2021 Z. Alexander Brown Uncaged Pinot Noir

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2021 Z. Alexander Brown Uncaged Pinot Noir

#17-2024

This 2021 Uncaged Pinot Noir is from Z. Alexander Brown, also known as Zac Brown, a three time Grammy Award winner, who offers up this Pinot Noir from Monterey, Napa, and Sonoma counties for your dining pleasure.  It is a great choice in the under twenty category for California Pinot Noir.

It has an enticing nose full of cherries and berries.  The delightful aroma leads to big flavors of black cherry, black plum, and a hint of strawberry.  The finish lingers with the memory of silky tannins and succulent fruit,  The alcohol content is 14.5%. and Norm's score is 90.

This is a good Pinot Noir for grilled salmon, or medium rare Prime Rib.  If you would enjoy an after-dinner treat, pair it with some blue-veined cheese and a few grapes!

score: 90

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

2020 Toad Hollow Francine's Selection Chardonnay

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2020 Toad Hollow Francine's Selection Chardonnay

#16-2024

Last night we enjoyed a sautéed shrimp and scallop salad, with avocado, and a bottle of un-oaked Chardonnay from Toad Hollow of Mendocino County, California.  We have had some warm spring weather, and a chilled salad with a good Chard really hit the spot.

The Toad Hollow has a fresh and attractive nose, with citrus and apple aromas.  The flavors are citrus with a lemony touch, and a bold presence of Granny Smith apples for a stout backbone.  It has a very crisp and clean finish, which begs for another sip!  The alcohol content is 13.8%. and Norm's score is 90.

Pair this one up with seafood, hot or cold, and you have just what the doctor ordered!

score: 90

price : $14 - $17

Norm

normwine@bellsouth.net

Facebook/Norm's Tasting Notes

normwine.blogspot.com

AVAILABLE ONLINE AT:

Pine Island Eagle.com

ALSO AVAILABLE at: Dunwoody Patch

2021 Rodney Strong Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2021 Rodney Strong Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

#15-2024

Quite some time back, I learned that you could usually count on Pinot Noir from Sonoma County's Russian River Valley to be dependably good. The 2021 selection from Rodney Strong fits the bill.  This is a classy Pinot Noir for a fairly mundane price.

The scent waifs across the room as you uncork the bottle, a harbinger of good things to come.  The initial flavor is cherry, backed up by dark plum.  The nuances in the background are a bit of earthy spice and a mellow toasty oak for the finish.  The alcohol content is 14.5% and Norm's score is 89.

I usually recommend Pinot Noir for Prime Rib, or Grilled Salmon, however. I would suggest you pair this one with Lamb Osso Buco for a real treat!

score: 89

price : $17 - $21

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

2021 R. Stuart Big Fire Willamette Valley Pinot Gris

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2021 R. Stuart Big Fire Willamette Valley Pinot Gris

#14-2024

With our Easter Ham this year we served the 2021 Big Fire Pinot Gris from R. Stuart in Oregon.  This delightful wine certainly enhanced our Easter Feast.  The wine complimented an array of flavors at the table, with a certain pizzazz, befitting the occasion!

This is a multi-faceted wine with an inviting bouquet and a complex array of flavors.  The initial taste is stone fruit backed by melon and a touch of citrus.  The finish is of a spicy, herbal tone, with a lingering finish.  The alcohol content is 12.9%. and Norm's score is 90.

This Willamette Valley standout is a good choice for most seafood fare, and a delightful companion for summer salads!

score: 90

price : $17 - $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