2014 Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Fume Blanc

Norm's Tasting Notes

by: Norm Bentley

normwine@bellsouth.net

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2014 Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Fume Blanc

#nb-03-16

 
 

This Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc is called Fume Blanc at the Robert Mondavi Winery, and has been a standby at our house for many years.  Fume means smoke in French, but the wine is not smoky, nor is it French, but it is somewhat Bordeaux in style especially with the addition of 6% Semillon to the Sauvignon Blanc.

 

The Chardonnay Queen has always liked this wine, and commented that this one was more old style Fume Blanc than some of the previous vintages.  The wine opens with a pleasant bouquet of flowers and ripe fruit underscored by a slight citrus breeze.

The flavor is filled with the big fruit taste of peach, pineapple and a touch of lemony grassiness leading into a crisp finish with a mineral background which cleanses the palate.  The alcohol content is 13.5%.  Norm's score is 88 with the Chardonnay Queen giving it a slightly higher mark.

 

We paired this one with a homemade concoction called Mojo Asian Lime Shrimp, and it was delightful!  I think the Mondavi Fume Blanc  would also be great with Oysters Rockefeller.

 

price: $18 - $22

score - 88

 

Norm

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WINE – God’s Proof of his Love for Humanity

      

2013 Bogle California Chardonnay

Norm's Tasting Notes

by: Norm Bentley

normwine@bellsouth.net

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2013 Bogle California Chardonnay

#nb-02-16

 

The Chardonnay Queen is always in quest of a really decent everyday Chardonnay for less than ten dollars per bottle.  Her choice for most of the year of 2015, and still continuing into 2016,  is the 2013 Bogle California Chardonnay.  Bogle has been recognized for more than a decade as a producer of quality, value priced wines, with their California Merlot getting most of the attention.  The "Wine Enthusiast" magazine rated this Chardonnay at 89, and the Chardonnay Queen has upped that score to  90.  After that high praise, I asked her to give me her description and opinion of the wine, and she had this to say.

 

"The 2013 Bogle has the light golden color normally associated with Chardonnay that invites further inspection.  The nose is predominately apple with a bit of pear, and just a hint of citrus.  There is a strong flavor of apple balanced with vanilla, and a touch of peach.  All flavors combine to provide a full rounded finish."

 

The Bogle comes in at a pleasant 13.5% of alcohol, leading to big fruit flavors, and ending in a clean crisp finish,  This wine will pair well with most fowl and seafood dishes, and is definitely a good "back porch sipper". 

 

price: $8 - $11

score - 90

Norm

WINE – God’s Proof of his Love for Humanity

      

2013 Chalone Monterey County Pinot Noir

Norm's Tasting Notes

by: Norm Bentley

normwine@bellsouth.net 

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

 

2013 Chalone Monterey County Pinot Noir

#nb-01-16

 

We had friends visit us in Matlacha for Christmas this year, and for Christmas Eve dinner we had a wonderful meal at the Tarpon Lodge at Pineland, Fl.  The Tarpon Lodge is always a great choice for a celebration dinner, and we sampled several wines from their wine list, one of which was the Chalone Pinot Noir from Monterey County California.

 

The Chalone is a truly rich and juicy Pinot Noir.  It opens with a fragrant nose suggesting cherries, backed by an array of floral scents and a touch of strawberry. 

The flavor abounds with the presence of cherry, red raspberry and plum, with an underlying hint of strawberry.  The finish is bright and clean with a vibrant memory of the big lush fruit ensemble.  Norm's score is 90.

 

The Chalone Pinot Noir would be excellent with cedar-planked salmon, and would also pair well with a big slab of rare prime rib.  As usual, dinner at the Tarpon Lodge pairs well with almost any wine selection.

 

price: $15 - $20

score - 90

Norm

WINE – God’s Proof of his Love for Humanity