2021 Beaulieu Vineyards Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2021 Beaulieu Vineyards Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

Uno March - 2026

My love affair with California Cabs began at an early age, when I joined my first wine club (Les Amis du Vin), at the age of twenty.  One of the first wines I purchased through the wine club, was one of the best Cabernets ever; the 1965 Beaulieu Vineyards George d Latour Cabernet Sauvignon.  I still love BV Cabs, so I jumped at the opportunity to sample a 2021 BV Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. The Love Affair Rages on!

This is a Big. Bold, Beautiful Napa Cab!  It has big fruit, and big taste in a complex and extremely satisfying example of what Cabs are supposed to be.  The flavors are Black Cherry, Black Currant, and Ripe Plum.  The finish is smooth and lingering, with sophisticated tannins requesting another sip!  The alcohol content is 14.5%. and Norm's score is 95.

We feasted on steak kabobs with peppers and onions and, a fresh avocado and tomato salad, but the Star of the show was the BV Napa Cab!

Professional Ratings

94 - James Suckling

92 - Wine Enthusiast

91 - Wine Spectator

90 - Jeff Dunnuck

(and of course, Norm)

score: 95

price : $30 - $40

Now, that's just the way I see it, and you can tell them I said so!

Here's looking at you Kid!

Norm

normwine@bellsouth.net

Facebook/Norm's Tasting Notes

normwine.blogspot.com

AVAILABLE ONLINE AT: The Pine Island Eagle

Pine Island Eagle

ALSO AVAILABLE at: Dunwoody Patch

Dunwoody, GA Patch

Wine - God's Proof of his Love for Humanity

2022 Rodney Strong Chalk Hill Chardonnay

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2022 Rodney Strong Chalk Hill Chardonnay

Uno February - 2026

As many of you know, Rodney Strong is the favorite vineyard of the Chardonnay Queen, and over the years we have sampled many bottles of wine from this renowned winery.  Below are a couple of professional reviews of one of our favorite Chardonnays from Rodney Strong, and after that is a review I wrote ten years ago.  Some things don't change!

2022 Rodney Strong Chalk Hill Chardonnay

Wine Enthusiast 91

The nose of this Chardonnay displays aromas of macerated apple, nectarine and cinnamon, with flavors of pithy lemon, barrel spice, white flowers and biscuit emerging on the richly textured but energetic palate. Drink now with crab cakes or grilled prawns.

Wine Spectator 90

Wine Spectator: 90 Points - Well-spiced, featuring concentrated lemon curd, apple tart and glazed pear flavors. Custardy midpalate, with a finish that lingers with minerally and buttery overtones.

2013 Rodney Strong Chalk Hill Chardonnay
#nb-33-15

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. The alcohol content is 14%.

Adding the Rodney Strong Chalk Hill to a plate of Shrimp Scampi and fresh asparagus was delightful.  This Chardonnay tastes like Chardonnay, which is not as common as it once was, and means that it would pair well with anything you enjoy with Chardonnay. Norm’s score is 93.

Norm

2022 Rodney Strong Chalk Hill Chardonnay

score: 91

price : $17 - $22

Now, that's just the way I see it, and you can tell them I said so!

Here's looking at you Kid!

Norm

normwine@bellsouth.net

Facebook/Norm's Tasting Notes

normwine.blogspot.com

AVAILABLE ONLINE AT: The Pine Island Eagle

Pine Island Eagle

ALSO AVAILABLE at: Dunwoody Patch

Dunwoody, GA Patch

Wine - God's Proof of his Love for Humanity

2021 Ruffino Riserva Ducale Oro

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2021 Ruffino Riserva Ducale Oro (Gold)

Uno February - 2026

One of my most favorite wines, which never disappoints, whatever the vintage, is the Ruffino Gold Label Chianti Classico.  I have enjoyed it going back many decades to my first sip at the age of ten!  If it's Italian food, its best with Ruffino Oro!

The Riserva Ducale Oro has a delightful nose conjuring up visions of an overflowing basket of fresh fruit, while the flavors broadcast cherries, plums and a touch of currant to your senses.  The wine is intense, yet mellow with a strong finish begging for another sip!  The alcohol content is 14.5%. and Norm's score is 92.

This wonderful Chianti is great with Spaghetti, Veal Marsala, Eggplant Parmesan. Lasagna, etc., etc.!  Ain't bad with steak either.

score: 92

price : $35 - $42

Now, that's just the way I see it, and you can tell them I said so!

Here's looking at you Kid!

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 Murphy-Goode California Cabernet Sauvignon

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2021 Murphy-Goode California Cabernet Sauvignon

Uno January - 2026

So the first wine question for the wine year of 2026 is: "Just how good can a fifteen dollar Screw-Cap Cab really be?"  Apparently, the answer is "Pretty Darn Good", if its the 2021 Murphy-Goode California Cabernet Sauvignon!  Good enough that the North Georgia Wine Advisor, (also know as the California Cabernet Kid) can give it a score of 90!

An everyday red with the potential to become an excellent dinner companion for any occasion, the Murphy-Goode Cab has easy to drink versatility, with a deeper flavor spectrum to compliment a variety of foods.  The flavors are black cherry and dark plum with a lingering finish.  The alcohol content is 13.5%. and Norm's score is 90.

This easy going Cab is perfect for most grilled meats, and would be good with an assortment of cheeses before or after dinner.

score: 90

price : $14 - $17

Now, that's just the way I see it, and you can tell them I said so!

Here's looking at you Kid!

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

2025 Christmas at the Biggers-Greer Plantation

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2025 Christmas at the Biggers-Greer Plantation

       (Home of The California Cabernet Kid and The Chardonnay Queen)

                           Holiday Menu 

CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER:

Lobster Bisque

Seafood Salad (lobster, shrimp, scallops)

Warm French Baguette

Raspberry Sorbet

Wine: 2021 Grigich Hills Estate Napa Valley Chardonnay = 93

CHRISTMAS DINNER:

Chateaubriand

Roasted New Potatoes

Fresh Grilled Asparagus

Carrots in Orange-Honey glaze sauce

Fresh Baked Yeast Light Rolls

English Trifle

Wine: 2017 Beringer Chabot Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon = 93

Here's wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year!

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

2025 Top Ten Christmas List

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

Norm's Top Ten Christmas List 2025

Here's wishing you a Merry Christmas with some good wine choices for your holiday celebrations!

NORM'S TOP TEN CHRISTMAS WINE LIST 2025

2022 Ferrari-Carano Fume Blanc = 91

2016 Beringer Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon = 94

2021 Rodney Strong Russian River Pinot Noir = 92

2019 Sterling Heritage Collection Napa Valley Merlot = 92

2023 Napa Cellars Sauvignon Blanc = 91

2022 Francis Ford Coppola Diamond Collection Claret = 91

2022 Decoy California Merlot = 92

2022 Rodney Strong Alexander Valley Estate Cabernet = 93

2023 Louis Jadot Macon Villages = 91

2023 J. Lohr Estate Riverstone Chardonnay = 91

and if you can afford it...

2022 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay, Napa Valley= 95

Merry Christmas!

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 Bogle Old Vine Zinfandel

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2021 Bogle Old Vine Zinfandel

Uno December - 2025

The Bogle Old Vine Zin is one of my "Go To" wines for going on two decades, and it has never let me down, whether paired with steak, spaghetti, or even a hamburger!  We enjoyed the 2021 vintage with a big plate of spaghetti and fresh avocado salad.

The Bogle is rich and jammy, with the smell of a summertime berry patch.  The flavors broadcast Blackberry and Black Raspberry in a blast to your senses, and trail off into toasty tannins, which cut right through spaghetti, or any other spicy sauced fare!   The alcohol content is 14.5%. and Norm's score is 90.

A bottle of Bogle is a perfect match for Beef Stew, Spaghetti, or any grilled meat, including Barbecue.  Don't forget, "Old Vine means Good Wine!"

score: 90

price : $11 - $16

Now, that's just the way I see it, and you can tell them I said so!

Here's looking at you Kid!

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