Norm's Tasting Notes

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2014 Concha y Toro Reserva Casillero del Diablo Malbec

#nb-21-16

I marvel at the gigantic wine world which we live in today, with wines from every corner of the planet, and grape varieties too numerous to count, not to mention all of the unique grape blends present in the market place. And yet, through it all, a few wineries still manage to produce quality wines in multiple categories, at reasonable prices. One of these consistent wineries is Concha y Toro from Chile, whose value label, Casillero del Diablo has been a favorite of mine for years.

I had not sampled the Malbec in the past, but I am happy to report that it is also a "winner". The wine has good clarity, and is a deep red color. The aroma bursts from the glass with a basket full of blackberries and spice, which leads to gobs of juicy fruit broadcasting the taste of blackberries to the far reaches of your palate. The blackberry flavor is backed by a rich sampling of plum, transcending into a bit of pepper and spice. While I don't always drink wine with barbeque, this one would be perfect at your back yard Memorial Day table.

We enjoyed this Malbec with a teriyaki-style chicken with red beans and rice, and a salad featuring avocado and tomato. It was a terrific match-up, and would also be a great companion for pasta marinara or the afore-mentioned barbecue. Norm's score is 90.

price : $9 - $12

score: 90

Norm

Available online at:

WINE – God’s Proof of his Love for Humanity

Friday, May 20, 2016

Moretti's Italian Grill (Good Eats)

Norm's Tasting Notes

by: Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

Moretti's Italian Grill (Good Eats)

#nb-20-16

I usually don't make un-abashed endorsements, but this is one time that I will make an exception. Many in South West Florida are familiar with Mr. Moretti and his fine eating establishments. (There have been several over the years) I fell in love with his culinary expertise when he operated Moretti's in Matlacha, Florida, and was disappointed when he closed and moved on. I was excited to have learned of his location in Cape Coral, Florida a few months back, and we dined there several times before returning to Atlanta from the "Little Cottage by the Sea".

Our last meal there, was last week when the Chardonnay Queen and I had dinner with her cousin from Atlanta. and what a fabulous dinner it was! We had Calamari, Veal Masala, Crab Stuffed Flounder, and Frutti di Mare Fettuccini with Marinara sauce. The Frutti di Mare was my favorite, featuring a bed of perfect Fettuccini covered with shrimp, crab, mussels, scallops, and at least two varieties of fish, all topped with Mr. Moretti's delightful spicy Marinara sauce. It was all wonderful, and there was so much food, that we had to take some home with us! The meal was accompanied by a bottle of Montepulciano d 'Abruzzo which was perfectly suitable for this variety of dishes. Norm's score is 99+.

Moretti's Italian Grill is among the country's best Italian Seafood restaurants and is located at:

3100 Del Prado Blvd. S

Cape Coral, Florida 33993

239-542-3030

price : $8 - $28

score: 99+

Norm

Available online at:

WINE – God’s Proof of his Love for Humanity

Friday, May 13, 2016

2010 Lunelli Ziggurat Montefalco Rosso

Norm's Tasting Notes

by: Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2010 Lunelli Ziggurat Montefalco Rosso

#nb-19-16

The blended red wines from Tuscany called Super Tuscans have become quite sought after in the marketplace, and are usually a combination of the Italian grape Sangiovese, and French grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The price is usually a little prohibitive, so a wine of that nature is quite welcomed at a more affordable price. This Montefalco Rosso is a blend of the Italian Sagrantino and Sangiovese, along with the French Cabernet and Merlot which are grown in Montefalco to the north of Tuscany.

The Lunelli Ziggurat Montefalco Rosso is a polished and complex blend of these grapes which produces a luxurious wine in the twenty dollar range. The nose is full of cherry and blackberry and shines against the wines brilliant cherry red color. The flavor is complex with blackberry at the center surrounded by plum, cherry, and a bit of spice. The wine has a strong finish, and a lingering taste with firm tannins, which suggest that the wine has additional years to mature in the bottle, but is quite accessible at the moment. Norm's score is 89.

We enjoyed the Ziggurat with a juicy, burnt medium rare New York Strip and a fresh tomato and avocado salad, and it was delightful. This wine would also be great with a big platter of Mussels Marinara.

price : $17- $20

score: 89

Norm

Available online at:

WINE – God’s Proof of his Love for Humanity

Friday, May 6, 2016

2014 Geyser Peak Sauvignon Blanc

Norm's Tasting Notes

by: Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2014 Geyser Peak Sauvignon Blanc

#nb-18-16

We had dinner at the beach last week at a restaurant with an open air view of the sunset, and enjoyed a good seafood dinner accompanied by a bottle of Geyser Peak Sauvignon Blanc. I have been a fan of Geyser Peak Sauvignon Blanc for several years, and the 2014 is another example of a good solid California style wine.

The wine opens with a fresh nose full of citrus and the grassy highlights which I always enjoy in a Sauvignon Blanc. The flavor swirls with notes of apple, melon, and lemon-lime against a mineral backdrop, and that grassy nature found in the bouquet. The finish is crisp and clean, begging for another sip. Norm's score is 88.

We had both fried and broiled seafood for dinner, and the wine was suitable for both. The wine would also pair well with Shrimp Alfredo, and is definitely a "back porch sipper".

price : $10 - $14

score: 88

Norm

Available online at: