2016 Castellani Chianti Classico Reserva

2016 Castellani Chianti Classico Reserva

#04-2022

It's Cold outside with a wintery mix, but inside its warm and cozy, with a dish of homemade baked lasagna on the table, and a good bottle of 100% Sangiovese Reserve Chianti sitting right next to it.  The wine is the 2016 vintage Castellani Chianti Classico Reserva, and its a good one!

The wine is dark red, with the aroma of dark berries and minerals escaping from the bottle.  The flavor is rich., with a strong backbone of cherry and plum encased in smooth tannins.  The finish lingers on the palate, begging for another sip!  The only real question is whether or not one bottle is enough for a big dish of lasagna.  The alcohol content is 13%, and Norm's score is 91.

This Chianti is perfect for lasagna, or any other pasta dish for that matter.  It would also be great with Veal Marsala.

p.s.  (this wine is available at an even better price at Costco)

score: 91

price: $15 - $20

Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

Enjoy Wine. Food, Family, Friends, and God's Love!

Norm

(Norm's Tasting Notes)

2018 La Crema Russian River Pinot Noir

2018 La Crema Russian River Pinot Noir

#03-2022

One of my favorite Pinot Noirs has for a long time been the La Crema from Russian River, and once again it does not disappoint.  This is a classic style Pinot Noir from one of the premier vineyard areas in the entire country.  It is pretty hard to beat Pinot Noir grown in Sonoma County's Russian River Valley!

The nose is elegant with the scent of both black and red fruits fresh from the orchard.  The rich flavor suggests plum, blueberry and dark cherry, with a touch of chocolate toward the finish, which has just a hint of oak.  This one certainly begs for another sip!  The alcohol content is 14.5%, and Norm's score is 90.

We have enjoyed this wine many times in the past with grilled meat, and it is also a great match for grilled salmon.

score: 90

price: $32 - $37

Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

2017 Obsidian Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon

2017 Obsidian Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon

#02-2022

I wrote about this wine about ten months ago, and scored it a 91.  This year for Christmas Dinner, we decided to pair it with our Chateaubriand, and it was so good, that I decided that I needed to up its score.  It was fabulous with our tenderloin feast!

The nose is potent, as it broadcasts the aromas of fresh picked dark berries,  with a touch of blueberry in the breeze.  The wine is rich and complex, and showcases the flavors of blackberry and black cherry, mingled with a little oak and a hint of chocolate.  The finish lingers on the palate, with the message that this one might even be better a few years from now!  The alcohol content is 14.6%, and Norm's score is 92.

This wine is excellent with any beef dish, but not limited to steaks and such.  You might want to team it up with a spicy Bouillabaisse for a real treat!

score: 92

price: $24 - $29

Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

2019 Z. Alexander Brown Uncaged Sauvignon Blanc

2019 Z. Alexander Brown Uncaged Sauvignon Blanc

#01-2022

Don't tell the Chardonnay Queen that I said this, but I usually prefer Sauvignon Blanc to Chardonnay, for most dinner fare.  Recently, we paired this offering from the North Coast of California with a Shrimp and Bay Scallop Casserole featuring Orzo, and it was a real hit!  Good effort from the leader of the Zac Brown Band!

This is a big fruit Sauvignon Blanc, with tropical aromas in its nose, and a strong dose of lemon and lime in its flavor spectrum, also a hint of honeysuckle and orange to complement its melon tendencies.  It finishes clean and crisp, and the alcohol content is 14.5%. Norm's score is 89.

I would pair this wine with a host of foods, including Chicken Piccata and Eggplant Parmesan.

score: 89

price: $15 - $20

Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

2021 List of Top Wines

Norm's List of the Top Scored Wines of 2021

The list below contains wines which I scored 90 or above during the year 2021.

2017 Cakebread Cellars Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon – 93

2018 J Lohr Riverstone Arroyo Secco  Chardonnay – 91

2018 King Estates Pinot Gris – 90

2017 Marques de Casa Concha Cabernet Sauvignon – 91

2018 Cambria Katherine's Vineyard Chardonnay – 91

2019 Charles Krug Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc - 90

2017 Obsidian Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon – 91

2017 Louis Martini Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon – 92

2018 Far Niente Napa Valley Chardonnay – 92

2019 Ferrari Carano Fume Blanc – 92

2018 Oberon Napa County Cabernet Sauvignon – 90

2019 Ferrari-Carano Sonoma County Pinot Grigio – 92

2018 Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells Merlot – 90

2018 Conundrum Rose - 90

2018 Concha y Toro Marques de Casa Concha Chardonnay – 93

"I hope you enjoy a wonderful holiday with Good Food accompanied by Good Wine!"

Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

2016 Marques de Riscal Rioja Reserva

2016 Marques de Riscal Rioja Reserva

#50-2021

I like Sangiovese, the prominent grape in Chianti, from Italy.   I also like Tempranillo, the prominent grape in Rioja, from Spain, and of course, I like Spaghetti!  One day last week, we paired a bottle of Marques de Riscal Rioja with our Spaghetti dinner, and it was great!  You know Spaghetti is perfect for the next big meal after Thanksgiving.

A pretty garnet red in color, the wine smacks of cherries and plums, with a bit of spice to perk the flavor, and finishes strong, begging for another sip.  There is a mild presence of tannin, and the alcohol content is 14.3%.  Norm's score is 91.

This Rioja is also a good choice for a hearty stew, or most grilled meats, and would be perfect with Pork Shank Ossobuco.

score: 91

price: $15 - $20

Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

2019 Angeline California Cabernet Sauvignon

2019 Angeline California Cabernet Sauvignon

#49-2021

I rarely find a Cabernet Sauvignon from California for less than twenty dollars that I think is very good, so when I was in a wine store last week and saw a tag touting the Angeline, I decided to give it a try, even though the price was in the ten dollar range.  The 2019 Angeline California Cab is a second label for the Martin Ray Vineyards, and is a real value at this price.

The nose is inviting, leading to flavors of cherry, raspberry, and cassis.  The wine is well balanced with a big fruit taste leading to a fairly lean finish, which is clean and pleasing.  The alcohol content is 13.9%, and Norm's score is 88.

The Angeline Cab will pair well with most grilled meats, and would also be suitable alongside red sauced pasta dishes.

score: 88

price: $11 - $15

Norm

Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity