2018 Concha y Toro Marques de Casa Concha Chardonnay

2018 Concha y Toro Marques de Casa Concha Chardonnay

#31-2021

The Chardonnay Queen did her share by creating a wonderful Shrimp and Scallop Casserole this past Friday, and I did my part by opening a bottle of really good Chardonnay to pair with the casserole!  It is hard to go wrong with any variety from Concha y Toro's Marques de Casa Concha line. but this 2018 Chardonnay is really special.  (I had also found it at a bargain price at one the big Wholesale Club locations.)

This is a classic style Chardonnay with finesse and complexity from the beginning to the lingering finish.  The flavor spectrum includes mellow, yellow apple, Bartlett pear, some whiffs of lemon, and a mineral background for clarity.  More French than California in character, it is lush, and has a creamy texture which begs for another sip!  The alcohol content is 14.2%, and Norm's score is 93.  

A bottle of this exquisite Chardonnay would compliment any seafood dish, and would be excellent with Cioppino or Bouillabaisse.

score: 93

price: $20 - $25

Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

How Wine is Scored II

"How Wine is Scored"

#30-2021

I have been asked on numerous occasions how to interpret the number scores associated with wine reviews.  There are of course a variety of scoring systems used by the thousands of wine writers out there.  The best known is probably the "Wine Spectator" magazine, which has been around for about thirty five or forty years now.  Shown below is their rating system as well as my own.

The Wine Spectator System:

95-100 = Classic

90-94 Outstanding

85-89 Very Good

80-84 Good

75-79 Mediocre

50-74 Not Recommended

The North Georgia Wine Advisor System:

95-100 Great

90-94 Very Good

85-89 Good

50-84 Not worth writing about

(There are so many good wines on the market, that there is no reason to write about one which does not score at least an 85)

Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

2019 Ferrai-Carano Sonoma County Pinot Grigio

2019 Ferrari-Carano Sonoma County Pinot Grigio

#29-2021

A few nights back, we had dinner with old friends at a small French restaurant in their neighborhood, where we dined on Escargot, Mussels, and Crab. There was a Pinot Grigio on the wine list which we had not tried in the past, but it was from Ferrari-Carano, whose wines we usually enjoy, and it was also from grapes in the Russian River designation in Sonoma County.  It was no disappointment, and was a perfect choice for the excellent food on our table.  This vintage does not reference Russian River on the label, but my research showed that the grapes were sourced from vineyards in the region.  It seems that you just can't go wrong with Russian River grapes!

The wine has a pungent aroma, featuring orange blossoms and lemon zest  The flavors back up its fragrance, with stone fruit, green apple, with a touch of melon, and a mild citrus breeze.  It has a lush finish, but is clean and refreshing, and entices you back for another sip!  This one is a "for real winner"!  The alcohol content is 13.7%, and Norm's score is 92.  

A bottle of Ferrari Carano-Pinot Grigio is great with mussels in wine and butter, and stands up very well to the butter and garlic in Escargot.

score: 92

price: $13 - $17

Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

2019 Simi Sonoma County Sauvignon Blanc

2019 Simi Sonoma County Sauvignon Blanc

#28-2021

The style of California Sauvignon Blanc can vary quite a bit from winery to winery, so I would describe the 2019 vintage from Simi as "middle of the road".  It is a good choice for summer-time fare, and would also make a good "Back Porch Sipper"!

The flavors are apple, melon, and peach, with a twist of citrus which is not dominate.  The finish is crisp and clean with very little lingering effect, and is refreshing.   The alcohol content is 13.5%, and Norm's score is 88.  

A bottle of Simi would be a good choice for summer salads featuring either shrimp or salmon, and it would be a fit for a platter of fresh fruit and soft white cheeses. 

score: 88

price: $12 - $17

Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

2017 Maritama La Riviere Russian River Chardonnay

2017 Maritana La Riviere Russian River Chardonnay

#27-2021

Every now and then we decide to splurge and treat ourselves to a dinner in an upscale restaurant, as was the case last week, when we dined on Chilean Sea Bass and Lump Crabmeat in Casserole, at an establishment a touch above our usual fare.  Of course we had to upgrade our wine choice as well, and selected a wine which was new to us, but since it was a Chardonnay from the Russian River in Sonoma County, California, we knew it would be good.

The 2017 Maritana Russian River Chardonnay certainly fit the bill!  The flavors are rich and complex with apple and pear being underscored with a hint of tropical fruit, and a mild citrus breeze.  There is a touch of butter, and solid tannins in the finish, which is a perfect balance between fruit and acidity.  The alcohol content is 14.5%, and Norm's score is 92.  

A bottle of this delicious Chardonnay would be a great choice for any seafood dish from salmon to lobster.

score: 92

price: $50 - $60

Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity