2018 Beringer Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

normwine@charter.net

2018 Beringer Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

#13-2022

Back in the day when they were more affordable, I really enjoyed the Clarets of Bordeaux, especially those from the Pauillac region, where the wines are predominately Cabernet Sauvignon.  One of the best, which still lingers in my mind is the 1985 Chateau Duhart-Milon-Rothschild, which I was reminded of the other night, when we paired a bottle of 2018 Beringer Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon with our grilled steak.  Like the Duhart, the Beringer is a blend which is mostly Cab, and also like the Duhart, it is most enjoyable!

The Knights Valley is located in Sonoma County about halfway between Healdsburg and St. Helena, over in Napa County, where the Beringer Winery is located. The meandering two lane highway which passes through the beautiful valley is one of the most picturesque vineyard drives in all of California. I think it is worth the drive to see this small agricultural gem, even if you aren't heading in that direction for any other reason.  The Chardonnay Queen and I made that excursion some years back.

The "Big Cab" flavors in this wine are black cherry, currant, plum and a bit of toasty oak toward the end.  The finish sails off into the night with the promise of more to come.  The alcohol content is 14.5%, and Norm's score is 93.

This wine is perfect for grilled meats, and would be wonderful with Chateaubriand!  The Beringer is a bargain in its price range, and I also understand that if you have the Bucks, you might be able to still order the Duhart.

score: 93

price: $23 - $28

Norm

Facebook/Norm's Tasting Notes

normwine.blogspot.com

AVAILABLE ONLINE AT:

Pine Island Eagle.com

Cumming Home .com

Dawson Times.com

ALSO AVAILABLE at: Dunwoody Patch

Dunwoody, GA Patch

Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

2019 Decoy Limited Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

normwine@charter.net

2019 Decoy Limited Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

#12-2022

Several decades ago Pinot Noir was not as well known as it is today, in fact once a customer came into my wine shop and asked if we had any of that "Peanut Nor".  Today there are those who refer to it simply as "Pinot", as though no other wines contained that one word.  I have enjoyed Pinot Noir, the treasured grape of Burgundy, for a long time, and enjoyed it the other night with homemade lasagna.  The Decoy Limited was quite a treat for a week day dinner!

This is a juicy and complex Pinot Noir with a bright color, and abundant flavors of cherry and plum, along with a touch of raspberry.  The finish is rounded with subtle tannins and a lingering presence.  The alcohol content is 14.2%, and Norm's score is 90.

This wine would be perfect for a thick slab of medium rare Prime Rib!

score: 90

price: $22 - $25

Norm

Facebook/Norm's Tasting Notes

normwine.blogspot.com

AVAILABLE ONLINE AT:

Pine Island Eagle.com

Cumming Home .com

Dawson Times.com

ALSO AVAILABLE at: Dunwoody Patch

Dunwoody, GA Patch

Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

2019 MacMurray Estate Russian River Pinot Noir

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

normwine@charter.net

2019 MacMurray Estate Russian River Pinot Noir

#11-2022

Actor Fred MacMurray sought peace and solitude when he purchased his ranch in Sonoma County, California, and he also insured a future of good grapes and good wine, as his ranch became MacMurray Estate Vineyards.  The 2019 Russian River Pinot Noir from MacMurray Ranch is a good choice for a reasonably priced California Pinot Noir.

This is a mellow Pinot Noir with predominate flavors of cherry and plum, backed by a hint of blueberry, and a touch of mild oak.  It has a smooth and pleasant finish, and the alcohol content is 14.7%,  Norm's score is 88.

This wine was a little on the light side for our grilled New York strip, but would be a good choice for grilled salmon.

score: 88

price: $23 - $27

Norm

Facebook/Norm's Tasting Notes

normwine.blogspot.com

AVAILABLE ONLINE AT:

Pine Island Eagle.com

Cumming Home .com

Dawson Times.com

ALSO AVAILABLE at: Dunwoody Patch

Dunwoody, GA Patch

Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

2015 Bogel Old Vine Zinfandel

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

normwine@charter.net

2015 Bogel Old Vine Zinfandel

#10-2022

Treasure hunters scour the earth for gold, while Oenophiles search the store shelves for that "special" bottle of wine,  One day last week I was rummaging through the shelves at a grocery store, and uncovered a bottle of ten dollar wine which was seven years old.  I was just killing time, and looking for an inexpensive Zinfandel for a spaghetti dinner, when I spotted a 2015 Bogel Old Vine Zin, which is noteworthy since about two years ago, I scored the 2017 vintage a 90.  The storied ending to this tale is that we enjoyed one of our best spaghetti dinners ever!

This is a big Zin with rich, jammy, berry flavors, that reminded me of old Br'er Rabbit and the "Briar Patch".  The taste of blackberries, and black raspberries leads to a polished finish, with good legs and subtle tannins.  It was obvious that a few extra years of age had both mellowed, and enhanced the character of this exquisite ten dollar wine.  The alcohol content is 14.5%, and Norm's score is 91.

I have always enjoyed Bogel Old Vine Zinfandel, and while you may not be able to locate a bottle of the 2015, I am confident that the current vintage is probably a "winner" as well.

score: 91

price: $10 - $13

Norm

Facebook/Norm's Tasting Notes

normwine.blogspot.com

AVAILABLE ONLINE AT:

Pine Island Eagle.com

Cumming Home .com

Dawson Times.com

ALSO AVAILABLE at: Dunwoody Patch

Dunwoody, GA Patch

Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity