2019 Z. Alexander Brown Uncaged Sauvignon Blanc

2019 Z. Alexander Brown Uncaged Sauvignon Blanc

#01-2022

Don't tell the Chardonnay Queen that I said this, but I usually prefer Sauvignon Blanc to Chardonnay, for most dinner fare.  Recently, we paired this offering from the North Coast of California with a Shrimp and Bay Scallop Casserole featuring Orzo, and it was a real hit!  Good effort from the leader of the Zac Brown Band!

This is a big fruit Sauvignon Blanc, with tropical aromas in its nose, and a strong dose of lemon and lime in its flavor spectrum, also a hint of honeysuckle and orange to complement its melon tendencies.  It finishes clean and crisp, and the alcohol content is 14.5%. Norm's score is 89.

I would pair this wine with a host of foods, including Chicken Piccata and Eggplant Parmesan.

score: 89

price: $15 - $20

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2021 List of Top Wines

Norm's List of the Top Scored Wines of 2021

The list below contains wines which I scored 90 or above during the year 2021.

2017 Cakebread Cellars Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon – 93

2018 J Lohr Riverstone Arroyo Secco  Chardonnay – 91

2018 King Estates Pinot Gris – 90

2017 Marques de Casa Concha Cabernet Sauvignon – 91

2018 Cambria Katherine's Vineyard Chardonnay – 91

2019 Charles Krug Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc - 90

2017 Obsidian Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon – 91

2017 Louis Martini Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon – 92

2018 Far Niente Napa Valley Chardonnay – 92

2019 Ferrari Carano Fume Blanc – 92

2018 Oberon Napa County Cabernet Sauvignon – 90

2019 Ferrari-Carano Sonoma County Pinot Grigio – 92

2018 Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells Merlot – 90

2018 Conundrum Rose - 90

2018 Concha y Toro Marques de Casa Concha Chardonnay – 93

"I hope you enjoy a wonderful holiday with Good Food accompanied by Good Wine!"

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2016 Marques de Riscal Rioja Reserva

2016 Marques de Riscal Rioja Reserva

#50-2021

I like Sangiovese, the prominent grape in Chianti, from Italy.   I also like Tempranillo, the prominent grape in Rioja, from Spain, and of course, I like Spaghetti!  One day last week, we paired a bottle of Marques de Riscal Rioja with our Spaghetti dinner, and it was great!  You know Spaghetti is perfect for the next big meal after Thanksgiving.

A pretty garnet red in color, the wine smacks of cherries and plums, with a bit of spice to perk the flavor, and finishes strong, begging for another sip.  There is a mild presence of tannin, and the alcohol content is 14.3%.  Norm's score is 91.

This Rioja is also a good choice for a hearty stew, or most grilled meats, and would be perfect with Pork Shank Ossobuco.

score: 91

price: $15 - $20

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2019 Angeline California Cabernet Sauvignon

2019 Angeline California Cabernet Sauvignon

#49-2021

I rarely find a Cabernet Sauvignon from California for less than twenty dollars that I think is very good, so when I was in a wine store last week and saw a tag touting the Angeline, I decided to give it a try, even though the price was in the ten dollar range.  The 2019 Angeline California Cab is a second label for the Martin Ray Vineyards, and is a real value at this price.

The nose is inviting, leading to flavors of cherry, raspberry, and cassis.  The wine is well balanced with a big fruit taste leading to a fairly lean finish, which is clean and pleasing.  The alcohol content is 13.9%, and Norm's score is 88.

The Angeline Cab will pair well with most grilled meats, and would also be suitable alongside red sauced pasta dishes.

score: 88

price: $11 - $15

Norm

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2018 Conundrum Rose

2018 Conundrum Rose

#48-2021

Since we had ham instead of turkey for our Thanksgiving dinner, we chose a bottle of Conundrum Rose to go with our big feast this year,  It was a very good choice.

The Conundrum is a dry style of Rose with good balance between the fruit and acidity.  The flavors are a delicate mix of cherries and strawberries with a clean finish begging for the next sip.  The alcohol content is 13.1%, and Norm's score is 90.

While good with ham, it also would have been good with turkey, and would make a suitable companion for duck a l'orange, or even a big platter of fruit and berries sided with Brie or Camembert.

score: 90

price: $18 - $22

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2019 Oberon Carneros Chardonnay

2019 Oberon Carneros Chardonnay

#47-2021

The other night we had a fillet of Sockeye Salmon, sauced and smoked from the grill, which we paired with a bottle of Carneros Chardonnay from Oberon for a great Fall Feast!

