2018 Landmark Overlook Chardonnay

2018 Landmark Overlook Chardonnay

#27-2020

In the last few months I have sampled some really good Chardonnays, many in the Classic California style.  The 2018 Landmark Chardonnay is a bit of a departure, in that it is a more easy to drink modern style, highlighting big fruit, and a tasty sweetness, which does not deny that it is still a dry dinner wine.

The nose is fat, juicy, and pungent with the aroma of sweet juicy apple and pear backed by a spicy veil of tropical fruit.  The flavor spectrum is dense, with layers of Golden Delicious Apple and Sweet Bartlett Pear, with traces of stone-fruit and a dash of pineapple.  The finish is compelling with a bit of spice, and begs for another sip!  The alcohol content is 14.3%, and Norm's score is 90.

A bottle of Landmark Overlook Chardonnay, paired with Bay Scallops and Angel Hair Pasta in Garlic Alfredo Sauce, was the right combination for a wonderful dinner!  Throw in a fresh avocado and tomato salad, and you are indeed "Living the Good Life"!

score: 90

price: $21 - $26

Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

2017 Charles Krug Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

2017 Charles Krug Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

#26-2020

This Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon from Charles Krug, like many California Cabs these days, is a Bordeaux style Blend, with other grape varieties added for a more complex taste experience.  The effect in this case is highly successful!  For me however, the best way to enjoy a California Cab, is still with a Slab of thick, juicy beef, grilled medium rare!

The 2017 Krug is big in the nose and long in taste, with a lingering finish, which compliments a nice thick fillet in a stylish manner.  The flavors are mostly black cherry with a healthy dose of dark berries, and just the right amount of oak in its smooth finish, which begs for another sip.  The alcohol content is 14.1%, and Norm's score is 90.

A bottle of Krug Cab, a thick fillet, a baked potato, and a fresh salad of Romaine and Avocado, made a delightful dinner for us on an early summer night. Oh how I love Grilling Season, especially since it is also Cab Season

score: 90

price: $28 - $33

Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

2017 Duckhorn Napa Valley Chardonnay

2017 Duckhorn Napa Valley Chardonnay

#25-2020

We seem to be in a rut, and The Chardonnay Queen is loving it.  It seems that so far this year, we have tasted one excellent Chardonnay after another.  The latest is the 2017 Duckhorn Napa Valley Chardonnay, which is yet another classic, old style California Chardonnay.  It has it all, crisp fruit with just a kiss of oak, and a big mouthfeel leading to a lingering finish.

The nose broadcasts the aroma of apple, with a hint of stone-fruit  throughout the room.  The flavors are full and rich, highlighting crisp apple, sweet pear, and a touch of pineapple, with an under current of vanilla and mellow oak, leading to a finish which sails off into the night  The alcohol content is 14.1%, and Norm's score is 92.

We enjoyed this terrific Chardonnay with a seafood salad featuring sauteed shrimp and scallops, with avocado, ripe tomato, and fresh Romaine.  We sided this summer style salad with Angel Hair Pasta in Alfredo Sauce.

score: 92

price: $28 - $33

Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

2018 Cakebread Napa Valley Chardonnay

2018 Cakebread Napa Valley Chardonnay

#23-2020

In my life there have been many great cooks, including my mother who became famous at the Church Suppers for her version of Chicken Divan, which she advertised as "Chicken Divine".  For our Wedding Anniversary, another great cook, The Chardonnay Queen, adapted this recipe for shrimp, and it became "Shrimp Divine".  For a divine dinner, we had to have a divine Chardonnay, so we chose a bottle of 2018 Cakebread Chardonnay, and the result was Heavenly!

This is a classic, old style California Chardonnay which does just about everything right, from the nose, to the balance between the fruit and acidity, and finishing with a crisp finish, which highlights the oak, without over-powering you with it.   The nose broadcasts its array of aromas throughout the room with the scent of a bushel of ripe apples.  The flavor is Granny Smith, with a sidecar of Bartlett Pear.  The finish has a bit of citrus breeze and a touch of toasty vanilla.  The alcohol content is 13.7%, and Norm's score is 92.

A bottle of Cakebread Napa Chardonnay, and a dish involving shrimp, which is called "Divine", can have no other effect than to create memories, as well as recall dreamy ones from the past!

score: 92

price: $37 - $43

Norm

Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

Norm's Tasting Notes

22-2020

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Enjoy!

Norm

Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

2018 Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Fume Blanc

Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

normwine@charter.net

2018 Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Fume Blanc

#21-2020

There was a time when I could name all of the wineries in the Napa Valley, as well as all of the grapes grown there.  That was a long time ago!  The wine world has gotten quite large in the last forty or fifty years, and the term "Wine Connoisseur", or "Wine Expert" has taken on new meaning.  One thing which has not changed in the last few decades, is that I am still enjoying Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Fume Blanc, and have been for more that thirty years!

The nose broadcasts an array of fragrant notes throughout the room, with the pronounced emphasis on citrus and apple.  The flavors are rich and complex with apple and lime, and a touch of juicy ripe peach.  There is an overlying layer of lemon zest and a very refreshing, clean finish  The alcohol content is 13.5%, and Norm's score is 89.

A bottle of Mondavi Fume Blanc and a piece of grilled salmon make a mighty fine repast!  We enjoyed both, alongside a fresh avocado and tomato salad.

score: 89

price: $18 - $23

Norm

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Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

2016 Louis Martini Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

normwine@charter.net

2016 Louis Martini Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

#20-2020

In the late 1970's, I spent the better part of a year in Northern California, and one of my most pleasant memories was going to the Safeway with a five dollar bill and coming home with an eight ounce fillet and a bottle of Louis Martini Napa Cab.  Man, those were the days!  The 2016 Louis Martini Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon might be a tad better, and it is definitely a tad more expensive, but it is a high quality Napa Cab, and still great with a juicy, thick fillet!

This is a big, bold, and yet sophisticated California Cab with a rich heritage, and a rich taste to match.  The flavors are black currant and dark cherry, with a bit of spice mixed in.  The oak gives it a long and luxurious finish which sails off into the night.  The alcohol content is 15.1%, and Norm's score is 92.

A bottle of Louis Martini Cab and a fat steak are a good reminder of the good old days in the Northern California Wine Country!

score: 92

price: $32 - $37

Norm

Facebook/Norm's Tasting Notes

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