2007 Trimbach Alsace Lorraine Gewurztraminer

Norm's Tasting Notes
by: Norm Bentley
North Georgia Wine Advisor
normwine@bellsouth.net






2007 Trimbach Alsace Lorraine Gewurztraminer
#nb-41-11


We had a slight departure from our usual Thanksgiving Dinner. First we had roasted chicken rather than turkey, which was cooked in an orange glaze and was delicious! We also chose a bottle of Gewurztraminer from Alsace Lorraine which is a region of France along the German border, whose ownership has been disputed for centuries by both countries. The Gewurztraminer grape is a pinkish red-skined grape which is often described as having the bouquet of lychees. The wine is white and is usually off dry with a crisp and lingering finish.

Gewurztraminer has always been a difficult taste for me to describe, but it is a wine which I have enjoyed for many years. The Trimbach Gewurztraminer has long been hailed as a prime example of this variety, and I once remarked that you could almost taste the sunshine in the glass! The 2007 vintage opens with a fragrant bouquet which transfers into a spicy flavored wine with a tangy finish. The flavor reminds one of cinnamon and ginger with a slight nuance of grapefruit toward the end. This is a dry wine rather than off-dry, and cuts a clean swath through the array of flavors at the Thanksgiving table.

The Trimbach is an excellent choice for dominate flavored dishes, and is always a great paring with hot and spicy Asian dishes such as hot mango shrimp or Thai basil chicken. We loved it with our Thanksgiving dinner and would highly recommend it for a variety of foods. Norm's score is 89.

Price: $20 to $25
Score: 89

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
thecherokeeconnection.com







WINE - God's proof of his love for humanity

2011 Thanksgiving Special

Norm's Tasting Notes
by: Norm Bentley
North Georgia Wine Advisor
normwine@bellsouth.net






2011 Thanksgiving Special


Thanksgiving is the one day of the year when people who do not normally drink wine have at least one glass with their traditional Thanksgiving Feast. If you are going to have a glass of wine only once per year, make it a good one, since it is a long time between now and the next Thanksgiving Dinner! It is always difficult to select the perfect wine for this occasion, because the table offers such an array of aromas and flavors, but there are a few guidelines which will make this dinner more memorable than ever.

Here are a few suggestions for the standard Thanksgiving Dinner. If you like Chardonnay, choose one which is not bone dry, but rather one with a strong fruit presence. This will serve well with the white meat turkey, which can sometimes be a little on the dry side. Sauvignon Blanc is also a good choice if you like dry white wine with your meal. If you like red wine with your meal, choose a lighter style Pinot Noir, or one of the softer Merlots. For myself, I always go for a German Riesling, or one of the good domestic ones from New York State, or Washington State. The fruity, but dry finish of a good Riesling is perfect for that dry white meat turkey, which did not turn out as juicy as you had hoped for. Italian Pinot Grigio would also be a good choice for the same reason.

There is only one rule to adhere to: "The best wine to serve is the one which you like best." However, be prepared to have something different for those whose tastes may differ from yours. Also, please don't forget to consume large quantities of water with the feast, as it compliments both the food and the wine, and aids in digestion.

Below is a list of wines which I have written about during this past year, which would be good choices for your Thanksgiving Dinner.

Rodney Strong Russian River Reserve Chardonnay (California)
Louis Latour Grand Ardeche Chardonnay (France)
St. Supery Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc (California)
Ferrari-Carano Sonoma Fume Blanc (California)
Kris Pinot Grigio (Italy)
Brotherhood Riesling (New York State)
La Crema Russian River Pinot Noir (California)
Santa Cristina Sangiovese (Italy)

I hope each and everyone of you has a happy and enjoyable Thanksgiving!

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
thecherokeeconnection.com







WINE - God's proof of his love for humanity

2009 La Crema Russian River Pinot Noir

Norm's Tasting Notes
by: Norm Bentley
North Georgia Wine Advisor
normwine@bellsouth.net






2009 La Crema Russian River Pinot Noir
#nb-40-11


It's always great to get together with old friends, and I had the pleasure to have dinner this week with two of my very best friends at The Palm restaurant in Washington, DC. We have been friends for a very long time, so this was a special occasion which called for a special bottle of wine. One had grilled lamb chops, the other a thick rib steak, and I chose the large cold water lobster tail. The wine we chose was the 2009 La Crema Russian River Pinot Noir, which was perfect with all three of our entrees.

The "Wine Enthusiast" has scored this wine with a 93 point - "Cellar Selection" rating, and I have had several previous vintages, and knew that this would be an excellent bottle of wine to go with our special dinner together. Wow! This was a knockout choice, and since I normally drink white wine with seafood, I just could not believe how good it was with my lobster!

The 2009 Russian River Pinot Noir is 100% Pinot Noir. It was aged in 100% French oak for ten months, and comes in at 14.6% alcohol. I love wines from the Russian River Appellation, and this was no exception! The nose is heady and drags you into intense flavors of black cherry and plum, with a small hint of blackberry. The finish is strong with rich tannins that create a pleasant lingering effect, which almost makes you want to gulp it down, but it is way too good not to savor every drop.

The Palm is a great restaurant well known for its steaks and lobster, and this wine certainly went well with all of our entrees. I think if you like grilled salmon or roast duck, you would have to search long and hard to find a better companion than this one as well! Norm's score is 95.


Price: $37 to $45
Score: 95

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
thecherokeeconnection.com







WINE - God's proof of his love for humanity

2010 Chateau Ste. Michelle Chardonnay

Norm's Tasting Notes
by: Norm Bentley
North Georgia Wine Advisor
normwine@bellsouth.net






2010 Chateau Ste. Michelle Chardonnay
#nb-39-11


Quite often I am asked to recommend a good Chardonnay, for a decent price, to be served at weddings or other social gatherings. During the past five years this has been an easy question to answer because regardless of vintage, the Chateau Ste. Michelle Chardonnay from the Columbia Valley In Washington has been a great answer! Its scores have been consistently in the high eighties and low nineties year after year.