The grapes are sourced from the Carneros Region in Napa County, and have traditional flavors of apple, pear, and a touch of toasty tannin in the finish.  The wine is rich and well rounded, with a crisp finish which lingers until the next sip.  The alcohol content is 13.7%, and Norm's score is 90.

This one would be a good companion for most fish and fowl, and would be great if placed next to a platter of grapes and soft cheeses.

score: 90

price: $15 - $20

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2021 Thanksgiving Special

2021 Thanksgiving Special

#46-2021

It is always difficult to select the perfect wine for Thanksgiving, because the table has such an array of aromas and flavors, but here are a few guidelines which will help make this dinner more memorable than ever.

If you like Chardonnay, choose one which is not bone dry, but rather one with a strong fruit presence. Sauvignon Blanc is also a good choice if you like dry white wine with your meal.  The fruity, but dry finish of a good Pinot Grigio is perfect for that dry white meat turkey which did not turn out as juicy as you had hoped for. If you like red wine with your meal, choose a lighter style Merlot, or a Pinot Noir. Other choices in whites, are Riesling and Viognier, both excellent with turkey. If you are having Ham this year as we are, try a Rose or a Pinot Grigio.

Below is a list of wines which I have written about during the year which would be good choices for your Thanksgiving Dinner.

2018 Cambria Katherine's Vineyard Chardonnay

2019 Rodney Strong Charlotte's Home Sauvignon Blanc

2018 Francis Coppola Blue Label Merlot

2018 King Estates Pinot Gris

2018 Kim Crawford Hawke's Bay Rose

2019 Ferrari Carano Fume Blanc

2018 Far Niente Napa Valley Chardonnay

2018 Maso Canali Pinot Grigio

2018 Erath Pinot Noir

2018 Concha y Toro Marques de Casa Concha Chardonnay

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Norm

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2019 Chateau Ste. Michelle Columbia Valley Pinot Gris

2019 Chateau Ste. Michelle Columbia Valley Pinot Gris

#45-2021

It's always dinner time when shrimp are involved, so last night's dinner of spicy broiled shrimp over rice was right on time.  We paired our shrimp with a bottle of Chateau Ste. Michelle Pinot Gris, and dinner became a feast!

This Pinot Gris has a nose full of melon and pear which lead to swirling flavors of peach, pear, melon and a little spice toward the end.  It was aged in stainless steel for three weeks and has a crisp finish.  The alcohol content is 13.5%, and Norm's score is 89.  

A bottle Ste. Michelle Pinot Gris would be a good companion for almost any seafood dish, and would be great with an assortment of soft cheeses.

score: 89

price: $11 - $15

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2018 Estancia Monterey Chardonnay

2018 Estancia Monterey Chardonnay

#44-2021

I read several reviews of this wine with descriptions such as; orange marmalade, coconut cookies, apple strudel, and "shades of hints of pineapple".  I found none of these flavors in the wine, and I feel sorry for the reader, if this is the only kind of information available when trying to choose a wine for dinner.  This is not a complex wine, but it is a very good choice for an everyday wine.  It is flavorful, clean and enjoyable, and is in a very reasonable price range.

No matter the expertise of the reviewer, our taste buds can be different, and most of us have different opinions about what tastes good to us.  However, many of those who review wine today feel compelled to use the most descriptive terminology available in order to make their review seem more professional.  Let me just say that the wine has the flavor of ripe yellow apples, stone fruit, and maybe a little Myer Lemon.  It is clean, and a little fruity, with a crisp finish.  The alcohol content is 13.5%, and Norm's score is 88.  

A bottle of Estancia Chardonnay would be a good choice for chicken, seafood, or a variety of salads.  It would also be a candidate for a "Back Porch Sipper".

score: 88

price: $11 - $14

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2018 J. Lohr Merlot

2018 J Lohr Merlot

#43-2021

The 2018 Merlot from J. Lohr is a great choice for an every day red wine, which also stands up well on the weekends.  We sampled a bottle with a medium-rare New York Strip straight from the grill, and it was delightful.

The wine is dark red in color with a bright nose of plum and blackberry.  The flavors swirl in the glass with black cherry and plum being the most evident.  The finish is well rounded with only a suggestion of mild tannins.  This Merlot also has some Malbec in the blend to add a few earthy tones to its structure.   The alcohol content is 13.9%, and Norm's score is 88.  

