2010 Los Vacos Grande Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Norm's Tasting Notes

 

By: Norm Bentley

North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2010 Los Vacos Grande Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

#nb-27-13

 

 

 

 

In 1988 the owners of the famous Lafite Rothschild Bordeaux Vineyards expanded their operations into Chile, with the acquisition of the Los Vacos Estate in the Colchagua Valley of Chile, which had been cultivated with grapes for over two centuries  The result is a stunning example of wine artistry exemplified by the 2010 Los Vacos Grande Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, whose under twenty dollar price tag strikes fear into the hearts of wine makers in Napa and Sonoma, whose creations cannot rival this offering in this price category

 

 

The wine is 75% Cabernet sauvignon, 10% Carmenere, 10% Syrah, and 5% Malbec, with an alcohol content of 14%.  The result is a wine with a rich aroma, and a mouth-feel of velvet, layered with an abundance of big juicy fruit.  The flavors are a perfect combination of cherry and plum, with an underscored presence of blackberry.  The finish is smooth and lingering.

 

 

We enjoyed this delightful Cab with a two inch thick fillet mignon, seared a perfect medium rare on the grill and accompanied by a garden salad and warm bread.  A perfect Saturday night dinner for the Chardonnay Queen and myself!  Norm's score is 92.

 

 

 

Score: 92

 

Price: $15 - $20

 

 

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://pineisland-eagle.com/

Also on "The Patch" at Oconee, Dunwoody and others:

oconee.patch.com/

WINE – God’s Proof of his love for humanity

2012 Waterstone Sauvignon Blanc

Norm's Tasting Notes

By: Norm Bentley

North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2012 Waterstone Sauvignon Blanc

#nb-26-13

 

 

A few nights back the "Chardonnay Queen" prepared her famous Shrimp Scampi  for us, and we opened a bottle of the 2012 Waterstone Sauvignon Blanc from Napa Valley to further enhance this wonderful meal.  It was a good choice!  The Waterstone is actually a blend of 82% Sauvignon Blanc and 18% Semillon, which gives it a little of the character of a white Bordeaux.

 

The nose is refreshing with a suggestion of citrus and herbs.  On the palate the wine has the presence of apple, melon, and a little taste of lemon zest.  There is also a mild flirtation with grapefruit, without any tart undertones.  The finish is crisp and clean, with a hint of mineral in the background, but very little lingering aftertaste.  The alcohol content is 13.7%.

 

This wine would pair well with most seafood dishes, and would be a good accompaniment to most summer salads.  Norm's score is 87.

 

 

Score: 87

Price: $16 - $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://pineisland-eagle.com/

Also on "The Patch" at Oconee, Dunwoody and others:

oconee.patch.com/

WINE – God’s Proof of his love for humanity

2011 Edna Valley Sauvignon Blanc

Norm's Tasting Notes

By: Norm Bentley

North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

 

 

 

 

 

 

2011 Edna Valley Sauvignon Blanc

#nb-25-13

 

 

We have enjoyed several vintages in the past, of Chardonnay from Edna Valley, but had never sampled their Sauvignon Blanc.  The 2011 Edna Valley Paragon Sauvignon Blanc from San Louis Obispo County, like its Chardonnay cousin, is a standout in the value priced category.  We opened a bottle the other night, with some friends, as a before dinner sipper.  It was delightful!

 

The Edna Valley is just a few miles inland from the Pacific, where it enjoys a long and cool growing season, due to almost nightly fog banks rolling in from the ocean, after mostly bright sunshiny days. Unlike Sauvignon Blancs from New Zealand, which display an abundance of grapefruit flavor, this California varietal has only a mild flirtation with that tart fruit.  The wine's flavor is highlighted by tropical fruit and a slight kiss of wet grass, and a well rounded melon appeal.  The result is a good balance between the fruit and acidity. The alcohol content is 13.9%

 

While we enjoyed the Edna Valley as a before dinner aperitif, it would pair well with most fowl or seafood dishes, including Fettuccini Alfredo.  It, of course, would be excellent as a "Back Porch Sipper"!  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/

Also on "The Patch" at Oconee, Dunwoody and others:

oconee.patch.com/

WINE – God’s Proof of his love for humanity

2011 William Hardy Shiraz

Norm's Tasting Notes

By: Norm Bentley

North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

 

 

 

2011 William Hardy Shiraz

#nb-24-13

 

 

We conjured up a beef kabob dish the other night featuring beef, pineapple, and sweet peppers on skewers, on the Barbie, covered in a spicy, hot and sweet, orange marinade. Of course, nothing goes better with "Meat on the Barbie", than a good Australian Shiraz. We took the opportunity to sample a bottle of 2011 William Hardy Shiraz from South Australia.

 

This Shiraz was great with our kabobs, as evidenced by the initial aroma of cherries and plums which leapt out of the bottle as soon as I pulled the cork. The nose was backed up by full-bodied flavors of both the plum and cherry, highlighted by a superb blackberry presence. The finish was mellow and well rounded, with a lingering hint of chocolate and spice. The alcohol content is 14.5%.

 

Whether with kabobs or any other grilled meat on the Barbie, you won't go wrong, adding a bottle of this "Aussie Red" to the fare. Norm's score is 89.

 

 

Score: 89

 

Price: $14 - $17

 

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/

Also on "The Patch" at Oconee, Dunwoody and others:

oconee.patch.com/

WINE – God’s Proof of his love for humanity

2011 Talbott "Sleepy Hollow Vineyard" Chardonnay

Norm's Tasting Notes

By: Norm Bentley

North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

 

 

 

 

2011 Talbott "Sleepy Hollow Vineyard" Chardonnay

#nb-22-13

 

 

The Talbott Sleepy Hollow Vineyard Chardonnay is made from estate grown grapes grown in the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, which runs down the western side of the Salinas Valley in Monterey. Ocean breezes from Monterey Bay produce a cooling effect which makes this a great growing area for Chardonnay with uniquely intense flavors. We sampled a bottle recently with spicy Chicken a l' Orange, and it was wonderful!

 

The nose is powerful with an array of scents, ranging from a bouquet of flowers, to a bowl of tropical fruit. The initial taste is almost overwhelming, with a contest between fresh tart pineapple and a crisp Granny Smith apple, enveloped in a cloud of citrus. The wine finishes with a touch of mellow oak and a slight steely nature, highlighted by a crisp acidity, which keeps the wine in perfect balance. The alcohol content is a sturdy, but pleasant 14.9%.

 

Whether a spicy dish, like our Chicken a l' Orange, or almost any other seafood or fowl dish, this Talbott Chardonnay will be a standout on any dinner table! Norm's score is 90.

 

 

Score: 90

Price: $28 - $33

 

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/

Also on "The Patch" at Oconee, Dunwoody and others:

oconee.patch.com/

WINE – God’s Proof of his love for humanity

2008 Alexander Valley Merlot

Norm's Tasting Notes

By: Norm Bentley

North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

 

 

 

 

 

 

2008 Alexander Vineyards Alexander Valley Merlot

#nb-22-13

 

 

Some years ago, when I first sampled the Alexander Vineyards Merlot I had read that it was a Merlot that thought it was a Cab, I agreed with that description and began to suggest it to others with the same reccomendation. When I tasted this 2008 vintage a few weeks ago, I felt like it was "deja vu all over again"  The wine is 88% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Syrah, and 100% enjoyable! It was aged in both French and American oak for 15 months, and has an alcohol content of 14%.

 

The nose is powerful, and I was rewarded by its scent as soon as the cork was released from the bottle. The aromas of blackberry and dark cherry filled the room. At the first sip the flavors of cassis, plum and red berries were backed by a subtle vanilla oak finish, which lingered on until the next taste. I found the taste to be very much like a Cab, but with a little more velvety texture in this very elegant style wine.

 

We enjoyed the Alexander Merlot with a two inch thick filet mignon, grilled a perfect medium rare, and while I could see this as an excellent companion to a variety of other meals, it could be no better than it was with our steak. Norm's score is 89.

 

Score: 89

Price: $17 - $21

 

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/

Also on "The Patch" at Oconee, Dunwoody and others:

oconee.patch.com/

WINE – God’s Proof of his love for humanity

2011 King Estate Oregon Pinot Gris

Norm's Tasting Notes By: Norm Bentley North Georgia Wine Advisor normwine@bellsouth.net         2011 King Estate Oregon Pinot Gris #nb-21-13   A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of having lunch at Ray's on the River with one of my old time friends in the wine business, who is a sales manager for a large Atlanta wine and spirits distributor. Ray's is an Atlanta institution, and I am happy to report that the lunch there was as good as ever! I had a bowl of creamy Vidalia onion soup, and some perfectly grilled large shrimp. Everything was delicious! Of course, we had an excellent bottle of wine also. We enjoyed a bottle of 2011 King Estate Pinot Gris, which I have had in the past, but not recently. The wine was as good as the Ray's lunch.   King Estate Oregon wines hail from an area not far from Eugene near the town of Lorane. I have enjoyed several varieties from King Estate, but the Pinot Gris is my favorite. Pinot Gris is a kindred grape to Pinot Grigio, as they both derive their heritage from Pinot Noir. Most Pinot Gris wines tend to be somewhat drier than Pinot Grigio, but they share many taste similarities. The King Estate is a wonderfully fragrant wine with aromas of apricot, peach and honeysuckle. The flavors embrace the presence of peach and melon with an apple-like crisp twist. The finish is long and clean, with just the hint of citrus, as it continues on until the next sip. The alcohol content is a perfect 13%.   This Pinot Gris was great with my grilled shrimp, and I think my friend also enjoyed it with his medium rare yellow fin tuna. This would be a perfect companion to any one of a number of summer salads, such as Cobb or Sante Fe, or it would make a great "Back Porch Sipper".   Score: 91 Price: $14 - $18   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/ Also on "The Patch" at Oconee and others: oconee.patch.com/ WINE – God’s Proof of his love for humanity