Norm's Tasting Notes
by: Norm Bentley
North Georgia Wine Advisor
normwine@bellsouth.net
2008 Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells Chardonnay
#nb-43-11
There is something to be said for consistency, and both Robert Parker's "Wine Advocate" and the "Wine Spectator" scored the 2008 Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells Chardonnay an 88. I am afraid I have to disagree and be inconsistent, and raise the score of this delightful bottle of wine to a 91. Perhaps I sampled this Chardonnay after a little more bottle age than the the two premier wine magazines, but I found this to be one of the best under twenty dollar Chardonnays I have ever tasted!
The other night my wife prepared her famous "Special Shrimp Scampi"(recipe location below), which is one of my most favorite shrimp dishes. The 2008 Indian Wells Chardonnay made it even better! This is a rich and smooth Chardonnay which abounds in flavors of melon and ripe pear, with Golden Delicious apple flavors swirling all about, and on into the finish. The finish is buttery with a strong crisp oak signature. The wine underwent malolactic fermentation to enhance the fruit and buttery character, and was aged sur lie for seven months in both French and American oak. The alcohol content is a perfect 13.5%.
Shrimp Scampi blasts you with butter and garlic (which is why I like it so much), and this wine is the perfect complement to this wonderful dish! I can't think of any seafood dish that this wine would not pair well with. It would also be great with duck a l'orange, or "Emeril's Favorite Roast Pheasant". Norm's score is 91.
If you would like the recipe for Miss Mary's Special Shrimp Scampi, it is on her blogsite at:
http://frommissmaryskitchen.blogspot.com/
Price: $15 to $19
Score: 91
Norm
Norm's Tasting Notes can also be accessed at his Blog: http://normwine.blogspot.com/
Norm's Tasting Notes available online at either:
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