2017 Trapiche Broquel Malbec

Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

normwine@charter.net

2017 Trapiche Broquel Malbec

#37-19

During the past decade, red wine from Chile has become the best buy in the world wine market, with wines which rival those from France and California, and at a much lower price.  This is my second or third review of the Trapiche Broquel Malbec during the past ten years, and it seems that the wine just gets better and better!

The color is deep purple, like the band, and the wine is almost as intense.  The flavor is a strong presence of black cherry, blackberry, and a hint of violets.  This Malbec is powerful, yet smooth on the palate, with a mellow finish highlighted by subtle tannins.  The taste sails off into the night as it begs for another sip!  The alcohol content is 14%, and Norm's score is 91.

Of course we enjoyed the Broquel Malbec with steak, our favorite, thick juicy fillets cooked medium rare, with baked potato and fresh avocado and tomato salad.  If you like hearty red wine and steak, this is a hard combination to beat!

score: 91

price: $14 - $18

Norm

www.facebook.com/Norm'sTastingNotes

www.normwine.blogspot.com/

Available online at:

Pine Island Eagle.com

Cumming Home.com

Dawson Times.com

Also Available at AOL”s Dunwoody Patch:

Dunwoody, GA Patch

WINE – God’s Proof of his Love for Humanity

2015 Rodney Strong Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

normwine@charter.net

2015 Rodney Strong Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

#36-19

I don't recall ever having had a bad bottle of Rodney Strong wine, so I was quite pleased when at dinner at a friend's house, the host produced a bottle of 2015 Alexander Valley Cab from the Rodney  Strong folks.  I have had several from this vineyard in the past, and knew it would be good!

This is a complex Cab with a heady nose, good color, and a full spectrum of flavors.  There is a lot of lush fruit featuring cherry and blackberry, with a complex background of oak, and a perfect balance between the fruit and the acidity.  The alcohol content is 14.5%, and Norm's score is 90.

This is an excellent Cab to pair with steak or other grilled meats, but we enjoyed it with ribs for our Labor Day Feast.  It is hard to beat a Cab and a Slab, even if it is a slab of ribs!

score: 90

price: $19 - $23

Norm

www.facebook.com/Norm'sTastingNotes

www.normwine.blogspot.com/

Available online at:

Pine Island Eagle.com

Cumming Home.com

Dawson Times.com

Also Available at AOL”s Dunwoody Patch:

Dunwoody, GA Patch

WINE – God’s Proof of his Love for Humanity

2015 Ruffino Riserva Ducale Tan

Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

normwine@charter.net

2015 Ruffino Riserva Ducale Tan

#35-19

I have been in love with Ruffino Chianti since long before I can remember!  Maybe its because when I was a little boy in Napa, California, the family's favorite Italian restaurant was a place called Ruffino's, in downtown Napa, where I occasionally got a "sip" of Chianti with my spaghetti. I last visited Ruffino's in Napa in 2000, but I do not believe it is still there.

The 2015 Riserva Ducale is a blend of 80% Sangiovese, with the balance in Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.  The nose is an aromatic burst of cherries and violets against a backdrop of brilliant ruby red color.  The flavor is complex, with abundant cherry, highlighted by plum and red raspberry leading to a finish featuring soft and smooth tannins.  The alcohol content is 13.5%, and Norm's score is 90.

We loved this wine with our dinner of both Chicken and Eggplant Parmesan, sided by angle hair pasta.  Ohh, Mama-Mia!

score: 90

price: $18 - $23

Norm

www.facebook.com/Norm'sTastingNotes

www.normwine.blogspot.com/

Available online at:

Pine Island Eagle.com

Cumming Home.com

Dawson Times.com

Also Available at AOL”s Dunwoody Patch:

Dunwoody, GA Patch

WINE – God’s Proof of his Love for Humanity