2018 Napa Cellars Napa Valley Chardonnay

2018 Napa Cellars Napa Valley Chardonnay

#45-2020

When the Chardonnay Queen prepares her famous "Special Shrimp Scampi", we usually have a pretty good bottle of Chardonnay to side with it.  During dinner the other night, I asked her to tell me what she thought of the wine.  Her comment was, "this is a good 'Ladies Luncheon Chardonnay' ".

The nose on the Napa Cellars Chardonnay is very fragrant with an appealing floral quality which reminds one of a warm summer night and the scent of gardenias in the air, backed by the sweet smell of Meyer lemon.  The flavor is a mix of apple, pear, and lemon combined in a crusty cobbler.  It finishes strong with a crisp acidity that lingers until the next sip.  The alcohol content is 14.1%, and Norm's score is 90.

A bottle of Chardonnay is always great with the "Special Shrimp Scampi".  However, the Napa Cellars Napa Valley Chardonnay is also a candidate for most seafood dishes, including a fresh salad of shellfish on a bed of romaine.

score: 90

price: $16 - $21

Norm

Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

2016 Rodney Strong Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

2016 Rodney Strong Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

#44-2020

Some years back, the Chardonnay Queen and I were visiting wineries in both Sonoma and Napa California.  We spent the night in Healdsberg after a day of wine tasting in Sonoma County.  The next day we had appointments in St Helena and Rutherford over in Napa County, but we had four hours to get there, so we took the road less travelled. ( California #128 )  Before we crossed into Napa County around Calistoga, we drove through the Knights Valley.  I remembered a Cab I really enjoyed back in the 80's which was grown there, so we paused and snapped a few pics, in what might be the prettiest valley in the state.  And, now I have just sampled a Cab from Knights Valley produced by the folks at Rodney Strong, and all of those beautiful memories came flooding back!

The 2016 Knights Valley Cab from R. Strong is just as wonderful as my memories!  It is a blend, with a little Malbec and Cab Franc, but it is 91% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 100% delightful.  The nose drags you out into a dark berry patch where the scent of ripe fruit is most tantalizing.  The flavors are rich and robust, with cassis, blackberry, plum and a little black cherry.  The finish is clean, with a touch of oak, which begs for another sip!   The alcohol content is 14.5%, and Norm's score is 92.

A bottle of Knights Valley Cab, and a thick slab of New York Strip, were all it took for a wonderful, warm fall evening on the Veranda.

score: 92

price: $21 - $27

Norm

Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

2018 Francis Ford Coppola Director's Cut Cabernet Sauvignon

2018 Coppola Director's Cut Cabernet Sauvignon

#42-2020

We had the pleasure to visit old friends at their place on the beach last week.  While there we celebrated a gorgeous sunset with a bottle of Francis Ford Coppola Director's Cut Cabernet Sauvignon from the Alexander Valley in Sonoma County, California.  In addition to the fabulous sunset and the wonderful bottle of wine, we added a platter of Smoked Gouda Cheese to round out the celebration. Memories last forever!

This Cab has a beautiful purplish red color, excellent clarity, and a nose that beckons with the scent of the berry patch.  The flavors are rich and full with dark cherry and blackberry tones up front, and traces of blueberry and plum toward the end. The finish sails off into the night, while begging for another sip.  The wine is still a bit young, and is just now appearing in the market place.  It should be even better in a couple of years!  The alcohol content is 14.5%, and Norm's score is 91.

A bottle Director's Cut Cab and a medium rare steak would be hard to beat, but I am willing to bet that this one would make an excellent companion for Rack of Lamb.

score: 91

price: $20 - $26

Norm

Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

2020 Wine and Food

2020 Wine and Food

#41-2020

The Holiday season is fast approaching, and this year will be a little different from days gone by.  Due to prevailing conditions, more meals will be prepared and enjoyed at home, than in quite a while.  So, here is a head start in wine and food pairings, as well as specific wine suggestions.  Make a copy for future reference.

Grilled Steak or Beef Tenderloin - Cabernet Sauvignon

 
Lamb Chops or Pork Loin Chops - Merlot

Barbecued Ribs or Spaghetti - Zinfandel

 
Prime Rib or Roast Duck - Pinot Noir 

Lobster, King Crab, Half Shell Oysters - Chardonnay or Viognier

Oysters Rockefeller or Broiled Fish - Sauvignon Blanc 

Shrimp Alfredo or Clams Marinara - Pinot Grigio 

Baked Fish, Poached Flounder - Riesling or Pinot Grigio

 
Cornish Game Hens - Chardonnay or Pinot Noir 

Grilled or Baked Salmon - Chardonnay, or Pinot Noir

Roasted Turkey - Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir

The  baker's dozen wines listed below are wines which I have written about in the last year, or so, which were scored 90 or above.

2017 Rodney Strong Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon

2016 Louis Martini Napa Cabernet Sauvifnon

2016 Sterling Napa Merlot

2017 Oak Farm Lodi Zinfandel

2016 Rodney Strong Russian River Pinot Noir

2018 Cakebread Napa Valley Chardonnay

2018 Landmark Overlook Chardonnay

2018 Fritz Zimmer Piesporter Goldtropfchen Spatlese

2018 Cline North Coast Viognier

2018 Honig Sauvignon Blanc

2017 Joel Gott Oregon Pinot Gris

2016 Ruffino Modus Toscana

2016 Francis Ford Coppola Black Label Claret

" i hope all of your holidays are wonderful!"

Norm

Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity