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

Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

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

Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

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

Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

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

Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

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

Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity