's Tasting Notes

By: Norm Bentley

North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

 

 

 

 

 

2012 Oyster Bay Chardonnay

#nb-36-13

 

Wines from Marlborough, New Zealand rank with some of the best wines in the world.  The 2012 Oyster Bay Chardonnay is a good example of the wines from Marlborough, and was an excellent companion for the "Chardonnay Queen's" world famous Shrimp Scampi.  Alas this was the last of the gulf shrimp which we brought back from Florida a few weeks ago, so I guess we will have get back down to the "Cottage by the Sea" for more.

The Oyster Bay has an excellent aroma of pear and apricot, with a little apple to guide the senses toward its full-bodied flavor.  The flavors are in sync and contain tropical fruit and pear. with apple undertones leading into a clean and crisp finish.  There is a mild presence of vanilla and oak at the end which highlights the creamy texture of the wine.  The alcohol content is 13%.

This is a solid example of a New Zealand Chardonnay, and was good with our special shrimp scampi.  It would also pair well with a host of other seafood fare.  You might want to try it with lemon chicken, or grilled turkey breast.  Norm's score is 86

 

Score 86

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://pineisland-eagle.com/

http://cumminghome.com/

http://dawsontimes.com/

 

Also on "The Patch" at Oconee, Dunwoody and others:

oconee.patch.com/

WINE – God’s Proof of his love for humanity