2018 McManis Family Vineyards Lodi Zinfandel

2018 McManis Family Vineyards Lodi Zinfandel

#05-2021

Sometimes nothing beats a big plate of spaghetti, a bottle of wine, and a football game!  And that just what we did last weekend, with a bottle of 2018 McManis Zinfandel from Lodi, California and a really good NFL playoff game.  I have always liked Zinfandel with Spaghetti, and this one from McManis Family Vineyards was just right.

A big nose, dark color, and big juicy flavors of blackberry and black plum highlight this really good spaghetti wine.  It is robust without being heavy, and has a pleasant lingering finish.  The alcohol content is 14%, and Norm's score is 89.

A bottle McManis Zinfandel is not only great with spaghetti, but it would also be a good companion for grilled meat, or barbecue.

score: 89

price: $11 - $15

Norm

Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

2018 Kim Crawford Hawkes Bay Rose

2018 Kim Crawford Hawke's Bay Rose

#04-2021

In the near future you may need a bottle of pink wine to help celebrate Valentine's Day, and I think the Kim Crawford Rose from New Zealand might just be the right choice. This is an easy to drink wine with a bright color, a bright nose, and a bright and clean taste.

A lively pink in color, this 2018 Kim Crawford Rose also broadcasts a fragrant nose, with the scent of strawberries, and a little cherry for finesse.  The flavor is mostly strawberry, with a touch of watermelon, and a bit of tropical fruit.  The finish is lush and fruity, with just a hint of sweetness.  The alcohol content is 13%, and Norm's score is 89.

The Kim Crawford Rose was a good match for our sautéed shrimp and Fettuccine Alfredo, and would pair well with a seafood salad for Valentine's Day.

score: 89

price: $14 - $18

Norm

Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

2018 J Lohr Riverstone Arroyo Secco Chardonnay

2018 J Lohr RiverstoneArroyo Secco  Chardonnay

#02-2021

About two years ago, I wrote about a Chardonnay which both I, and the Chardonnay Queen were just raving about, the 2016 J Lohr Arroyo Secco from Monterey.  Well a few weeks ago we put a bottle of the 2018 vintage out with a few others, for friends to enjoy, and even though a few of the other Chardonnays were more expensive, the Arroyo Secco is the one which caught everyone's attention.  So, I would say that this 2018 J Lohr would be a "go to bottle", when you are looking for a California Chardonnay below $15.00 per bottle.

This wine has a heady nose of fresh apples, with a touch of lemon.  There are really big fruit flavors bursting with apple, pear, and peach.  The balance is just about perfect, with just enough acidity to highlight the lush fruit flavors.  It finishes clean, and absolutely begs for another sip!  The alcohol content is 13.95%, and Norm's score is 91.

A bottle of J Lohr Arroyo Riverstone Secco Chardonnay would be an excellent companion for both fish and fowl, and perfect with Fettuccini Alfredo.

score: 91

price: $11 - $15

Norm

Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

2017 Cakebread Cellars Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

2017 Cakebread Cellars Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

#01-21

It is always great to visit old friends during the holidays, and even better when it involves great food and wine, especially if its my favorite, "a Slab and a Cab"!  My friend's sister in law always gives him a bottle of his favorite Cab for a Christmas present. (Cakebread) This year he put it on the table for us next to a perfect medium rare fillet.  Wow! What a combination, great wine, a terrific steak, and wonderful old friends!  You can't beat a Slab and a Cab, and when it involves good folks, it just doesn't get any better!

The nose is enticing with the scent of blueberry and blackberry, and a touch of mocha.  The complex flavors swirl in the glass with evidence of dark berries and a little dash of black cherry. There is also the presence of an herbal-mineral taste sensation leading you to a lingering finish, highlighted with mellow, toasty oak.  If you don't like this one, then you probably just don't like Cabs.  The alcohol content is 14.6%, and Norm's score is 93.

A bottle of this superb wine would be an excellent companion for almost any food you would enjoy with red wine!

score: 93

price: $65 - $75

Norm

Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity