2012 A to Z Pinot Gris

Norm's Tasting Notes

By: Norm Bentley

North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

 

 

 

 

 

2012 A to Z Pinot Gris

#nb-41-13

 

Pinot Gris, like Pinot Grigio is a clone of the Pinot Noir grape which originated in Burgundy.  My experience has been that Pinot Gris is usually a little drier than Pinot Grigio, and the ones from Oregon are some of the best available. A to Z Winery has been producing some good Oregon wines since 2002, and this 2012 vintage is a good example of their ability.  This is a good wine for seafood, so we decided to pair it with grilled salmon, another Oregon treat.

The nose is bright and fanciful with aromas of melon and mango, tempered with a light citrus presence.  The flavors abound with melon, peach and apple with a touch of honey.  The finish is crisp, with good acidity and a fresh, rich aftertaste, which smacks of apples and a bit of mineral.  It begs for another sip!

This was an excellent choice for our grilled salmon, and would pair well with a host of other seafood dishes.  You also might try it with steamed mussels or clams in a wine, garlic, and butter broth.. Norm's score is 88.

 

 

Score: 88

Price: $13 - $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://pineisland-eagle.com/

http://cumminghome.com/

http://dawsontimes.com/

 

 

Also on "The Patch" at Dunwoody, Buckhead, Sandy Springs, and others:

dunwoody.patch.com/‎

 

 

WINE – God’s Proof of his love for humanity

2011 Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Chardonnay

Norm's Tasting Notes

By: Norm Bentley

North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

 

 

 

 

 

2011 Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Chardonnay

#nb-40-13

 

I have enjoyed Robert Mondavi wines for several decades now, and it was one of the highlights of my wine career to have met him some years back at a tasting function in Atlanta.  I am glad to see that the tradition continues in his absence, as is exemplified by this latest Chardonnay offering from the winery.

The 2011 Napa Valley Chardonnay is one of the better ones in several years, perhaps due to the long and cool growing season experienced in the Napa Valley during 2011.  The harvest was late, yielding some juicy fruit, which was pressed, and then aged for about ten months, with 75% in oak, and the balance in stainless steel.  The result is a well balanced wine with big fruit and a lean finish.

The nose contains the aromas of pear and melon, with a slight citrus breeze.  The flavors swirl with apple and spice, intermingled with a touch of vanilla oak.  The finish is long and clean, with a lingering taste of mineral and oak, attached to that slight citrus appeal.  The alcohol content is 13.5%.

This is a great wine for seafood, and has just the right amount of acidity to cut through heavy flavors laced with butter and garlic, like the "Chardonnay Queen's" "Famous Shrimp Scampi".  This would also be a good companion for lobster with drawn butter.   Norm's score is 90.

 

 

Score: 90

Price: $17 - $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://pineisland-eagle.com/

http://cumminghome.com/

http://dawsontimes.com/

 

Also on "The Patch" at Dunwoody, Buckhead, Sandy Springs, and others:

dunwoody.patch.com/

 

WINE – God’s Proof of his love for humanity

2011 Biltmore Reserve Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

Norm's Tasting Notes

By: Norm Bentley

North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

 

 

 

 

 

2011 Biltmore Estates Reserve Russian River Pinot Noir

#nb-39-13

The Biltmore House in Asheville, NC is not only a fabulous place to visit, it is also a good place to get a decent bottle of wine. I recently had an opportunity to sample the 2011 Biltmore Reserve Russian River Valley Pinot Noir.  I found it to be delightful.

The grapes of course, hail from the Russian River Valley in Sonoma County, California, and the wine is made at the Biltmore Estate Winery.  The wine is a bright cherry red in color, and has a good nose which displays aromas of plum and cherry.  The flavors are strong on cherry, with a hint of strawberry, backed up with a touch of oak.  The finish is long and clean, with a little tannin to round it out.  The alcohol content is 14.6%.

This fine wine was paired with a nice thick fillet from the grill, with a baked potato, and a fresh garden salad.  It was an enjoyable combination.  This Pinot Noir would also be excellent with grilled salmon.  Norm's score is 88.

 

 

Score: 88

Price: $18 - $23

 

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://pineisland-eagle.com/

http://cumminghome.com/

http://dawsontimes.com/

 

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

oconee.patch.com/

WINE – God’s Proof of his love for humanity

2010 Simi Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Norm's Tasting Notes

By: Norm Bentley

North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

 

 

 

 

2010 Simi Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

#nb-38-13 

Last weekend was the annual outing for my old college friends up at the lake, where we grilled steaks and enjoyed good wine, and told lies about our lost youth.  The highlight as far as the wine was concerned, was the 2010 Simi Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, which has been one of my favorites in the past few years.

The Alexander Valley is in the north eastern portion of Sonoma County and has the Russian River running through it. The grapes in this bottle contained 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Merlot, and a scattering of Malbec, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc.  Very Bordeaux in style, and a very rich and robust bottle of wine, suitable for most grilled meats.

The nose is powerful with aromas of dark fruits basted in chocolate and spice. The color is a dark ruby red with purplish tinges.  The flavors abound with cherry and dark fruit blending with cassis and a touch of plum.  The finish is strong with toasty oak and a background of vanilla which were a perfect complement to my steak.  Norm's score is 89.

No wine report next week, I will be fishing down in Paradise, (Matlacha,FL).

 

 

Score: 89

Price: $19 - $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://pineisland-eagle.com/

http://cumminghome.com/

http://dawsontimes.com/

 

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

oconee.patch.com/

WINE – God’s Proof of his love for humanity