Merlot flourished in the eighties, but has lost some of its prestige in the market place in the last few years, which is a shame since there are many really good choices out there, at under twenty dollars.

score: 88

price: $16 - $20

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2020 Wente Morning Fog Chardonnay

2020 Wente Morning Fog Chardonnay

#42-2021

The Chardonnay Queen whipped up a new recipe the other night for shellfish which was really good.  She prepared shrimp and scallops in a lemon-cream sauce along with angle hair pasta, which "knocked my socks off".  Beside it on the table was a bottle of 2020 Wente Morning Fog Chardonnay, which completed the picture!

Granny Smith green apple is in the flavor mix, along with a little tropical fruit and a touch of spice, which may be attributed to the 2% Gewürztraminer, which is blended with the Chardonnay.  The finish is clean and crisp with that hint of spice lingering toward the end.  The alcohol content is 13.5%, and Norm's score is 88.  

Wente is one of the older California wineries, and continues to produce good affordable wines, like this Chardonnay which is great with shellfish, hot or cold.

score: 88

price: $13 - $16

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2018 Bogle Old Vine Zinfandel

2018 Bogle Old Vine Zinfandel

#41-2021

Saturday Night with College Football on the TV, and a big plate of Spaghetti on the table, and next to it, a bottle of California Old Vine Zinfandel.  The game was great, as was the Spaghetti, and the bottle of 2018 Bogle Old Vine Zinfandel.  Its a good way to enjoy a fall evening, with Football, Pasta, and Vino!

The Bogle is rich and jammy, with the smell of a summertime berry patch.  The flavors broadcast Blackberry and Black Raspberry in a blast at your senses, and trail off into toasty tannins, which cut right through Spaghetti, or any other spicy sauced fare!   The alcohol content is 14.5%, and Norm's score is 88.  

A bottle of Bogle is a perfect match for Spaghetti or a hearty Beef Stew, as well as most grilled meats, including BBQ.  Don't forget, "Old Vine means Good Wine!"

score: 88

price: $11 - $15

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2019 Anabella Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

2019 Anabella Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

#40-2021

We sampled a bottle of Napa Valley Anabella Cab from the Michael Pozzan Winery recently, and found it to be a welcome companion at our dinner table.  Of course, I am a big fan of Cabs from Napa, and this is one which I have not tried in the past.  I will make a note to do so again in the future.  For one reason, its hard to find a good Cab from Napa for under twenty dollars.

The nose is inviting with the smell of currants, blueberries and a whiff of black cherry.  The flavor spectrum encompasses cassis, cherry, and a touch of plum, with just a hint of mild oak in the finish.  I found each sip making me want another!   The alcohol content is 13%, and Norm's score is 90.  

A bottle of Anabella is a perfect match for a big slab of beef fresh from the grill, and would also pair well with steaming hot bowl Bouillabaisse!

score: 90

price: $16 - $20

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2019 Fess Parker Santa Barbara Chardonnay

2019 Fess Parker Santa Barbara Chardonnay

#39-2021

It's been a long time since Fess Parker played Daniel Boone on TV, and quite a while since he purchased seven hundred-plus acres of land near Los Olivos, Calif, to start a family winery back in 1988.  The winery is still run by the family, and the wine is pretty darn good!  The 2019 Santa Barbara Chardonnay was also a pretty darn good choice for our roast pork dinner the other night.

The nose has an almost perfumey aroma which also suggests honey and almonds.  The flavor is traditional Chardonnay with apple, pear, peach, and a touch of lemony zest in the background.  It finishes clean, and begs for another sip!  The alcohol content is 14.1%, and Norm's score is 89.  

A bottle of Fess Parker Chardonnay would be a good match for Poached Flounder or Chicken Divan, as well as our roast pork.

score: 89

price: $14 - $17

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2019 Rodney Strong Charlotte's Home Sauvignon Blanc

2019 Rodney Strong Charlotte's Home Sauvignon Blanc

#38-2021

There was a little touch of crispness in the air the other night suggesting the approach of Fall, and a reminder to me of one of my favorite dishes once the air becomes a little cooler, which is Shellfish Bisque with Lobster, Shrimp, and Bay Scallops.  We enjoyed this delicious stew with a bottle of Sonoma County Sauvignon Blanc from the folks at Rodney Strong.

The Charlotte's Home Sauvignon Blanc is rich in juicy fruit, showcasing flavors of peach, Meyer lemon and a little melon toward the end.  It is complex, refreshing, and has a crisp finish.  The alcohol content is 13.5%, and Norm's score is 89.  