The 2010 Chateau Ste. Michelle is an in-between style, which is somewhat classic French, and a little bit California, and is neither too fruit forward, nor too steely in nature. It has the true Chardonnay flavors of apple and pear which are accented by a hint of oak. This vintage was aged Surlie for about six months in both French and American oak. The finish is clean and crisp, with a little toasty oak and a slight citrus breeze, as it reminds the palate of the need for just one more sip. The alcohol content is 14%.

This is one Chardonnay which is so consistant that I bought several bottles of this 2010 vintage without even tasting it, because I new it would be good! We enjoyed this bottle with broiled Cod fillets accompanied by pasta Alfredo, and a fresh garden salad. It was wonderful! This wine will be excellent with almost any fish or fowl dish, or just by itself.  Norm's score is 89.

Price: $11 to $14
Score: 89

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
thecherokeeconnection.com







WINE - God's proof of his love for humanity

2010 R. Mondavi Private Selection Cabernet Sauvignon

Norm's Tasting Notes
by: Norm Bentley
North Georgia Wine Advisor
normwine@bellsouth.net






2010 R. Mondavi Private Selection Cabernet Sauvignon
#nb-38-11


The 2010 Robert Mondavi Private Selection Cabernet Sauvignon is big, rich and smooth, with a lot of character, and was a great choice for our two inch thick, medium rare, fillet mignon! The Private Selection label is a secondary one for the winery, but with this Cab, it doesn't have to stand in line behind anyone.

The wine is 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Syrah, 3% Merlot, with hints of Petite Verdot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc. It was aged in oak for twelve months, and the alcohol content is 13.5%. This is not just a bottle of cheap juice, but has all the finesse and character of a Cab costing a lot more than ten dollars a bottle.

The aroma of dark berries and plums transcends into flavors of black cherry complimented by swirls of blackberry, rounding into a smooth and lingering finish backed up by sturdy tannins. This is a complex wine with simple manners, and a taste which begs for another sip! In the past this label has been an excellent choice for a value priced Cabernet, but the 2010 vintage is a good choice regardless of the price tag. Norm's score is 89.


Price: $9 to $12
Score: 89

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
thecherokeeconnection.com







WINE - God's proof of his love for humanity

2009 Sterling Vintner's Collection Chardonnay

Norm's Tasting Notes
by: Norm Bentley
North Georgia Wine Advisor
normwine@bellsouth.net






2009 Sterling Vintner's Collection Chardonnay
#nb-37-11



Sterling Vineyards was founded in 1964 near Calistoga, California by Englishman Peter Newton. The first plantings were Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Merlot, and these varieties still represent some of the winery's best efforts. At the northern end of the Napa Valley, the view from the winery offers some of the most scenic views in the entire valley.

In the year 2000 the winery introduced their Vintner's Collection series from the Central Coast region, and offered a more value priced selection to their extensive presentations.  The latest vintage of Chardonnay in the Sterling Vintner's Collection is the 2009 Central Coast Chardonnay.

This is a delicate and pleasant Chardonnay with a pale straw color and a nose of fresh flowers and a hint of honeysuckle. The flavors feature tropical fruit such as pineapple and mango with swirls of peach and pear. The finish is mild and pleasant with just a suggestion of oak. The alcohol content is 13.5%.

We enjoyed this bottle of wine with a dish best described as Mexican style Shrimp Creole served with fresh asparagus and jasmine rice. This wine would also be a good companion for Chicken Alfredo or Flounder Florentine. Norm's score is 85.


Price: $10 to $14
Score: 85

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
thecherokeeconnection.com







WINE - God's proof of his love for humanity

2009 B Side Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Norm's Tasting Notes
by: Norm Bentley
North Georgia Wine Advisor
normwine@bellsouth.net






2009 B Side Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
#nb-36-11


When I first got in the wine business, I loved Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa, California so much, that I hardly ever drank any other red wine. After a few decades in the wine business, I have learned to enjoy wonderful wines from all over the world. However, when I open a really good bottle of Napa Cabernet, its like coming home. After all, I was born there many long years ago, back when there were more fruit orchards than grape vineyards in the Napa. Valley.

The history of the Sabastiani family also goes back quite aways in California, and the winery of Don Sabastiani and Sons has continued a fine family tradition. The 2009 B Side Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is an extension of that tradition in its finest. I have sampled a few of the previous vintages and have enjoyed them all. The 2009 is a big tasting Cab for a reasonable price, and I enjoyed this one as well.

This wine is 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Malbec, and all of the grapes were grown in the Napa Valley. The Malbec and some of the Cabernet comes from Rutherford, while the balance of the Cabernet is from the Stags Leap District. The wine is 14.7% alcohol and was aged in French oak.

B Side opens up with a nose as dark and intense as its vibrant deep purple color. The aromas of black cherry and currants lead into flavors of dark cherry and plum with a strong over-riding blackberry influence. There are gobs of fruit accompanied by a slight chocolate whisper, which finish with sturdy tannins for a refined oak finish. This is the real deal, we ain't in Kansas Toto! I love Napa Cabs and this is a very good example of Napa's "Bottled Poetry", and at around twenty dollars it is comparable to a lot of Cabs costing twice as much.

We enjoyed this wonderful bottle of wine with a two inch thick New York strip cooked a perfect medium rare. I don't know what could be better! Norm's score is 92.


Price: $19 to $24
Score: 92

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
thecherokeeconnection.com






WINE - God's proof of his love for humanity