Norm's Tasting Notes

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2014 Chateau Ste. Michelle Columbia Valley Chardonnay

#nb-16-16

We had a fabulous dinner the other night with fresh stone crab claws accompanied by a bottle of Chateau Ste. Michelle Chardonnay from the state of Washington. This is not our first memorable dining experience with Chateau Ste. Michelle, which is one of those

wineries which manages to be consistently good year after year.

The 2014 Chardonnay opens with a delicate, yet fragrant, nose suggesting a floral bouquet highlighted by whiffs of tropical fruit. This is a well balanced, refined wine with notes of apple and pineapple which are ripe and juicy, but not over-stated. There is a smooth mouth-feel with a slight buttery presence which drifts off into a crisp finish with just a tiny kiss of oak. Norm's score is 89.

The wine was perfect with the stone crab, and would also make a great companion for Fettuccini Alfredo, or Shrimp Scampi.

price : $10 - $14

score: 89

Norm

Available online at:

WINE – God’s Proof of his Love for Humanity

Friday, April 15, 2016

2014 San GiuseppePinot Grigio Valdadige

Norm's Tasting Notes

by: Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2014 San Giuseppe Pinot Grigio Valdadige

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We sampled an interesting Pinot Grigio the other night from the Valdadige DOC located about sixty miles from Venice, and rated as one of the best Pinot Grigio growing areas in Italy. The 2014 San Giuseppe certainly lives up to the region's reputation.

The wine opens with a fragrant floral nose which takes you into a garden of flavors showing pronounced pineapple and apple tones, with a silky mouth-feel and a clean, fresh delicate finish. The wine is a mild 12% alcohol content, and has a lingering, refreshing aftertaste which requests further attention. Norm's score is 88.

We enjoyed the San Giuseppe with fresh sea trout and home-made coleslaw which made a wonderful warm weather dinner.

price : $10 - $14

score: 88

Norm

Available online at:

WINE – God’s Proof of his Love for Humanity

Friday, April 8, 2016

2014 Concha y Toro Casillero del Diablo Carmenere

Norm's Tasting Notes

by: Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2014 Concha y Toro Casillero del Diablo Carmenere

#nb-14-16

We have been enjoying the wines from Chile's Concha y Toro for several decades, and the Casillero del Diablo label for at least the last ten years. I like wine made from Bordeaux grapes, and the Carmenere, first cousin to Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot, is sometimes known as the "lost grape from Bordeaux", and has become a personal favorite.

The nose broadcasts and array of aromas ranging from plum to dark spicy berries. The flavor is both bold and eloquent and provides a taste sensation of blueberry and blackberry wrapped around layers of chocolate and toasty tannins which flow into a rich mellow finish, which begs for another sip. Norm's score is 89.

This is a quality bottle of wine in a value price range, which shoulders its way past many contenders which just don't measure up to its level of excellence. We paired his wine with Chicken Parmesan, but it would also be great with steak.

price : $10 - $14

score: 89

Norm

Available online at:

WINE – God’s Proof of his Love for Humanity

Friday, April 1, 2016

2011 Cakebread Cabernet Sauvignon

Norm's Tasting Notes

by: Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2011 Cakebread Cabernet Sauvignon

#nb-13-16

We recently had old friends visit us at the "Little Cottage by the Sea" and brought us a wonderful present, a bottle of 2011 Cakebread Cabernet. Cakebread has been long time favorite, especially for special occasions, and there is nothing more special than a visit from old friends, so we sat down and enjoyed it together. All I can say is Wow!

This wine was mature for its age and opened with a distinguished nose of violets, cherry, and a whiff of chocolate. Like most Cakebread Cabs it contained a massive presentation of fruit highlighted by black cherry, blackberry and black raspberry. There was a slight presence of spicy currant which flowed into a mild and smooth finish with mellow tannins in the background. Norm's score is 91.

This Cakebread Cab would serve well with an array of grilled meats, or could be served as a compliment to itself as a stand-alone treasure.

price: $70 - $85

score - 91

Norm

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