In addition to our Bisque, this one would pair well with Chicken Piccata, and of course, would be a wonderful "Back Porch Sipper".

score: 89

price: $11 - $25

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2018 Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells Merlot

2018 Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells Merlot

#37-2021

Over the years the popularity of wine varietals  has, like most things, gone through a number of changes.  I like most wines, but Cabernet Sauvignon has always been my favorite.  It was the most popular red in the seventies, but the crown was passed to Merlot during the eighties, and by the late nineties it had become Pinot Noir.  In today's market place Cab is number one, and even out sells Chardonnay.  It has become so prominent that is often hard to find a good selection of Merlots at your local retailer.  So in my search for a good Merlot I came across an old friend, which I last wrote about seven years ago.

The Chateau Ste. Michelle Merlot from their Indian Wells vineyard, was rated by me as a 90, seven years ago, and I score the 2018 vintages the same today.  This is a lush, full bodied Merlot with gobs of fruit, and a lasting finish.  The flavors are blackberry, cherry, and plum, with a trace of cocoa, leading to a satisfying, and lingering finish.  The alcohol content is 14.5%, and Norm's score is 90.  

A bottle of Indian Wells Merlot is great with any grilled meat, and would be superb with Rack of Lamb!  I suggest that you don't restrict yourself to one type of grape when there are so many good choices out there, and even more when you consider the array of blended red wines.

score: 90

price: $17 - $21

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2015 Bogle Essential Red

2015 Bogle Essential Red

#36-2021

Every now and then you find a bottle of wine for sale which is a little older, and if it is red then that is usually good.  A few months back we found a bottle of 2015 Bogle  Essential Red at one of the retailers we sometimes shop with.  This is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Old Vine Zin, Syrah, and Petite Sirah.  We let it sit in our wine rack for a few more months and then opened it for dinner alongside a grilled steak, and the extra couple of years made it just right for our dinner.

This blend of grapes is rich and mellow, with the flavors of black plum and dark berries swirling in the glass.  Its twelve months in oak plus a little extra bottle age, have produced a "lip-smacking" wine with a mellow, but lingering finish.  The alcohol content is 13.5%, and Norm's score is 89.  

I have seen this wine recommended for Burgers and BBQ, but ours was great with grilled meat!

score: 89

price: $12 - $17

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2018 Hawk Crest Pinot Gris

2018 Hawk Crest Pinot Gris

#35-2021

The Hawk Crest Pinot Gris from the state of Washington is pleasing to the palate and quite suitable as a companion for a variety of foods.  We enjoyed ours with a dish of bay scallops and mushroom raviolis in a spicy tomato cheese sauce, and it was most enjoyable.

This Pinot Gris is fragrant and refreshing, with a good balance between the fruit and acidity.  The flavors are green apple, citrus, and a touch of melon.  The finish is crisp, and quite capable of handling spicy fare.  The alcohol content is 13.5%, and Norm's score is 88.  

A bottle of Hawk Crest would pair well with any summer salad selection, especially one featuring shellfish.

score: 88

price: $11 - $15

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2017 Antigal Uno Malbec

2017 Antigal Uno Malbec

#34-2021

The Bordeaux grape Malbec, never seemed to make much of a name for itself in France, but it is a star in Argentina, and one of the better red wine bargains in the marketplace.  The 2017 vintage from Antigal Uno is certainly a best buy in the fifteen dollar range.

It opens with an attractive floral bouquet of violets and lavender.  The flavors are rich and complex with a mix of blackberry and blueberry being most prominent.  The finish is strong with a suggestion of its ten months in the barrel leading to a lingering dose of its heavy laden dark fruit.  The alcohol content is 13.9%, and Norm's score is 89.  

A bottle of Uno Malbec begs to be paired with grilled meat or rich sauced pastas.

score: 89

price: $15 - $18

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2018 J. Lohr Paso Robles Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon

2018 J. Lohr Paso Robles Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon

#33-2021

Tenderloin, spaghetti marinara, tossed salad, and J. Lohr Seven Oaks Cab, sounds pretty good for Saturday night dinner, and it was.  The 2018 J. Lohr from Paso Robles is another "Old Reliable".  It ain't great, but its mighty good, and the price is right. at around $15.

The Seven Oaks has the proper taste for a Cabernet Sauvignon, with black cherry, blueberry, and currants.  The fruit is complimented by mellow tannins in the finish, and the wine is in harmony with its fruit and acidity.     The alcohol content is 13.9%, and Norm's score is 89.  

A bottle of Seven Oaks Cab would be good to have on hand for any occasion requiring red wine.

score: 89

price: $14 - $17

Norm

Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity