2017 Trapiche Oak Cask Malbec

Norm's Tasting Notes

by: Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

normwine@charter.net

2017 Trapiche Oak Cask Malbec

#nb-40-18

Malbec has always been one of my favorite wines, and the ones from Argentina stand out for both their quality and their value.  Trapiche is one of the most prominent wineries in Argentina, having vineyards nestled up against the foothills of the Andes, where Malbec seems to thrive better than anywhere else on the globe.  The oak cask aging lend toasty vanilla tones to this lush and complex wine.

The color is a beautiful deep red which attracts one to a heady nose full of dark fruit and spice.  The flavors explode in you mouth with a pronounced presence of black cherry and plum, with well rounded notes of vanilla, spice.  This a full bodied wine with complexities which seem to belie its value price mark.

Excellent with a thick rare steak, it would also make a great companion for a variety of other foods, including Beef Burgundy, or a big platter of Peppers and Italian Sausage in Marinara sauce. 

The alcohol content is 13.5% and Norm's score is 87.

price : $10 - $13

score:  87

  

Norm

https://www.facebook.com/NormsTastingNotes

http://normwine.blogspot.com/

https://twitter.com/normswine

Available online at:

http://pineisland-eagle.com/

http://cumminghome.com/

http://dawsontimes.com/

Also available at AOL's Dunwoody Patch:

Dunwoody, GA Patch

WINE – God’s Proof of his Love for Humanity

2016 J. Lohr Arroyo Seco Chardonnay

Norm's Tasting Notes

by: Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

normwine@charter.net

2016 J. Lohr Arroyo Seco MontereyChardonnay

#nb-39-18

One of the best wines I have sampled this year was the 2016 J. Lohr Arroyo Seco Chardonnay, which I scored a 94, back in February.  I sampled another bottle this past week, and thought it deserved further comment while it is still on the shelves in the market place.  It is, maybe a touch better, at least a 94+!  Below is what I wrote in February.

2016 J. Lohr Arroyo Seco Monterey Chardonnay

#nb-08-18

Every now and then, you run across a bottle of wine that is so significantly superior to others in its class, that it basically boggles the mind!  The Chardonnay Queen's only comment was, "This is delicious!", my comment was, "Damn this is good!".  I have had numerous vintages of the J. Lohr Chardonnay in the past, but this time, they really hit the nail on the head!.  The J. Lohr 2016 Arroyo Seco Monterey Chardonnay may be the best one they have ever made.

This is a wine with a fragrant bouquet of apple and pear,which open into flavors anyone, other than someone who hates Chardonnay, would die for.  The flavors are apple and pear, with just a hint of tropical fruit, and a buttery quality which is almost impossible to find in a wine in this price range.  This is a huge fruit wine with the perfect balance of acidity in the finish, to give it a lush flavor, with a clean and crisp finish.  One thing that is for sure, is that this one definitely begs for another sip!  The wine is so good, that it is hard to believe at this price!  Norm's score is 94.

We enjoyed this terrific bottle of Chardonnay with a dish similar to "Chicken Piccata" with sides of jasmine rice, and fresh asparagus, which was excellent, but not as not as good as the wine!

score: 94

price : $11 - $15

score:  94+

  

Norm

https://www.facebook.com/NormsTastingNotes

http://normwine.blogspot.com/

https://twitter.com/normswine

Available online at:

http://pineisland-eagle.com/

http://cumminghome.com/

http://dawsontimes.com/

Also available at AOL's Dunwoody Patch:

Dunwoody, GA Patch

WINE – God’s Proof of his Love for Humanity

2016 Ruffino Il Ducale Toscana IGT

Norm's Tasting Notes

by: Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

normwine@charter.net

2016 Ruffino Il Ducale Toscana IGT

#nb-38-18

Ruffino has been making wine since 1877, and is one of the most renowned wine makers in the world, and has always been a personal favorite of mine.  The 2016 Il Ducale from Tuscany is an offering which provides a good Tuscan blend at an affordable price.  The wine is Sangiovese, with Merlot and Syrah, and small traces of Alicante and Petite Verdot.

The wine is dark cherry in color with a nose of cherry and plum.  The flavors are rich and full with a lot of cherry coupled with black raspberry.  The finish is clean and lingers with just a kiss of mellow tannin. The alcohol content is 13.5% and Norm's score is 87.

We enjoyed the Il Ducale Toscana with a thick juicy steak, but I believe it would pair best with a large platter of Lasagna, or maybe Manicotti.

price : $14 - $18

score:  87

  

Norm

https://www.facebook.com/NormsTastingNotes

http://normwine.blogspot.com/

https://twitter.com/normswine

Available online at:

http://pineisland-eagle.com/

http://cumminghome.com/

http://dawsontimes.com/

Also available at AOL's Dunwoody Patch:

Dunwoody, GA Patch

WINE – God’s Proof of his Love for Humanity