Norm's Tasting Notes

normwine@charter.net

2016 J. Lohr Arroyo Seco MontereyChardonnay

#nb-39-18

One of the best wines I have sampled this year was the 2016 J. Lohr Arroyo Seco Chardonnay, which I scored a 94, back in February. I sampled another bottle this past week, and thought it deserved further comment while it is still on the shelves in the market place. It is, maybe a touch better, at least a 94+! Below is what I wrote in February.

2016 J. Lohr Arroyo Seco Monterey Chardonnay

#nb-08-18

Every now and then, you run across a bottle of wine that is so significantly superior to others in its class, that it basically boggles the mind! The Chardonnay Queen's only comment was, "This is delicious!", my comment was, "Damn this is good!". I have had numerous vintages of the J. Lohr Chardonnay in the past, but this time, they really hit the nail on the head!. The J. Lohr 2016 Arroyo Seco Monterey Chardonnay may be the best one they have ever made.

This is a wine with a fragrant bouquet of apple and pear,which open into flavors anyone, other than someone who hates Chardonnay, would die for. The flavors are apple and pear, with just a hint of tropical fruit, and a buttery quality which is almost impossible to find in a wine in this price range. This is a huge fruit wine with the perfect balance of acidity in the finish, to give it a lush flavor, with a clean and crisp finish. One thing that is for sure, is that this one definitely begs for another sip! The wine is so good, that it is hard to believe at this price! Norm's score is 94.

We enjoyed this terrific bottle of Chardonnay with a dish similar to "Chicken Piccata" with sides of jasmine rice, and fresh asparagus, which was excellent, but not as not as good as the wine!

score: 94

price : $11 - $15

score: 94+

Norm

Available online at:

http://cumminghome.com/

http://dawsontimes.com/

Also available at AOL's Dunwoody Patch:

WINE – God’s Proof of his Love for Humanity

Friday, October 5, 2018

2016 Ruffino Il Ducale Toscana IGT

Norm's Tasting Notes

by: Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@charter.net

2016 Ruffino Il Ducale Toscana IGT

#nb-38-18

Ruffino has been making wine since 1877, and is one of the most renowned wine makers in the world, and has always been a personal favorite of mine. The 2016 Il Ducale from Tuscany is an offering which provides a good Tuscan blend at an affordable price. The wine is Sangiovese, with Merlot and Syrah, and small traces of Alicante and Petite Verdot.

The wine is dark cherry in color with a nose of cherry and plum. The flavors are rich and full with a lot of cherry coupled with black raspberry. The finish is clean and lingers with just a kiss of mellow tannin. The alcohol content is 13.5% and Norm's score is 87.

We enjoyed the Il Ducale Toscana with a thick juicy steak, but I believe it would pair best with a large platter of Lasagna, or maybe Manicotti.

price : $14 - $18

score: 87

Norm

Available online at:

http://cumminghome.com/

http://dawsontimes.com/

Also available at AOL's Dunwoody Patch:

WINE – God’s Proof of his Love for Humanity

Friday, September 28, 2018

2016 Bigi Orvieto Classico

Norm's Tasting Notes

by: Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@charter.net

2016 Bigi Orvieto Classico

#nb-37-18

The highlight of our dinner last night was the Frutti de Mar Fettuccine, which is one of my most favorite dishes in the world. In addition to fettuccine, there is a variety of fish, plus clams, mussels, shrimp, and scallops. And, of course, the meal was served at my favorite "Little Italian Place". We also enjoyed a bottle of 2016 Bigi Orvieto with our feast.

The Bigi Orvieto is a classic style from Umbria which appeals to the senses with a delicate bouquet of wild flowers and a fruit basket of fragrant scents. The flavor is light, clean and crisp, with the presence of peach enveloped in a citrus breeze, backed by the taste of melon and a hint of almonds. This is a great wine for seafood and can be had for a modest price. The alcohol content is 12.5%, and Norm's score is 88.

The "Little Italian Place" is Moretti's Italian Grill in Cape Coral, Florida, where the seafood and pasta are always the best in town. The Bigi Orvieto is a house standard offering and pairs well with almost every dish on the menu which calls for a white wine.

price : $11 - $15

score: 88

Norm

Available online at:

http://cumminghome.com/

http://dawsontimes.com/

Also available at AOL's Dunwoody Patch:

WINE – God’s Proof of his Love for Humanity

Friday, September 21, 2018

2016 1000 Stories Zinfandel

Norm's Tasting Notes

by: Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@charter.net

2016 1000 Stories Zinfandel

#nb-36-18

The report this week is a little unusual since it is about a sampling of two different batches of the same 2016 Zinfandel from 1000 Stories from winemaker Bob Blue. The other twist is that both of these Zins have been aged in bourbon barrels.

The wines tasted were Batch #45 and Batch #47 from the 2016 vintage. Both wines were very similar in taste. Both had flavors of blackberry, raspberry, and a little cherry. The #45 was a little sweeter, while the #47 had a little more cherry flavor. Neither had much noticeable tannin, and I could not discern a significant taste imparted by the bourbon barrel aging. The alcohol content is 15.5% for each batch, and Norm's score is 87 - 88.

Overall, these zinfandels are quite drinkable with big fruit and a mellow finish. Either would pair well with grilled meat or barbecue.

price : $15 - $18

score: 87 - 88

Norm

Available online at:

http://cumminghome.com/

http://dawsontimes.com/

Also available at AOL's Dunwoody Patch:

WINE – God’s Proof of his Love for Humanity

Friday, September 14, 2018

2016 McManis Family Vineyards Viognier

Norm's Tasting Notes

by: Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@charter.net

2016 McManis Viognier

#nb-35-18

The report from the "Little Cottage by the Sea" is that the fishing is decent, the seafood is great, and there are abundant quantities of good wine to pair with the occasion! The first wine we sampled was a 2016 Viognier from the folks at McManis Family Vineyards in northern California.

The McManis opens with a fragrant nose which has the aroma of a big basket of fresh flowers, surrounded by ripe fresh picked fruit, with peach and pear being the most pronounced. The flavors swirl in the glass with an abundance of pear and ripe peach, and a hint of melon. The finish is crisp and clean, with a touch of tangy spice at the end. The alcohol content is 13.5%, and Norm's score is 88.

Viognier is perfect with spicy foods like Thai Scallops, or Sushi with generous amounts of Wasabi. It is also a great companion for a range of seafood, from Grilled Grouper to Mango Salsa Shrimp Tacos.

price : $11 - $15

score: 88

Norm

Available online at:

http://cumminghome.com/

http://dawsontimes.com/

Also available at AOL's Dunwoody Patch: