2019 LaCrema Sonoma County Sauvignon Blanc

2019 LaCrema Sonoma County Sauvignon Blanc

#32-2020

Easy to drink, and lip smacking good, may be the best way to describe the initial offering of Sonoma Sauvignon Blanc from LaCrema.  This 2019 Sauvignon Blance is another good choice for a "Smooth Operator", summertime wine.

The nose is quite fragrant with a fresh apple scent accompanied by a brisk citrus breeze.  The flavors are ripe golden delicious apple, with a little melon and a tangy lemon backbone.  The finish is clean and pleasant, although it fades a little bit at the end.  The alcohol content is 13.5%, and Norm's score is 89.

A bottle of the 2019 LaCrema was a great choice for our broiled salmon and zucchini- yellow squash medley.  This one would also be a great choice for a chilled shrimp salad.  Bring on the Dog Days of summer, we are ready for it!

score: 89

price: $18 - $23

Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

2017 Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Chardonnay

2017 Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Chardonnay

#30-2020

I have enjoyed Robert Mondavi wines for several decades, and it was one of the highlights of my career in the wine business, to have met the "Wine King of Napa" some years back at a tasting dinner in Atlanta.  I am glad to see by this latest offering of Chardonnay, that the winery has been able to continue the tradition.  I must confess that my favorite white from these folks, is their Napa Fume Blanc, but the 2017 Napa Chardonnay does not have to take a backseat to any other offering.

The wine has a heady nose, which opens the door to a burst of flavors, ranging from ripe pear, to crisp apple, peach, and a kiss of lemon peel.  The finish is clean and lingering, with a slight oak accent.  The alcohol content is 14.5%, and Norm's score is 88.

A bottle of Mondavi Napa Valley Chardonnay would make a good companion at any table, from exquisite gourmet cuisine, to the most simple fare.  We enjoyed it with Chicken Piccata.

score: 88

price: $19 - $24

Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

2018 Cakebread Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc

2018 Cakebread Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc

#29-2020

In the realm of white wine sales, Sauvignon Blanc is a distant third when compared to Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio.  However, for me, it may be my favorite, especially when it is one from California in the style of this 2018 Cakebread offering.

The nose is wonderfully fragrant with aromas of white flowers and stone fruit.  The flavors abound, with peach, melon and apple in the forefront.  There is a slight citrus breeze, supported by a hint of grassiness leading to a satisfying and refreshing finish, which begs for another sip.  The alcohol content is 13.4%, and Norm's score is 89.

A bottle of Cakebread Sauvignon Blanc and a plate of Sauteed Shrimp and Scallops, with Angle Hair Pasta, was almost good enough to make the Chardonnay Queen forget about Chardonnay, but not quite.

score: 89

price: $27 - $33

Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

2018 Gnarly Head Old Vine Zinfandel

2018 Gnarly Head Old Vine Zinfandel

#28-2020

In a couple of days we will be celebrating perhaps the biggest outdoor BBQ of the year during the Fourth of July Weekend.  And, in my opinion, there is no better wine to pair with BBQ than Zinfandel, preferably an "Old Vine" Zin like Gnarly Head from Lodi, California.  This is a big fruit wine, which is rich and jammy, with highlights of blackberry and plum.

The aroma is full of hot sweet blackberry juice, which represents the blackberry flavor imparted by these thirty to eighty year old vines.  The flavor is stout and full, as it  is prepared to do battle with your best, bold and spicy barbecue sauce.  In addition to the blackberry, there is pepper, spice and a little black raspberry.  The alcohol content is 14.5%, and Norm's score is 89.

You can pair this Zinfandel up with Barbecued Baby Back Ribs, or a slow cooked Boston Butt from the rotisserie, dripping in sauce, or even your best Beef Brisket, and this hearty , jammy wine will stand up to them all.

score: 89

price: $9 - $12

Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

2018 Landmark Overlook Chardonnay

2018 Landmark Overlook Chardonnay

#27-2020

In the last few months I have sampled some really good Chardonnays, many in the Classic California style.  The 2018 Landmark Chardonnay is a bit of a departure, in that it is a more easy to drink modern style, highlighting big fruit, and a tasty sweetness, which does not deny that it is still a dry dinner wine.

The nose is fat, juicy, and pungent with the aroma of sweet juicy apple and pear backed by a spicy veil of tropical fruit.  The flavor spectrum is dense, with layers of Golden Delicious Apple and Sweet Bartlett Pear, with traces of stone-fruit and a dash of pineapple.  The finish is compelling with a bit of spice, and begs for another sip!  The alcohol content is 14.3%, and Norm's score is 90.

A bottle of Landmark Overlook Chardonnay, paired with Bay Scallops and Angel Hair Pasta in Garlic Alfredo Sauce, was the right combination for a wonderful dinner!  Throw in a fresh avocado and tomato salad, and you are indeed "Living the Good Life"!

score: 90

price: $21 - $26

Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

2017 Charles Krug Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

2017 Charles Krug Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

#26-2020

This Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon from Charles Krug, like many California Cabs these days, is a Bordeaux style Blend, with other grape varieties added for a more complex taste experience.  The effect in this case is highly successful!  For me however, the best way to enjoy a California Cab, is still with a Slab of thick, juicy beef, grilled medium rare!

The 2017 Krug is big in the nose and long in taste, with a lingering finish, which compliments a nice thick fillet in a stylish manner.  The flavors are mostly black cherry with a healthy dose of dark berries, and just the right amount of oak in its smooth finish, which begs for another sip.  The alcohol content is 14.1%, and Norm's score is 90.

A bottle of Krug Cab, a thick fillet, a baked potato, and a fresh salad of Romaine and Avocado, made a delightful dinner for us on an early summer night. Oh how I love Grilling Season, especially since it is also Cab Season

score: 90

price: $28 - $33

Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

2017 Duckhorn Napa Valley Chardonnay

2017 Duckhorn Napa Valley Chardonnay

#25-2020

We seem to be in a rut, and The Chardonnay Queen is loving it.  It seems that so far this year, we have tasted one excellent Chardonnay after another.  The latest is the 2017 Duckhorn Napa Valley Chardonnay, which is yet another classic, old style California Chardonnay.  It has it all, crisp fruit with just a kiss of oak, and a big mouthfeel leading to a lingering finish.

The nose broadcasts the aroma of apple, with a hint of stone-fruit  throughout the room.  The flavors are full and rich, highlighting crisp apple, sweet pear, and a touch of pineapple, with an under current of vanilla and mellow oak, leading to a finish which sails off into the night  The alcohol content is 14.1%, and Norm's score is 92.

We enjoyed this terrific Chardonnay with a seafood salad featuring sauteed shrimp and scallops, with avocado, ripe tomato, and fresh Romaine.  We sided this summer style salad with Angel Hair Pasta in Alfredo Sauce.

score: 92

price: $28 - $33

Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity