Norm's Tasting Notes

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2014 Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Fume Blanc

#nb-03-16

This Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc is called Fume Blanc at the Robert Mondavi Winery, and has been a standby at our house for many years. Fume means smoke in French, but the wine is not smoky, nor is it French, but it is somewhat Bordeaux in style especially with the addition of 6% Semillon to the Sauvignon Blanc.

The Chardonnay Queen has always liked this wine, and commented that this one was more old style Fume Blanc than some of the previous vintages. The wine opens with a pleasant bouquet of flowers and ripe fruit underscored by a slight citrus breeze.

The flavor is filled with the big fruit taste of peach, pineapple and a touch of lemony grassiness leading into a crisp finish with a mineral background which cleanses the palate. The alcohol content is 13.5%. Norm's score is 88 with the Chardonnay Queen giving it a slightly higher mark.

We paired this one with a homemade concoction called Mojo Asian Lime Shrimp, and it was delightful! I think the Mondavi Fume Blanc would also be great with Oysters Rockefeller.

price: $18 - $22

score - 88

Norm

Available online at:

WINE – God’s Proof of his Love for Humanity

Friday, January 15, 2016

2013 Bogle California Chardonnay

Norm's Tasting Notes

by: Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2013 Bogle California Chardonnay

#nb-02-16

The Chardonnay Queen is always in quest of a really decent everyday Chardonnay for less than ten dollars per bottle. Her choice for most of the year of 2015, and still continuing into 2016, is the 2013 Bogle California Chardonnay. Bogle has been recognized for more than a decade as a producer of quality, value priced wines, with their California Merlot getting most of the attention. The "Wine Enthusiast" magazine rated this Chardonnay at 89, and the Chardonnay Queen has upped that score to 90. After that high praise, I asked her to give me her description and opinion of the wine, and she had this to say.

"The 2013 Bogle has the light golden color normally associated with Chardonnay that invites further inspection. The nose is predominately apple with a bit of pear, and just a hint of citrus. There is a strong flavor of apple balanced with vanilla, and a touch of peach. All flavors combine to provide a full rounded finish."

The Bogle comes in at a pleasant 13.5% of alcohol, leading to big fruit flavors, and ending in a clean crisp finish, This wine will pair well with most fowl and seafood dishes, and is definitely a good "back porch sipper".

price: $8 - $11

score - 90

Norm

WINE – God’s Proof of his Love for Humanity

Saturday, January 9, 2016

2013 Chalone Monterey County Pinot Noir

Norm's Tasting Notes

by: Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2013 Chalone Monterey County Pinot Noir

#nb-01-16

We had friends visit us in Matlacha for Christmas this year, and for Christmas Eve dinner we had a wonderful meal at the Tarpon Lodge at Pineland, Fl. The Tarpon Lodge is always a great choice for a celebration dinner, and we sampled several wines from their wine list, one of which was the Chalone Pinot Noir from Monterey County California.

The Chalone is a truly rich and juicy Pinot Noir. It opens with a fragrant nose suggesting cherries, backed by an array of floral scents and a touch of strawberry.

The flavor abounds with the presence of cherry, red raspberry and plum, with an underlying hint of strawberry. The finish is bright and clean with a vibrant memory of the big lush fruit ensemble. Norm's score is 90.

The Chalone Pinot Noir would be excellent with cedar-planked salmon, and would also pair well with a big slab of rare prime rib. As usual, dinner at the Tarpon Lodge pairs well with almost any wine selection.

price: $15 - $20

score - 90

Norm

WINE – God’s Proof of his Love for Humanity

Saturday, December 26, 2015

Break out the Bubbly

Norm's Tasting Notes

by: Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2015 Happy New Year

#nb-48-15

"Champagne vs. Sparkling Wine"

Break out the bubbly its almost New Year's Eve!

Over the years I have heard many make the comment, "I don't really like champagne, so I don't think that I will get any this year for New Year's Eve." When asked what kind of champagne they have had in the past, the answer is often Andre, or some other bulk produced, low price sparkler. Well Andre really is not champagne, its just inexpensive sparkling wine.

So what's the difference? Well Champagne is made in the Champagne Region of France and is fermented in the bottle , which is called Methode Champenoise, or in English "Champagne Method". Andre and other inexpensive sparkling wines are not fermented in the bottle using the Champagne Method, but rather they are fermented in bulk, which is often using the Charmat Method. This is a process which produces a usually much inferior sparkling wine. But, if you don't want to pay French Champagne prices, look for the words "Champagne Method" on the bottle.

There are some really good sparkling wines out there that don't come from France, and can't be called Champagne, but are still very enjoyable. You might find that you actually do like "Champagne". Below are a few of my favorites:

Schramsberg from California - $25 to $32

Mumm's Napa Cellars from California - $18 to $22

Domaine Chandon from California - $17 to $21

Korbel from California - $11 to $15

Codorniu Cava from Spain - $10 to $12

Santa Margherita Prosecco from Italy - $27 - $23

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

Norm

Available online at:

WINE – God’s Proof of his Love for Humanity

Thursday, December 10, 2015

2015 Christmas Special

Norm's Tasting Notes

by: Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2015 Christmas Special

#nb-47-15

First let me say MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY DINING!

Below is a list of suggestions for which wines go best with various foods.
Roasted or Baked Turkey - Pinot Grigio or Chardonnay

Baked Ham - Rose or light Pinot Noir, or Chardonnay

Grilled Steak or Beef Tenderloin - Cabernet Sauvignon
Lamb Chops or Pork Loin Chops - Merlot
Barbecued Ribs or Spaghetti - Zinfandel
Prime Rib or Roast Duck - Pinot Noir
Lobster, King Crab, Half Shell Oysters - Chardonnay
Oysters Rockefeller or Broiled Fish - Sauvignon Blanc
Shrimp Alfredo or Clams Marinara - Pinot Grigio
Baked Fish, Poached Flounder - Riesling or Pinot Grigio
Cornish Game Hens - Chardonnay or Pinot Noir
Grilled or Baked Salmon - Chardonnay, or Pinot Noir

The following is a top ten list of some of the wines that I have written about earlier this year, as well as their scores.

2014 Wild Horse Viognier – 92

2013 Acrobat Pinot Gris - 92

2013 Rodney Strong Chalk Hill Chardonnay – 93

2013 Ferrai-Carano Chardonnay – 91

2013 Mark West Willamette Valley Pinot Noir – 90

2013 Vanderbilt Reserve Dry Creek Valley Merlot – 89

2012 Ruffino Aziano Chianti Classico – 90

2012 Root: 1 Carmenere – 92

2013 Coppola Diamond Collection Ivory Label Cabernet Sauvignon – 92

2011 Groth Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon - 93

Whatever special dinner or wine you enjoy this year, I hope you have a:
Merry Christmas - Norm's Score - 100!

Norm

Available online at:

WINE – God’s Proof of his Love for Humanity

Thursday, December 3, 2015

2013 Steelhead North Coast Red

Norm's Tasting Notes

by: Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2013 Steelhead North Coast Red

#nb-46-15

I like to fish and I like to drink wine, so the 2013 Steelhead Red suits me both ways. Dan and Katy Leese, owners of Steelhead Vineyards contribute a portion of their bottle sales for the protection of Steelhead and Trout habitats, and also produce some tasty wines. The North Coast Red is a blend of six grape varieties which come together in harmony to produce a sturdy red which paired well with our two inch thick medium rare fillet, hot off of the grill.

The primary grapes in this blend are Zinfandel and Syrah which aid in producing a nice wild berry aroma, which is backed by gobs of ripe fruit suggesting blackberry and plum.

The wine has strong earthy notes that definitely come from the Syrah. The finish has a moderate taste of toasty oak, and the alcohol content is 14.5%. This an easy to drink red with enough backbone to stand up to hearty fare such as grilled meat.

The Steelhead Red was great with our steak, and would pair well with spicy red-sauced pastas as well. Some might like this wine with barbecue, but I will stick to my steak, since I prefer sweet Southern Ice Tea with my "Que". Norm's score is 88.

price: $13 - $15

score - 88

Norm

Available online at:

WINE – God’s Proof of his Love for Humanity

Thursday, November 19, 2015

2015 Thanksgiving Special

Norm's Tasting Notes

by: Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2015 Thanksgiving Special

#nb-45-15

It is always difficult to select the perfect wine for Thanksgiving, because the table offers such an array of aromas and flavors, but here are a few guidelines which will make this dinner more memorable than ever.

If you like Chardonnay, choose one which is not bone dry, but rather one with a strong fruit presence. Sauvignon Blanc is also a good choice if you like dry white wine with your meal. The fruity, but dry finish of a good Pinot Grigio is perfect for that dry white meat turkey which did not turn out as juicy as you had hoped for. If you like red wine with your meal, choose a lighter style Pinot Noir, or other red, such as the Carmenere mentioned below.

Below is a list of wines which I have written about this year which would be good choices for your Thanksgiving Dinner.

2013 Rodney Strong Chalk Hill Chardonnay - Score: - Price: $14-$18

This is a classic Chardonnay for an everyday price. The bouquet reminds one of a basket of apples fresh from the orchard, accompanied by a spray of wildflowers. The flavors are abundant with apple being the most assertive, with a touch of tropical fruit, graced by a hint of citrus in the background. This is a well rounded Chardonnay which has the mineral backdrop characteristic of the chalky soil, and has a creamy mouth-feel leading into a crisp, but lingering finish.

2013 Ferrari-Carano Chardonnay - Score: 91- Price $16-$21

The aroma bursts out of the glass and grabs you with the scents of apple and honeydew. The flavor is complex, and yet simple, with the basic components of Chardonnay, that explode with apple and pear, with a little peach and a mild citrus breeze. The balance is almost perfection, as the wine finishes with bold fruit and good acidity in a harmonious union of pleasure, leading to a crisp and clean ending which begs for another sip!

2013 Acrobat Pinot Gris - Score: 92 - Price: $13-$16

The wine opens with a flowery bouquet laced with a lemony citrus breeze, and a hint of melon. The flavors swirl with an abundance of green apple and melon, with a complex background suggesting lemon zest and a trace of vanilla. The wine highlights the perfect balance between big fruit and crisp acidity, and sails on into a clean and lingering finish.

2014 Wild Horse Viognier - Score: 92 - Price: $15-$19

The bouquet is framed by a dry peach scent, accented by light citrus, and a bit of Muscadine 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 powerful wine with a lot of complexity and gobs of dry ripe fruit. It reminds me of a cross between Chardonnay and Gewurtztraminer.

2013 Mark West Willamette Valley Pinot Noir - Score: 90 - Price: $20-$25

This is a light style Pinot Noir that is no lightweight when it comes to delivering a quality signature. The color is a brilliant red with excellent clarity, and the bouquet jumps out of the glass to broadcast an array of aromas, highlighting cherry and strawberry. The flavors swirl with cherry and plum, with an under-current of strawberry, and just a touch of cranberry. It is simply delicious!

2012 Root One Carmenere - Score: 92 - Price: $10-$14

The color is a most beautiful inky shade of purple, and when you open the bottle, the aroma leaps out of the bottle and grabs you by the nose and won't let go, filling the room with the essence of blackberry jam and Brer Rabbit's briar patch. Speaking of jam, the flavors abound with a thick jammy character smacking of blackberry and dark cherry, with a hint of black current. The finish is spicy with a bit of pepper, and just a touch of earthiness which lingers until the next sip. The wine is good in both complexity as well as character, and is in perfect balance between the fruit and acidity.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU AND ALL OF YOURS!

Norm

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