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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Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

2020 Liberty School Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

normwine@charter.net

2020 Liberty School Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon

#43-2022

Fifteen dollars for a bottle of California Cab is a very good price, even if the grapes are from Paso Robles, instead of Napa or Sonoma.  I might also add, the the wines produced in Paso Robles get better every year.  Besides that, the folks from Liberty School know how to make a good bottle of wine, and they have been at it for a number of decades now.  Put me in coach, I'm ready to play!

This Cab has a pretty ruby red color and a fragrant nose, which leads to flavors of black cherry, plum and black currants.  There is a small presence of mild tannin and a finish which lingers on the palate until the next sip.  The alcohol content is 13.5%, and Norm's score is 88.

The Liberty School Cabernet is a good choice for grilled meats, and would make a good companion for lasagna as well.

score: 88

price: $13 - $18

Norm

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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

2021 Josh Cellars California Rose

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

normwine@charter.net

2021 Josh Cellars California Rose

#42-2022

A good choice for a variety of fare from seafood chowder to chilled seafood salad, the Josh Cellars Rose makes a good companion for lots more than just fried chicken in the picnic basket.  But of course, its good for that as well!

This is a pretty pink wine with a fragrant nose, and compelling flavors of strawberry, nectarine, and white grapes. with a pleasing dry and crisp finish containing a hint of citrus,  The alcohol content is 12.5%, and Norm's score is 87.

I do enjoy chilled Rose with cold fried chicken, but the Josh Rose was quite tasty with our seafood chowder, which contained cod, shrimp, and scallops, along with okra, tomato, and parsnips. and of course saffron.

score: 87

price: $11 - $15

Norm

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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

2017 Ramon Bilbao Crianza Rioja

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

normwine@charter.net

2017 Ramon Bilbao Crianza Rioja

#41-2022

We sampled another good Spanish wine the other night along with our plump, grilled center cut pork chop.  The Ramon Bilbao Crianza from Rioja, like most Tempranillo wines is a good choice for chicken or pork.

The wine has a nose full of violets and blackberries which opens into rich flavors of black cherry, blackberry, and spice.  It is medium red in color, and a medium body wine with good balance and a lingering finish.  The alcohol content is 14.5%, and Norm's score is 89.

Crianza makes a good companion for many different food choices, and would be quite good paired up with Cioppino, or Paella.

score: 89

price: $17 - $20

Norm

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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