2017 Francis Coppola Blue Label Merlot

2017 Francis Coppola Blue Label Merlot

#14-2021

The Coppola Blue Label Merlot is actually a blend of 25% Petite Sirah, and 75% Merlot.  The grapes come from Sonoma, Monterey, and Paso Robles.  The flavor reminds me of a Claret from St Emilion, one of the regions in Bordeaux famous for its Merlot blends.

The nose sallies forth like a basket of fresh fruit with the aromas of blueberries and cherries.  The flavors definitely signal blueberry, cherry and a little dark chocolate.  the finish contains mild tannins, which enhance the lingering fruit presence on the palate  The alcohol content is 14.3%, and Norm's score is 89.  

A bottle of Coppola Merlot was a congenial companion for our Chicken Parmesan, sided with linguine in Marinara Sauce, and an avocado salad.  "Bon Appetite"

score: 89

price: $14 - $17

Norm

Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

2019 Charles Krug Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc

2019 Charles Krug Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc

#13-2021

Sometimes a second look is in order, and such was the case for the 2019 Charles Krug Sauvignon Blanc, which I reviewed about a year ago.  This time we served the Krug with a platter of Brie Cheese and an assortment of wheat crackers.  A very nice array for the late afternoon.

The nose, as before, is fresh and fruity with peach, but very little melon being present as when the wine was younger. The flavors are peach with the presence of citrus, against a  good mineral backbone.  The balance between fruit and acidity is just right, as before, but the finish is a little more polished.  The alcohol content is 13.4%, and Norm's score is 90, where as a year ago I felt is was an 89.

A bottle of Krug Napa Sauvignon Blanc is a good companion for your cheese platter, and is going to be great with a chilled seafood salad.

score: 90

price: $15 - $18

Norm

Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

2018 Cambria Katherine's Vineyard Chardonnay

2018 Cambria Katherine's Vineyard Chardonnay

#10-2021

It's always great when good friends bring you a good bottle of wine when they visit.  If we do not consume during the visit, we save for the next special meal.  One of my favorite meals is sautéed Bay Scallops with pasta and Alfredo Sauce.  So this past weekend while the scallops were being sautéed, we opened the bottle of Cambria Chardonnay given to us by our friends.  What a delight it was!

This full and rich Chardonnay from the Katherine's Vineyard has a fragrant floral bouquet full of fresh fruit and a slight citrus breeze.  The flavors are apple and peach, with a little lemon zest, and a mild buttery presence which finishes with a vibrant crescendo.  The alcohol content is 14.1%, and Norm's score is 91.  

A bottle of Cambria Chardonnay and sautéed Bay Scallops Alfredo would be hard to beat, but I can see this one as a great pair for Duck a la Orange, or Cornish Game Hen in glazed orange sauce.

score: 91

price: $17 - $22

Norm

Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

2017 Bogel Old Vine Zinfandel

2017 Bogel Old Vine Zinfandel

#09-2021

It was pizza night at our house, and we broke out a Zinfandel to go with our pie.  The 2017 Bogel Old Vine Zin might just be a little too good for a mere pizza, but why not live it up, even though I still maintain that the best wine for pizza is Beer!  I might also say that Zinfandel goes well with Southern BBQ, but then again, I think the best wine for "Q" is Iced Tea!  However, if you prefer wine with these spicy dishes, you can't go wrong with Bogel Old Vine Zinfandel.

This is a hearty, rich and jammy wine which holds its own with anything from spaghetti to steak.  The flavors are black cherry, and dark berries straight from the briar patch.  The finish is powerful, and fetches you back for yet another sip.  The alcohol content is 14.5%, and Norm's score is 89.

Grab a hot pie and un-cork a bottle of this compelling Zinfandel, for a great mid-week evening meal.

score: 89

price: $12 - $15

Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

2017 Marques de Casa Concha Cabernet Sauvignon

2017 Marques de Casa Concha Cabernet Sauvignon

#08-2021

In the world of wine, very few wineries have been held in more admiration over the last two centuries than the Concha y Toro Winery in Maipo, Chile.  They produce wines from eight up to two hundred dollars a bottle, and there is a consistency un-rivaled in the marketplace. Their twenty to thirty dollar line, labeled Marques de Casa Concha, can always be relied on to be among the best in their class.  So when I chose this Cab to pair with our two inch thick fillet, grilled a perfect medium rare, for our Valentine's Day dinner,  I knew it would be a good match!

This is a big, fat, juicy Cab, with abundant flavors of dark berries, plum, and currants, which lead you to a finish with rich tannins, and a lingering presence just begging for another sip!  The alcohol content is 14.5%, and Norm's score is 91.

A bottle of this wonderful Cab, placed alongside a Caesar Salad, and a fillet from the "Best Butcher Shop in the Southeast", which we are lucky to have right here in our little town, Thomaston, just a few miles south of Atlanta, made for a terrific  Valentine's Day!  I hope yours was good as well!

score: 91

price: $20 - $26

Norm

Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

2018 King Estates Pinot Gris

2018 King Estates Pinot Gris

#07-2021

We had some old friends over for dinner recently, and we decided to serve our famous "Ma and Paw Seafood Chowder", invented by Chef El Biggerero some years ago.  It is actually a seafood stew, with enough saffron to remind you of Bouillabaisse.  Of course, this requires a wine strong enough to stand up to this very spicy dish.  We chose the 2018 King Estate Pinot Gris from Oregon's Willamette Valley, and it was a good match!

This Pinot Gris has a tantalizing bouquet of ripe pear and fresh peach.  The flavors backup the pear and peach with the addition of apple, and a little tropical fruit, then the wine sails off into the night with a lingering hint of citrus in the finish.  The alcohol content is 13.5%, and Norm's score is 90.

A bottle of King Estate Pinot Gris would be a welcome companion for almost any seafood dish, and would also pair well with a big platter of soft cheeses surrounded by sliced apples.

score: 90

price: $15 - $19

Norm

Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

2018 Root One Cabernet Sauvignon

2018 Root One Cabernet Sauvignon

#06-2021

The Root One Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile is the bargain hunter's dream come true.  This ten dollar Cab from South America drinks like a fifteen and up Cab from California!

It is not a great wine, but it sure was good with a dish of Chicken Parmesan with Spaghetti Marinara on the side.

It is a pretty dark red in color, with a nose which broadcasts the scent of ripe berries.  The flavors are dark berries, mixed with black cherry, and a taste of toasty oak toward the end.  The finish lingers on the palate, awaiting another sip.  The alcohol content is 14%, and Norm's score is 88.

Not only good with Chicken Parm, this Chilean Cab would pair well with a hearty stew, or grilled chops.  The best thing, is that it is available almost everywhere in the market place, including your local supermarket.

score: 88

price: $10 - $12

Norm

Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity