Top Twenty Wines for 2022

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

normwine@charter.net

Top Twenty Wines for 2022

#51-2022

The year of 2022 was a good one for wine, and I was fortunate enough to have sampled some really nice ones during the past twelve months.  The following list contains twenty wines which I scored 90 or above.

2017 Obsidian Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon- 92

2018 La Crema Russian River Pinot Noir- 90

2016 Castellani Chianti Classico Reserva - 91

2019 Jean Louis Grande Reserve Cotes-du-Rhone - 90

2018 Cakebread Cellars Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon - 92

2019 Decoy Limited Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir - 90

2018 Beringer Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon - 93

2020 Ferrai-Carano Chardonnay - 90

2018 Villa Antinori Toscana IGT - 92

2019 Acacia Carneros Pinot Noir - 90

2017 Ruffino Reserva Ducale Oro - 93

2016 Rodney Strong Chalk Hill Chardonnay - 91

2019 Rutherford Hill Napa Merlot - 91

2021 La Crema Monterey Pinot Gris - 90

2021 Head High Sonoma County Chardonnay - 91

2015 Vina Ardanza Rioja Reserva - 94

2021 Cakebread Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc - 90

2018 Beaulieu Vineyards Napa Cabernet Sauvignon - 93

2020 J. Lohr Arroyo Secco Chardonnay - 90

019 Edna Valley Central Coast Chardonnay- 90

score: 90+

price: $15 - $125

Merry Christmas !   and   Happy New Year !

Norm

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Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

2021 Maso Canali Pinot Grigio

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

normwine@charter.net

2021 Maso Canali Pinot Grigio

#50-2022

I love Ceviche, but its preparation can be time consuming, so we don't have it often.  When we do though, it always seems worth the effort.  The perfect wine to pair with Ceviche is Pinot Grigio, and the 2021 Maso Canili from Trentino, Italy we had with ours, made for a great dinner.  The mix of flavors of lime and cilantro, with peppers and onions, and the dry fruity flavor of Pinot Grigio, was quite heady!

The nose is bright and inviting with a mix of citrus and flowers in its bouquet.  The flavors swirl in the glass with notes of peach and apple, and a lemony kiss at the end.  The finish is big on fruit, but dry, with a lingering effect.  The alcohol content is 12.5%, and Norm's score is 89.

We enjoyed our Ceviche with a bowl of Shrimp Gumbo, for a hot and cold delight, made even better with the addition of the Maso Canali!

score: 89

price: $15 - $19

Norm

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Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

2019 Edna Valley Central Coast Chardonnay

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

normwine@charter.net

2019 Edna Valley Central Coast Chardonnay

#49-2022

I put a lot of stock in a winery's ability to consistently produce good quality wines, and in the last fifteen or so years, the folks at Edna Valley have had one better than average Chardonnay after another.  The 2019 Central Coast Chardonnay is an excellent example of how to make a good Chardonnay for less than twenty dollars.

The scent is predominately apple, while the flavor is mostly pear, with a little citrus and a hint of peach.  The finish is clean with a little bit of fruit lingering on the palate until the next sip.  The alcohol content is 13.9%, and Norm's score is 90.

We really enjoyed this one with a seafood combo of bay scallops and cubed cod fillets, tossed with tomatoes, peppers and cilantro over a bed of jasmine rice.  A Greek salad rounded out the affair, with a resounding applause for both the food and the wine!

score: 90

price: $12 - $15

Norm

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Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

2021 French Blue Bordeaux Rose

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

normwine@charter.net

2021 French Blue Bordeaux Rose

#48-2022

This Thanksgiving the Chardonnay Queen and I indulged ourselves with a Honey Baked Ham and a bottle of French Rose.  We of course had "all the fixings", and had a wonderful holiday feast!  Ham and Rose are a good pair.

This Rose from Bordeaux is mostly from Cabernet Franc grapes, with a splash of Merlot for character.  The wine is left on the skins of the red grapes for only a short time and has a beautiful deep pink color.  The aroma is fresh flowers and plums, with the flavors of cherry, currant, and red plum swirling in the glass.  The finish is clean with a lingering effect, calling for another sip.  The alcohol content is 12.5% and Norm's score is 89.

Great with ham, this Rose would also be a good companion for quiche at Sunday Brunch, with maybe a little smoked salmon on the side.

score: 89

price: $13 - $17

Norm

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Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

2020 Trapiche Oak Cask Malbec

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

normwine@charter.net

2020 Trapiche Oak Cask Malbec

#47-2022

Whether you are grilling meat on the grill, or preparing a hearty stew, you can't go wrong by pairing the meal with a bottle of Argentinian Malbec.  One which I have commented on several times in the past, and bring to your attention once again, is the Trapiche Oak Cask Malbec, this one, a 2020 vintage.  It remains as one of the best values in the market place for more than a decade now.  The current vintage is in the eleven to fifteen dollar range.

The flavors showcase black cherry, currants and a touch of plum, with an undertone of peppery spice.  The finish lingers on the palate, with mellow oak, and a complex and satisfying boldness which is just right.  The alcohol content is 13.5%, and Norm's score is 89.

If you would like another dinner suggestion rather that meat, try it with Eggplant Parmesan and Angel Hair Pasta.

score: 89

price: $11 - $15

Norm

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Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

2018 Beaulieu Vineyards Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

normwine@charter.net

2018 Beaulieu Vineyards Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

#46-2022

We had dinner with old friends recently, who not only prepared a great steak dinner, but also opened a really good Napa Cab to go with the fillets.  My love for BV wines goes back a long ways, and this 2018 Napa Cabernet Sauvignon certainly reminded me of the "Good Old Days"!  If memory serves me correctly, BV Cabs were also the favorite American wines of Queen Elizabeth.  I know that the Chardonnay Queen and I enjoyed this one!

I like the taste of cherry in a Cabernet, and this one has plenty, along with a little cassis, and a smattering of plum.  There is a nuance of mocha, along with a thin veil of sweet tannin, which sail off into the night on a ship of dreams finish.  The alcohol content is 14.7%, and Norm's score is 93.

We always enjoy dinner with friends, but when you add in a "Slab and a Cab", its hard to have a more enjoyable evening!

score: 93

price: $27 - $33

Norm

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Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

2020 J. Lohr Arroyo Secco Chardonnay

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

normwine@charter.net

2020 J. Lohr Arroyo Secco Chardonnay

#45-2022

It seems like year after year the folks at J. Lohr come up with a new vintage of Chardonnay which is anywhere from pretty decent to down right great.  The 2020 vintage rates a pretty darn good, and is an excellent buy in its price range!

The nose is fragrant with a hint of citrus in the breeze, which leads you to a rich, well balanced wine with great mouth-feel.  The flavor spectrum encompasses apple, pear, and stonefruit, with a lasting finish.  The alcohol content is 14%, and Norm's score is 90.

Enjoy the J. Lohr  Arroyo Secco Chardonnay with almost anything from seafood or fowl to Fettuccini Alfredo.

score: 90

price: $12 - $16

Norm

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Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

2020 Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells Chardonnay

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

normwine@charter.net

2020 Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells Chardonnay

#44-2022

The Indian Wells Chardonnay was a good choice for the wonderful Seafood Newburg prepared by the Chardonnay Queen the other night!  We have enjoyed previous vintages from this Chateau Ste. Michelle vineyard, and this one was also a winner.

Tropical fruit and vanilla scents lead to a creamy texture, and flavors of pineapple, apricot and a hint of apple.  The fruit and acidity are in harmony, and the finish is crisp.  The alcohol content is 14%, and Norm's score is 88.

We enjoyed the wine with our dish of shellfish in Newburg Sauce, and would also like this one with grilled salmon.

score: 88

price: $15 - $19

Norm

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AVAILABLE ONLINE AT:

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ALSO AVAILABLE at: Dunwoody Patch

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Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity