Norm's Tasting Notes

normwine@charter.net

2016 Edna Valley Central Coast Chardonnay

#nb-34-18

There is nothing better on a summer night than grilled salmon teamed up with a good bottle of Chardonnay, at least the Chardonnay Queen and I think so. The salmon was cooked just right and the Chardonnay was rich and buttery with a nice citrus breeze wafting over the finish!

It was Atlantic Salmon and California Chardonnay from the Central Coast, and the folks at Edna Valley Vineyards, and to be exact, it was the 2016 vintage of their Central Coast Chardonnay. The salmon came from our local purveyor of fresh seafood. All we needed to accompany this repast was a fresh garden salad, highlighted by fresh from the farm tomatoes.

The Edna Valley Chardonnay has a vibrant nose of fruit and citrus which leads to abundant fruit flavors of apple, peach, subtle pineapple and the afore-mentioned citrus appeal. The finish is buttery with a touch of oak, and a crispness which sails off into the night. The alcohol content is 13.9%, and Norm's score is 89.

price : $11 - $16

score: 89

Norm

Available online at:

http://cumminghome.com/

http://dawsontimes.com/

Also available at AOL's Dunwoody Patch:

WINE – God’s Proof of his Love for Humanity

Friday, August 24, 2018

2016 Chateau Souverain California Sauvignon Blanc

Norm's Tasting Notes

by: Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@charter.net

2016 Chateau Souverain California Sauvignon Blanc

#nb-33-18

Last night we sampled a bottle of the 2016 Chateau Souverain Sauvignon Blanc, which we paired with a spicy Chipolte Chicken dish sided by black beans and a fresh avocado salad. It was a very good meal indeed! The Souverain Sauvignon Blanc was just right for a spicy southwestern dinner.

This wine is long on taste and has a bright crisp finish. The dominate flavors are melon, honeysuckle and tropical fruit, with a slight touch of citrus blowing in the wind. The finish lingers until the next sip, but is clean and bright. The alcohol content is 13.2%, and Norm's score is 87.

This wine is great for spicy food and would be good next to a plate of Thai Mango Tango Shrimp! You would also like it with almost any summer salad.

price : $10 - $14

score: 87

Norm

Available online at:

http://cumminghome.com/

http://dawsontimes.com/

Also available at AOL's Dunwoody Patch:

WINE – God’s Proof of his Love for Humanity

Friday, August 17, 2018

2016 Alexander Valley Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon

Norm's Tasting Notes

by: Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@charter.net

2016 Alexander Valley Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon

#nb-32-18

Our cousin, on his last visit, brought us a bottle of 2016 Alexander Valley Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon which we really liked. I have liked this wine in the past, but have not sampled one in several years. Like many Cabs these days, this one is a blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, and small amounts of Cab Franc. Malbec, and Petit Verdot. It is 100% delicious!

The nose highlights cherries, currants, and cassis. The flavors are fat and juicy with an abundance of black cherry, dominating background flavors of plum, black currant, and a bit of spice. The finish is smooth, and yet bold, with gobs of big fruit in the aftertaste, which begs for another sip! The alcohol content is 14%, and Norm's score is 90.

This is a wonderful Cab which would be great with any grilled meat straight from the Barbie, and would also pair well with your favorite Italian Veal dish.

price : $18 - $22

score: 90

Norm

Available online at:

http://cumminghome.com/

http://dawsontimes.com/

Also available at AOL's Dunwoody Patch:

WINE – God’s Proof of his Love for Humanity

Friday, August 10, 2018

2015 Louis Martini Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

Norm's Tasting Notes

by: Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@charter.net

2015 Louis Martini Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon

#nb-31-18

The Cabernet wines from Louis Martini have been legendary for many decades, and despite some changes in the industry and the winery, the Martini Cab is still a go to wine for those who appreciate this noble grape. The 2015 Sonoma Cab is sourced from vineyards in Dry Creek Valley and Alexander Valley. If you are grilling a steak this is a great choice.

The wine is deep red in color with a nose full of cherry and plum. The flavors are black cherry and a little blackberry, with the plum riding just beneath the surface. There is a lingering aftertaste with a nuance of mild tannin, which begs for another sip. The alcohol content is 13.6%, and Norm's score is 88.

The wine is perfect for steak or any other grilled meat, and it would also pair well with a platter of sharp, aged cheeses and red grapes.

price : $13 - $17

score: 88

Norm

Available online at:

http://cumminghome.com/

http://dawsontimes.com/

Also available at AOL's Dunwoody Patch:

WINE – God’s Proof of his Love for Humanity

Friday, August 3, 2018

2015 R. Stuart & Co. Big Fire Pinot Gris

Norm's Tasting Notes

by: Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@charter.net

2015 R. Stuart & Co. Big Fire Pinot Gris

#nb-30-18

This past weekend we joined friends for dinner at one of Atlanta's good seafood houses up on the north side of town. We had a variety of seafood fare including salmon, and an array of shellfish. The food was great, the wine was quite good, and the companionship even better. The Big Fire Pinot Gris which we enjoyed was a great companion for our assortment of ocean fare.

This big fruit Pinot Gris starts out with a fruit basket full of aromas suggesting ripe stone-fruit and a bit of spice. The flavors swirl throughout the glass with peach and green apple complementing each other with mouth watering appeal. The finish showcases the spice, with a touch of acidity, for a crisp and clean ending. The alcohol content is 13.1%, and Norm's score is 89.

The Big Fire is perfect for seafood, and would make a great "back porch sipper" as well. This wine will be enjoyed by anyone who likes Pinot Grigio or Chardonnay.

price : $14 - $18

score: 89

Norm

Available online at:

http://cumminghome.com/

http://dawsontimes.com/

Also available at AOL's Dunwoody Patch: