2018 Maso Canali Pinot Grigio

2018 Maso Canali Pinot Grigio

#21-2021

Springtime is a good time to turn attention to Pinot Grigio, which suggests freshness, and new beginnings.  The 2018 Maso Canali is not new to me, but is rather an old friend, which, this year, is especially fresh and alluring.  It is fresh and crisp, and clean, and ready for the table right now!

The nose is bright and inviting with a mix of citrus and flowers in its bouquet.  The flavors swirl in the glass with notes of peach and apple, and a lemony kiss at the end.  The finish is big on fruit, but dry, with a lingering effect which begs for another sip. The alcohol content is 13%, and Norm's score is 89.  

A bottle of Maso Canali Pinot Grigio would complement any cold shellfish salad, and would stand up well next to a plate of Chicken Piccata and Fettuccine.

score: 89

price: $12 - $17

Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

2018 Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells Chardonnay

2018 Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells Chardonnay

#20-2021

I have cooked Tuna Steaks on the grill in the past, but this time we had high-grade tuna which we wanted to turn into Ahi-Tuna Salad, so they had to be seared, and come off the grill pretty rare.  I did fairly well with the tuna, and although either Pinot Noir or Chardonnay, pairs well with tuna, we chose Chardonnay, since it was a salad.  The 2018 Indian Wells Chardonnay from Washington was great!

This is a buttery and creamy Chardonnay with big fruit and enough acidity to stand up to a spicy dish, which might even contain Wasabi (a key ingredient for Ahi-Tuna).  The flavor spectrum is enhanced by notes of tropical fruit and a touch of apricot, with a mild oak finish.  The alcohol content is 13.5%, and Norm's score is 90.  

A bottle of  Indian Wells would also be great with Cedar-Plank Salmon.

score: 90

price: $14 - $19

Norm

Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

2018 Edna Valley Sauvignon Blanc

2018 Edna Valley Sauvignon Blanc

#19-2021

The Edna Valley is pretty much in the middle of California, about five miles inland from the coast, where the days are warm and the nights are cool.  Its a good place to grow grapes, especially white ones like Sauvignon Blanc

This Edna Valley Sauvignon Blanc has a fragrant nose with floral notes, which leads to pungent flavors 0f grapefruit and pear, with a mild hint of melon.  There is good acidity and ripe fruit, which blend for a clean and crisp finish.  The alcohol content is 13.1%, and Norm's score is 88.  

A bottle of Edna Valley is a good summertime choice for grilled chicken salad, or possibly next to a big platter of fresh fruit paired with soft white cheeses.  If you plan a picnic before the weather gets hot, you will enjoy it with cold fried chicken. 

score: 88

price: $11 - $15

Norm

Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

2017 Louis Martini Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

2017 Louis Martini Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

#18-2021

I was asked recently, why so many of my reviews were about either Chardonnay or Cabernet Sauvignon, and the answer is quite simple.  These two grape varieties make up more than one third of all of the wine sold in the US.  In fact Cabs have a slight edge on Chardonnay in popularity, as Americans in greater numbers are consuming reds rather than whites.  In addition, I must confess that Cabs have been my favorite for many years.

Of course, there is also the "Chardonnay Queen" to be considered.  So, here comes another review about a very good Cab, but I will save the description of the steak which went with it.

Today's subject is the 2017 Louis Martini Cabernet Sauvignon from the Alexander Valley in Sonoma County, California, and its a really good one.  The flavor spectrum includes Black Cherry, Cassis, and a bit of Plum, supported by mellow tannins, and a succulent  finish, which truly begs for another sip!  The alcohol content is 15%, and Norm's score is 92.  

A bottle of Martini Alexander Valley Cab is suitable for any grilled meat, but I would recommend you pair it with Prime Rib.  If you don't like this one, then Cabernet Sauvignon may not be the right choice for you.

score: 92

price: $25 - $32

Norm

Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

2017 Obsidian Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon

2017 Obsidian Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon

#17-2021

We had a great steak dinner the other night featuring a two inch thick New York Strip from our local meat market (The best in the Southeast), and a bottle of Obsidian Cab, given to us by a friend, so yes, its another "Cab and a Slab" story.  When you have good friends, a good butcher shop, a good bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon, and of course an excellent Grill Chef (me). how can you go wrong?

The color is red-black, yes, that's very dark red.  The aroma is like a basket of hot, freshly picked berries, and the flavors support that notion, with a thick, jammy. taste of blackberry and dark cherry. leading to a lingering finish which begs for another sip!  The alcohol content is 14.6%, and Norm's score is 91.  

A bottle of Obsidian Cab would compliment almost any grilled meat.

score: 91

price: $21 - $27

Norm

Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

2016 Sterling Vineyards Napa Valley Chardonnay

2016 Sterling Vineyards Napa Valley Chardonnay

#16-2021

Last Friday night was rainy and windy, and perfect for Homemade Seafood Chowder, warm French Bread, an avocado and tomato salad, and, a bottle of 2016 Sterling Napa Chardonnay!

The scent of fresh sweet apples wafted through the air when I un-corked the bottle, the harbinger of good things to come.  The flavor is truly Chardonnay, with a combination of Golden Delicious Apples and ripe Bartlett Pear.  There may also be a touch of stonefruit accompanied by a citrus breeze.  The finish is crisp and refreshing.  The alcohol content is 14.5%, and Norm's score is 90.  

A bottle of Sterling Napa Chardonnay certainly pairs well with anything you like with Chardonnay.  I might suggest you try it with Veal or Chicken Piccata.

score: 90

price: $15 - $20

Norm

Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

2018 Erath Pinot Noir

2018 Erath Pinot Noir

#15-2021

It is said that the best wine for Lamb is Merlot, so I soaked our Lamb Chops in Merlot for three hours before I put them on the grill.  However, the bottle I placed next to them on the table was the 2018 Oregon Pinot Noir from Erath.  I made a good choice on both counts!

This Pinot Noir is bright and fresh with a bouquet of strawberries and plums in its aroma.  The flavors swirl in the glass with the presence of red raspberry, strawberry and a hint of cherry.  The finish is lush and lingering.  The alcohol content is 13.5%, and Norm's score is 89.

A bottle of Erath combined with thick medium rare grilled Lamb Chops was a great choice for Easter Dinner, which we served with fresh asparagus and mashed potatoes.  Oh, there were also deviled eggs!

score: 89

price: $16 - $19

Norm

Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity