Norm's Tasting Notes

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2013 Moobuzz Pinot Noir

#nb-44-15

We went out to dinner the other night with friends and upon returning home we decided to open a bottle of wine for a nightcap. I chose a bottle of 2013 Moobuzz Pinot Noir which had been sent to me to sample. I normally don't care for cute or strange names for wine, but the Moobuzz was quite tasty. While we were enjoying the wine, one of our friends who likes wine, but does not have in-depth wine knowledge asked, "How do I know what flavors to look for in a Pinot Noir?" The question set me to thinking.

I think it is harder today than ever before to define the different tastes in wine by variety. First, many wines today are not 100% varietal, but have small amounts of other grapes blended in to achieve the taste or complexity the winemaker is trying to accomplish. This is the case with the Moobuzz, which has 5% each, Syrah and Petite Sirah in its makeup. Secondly, winemakers today have a variety of tools at their disposal which allow them to produce wines which achieve "certain" taste standards which "sell". I have listed below the "old" standards which used to define the fruit flavors found in the four most popular red wines in America. However, as I told my friend, "The only thing which really counts when tasting wine, is whether you like it or not".

The Moonbuz was quite pleasant with flavors of bright cherry, a little plum and just a hint of strawberry. Norm's score is 88.

TASTE DEFINITIONS BY VARIETY:

CABERNET SAUVIGNON - Black Cherry, Cassis or Black Currant

MERLOT - Red Cherry, Blackberry, Plum

PINOT NOIR - Red Cherry, Raspberry, Strawberry

ZNFADEL - Blackberry, Raspberry

(Often wines are further defined by background notes such as; olives, bell pepper, chocolate. smoke, or the oak flavors imparted through barrel aging)

price: $15 - $20

score - 88

Norm

Available online at:

WINE – God’s Proof of his Love for Humanity

Thursday, November 5, 2015

2013 Vanderbilt Reserve Dry Creek Valley Merlot

Norm's Tasting Notes

by: Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2013 Vanderbilt Reserve Dry Creek Valley Merlot

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The Biltmore folks in North Carolina are producing some pretty good California wines in small quantity under the name Vanderbilt Reserve Wines. Their 2013 Dry Creek Merlot production is a modest eight hundred cases, but worth investigating if you can find it at your local retailer.

The wine is a dark ruby red in color, and looks, as well as tastes more like a Cab than a Merlot. It is deep and complex in nature, with a rich cherry flavor highlighted by plum and just a hint of blackberry. There are moderate tannins imparted by fifteen months in the barrel, and the alcohol content is 14.5%. It finishes strong with the oak complemented by a lingering cherry presence.

We paired the Vanderbilt Reserve Merlot with a thick juicy New York strip hot off the grill, and an avocado and tomato salad. It was excellent. Norm's score is 89.

price: $24 - $29

score - 89

Norm

Available online at:

WINE – God’s Proof of his Love for Humanity

Thursday, October 29, 2015

2014 Ferrari-Carano Pinot Grigio

Norm's Tasting Notes

by: Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2014 Ferrari Carono Pinot Grigio

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The wines of Ferrari-Carono have been household favorites for years, with the Chardonnay and Fume Blanc always getting accolades from the Chardonnay Queen and myself. We sampled our first bottle of their Pinot Grigio with great anticipation, and we were not disappointed. The 2014 Ferrari-Carano Pinot Grigio is an excellent entry into a category with ever-expanding popularity, and is going to rate on a lot of people's top ten lit of Pinot Grigios.

The wine opens with a delicate aroma of citrus and tropical fruit which leads to an explosion of big fruit flavors. The taste suggests peach and melon in combination with apricot, underlined with a touch of lime. The finish is crisp and clean with a hint of grapefruit rind at the end. Fermentation was in stainless steel, which leaves this big fruit wine with no cloying aftertaste. The grapes are 100% Pinot Grigio and 100% Sonoma County. Norm's score is 90.

We enjoyed the Ferarri-Carano with grilled chicken and a fresh garden salad, but this wine would pair well with a wide range fare, and would stand well by itself.

price: $11 - $15

score - 90

Norm

Available online at:

WINE – God’s Proof of his Love for Humanity

Thursday, October 22, 2015

2013 14 Hands Columbia Valley Merlot

Norm's Tasting Notes

by: Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2013 14 Hands Columbia Valley Merlot

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The region north of the Columbia River in the state of Washington used to be full of wild horses, so it is only fitting that there should be a winery there by the name of 14 Hands, which relates to measuring the height of a horse, in this case wild mustangs. The winery has made its mark in the wine world particularly with the production of a good solid Merlot. We recently sampled the 2013 Merlot, and found it to be quite pleasant.

The 14 Hands Merlot has a nice flavor combination of cherries, blackberries and a hint of chocolate. This is a medium bodied wine with a little oak aging, but only traces of tannin, and the finish sort of fades off into the night. The alcohol content is 13.5% and Norm's score is 87.

We paired this Merlot with a thick steak and salad, but I believe the winery recommends it for barbecue. It would also be quite nice with a plate of Pasta Primavera with Marinara sauce.

price: $9 - $12

score -87

Norm

Available online at:

WINE – God’s Proof of his Love for Humanity

Thursday, October 15, 2015

2013 Francis Ford Coppola Diamond Collection Ivory Label Cabernet Sauvignon

Norm's Tasting Notes

by: Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2013 Coppola Diamond Collection Ivory Label Cabernet Sauvignon

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I have been a fan of Francis Ford Coppola for quite some time, but I am not speaking of his movies, but rather his wines. I have just sampled what might be one of the best fifteen dollar California Cabs that I have had in a long while. The 2013 Coppola Ivory Label Cabernet Sauvignon is a powerhouse which rivals wines in the thirty dollar category. By the way, the man's movies are pretty good also.

The Coppola Cab opens with a fragrant nose suggesting dark berries, and then slams you into a display of full bodied ripe fruit highlighted by my favorite cab taste of rich black cherry, backed by blackberry undertones. The flavor is outstanding and finishes with a moderate dose of toasty oak, imparted by twelve months in French barrels. As I said, this is a quality wine for an everyday price, maybe one of the best ever from the Diamond Collection of Coppola wines. Norm's score is 92, but as far as fifteen dollar cabs go, its a 97.

We burned a nice thick slab of New York strip to a crispy medium rare on the grill, set it next to a big avocado salad, and a bottle of the Coppola Cab and had a delightful evening. As the man said, "It is hard to beat a Slab and a Cab".

price: $14 - $18

score -92

Norm

Available online at:

WINE – God’s Proof of his Love for Humanity

Thursday, October 8, 2015

2013 Waterstone Carneros Chardonnay

Norm's Tasting Notes

by: Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2013 Waterstone Carneros Chardonnay

#nb-39-15

Both Chardonnay and Pinot Noir flourish in the Carneros in the southern part of Napa and Sonoma counties just above San Pablo Bay. I also know that apricots do well there also, since my Great Grandfather Bentley owned an orchard there many long years ago. The folks at Waterstone produce a pretty decent Chardonnay from the Carneros as well.

The 2013 Waterstone Carneros Chardonnay opens with a pleasant nose suggesting apples and a little bit of citrus. The flavors are consistent with Chardonnay, showcasing apple and pear with a touch of citrus. The wine has a little oak with a small amount of buttery texture finishing in a crisp finish. The alcohol content is 14%, and Norm's score is 87.

We enjoyed the wine as an aperitif, but I am sure it would pair well with most fowl or seafood dishes, or perhaps a platter of grapes and sliced apples, with soft cheeses on the side.

price: $16 - $19

score - 87

Norm

Available online at:

WINE – God’s Proof of his Love for Humanity

Thursday, October 1, 2015

2014 Wild Horse Viognier

Norm's Tasting Notes

by: Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2014 Wild Horse Viognier

#nb-38-15

The moment the wine hit the bottom of the glass the aroma exploded and filled the room with a fragrance suggesting the nectar of the gods. The 2014 Wild Horse Viognier extolls the virtue of the grape which is noted for its fragrant nose, and spicy nature. I have enjoyed Viognier for years, and find it to be an exciting alternative to Chardonnay. Originally from the Rhone area of France, Vionier thrives in many places across the globe including California's Central Coast.

The bouquet is framed by a dry peach scent, accented by light citrus, and a bit of Muscatine vine. The flavor is forceful with a strong presence of tropical fruit, spicy mineral notes, and a heady dose of tangy lemon zest. This is a big and powerful wine with a lot of complexity and gobs of dry ripe fruit. It almost reminds me of a cross between Chardonnay and Gewurtatraminer. The flavor is compelling and begs for the next sip. The alcohol content is 14.5%, and Norm's score is 92.

We enjoyed the Wild Horse Viognier with a rather tame repast of homemade nine bean soup, but I would suggest that it would be better matched with a more robust meal such as Spicy Thai Mango Tango Shrimp, or perhaps Hot Italian Sausage and Peppers.

price: $15 - $19

score - 92

Norm

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