Norm's Tasting Notes
by: Norm Bentley
North Georgia Wine Advisor
normwine@bellsouth.net
2006 Three Sisters Cabernet Franc
#nb-38-12
Can you find good wine in North Georgia? You bet you can! Whether it be the French Bordeaux style, "Meritage", or the smooth blended red, "Fat Boy Red", a local favorite. The wines from Three Sisters Vineyards are all pleasing to the palate, and provide choices for almost any range of tastes. We tasted a dozen different wines last weekend at Three Sisters Vineyards and Winery, near Dahlonega, Georgia, and I found them all to be delightful. I would have no problem putting these wines up against any in the world. My favorite white was the 2008 Pinot Blanc, a bargain at only $16.
Now, let me clear up any confusion as to what Fat Boy Red is. It is a blend of Cynthiana, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Like many of its blended California counterparts, or even a big fruit Zinfandel, it is marvelous with barbecue or hamburgers. It would be great with a big plate of spaghetti, or just some fruit and cheese. It is also their best seller.
While every wine we tasted was pleasing, and some outstanding, my favorite overall, was the 2006 Three Sisters Cabernet Franc. Now, I must confess that Cabernet Franc is a personal favorite of mine. Until just a few years back, it was hard to find as a single varietal. It is a Bordeaux grape which decades ago, was used mostly in France to blend with Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon, to add complexity and earthy undertones to the wine. The earthy background flavors are what I like the best.
The 2006 Three Sisters Cabernet Franc is a brilliant shade of red in color, with a nose that smacks of cherries and raspberries. The flavors are intense, yet smooth, and highlight the cherry taste with the aforementioned earthy undertones. The finish is splendid with a hint of the oak, and a lingering aftertaste which begs for another sip. I liked the wine so much that I could drink glass after glass by itself, but you would probably prefer it with rack of lamb, or any Italian style veal dish.. Norm's score is 93.
The weather for the next four to six weeks is perfect for a trip to the North Georgia Mountains, and the drive up to Three Sisters is only about an hour from Atlanta, so do yourself a favor and have a wonderful time in the North Georgia Wine Country!
Score: 93
Price: $22 - $25
Norm
Norm's Tasting Notes can also be accessed at his Blog: http://normwine.blogspot.com/
Norm's Tasting Notes available online at either:
dawsontimes.com
cumminghome.com
pineisland-eagle.com
WINE - God's proof of his love for humanity
Thank you for the nice North Georgia wines posting. Over the years, we have periodically driven from SC to see how the GA wines are developing. We are especially impressed with Georgia now having eight wineries producing Norton [Cynthiana] wines. A five-to-eight year old Three Sisters or Crane Creek 'Hellbender' Norton compares well to Norton wines from Virginia and Missouri.
ReplyDeleteI am glad you enjoyed the article. I have known the folks at several of the North Georgia Wineries for a number of years now, and they are making great progress. I have not been to the vineyards in Virginia, but look forward to making the trip in the not to distant future.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your interest.
Norm Bentley