Norm's Tasting Notes

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2013 Coppola Diamond Collection Ivory Label Cabernet Sauvignon

#nb-40-15

I have been a fan of Francis Ford Coppola for quite some time, but I am not speaking of his movies, but rather his wines. I have just sampled what might be one of the best fifteen dollar California Cabs that I have had in a long while. The 2013 Coppola Ivory Label Cabernet Sauvignon is a powerhouse which rivals wines in the thirty dollar category. By the way, the man's movies are pretty good also.

The Coppola Cab opens with a fragrant nose suggesting dark berries, and then slams you into a display of full bodied ripe fruit highlighted by my favorite cab taste of rich black cherry, backed by blackberry undertones. The flavor is outstanding and finishes with a moderate dose of toasty oak, imparted by twelve months in French barrels. As I said, this is a quality wine for an everyday price, maybe one of the best ever from the Diamond Collection of Coppola wines. Norm's score is 92, but as far as fifteen dollar cabs go, its a 97.

We burned a nice thick slab of New York strip to a crispy medium rare on the grill, set it next to a big avocado salad, and a bottle of the Coppola Cab and had a delightful evening. As the man said, "It is hard to beat a Slab and a Cab".

price: $14 - $18

score -92

Norm

Available online at:

WINE – God’s Proof of his Love for Humanity

Thursday, October 8, 2015

2013 Waterstone Carneros Chardonnay

Norm's Tasting Notes

by: Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2013 Waterstone Carneros Chardonnay

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Both Chardonnay and Pinot Noir flourish in the Carneros in the southern part of Napa and Sonoma counties just above San Pablo Bay. I also know that apricots do well there also, since my Great Grandfather Bentley owned an orchard there many long years ago. The folks at Waterstone produce a pretty decent Chardonnay from the Carneros as well.

The 2013 Waterstone Carneros Chardonnay opens with a pleasant nose suggesting apples and a little bit of citrus. The flavors are consistent with Chardonnay, showcasing apple and pear with a touch of citrus. The wine has a little oak with a small amount of buttery texture finishing in a crisp finish. The alcohol content is 14%, and Norm's score is 87.

We enjoyed the wine as an aperitif, but I am sure it would pair well with most fowl or seafood dishes, or perhaps a platter of grapes and sliced apples, with soft cheeses on the side.

price: $16 - $19

score - 87

Norm

Available online at:

WINE – God’s Proof of his Love for Humanity

Thursday, October 1, 2015

2014 Wild Horse Viognier

Norm's Tasting Notes

by: Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2014 Wild Horse Viognier

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The moment the wine hit the bottom of the glass the aroma exploded and filled the room with a fragrance suggesting the nectar of the gods. The 2014 Wild Horse Viognier extolls the virtue of the grape which is noted for its fragrant nose, and spicy nature. I have enjoyed Viognier for years, and find it to be an exciting alternative to Chardonnay. Originally from the Rhone area of France, Vionier thrives in many places across the globe including California's Central Coast.

The bouquet is framed by a dry peach scent, accented by light citrus, and a bit of Muscatine vine. The flavor is forceful with a strong presence of tropical fruit, spicy mineral notes, and a heady dose of tangy lemon zest. This is a big and powerful wine with a lot of complexity and gobs of dry ripe fruit. It almost reminds me of a cross between Chardonnay and Gewurtatraminer. The flavor is compelling and begs for the next sip. The alcohol content is 14.5%, and Norm's score is 92.

We enjoyed the Wild Horse Viognier with a rather tame repast of homemade nine bean soup, but I would suggest that it would be better matched with a more robust meal such as Spicy Thai Mango Tango Shrimp, or perhaps Hot Italian Sausage and Peppers.

price: $15 - $19

score - 92

Norm

Available online at:

WINE – God’s Proof of his Love for Humanity

Friday, September 25, 2015

Bisol Crede Valdobbiandene Prosecco Superiore DOCG

Norm's Tasting Notes

by: Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

Bisol Crede Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG

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The name is long and so is the taste. Just remember Bisol Prosecco for one of the best Proseccos you have ever had. We ain't in Kansas anymore Dorothy, and this ain't your everyday supermarket bottle of sparkling wine either.

Prosecco is becoming a great alternative to Champagne, and the Bisol is a good example of a light and refreshing change of pace. The wine is a pretty light yellow with heady aromas of fruit and blossoms. The flavors of peach and apple lead the way to a crisp and pleasing finish. The alcohol content is a modest 11.5%.

Ellen, a member of Norm's Tasting Panel, commented, "This Prosecco was delicious. Nice bubbly,fruity flavor,yet dry. I enjoyed the bursts of bubbly with each sip." Tammey, also a member of Norm's Tasting Panel, found it quite pleasant and perhaps the best Prosecco she has ever had. Her comment was, "I love it, it has big fruit, and its not too dry, with a little bit of citrus toward the end." This Prosecco would be great with Sushi, which Tammey, and her young daughter Savannah, both enjoy.

Norm's score is 89.

price: $22 - $27

score - 89

Norm

Available online at:

WINE – God’s Proof of his Love for Humanity

Thursday, September 17, 2015

2011 Layer Cake Primitivo

Norm's Tasting Notes

by: Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2011 Layer Cake Primitivo

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There is a California winemaker by the name of Jayson Woodbridge, who has a traveling team which he takes on the road to other countries to make wine there from their grapes. He calls these wines Layer Cake since when he was little, his grandmother always made a big layer cake for special occasions, and his grandfather always poured everyone a glass of wine for the celebration as well. One of his first visits some years back was to Italy to make Zinfandel which is called Primitivo there.

The other night we opened a bottle of the 2011 Layer Cake Primitivo to accompany our grilled steak, and it was delightful. The wine s well rounded and contains gobs of juicy fruit suggesting blackberry, black cherry, and raspberry. It is smooth and complex with enough acidity to cleanse the palate after each bite of the steak. The finish is lingering with a bit of chocolate toward the end.

We enjoyed the Primitivo with a big, thick, medium rare New York strip with baked potato and fresh green garden salad. It would pair well with almost any meat, including a big old dressed up hamburger! Norm's score is 88.

price: $13 - $18

score - 88

Norm

Available online at:

WINE – God’s Proof of his Love for Humanity

Wednesday, September 9, 2015

2013 Louis Latour Macon Villages

Norm's Tasting Notes

by: Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2013 Louis Latour Macon Village

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The Macon Villages near Pouilly Fuisse produces some of the better and more attainable Chardonnays from the Burgundy area of France, and the 2013 vintage from Louis Latour is no exception. The region abounds in chalky white mineral soils which bleed through into the taste of the wine itself. Maison Louis Latour has a long history of bringing quality wine to the table for a reasonable price, and the Macon Village is always a first choice in the marketplace.

The Latour Macon opens with a bright nose with floral and citrus aromas combining for a sensory explosion. The fireworks continue as the taste buds are assailed with bouncy flavors of apple and plum , with just a slight touch of grapefruit. The finish is crisp and clean with a lingering steely mineral finish which is subtle and satisfying. The alcohol content is a pleasant 13%. One notable comment would be that this wine is more "California" in style than previous offerings, which is a little less steely with a touch more ripened fruit.

Enjoy this one any way that you normally like Chardonnay, but to arrive at its most desirable location, set it next to an abundant plate of any kind of shellfish, particularly crab. Norm's score is 89.

price: $12 - $16

score - 89

Norm

Available online at:

WINE – God’s Proof of his Love for Humanity

Thursday, September 3, 2015

2013 Ruffino Piniot Grigio Lumina

Norm's Tasting Notes

by: Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2013 Ruffino Pinot Grigio Lumina

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The other night we had a neighbor over for dinner, and the Chardonnay Queen prepared her world famous Special Shrimp Scampi, made with lots of garlic and butter. The neighbor presented us with a bottle of 2013 Ruffino Pinot Grigio Lumina, which paired extremely well with the shrimp. As many of you know Ruffino is one of my longtime favorite wineries, and has a rich history spanning hundreds of years.

The Ruffino Pinot Grigio opened with a luscious aroma of wildflowers, backed by a ripe basket of fruit from the orchard, and a bit of citrus breeze. The fruit flavors abound with peaches, tropical fruit, and a bit of apple in the mix as well. The finish is clean and crisp and begs for another sip. The alcohol content is a pleasant 12%.

The wine was an excellent companion for the Shrimp Scampi, and would also pair well with most summer salads. For a special treat serve this Pinot Grigio with a plate of assorted fruit, including grapes and apples, and an array of soft cheeses such as Brie and Camembert. It also is quite suitable as a "Back Porch Sipper". Norm's score is 88.

price: $10 - $12

score - 88

Norm

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