2010 Rodney Strong Pinot Noir

Norm's Tasting Notes By: Norm Bentley North Georgia Wine Advisor normwine@bellsouth.net     2010 Rodney Strong Russian River Pinot Noir #nb-18-13     About ten years ago I began to notice that a number of the California wines that I was enjoying the most were originating from the Russian River Appellation of Sonoma County, California. Around that time I began to tell people to look for Russian River on the label, and regardless of the winery or the grape variety, you would have a good bottle of wine. I still stand by that statement. The climate and the soil of that corner of Sonoma County seem to be just right for growing grapes, especially Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.   The other night we opened a bottle of 2010 Rodney Strong Russian River Valley Estate Vineyards Pinot Noir to accompany a select piece of steelhead for the grill. We were not disappointed. This Pinot Noir is a beautiful brilliant red in color, with a nose that suggests currants and wildflowers. The wine has a strong presence of plum coupled with red berries in its flavor spectrum, and leads into a clean and pleasant finish, with tones of toasty vanilla and oak stemming from its eleven months of aging in French oak. The alcohol; content is 14.5%.   While the Rodney Strong Pinot Noir was excellent with our steelhead, it would also pair well with a thick cut of rare prime rib. Norm's score is 89.       Score: 89   Price: $20 - $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: http://cumminghome.com/ http://dawsontimes.com/ http://pineisland-eagle.com/ WINE – God’s Proof of his love for humanity

2011 Oyster Bay Pinot Noir

Norm's Tasting Notes By: Norm Bentley North Georgia Wine Advisor normwine@bellsouth.net 2011 Oyster Bay Pinot Noir #nb-17-13 After two weeks of eating fresh fish, we were sufficiently gorged enough on seafood to want some beef for a change, and it just so happens that I have an excellent recipe for Beef Stroganoff. We chose a bottle of 2011 Oyster Bay Pinot Noir from New Zealand to accompany our meal, and had a delightful repast.   Pinot Noir from New Zealand has gained a lot of recognition over the last decade, and I have enjoyed several vintages from Oyster Bay. This one hails from the Marlborough region where the warm summer days are cooled by evening ocean breezes, The wine was aged for six months in French oak, and has an alcohol content of 13.5%.   This is a pleasant Pinot Noir, which is light but fanciful, with a strong fruit concentration highlighted by the fragrance of cherries. The flavor contains the presence of the cherries, combined with plum, and a hint of strawberry. There is an underlying herbal suggestion which I could not identify, which glides the wine into a lingering finish, with only hints of the sweet tannins. This wine was paired well with our Beef Stroganoff, and would also make a good companion for grilled salmon. Norm's score is 86.   Score: 86   Price: $11 - $16   Norm   Norm’s Tasting Notes can also be accessed at his blog: http://normwine.blogspot.com/ Norm’s Tasting Notes available online at either: http://cumminghome.com/ http://dawsontimes.com/ http://pineisland-eagle.com/ WINE – God’s Proof of his love for humanity

Fish and Wine and Fishing

Norm's Tasting Notes By: Norm Bentley North Georgia Wine Advisor normwine@bellsouth.net   Fish and Wine, and Fishing #nb-16-13   Our visit to our "Little Cottage by the Sea" in Matlacha, Florida was one of the most memorable ever. We had given ourselves a Christmas present last year of a pro-guided fishing trip, and we cashed it in this April. We had the privilege to spend a day fishing with Captain Bill Russell of Matlacha, Florida, and what a trip! We caught big Trout and Redfish, and a couple of really big Snook. Bill is a great guy to spend a day fishing with, and really knows the best fishing spots in the local waters of Pine Island, Sanibel, and Captiva. We brought home lots of fresh fish to enjoy with some really good wines.   Captain Russell is pretty much a fishing legend in Southwest Florida, and that brings us to the best wine we enjoyed while we were there, which bears the signature of music legend, B.B. King. Just released this year, we were fortunate to be able to sample the 2011 B.B. King Signature Collection White. This is a 100% Verdejo from Spain and is perfect with fresh fish, or even as a great aperitif before dinner!   The nose is citrus and melon and leads to flavors of tropical fruit mixed with citrus and a hint of apple. I would describe the finish as off-dry, with a clean and crisp lingering aftertaste. This is a really good summertime wine for sipping or enjoying with fresh fish, or shellfish. A perfect companion for grilled speckled sea trout!   Score: 89   Price: $13 - $15   Norm Norm’s Tasting Notes can also be accessed at his blog: http://normwine.blogspot.com/ Norm’s Tasting Notes available online at either: http://cumminghome.com/ http://dawsontimes.com/ http://pineisland-eagle.com/ WINE – God’s Proof of his love for humanity

2013 Spring Fishing

Norm's Tasting Notes By: Norm Bentley North Georgia Wine Advisor normwine@bellsouth.net             2013 Spring Fishing #nb-15-13     Spring fishing beckons us down to our little cottage by the sea in Matlacha, Florida, where we will enjoy fresh fish with our wine for a few weeks. I have already caught a few nice bass in nearby waters, so now its time to try out the saltwater, and perhaps land a few sea trout. There will be a full report of our adventures when we get back, but meanwhile here is something I wrote a little while ago.   2010 Dry Creek Fume Blanc #nb-14-12   It was so good a couple of decades ago, that the Chardonnay Queen and I served it at our wedding. The 2010 Dry Creek Fume Blanc brought back memories of that great taste, the same, only different, We had a bottle last night with grilled steelhead, and it was wonderful. Now I am not sure whether I can tell the difference between steelhead and salmon, but I do know a good Sauvignon Blanc, when I taste one. The "Wine Spectator" scored this one an 88. I may be prejudiced due to past experience, but I give it a 91.   The bouquet literally leaps out of the glass and attacks your senses with aromas of apples and lemon zest. The flavors abound with orange and lemon, surrounded by granny smith apples, and a trace of that Sauvignon Blanc classic grassiness. The combination of citrus and apple continues into a crisp finish, with lingering capability, despite the lack of oak. This wine is 100% stainless steel fermented and has an alcohol content of a pleasant 13.5%.   This Dry Creek has been the California leader in Sauvignon Blancs since the seventies and continues its reign with the 2010 vintage. It was teriffic with grilled steelhead and would be a first choice for a picnic, with either cold chicken, or just fruit and cheese.     Score: 91 Price: $11 - $15   Norm   Norm’s Tasting Notes can also be accessed at his blog: http://normwine.blogspot.com/ Norm’s Tasting Notes available online at either: http://cumminghome.com/ http://dawsontimes.com/ http://pineisland-eagle.com/ WINE – God’s Proof of his love for humanity

2011 Rodney Strong Sauvignon Blanc

Norm's Tasting Notes By: Norm Bentley North Georgia Wine Advisor normwine@bellsouth.net   2011 Rodney Strong Charlotte's Home Sauvignon Blanc #nb-14-13 The wine choices for Easter ham can vary from a light and dry Rose to a sturdy Chardonnay, or even a lighter style Pinot Noir. For this year's spring feast we chose the 2011 Charlotte's Home Sauvignon Blanc from Rodney Strong to accompany our ham. I have enjoyed several vintages of this one in the past, and felt that this would be a good selection. It was even better than I had expected!   The Charlotte's Home opens with a bouquet of spring flowers highlighted by honeysuckle, that literally leaps out of the glass to announce its presence. This is a lush big fruit wine which abounds with flavors of tropical fruit and ripe pear, highlighted by the presence of honeydew melon. There is just the slightest nuance of citrus, and the finish is long and clean with a pleasing crisp aftertaste. There is almost none of the grassy nature which I usually associate with a California Sauvignon Blanc. The alcohol content is 13.5% I have enjoyed several previous vintages of the Charlotte's Home, but this may the best one yet. It was a great choice for our Easter ham, and I could not help thinking how good it would be with a seafood dish in a creamy sauce such as Seafood Fettuccine Alfredo, with a hot baguette of sourdough frenchbread, and Caesar salad. Norm's score is 91.    Score 91 Price: $12 - $16   Norm Norm’s Tasting Notes can also be accessed at his blog: http://normwine.blogspot.com/ Norm’s Tasting Notes available online at either: http://cumminghome.com/ http://dawsontimes.com/ http://pineisland-eagle.com/ WINE – God’s Proof of his love for humanity

2011 Maso Canali Pinot Grigio

Norm's Tasting Notes By: Norm Bentley North Georgia Wine Advisor normwine@bellsouth.net 2011 Maso Canali Pinot Grigio #nb-13-13   The 2011 Maso Canali Pinot Grigio is another in a long line of good vintages from Maso Canali. It comes from Trentino, Italy, and helps set the standard for what a quality Italian Pinot Grigio should be. Past vintages have received high scores from wine critics, and this one is no different.   The bouquet is a fragrant blossom, holding the combined scents of both fruit and flowers, with a trailing breeze of citrus. Fresh and invigorating, the flavors abound with tropical fruit, apricot, and apple. The finish is crisp, dry, and clean with a lingering taste of the apple, and a slight acidity which beckons you back for more. The wine is 100% Pinot Grigio, and has an alcohol content of 13%. Norm's score is 89.   We enjoyed the Maso Canali with a wonderful creation of Shrimp and Scallops Fra Diavolo with fettucine, lots of garlic, and prepared by the "Chardonnay Queen". It was superb! This wine would pair well with almost any seafood or fowl entree, and would also make a great "back porch sipper".   Score 89 Price: $15 - $19 Norm Norm’s Tasting Notes can also be accessed at his blog: http://normwine.blogspot.com/ Norm’s Tasting Notes available online at either: http://cumminghome.com/ http://dawsontimes.com/ http://pineisland-eagle.com/ WINE – God’s Proof of his love for humanity

2012 Santa Julia Organic Malbes

Norm's Tasting Notes By: Norm Bentley North Georgia Wine Advisor normwine@bellsouth.net   2012 Santa Julia Organic Malbec #nb-12-13 There has been a lot about Argentina in the news of late, but there is nothing new about how good the wines from Gaucho Land are. The world has known of, and enjoyed the Malbecs from Argentina for quite some time, and I recently sampled an organic version which I thoroughly enjoyed. It was the 2012 Santa Julia Organic Malbec from the Zuccardi family, who have been involved in the business since 1963 down in Mendoza, Argentina.   Over the years, Malbec, originally from Bordeaux, has become a favorite of mine, and those from Argentina are among the best red wine values on the market. I love the big rich fruit flavors, layered with earthy undertones, and big cherry dominance. The 2012 Santa Julia opens with a heady bouquet of summer blackberries, which transcend into abundant flavors of dark berries and black cherry. The finish is clean and lingering with a suggestion of vanilla and wood at the end. The alcohol content is 13%. This wine would be a great choice for the backyard barbecue, whether it be burgers or steaks. Norm's score is 88.   Score 88   Price: $10 - $14 Norm Norm’s Tasting Notes can also be accessed at his blog: http://normwine.blogspot.com/ Norm’s Tasting Notes available online at either: http://cumminghome.com/ http://dawsontimes.com/ http://pineisland-eagle.com/ WINE – God’s Proof of his love for humanity