Thanksgiving 2024

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

Thanksgiving 2024

Uno November - 2024

We are getting close to the "All American Feast Day"!  So, lets talk Turkey, or Ham, or Beef, or whatever you plan to serve.  One thing for sure is, that if its a "Feast", then there will be a lot of food, and it may not all pair well with the wine you are serving.  So, you have two choices, pair the wine with the entrée, or serve the wine you enjoy the most.  You can't go wrong either way!  Below are nine good picks which I have sampled recently, and I am sure at least one will work well with your Thanksgiving table, or serve several, there are no rules!

2022 The Four Graces Willamette Valley Pinot Noir - 90

2022 Ferrari-Carano Dry Sangiovese Rose - 91

2022 Maison Louis Latour Pouilly Fuisse - 92

2021 R. Stuart Big Fire Willamette Valley Pinot Gris - 90

2019 Louis Latour Grand Ardeche Chardonnay - 92

2020 Toad Hollow Francine's Selection Chardonnay - 90

2020 J Lohr Los Osos (Paso Robles) Merlot - 90

2022 Ferrari-Carano Fume Blanc - 90

2022 Rodney Strong Russian River Valley Pinot Noir - 90

Happy Thanksgiving!

Here's looking at you Kid!

Norm

normwine@bellsouth.net

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Wine - God's Proof of his Love for Humanity

2020 E. Guigal Cotes du Rhone Rouge

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2020 E. Guigal Cotes du Rhone Rouge

Dos October - 2024

Once again the current vintage of E. Guigal Cotes du Rhone receives both critic's praise, as well as fan appreciation for its latest offering!  The 2020 vintage is an exceptional buy and a wonderful companion at the dinner table.

This mostly Syrah wine is a beautiful dark red in the glass, with a nose full of bright berries. Flavors of black cherries, raspberries, and a hint of blueberry dance in the glass.  This is a bold red, which is kind in nature to a variety of foods, and offers up flavors mixed with a little spice.  It has good balance, and a lingering finish, which begs for another sip!  The alcohol content is 15% and Norm's score is 91.

Sometimes called "The poor man's Chateauneuf du Pape", Cotes du Rhone is a great choice for a variety of dishes, including our Kabobs from the Barbie!

score: 91

price : $15 - $19

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:

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ALSO AVAILABLE at: Dunwoody Patch

Dunwoody, GA Patch

Wine - God's Proof of his Love for Humanity

2018 B-Side North Coast Cabernet Sauvignon

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2018 B-Side North Coast Cabernet Sauvignon

Uno October - 2024

Saturday College football and slabs of beef on a hot grill, whether at the tailgate party, or the backyard patio, may be one of my favorite American traditions!  And, of course, if you have a Slab, then you need a Cab.  A great choice for the Chardonnay Queen and I was the 2018 B-Side Cabernet from the Sebastiani Family, which has been a favorite for quite awhile now.

The B-Side Cab is very approachable in the twenty, to twenty-five dollar range,  It has a big nose, a bright smile, and a lingering presence.  The flavors are black cherry and plum with a dusting of mocha toward the finish.  The alcohol content is 14.5%. and Norm's score is 91.

The pairing of grilled beef with Cabernet Sauvignon, makes this "California Cab Kid" a happy camper!

score: 91

price : $22 - $25

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

2018 Buoncristiani Napa Valley Chardonnay

 

Norm’s Tasting Notes

2018 Buoncristiani Napa Valley Chardonnay

Dos September 2024

It all started with a Hurricane Watch, and became a Gastronomic Delight. 

We decided that since we did not know what tomorrow might have in store for us, then we might as well dine well the night before. I came up with a delicious Shrimp and Crab Soup, with Garlic Bread and a fresh Garden Salad. The Chardonnay Queen topped it off with a wonderful bottle of Napa Valley Chardonnay which she had received as a Christmas present.

The 2018 Buoncristiani Chardonnay was a perfect companion for our meal, with a golden color, and a nose as bright as its hue. The flavors were apple, apricot, and a buttery citrus undercurrent. The alcohol content is 14.4% and Norm’s score is 92.

This wine is a great match for almost any culinary delight from seafood to fowl!

Price: $43-$50

score : 92

Norm

2022 The Four Graces Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2022 The Four Graces Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

September - 2024

It was our pleasure last week, to have an old friend come and visit us for a couple of days, and in honor of the occasion, we threw a big slab on the grill.  In this case, a two inch thick, twenty ounce New York Strip.  Cooked a perfect medium rare, it was more than enough for the three of us!  We completed the feast with an excellent bottle of Pinot Noir, from Oregon's Willamette Valley.  Good Friends, Good Food, and Good Wine, are hard to beat!

The Four Graces 2022 vintage is a classic style Oregon Pinot Noir, with good fruit and a tantalizing finish, which begs for another sip!  The flavors are Plum, Black Cherry, and a hint of Raspberry.  It has good color and structure, and a perfect balance between fruit and acidity.  The alcohol content is 13.5%. and Norm's score is 91.

The choice was a good one for grilled New York Strip, but would be even better with medium rare Prime Rib!

score: 91

price : $20 - $27

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

And so, August 2024

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

And so,

Re:Time Off

July 15, 2024

Dear Readers and Friends,

After fifteen years of writing Norm's Tasting Notes, and reviewing more than 700 wines during that span, I have decided to take a break.  While this may lead to retirement, it also may not.  I have decided to take a few weeks and mull over the options available to me.  You may wish to review some of my past reviews over the years at my blogsite:

Norm's Tasting Notes

And so, August 2024 

After careful consideration, I do not quit, but things do not remain the same either.  Instead of weekly reviews. there will be occasional reviews, perhaps one or two a month, depending on how excited I am about the wine tasted.  

These will continue to be posted on Fridays.  I also, will write only about wines which I think rate an 89 or above.

Over the years, I have been asked many times what my "Favorite Wine" is;

there is not a good answer to this question, since I enjoy a variety of wines, but I will admit that I like Cabernet Sauvignon very much.  I am going to provide you with a list of my most favorite wineries, by grape variety, or region, over the last thirty years, which you may see below.

Norm's Baker's Dozen

Pinot Grigio = King Estate Pinot Gris - Oregon

Pinot Noir = La Crema Russian River Pinot Noir - Sonoma California

Sauvignon Blanc = Ferrari-Carano Fume Blanc - Sonoma California

Merlot = Rutherford Hill Napa Merlot - Napa California

Zinfandel = Dry Creek Heritage Zinfandel - Sonoma California

Syrah = E. Guigal Chateauneuf du Pape - Rhone France

Sangiovese = Ruffino Riserva Ducale Oro - Tuscany Italy

White Bordeaux = Chateau Carbonnieux Blanc - Bordeaux France

Red Bordeaux = Chateau Batailley Pauillac - Bordeaux France

Red Blend = Marchesi Antinori Villa Antinori Toscana IGT - Tuscany Italy

White Blend = Conundrum White - Napa California

Chardonnay = Rodney Strong Chalk Hill Reserve Chardonnay - Sonoma California

Cabernet Sauvignon - Beringer Vineyards Lemon-Chabot Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon - Napa California

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

"Time off, or is it Time out?"

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

Time Off

July 15, 2024

Dear Readers and Friends,

After fifteen years of writing Norm's Tasting Notes, and reviewing more than 700 wines during that span, I have decided to take a break.  While this may lead to retirement, it also may not.  I have decided to take a few weeks and mull over the options available to me.  You may wish to review some of my past reviews over the years at my blogsite:

Norm's Tasting Notes

Norm's Tasting Notes

While the vintages may not be current, most of the wines are "Proven Winners" over the years and most current vintages would, for the most part, be good choices.

I will keep you posted as the future becomes more clear.  Thanks for all of the support over the years.

As Bogart said in one of the most memorable Toasts ever...

"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

2022 Josh Cellars Merlot (Joseph Carr, Napa Valley)

 

Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2022 Josh Cellars Merlot (Joseph Carr, Napa Valley)

#28-2024

I like Merlot with steak almost as much as I like Cab.  So we paired a bottle of Josh Merlot with our medium rare fillet hot off the grill, and enhanced the meal with a salad made with fresh vine-ripe tomatoes from a nearby farm.  It was excellent! 

The nose on this Merlot suggests blackberries and sweet cherries, and the flavors affirm the aroma, with a touch of vanilla and a mellow finish.  The alcohol content is 13.5%, and Norm's score is 88.  

The Josh Merlot was a good choice for our fillet, and would be an excellent companion for almost anything coming off your summertime grill!

score: 88

price : $12 - $16

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