2022 Chateau Ste. Michelle Columbia Valley Rose

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2022 Chateau Ste. Michelle Columbia Valley Rose

#08-2024

Last night's dinner of sautéed shrimp and ravioli in tomato cheese sauce, presented by the Chardonnay Queen, was a perfect match for our Rose from Chateau Ste. Michelle.  Rose and shrimp are often an excellent pair!

This delightful Rose opens with the scent of citrus and watermelon.  After the aromatic invitation. you are embraced by the essence of peach, strawberry, and citrus in a subtle but complex arrangement.  The wine pairs well with food and has a crisp finish, which invites you back for more of the same.  The alcohol content is 13%. and Norm's score is 89.

Like most Rose, the Ste. Michelle is enjoyable by itself, but it also is a good food wine.  Besides shrimp, I might also suggest it as a companion for Chicken Piccata.  Of course, like all Rose wine, my favorite, is in the picnic basket along with cold fried chicken!

score: 89

price : $11 - $15

Norm

normwine@bellsouth.net

Facebook/Norm's Tasting Notes

normwine.blogspot.com

AVAILABLE ONLINE AT:

Pine Island Eagle.com

ALSO AVAILABLE at: Dunwoody Patch

Dunwoody, GA Patch

Wine - God's Proof of his Love for Humanity

2020 Sterling Heritage Collection Napa Valley Chardonnay

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2020 Sterling Heritage Collection Napa Valley Chardonnay

#07-2024

For Valentine's Day Dinner I served the Chardonnay Queen homemade Lobster Mac and Cheese, with a Lettuce Wedge Salad, and, of course, a really good bottle of Chardonnay.  The wine was a 2020 vintage from Sterling Vineyards Heritage Collection, and a good choice for your Valentine!

Fresh fruit scents of apple and citrus draw you into the embrace of this subtle, yet complex Chardonnay.  The flavors swirl in the glass with notes of apple and pear, and a citrus breeze, which is more orange than lemon.  The finish lingers, but is clean and crisp.  The alcohol content is 13%. and Norm's score is 90.

If there is a better choice for Lobster Mac and Cheese, I would not know.  This Sterling Chardonnay would also pair well with Shrimp Scampi or Chicken Piccata.

score: 90

price : $18 - $22

Norm

normwine@bellsouth.net

Facebook/Norm's Tasting Notes

normwine.blogspot.com

AVAILABLE ONLINE AT:

Pine Island Eagle.com

ALSO AVAILABLE at: Dunwoody Patch

Dunwoody, GA Patch

Wine - God's Proof of his Love for Humanity

Wine Review Procedures

FROM Norm:

 It has come to my attention, that there are increasing numbers of readers of this blog in Asia, and in particular, Singapore. 

Welcome!  All of the wines which I review may not be available in your market place, but most will be. 

Below is a short description of how I write my reviews: (Usually provided to wineries and PR firms)

Wine Review Procedures

My name is Norm Bentley.  I have been reviewing wine for over fifteen years.  Before that I spent more than twenty five years as a retail wine merchant.  During that time I served as a judge on numerous occasions at International Wine Festivals, as well as conducting both public, and private, wine tasting events.

I do not write negative reviews.  I use the 1 to 100 scoring scale, but do not write about wines which I judge to be a score of less than 85.  I receive samples from several dozen wineries, most of which are in California.  I also receive samples from ten or twelve PR firms both on the East and West Coasts, which represent wineries from all over the world.

I also purchase samples at retail wine outlets.  About half of the wines I write about are samples, and the other half from wines I have purchased.  I probably review about two thirds of the samples which I receive.

I normally write one review per week, which is usually released on Fridays.  I hope my methods meet with the expectations you seek for publicizing your products. 

Norm

Facebook/Norm's Tasting Notes

normwine.blogspot.com

AVAILABLE ONLINE AT:

Pine Island Eagle.com

ALSO AVAILABLE at: Dunwoody Patch

Dunwoody, Ga Patch

Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

2021 Francis Ford Coppola Diamond Collection Merlot

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2021 Francis Ford Coppola Diamond Collection Merlot

#06-2024

Another story about a "Cab and a Slab"?  No, not this time.  This is a tale of a thick medium rare fillet and a California Merlot, which was not made for the movies, but was made by a winery owned by a famous movie-maker.  The Coppola Diamond Collection Merlot is worth talking about, especially as you are enjoying the thick, juicy steak it is paired with!

The nose is like a basket of dark berries, with a whiff of spicy overtones.  The dominate flavors are blackberry, plum, and black raspberry.  The texture is velvety, with a smooth mouth-feel, and a touch of earthy spice at the end.  The alcohol content is 13.5%, and Norm's score is 88.

For a real celebration, pair this one with rack of lamb, and set the controls for auto pilot.

score: 88

price : $14 - $18

Norm

normwine@bellsouth.net

Facebook/Norm's Tasting Notes

normwine.blogspot.com

AVAILABLE ONLINE AT:

Pine Island Eagle.com

ALSO AVAILABLE at: Dunwoody Patch

Dunwoody, GA Patch

Wine - God's Proof of his Love for Humanity

2019 Marcelo Pelleritti Signature Malbec

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2019 Marcelo Pelleritti Signature Malbec

#05-2024

Argentinian Malbec has been a favorite of mine for quite some time, so when I read a review of this one which said, "calling all Napa Cab lovers and Aussie Shiraz lovers, I knew it was probably right up my alley.  The 2019 Malbec from Marcelo Pelleritti, was not disappointing, but rather, went to the head of the class.  This is a high quality red for less that twenty bucks!

It has depth and character, with an enticing nose, and a huge burst of flavor featuring blueberry and black cherry.  The finish does not beg for another sip, but rather commands it!  The alcohol content is 14.8%. and Norm's score is 92.

You can serve this one with anything you might pair with red wine, including, but not limited to, grilled meats.  It is so good, you may want to just swill it down like grog!

score: 92

price : $15 - $20

Norm

normwine@bellsouth.net

Facebook/Norm's Tasting Notes

normwine.blogspot.com

AVAILABLE ONLINE AT:

Pine Island Eagle.com

ALSO AVAILABLE at: Dunwoody Patch

Dunwoody, GA Patch

Wine - God's Proof of his Love for Humanity