2012 Hardy's Nottage Hill Shieaz

Norm's Tasting Notes

By: Norm Bentley

North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

 

 

 

 

 

 

2012 Hardy's Nottage Hill Shiraz 

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TASTING TALKER ATTACHED

 

 

Shiraz from Down Under, and some parts of South America, have become solid favorites, and production of this wine is growing in the United States as well.  Shiraz is a cousin to Syrah, with maybe just a bigger taste of the fruit, depending on where it hales from.   Hardy's has been a leader in the production of Shiraz from Australia for many long years, and this latest vintage is a good example of this wonderful wine, which is so pleasing to a multitude of palates.

When I think of Shiraz, I think of blackberries, cherries and currants, and this one certainly has those flavors.  It definitely has a lot of blackberry, with an undercurrent of currant.  Sorry, I could not help myself on that one.  The nose is explosive, and the flavors sail right on through into a big fruit finish, with just a touch of pepper and spice. The alcohol content is a pleasant 13.5%.

 

This Hardy's Shiraz is great with pasta and most grilled meats, and would make a good companion for either prime rib, or rack of lamb.  Norm's score is 90.

Score: 90

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://pineisland-eagle.com/

http://cumminghome.com/

http://dawsontimes.com/

 

Also on "The Patch" at Dunwoody, Buckhead, Sandy Springs, and others:

dunwoody.patch.com/‎

 

 

WINE – God’s Proof of his love for humanity

2011 Chateau St. Jean Sonoma Fume Blanc

Norm's Tasting Notes

By: Norm Bentley

North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2011 Chateau St. Jean Sonoma Fume Blanc

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During the last few years I have sampled a lot of Sauvignon Blanc and Fume Blanc, which are the same wine with different names, but they are both made from the Sauvignon Blanc grape, which happens to be my favorite white wine.  Just as the names are different the taste of a lot of these wines can vary from grassy, to steely, to fruity, and as is the case in many from New Zealand, the taste of grapefruit.

The 2011 Chateau St. Jean Fume Blanc from Sonoma County, California is what I call a "tweener", as it is a little fruity, a little grassy and has a citrus breeze, but not quite grapefruit in flavor.  The nose is full of apples, peaches and citrus and opens into an array of flavors suggesting its multiple personalities.  This is a clean wine on the palate with a crisp citrus finish.  I have had many vintages of the St. Jean over the years, and while this is not the best ever, it is still a solid performer , and would be a good addition to any table.

This wine is delightful with soft cheeses and fresh fruit for an informal gathering.  For dinner fare, it would pair best with roasted herb chicken or poached flounder, and would be excellent with a fresh Cobb salad.  Norm's score is 87.

 

Score: 87

Price: $11-$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://pineisland-eagle.com/

http://cumminghome.com/

http://dawsontimes.com/

 

 

Also on "The Patch" at Dunwoody, Buckhead, Sandy Springs, and others:

dunwoody.patch.com/‎

 

 

WINE – God’s Proof of his love for humanity

2011 Geyser Peak Uncensored Red

Norm's Tasting Notes

By: Norm Bentley

North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

 

 

 

 

 

2011 Geyser Peak Uncensored Red

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During the holidays, the "Chardonnay Queen" and I had the pleasure to spend a few days at a friend's beautiful retreat at Seaside Florida.  There were six of us, with a mixture of palates from sophisticated, to those who just enjoy an occasional glass of wine.  One of the wines which we all enjoyed was the 2011 Geyser Peak Uncensored Red from California.

The Uncensored Red is a blend of seven different grapes, some well known, others not so much so.  Wines like this at one time were called "field blends" since they contain all of the grapes from out in the fields.  When the wine maker does his job well, the result is an easy to drink mix of the best qualities of all of the grapes used.  The folks at Geyser Peak did a good job with this one.

The wine is a pretty purple red, with a nose that creates a breeze of plums and blackberries.  The flavor smacks of cherries and spice, and everything nice!  The taste of dark fruit flows into a finish smooth in texture, with a lingering hint of spice, which begs for another sip.  The wine is off-dry and easy to drink, with an alcohol content of 13.5%

You may not be at a beach resort, but you can enjoy a small vacation by sharing a glass with friends.  The wine would also make a good companion for burgers, or even a loaded up burrito.  Norm's score is 88.

 

Score: 88

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 Dunwoody, Buckhead, Sandy Springs, and others:

dunwoody.patch.com/‎

 

 

WINE – God’s Proof of his love for humanity