Friday, September 29, 2017

2015 McManis Viognier

Norm's Tasting Notes
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The North Georgia Wine Advisor  
normwine@charter.net
normwine@bellsouth.net

#nb-37-17
2015 McManis Viognier

The Chardonnay Queen and I are spending a little time down at our "Little Cottage by the Sea", so we decided to go out and catch some Speckled Sea Trout for our dinner.  We fish with light spinning tackle to catch these tasty specimens of the sea.  This time, however the Chardonnay Queen hooked a fifty pound Tarpon, which made two big jumps before taking all the line off of her tiny little 2000 series spinning reel.  Tarpon fishermen say that if you get three good jumps out of a Tarpon, then it was a great fight!  Well she got two good jumps before he took all of the line, but we did not catch any keeper trout either.  So, as a consolation prize, we decided to prepare a delirious dinner and open a good bottle of wine.

The Chardonnay Queen prepared her world famous "Special Shrimp Scampi" while I fixed up a fresh garden salad and opened a bottle of 2015 McManis Viognier.  This Viognier is an old favorite which we have enjoyed numerous times in the past.  The McManis opens with a fragrant nose which has the aroma of a big basket of flowers surrounded by fresh, ripe fruit, with pear and peach being the most pronounced.  The flavors swirl in the glass with an abundance of Bartlett pear and ripe peach, backed with a tangy spiciness, which Viognier is noted for.  The finish is crisp and clean with a lingering tang which begs for another sip!  The alcohol content is 13.5%, and Norm's score is 89.

The wine was perfect with Shrimp Scampi, but we have also enjoyed it in the past with spicy Thai food, and it would make a great companion for Cioppino, or even Bouillabaisse.

score: 89
price: $10 - $14
.
Norm

Friday, September 22, 2017

2016 Chateau Ste. Michelle 50th Anniversary Chardonnay

Norm's Tasting Notes
Image may contain: 1 person, sunglasses and outdoor
The North Georgia Wine Advisor  
normwine@charter.net
normwine@bellsouth.net

#nb-36-17
2016 Chateau Ste. Michelle 50th Anniversary Chardonnay

The other day we picked up a bottle of the 50th Anniversary Chardonnay from Chateau Ste. Michelle, which is always a household favorite with us.  I asked the Chardonnay Queen to do the honors and report on this special edition of a wine we have enjoyed quite a bit over several vintages.  So, the rest of this article is her report.

"When I saw the specially labeled Chardonnay from Ste. Michelle. I just had to try it!   Chateau Ste. Michelle is a winery which produces a quality Chardonnay and has been a favorite of mine for many years.  The nose opens with a bright green apple aroma, and the first sip provided a slightly citrus tinged apple-pear taste.  There are lingering notes of spiciness, and just a hint of oak."

"The Chardonnay Queen gives this 50th Anniversary Chardonnay an 89.  We enjoyed it with panko crusted chicken, sauteed asparagus, and a salad of romaine and tomatoes.  I invite you to search out a bottle for your next occasion!"

score: 89
price: $9 - $11

Norm