2016 Rodney Strong Chalk Hill Chardonnay

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

normwine@charter.net

2016 Rodney Strong Chalk Hill Chardonnay

#27-2022

Good Chardonnay is sometimes hard to find, but sometimes you just have to look under the right label.  The Chalk Hill Chardonnay from Rodney Strong has been a consistent "winner" for many vintages, so when we found a 2016 vintage recently, we knew it would be good.  Of course, it doesn't hurt to know that Rodney Strong is the Chardonnay Queen's favorite label for Chardonnay.

A nose that will knock your socks off, followed up by a one, two punch of Golden Apple and Bartlett Pear, that leads to a lush and creamy textured finish, is all you need to be in the ring with this Blue Label wine.  The alcohol content is 13.5%, and Norm's score is 91.

This is the perfect wine for grilled or baked salmon, and for a summertime treat, crumble the salmon up and sprinkle it on top of your Cobb Salad in place of the chicken, and serve alongside a bottle of Rodney Strong Chalk Hill.

score: 91

price: $15 - $20

Norm

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Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

2018 Francis Ford Coppola Diamond Collection Claret

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

normwine@charter.net

2018 Francis Ford Coppola Diamond Collection Claret

#26-2022

The Coppola Claret is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (85%), Petit Verdot (13%). and a smattering of others, for a rich, lush wine, perfect for a medium rare slab hot off the grill.  The Claret is the flagship of the Diamond Collection, and always a trusty companion for grilled meat.

The nose is heady with a burst of cherries and berries, sure to excite the senses!  The flavors are blackberry, cherry, and a touch of plum.  The finish lingers but is not overly oaked.  The alcohol content is 13.5%, and Norm's score is 89.

While great with grilled meat, this wine would be an awesome choice for Veal Masala, one of my favorites. 

score: 89

price: $14 - $20

Norm

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AVAILABLE ONLINE AT:

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ALSO AVAILABLE at: Dunwoody Patch

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Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

2019 J. Lohr Arroyo Secco Riverstone Chardonnay (Monterey)

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

normwine@charter.net

2019 J. Lohr Arroyo Secco Riverstone Chardonnay (Monterey)

#25-2022

We enjoyed a newer vintage of an old favorite, the 2019 J.Lohr Chardonnay, alongside a delicious Chardonnay Queen creation of "Lemon Chicken".  This vintage of the J.Lohr is like others in the past, in that it is most enjoyable, but of course, the 2019 vintage has its own personality.

The nose is very fragrant, with aromas of fresh apple, a little tangerine. and a faint scent of lemon.  The flavors are lush with the presence of apple, pear, and stone fruit.  The finish lingers with a touch of butter in the texture.  The alcohol content is 13.9%, and Norm's score is 88.

We enjoyed the wine with our "Lemon Chicken", but would also suggest it as a companion for broiled fish or Fettuccini Alfredo.

score: 88

price: $11 - $16

Norm

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AVAILABLE ONLINE AT:

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Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

2018 Bogle Petite Sirah

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

normwine@charter.net

2018 Bogle Petite Sirah

#24-2022

It's hard to believe that you can get a wine of this quality in this price range, but just as with their Chardonnay, the folks at Bogle really deliver!  I would like to slip this Petite Sirah into a French wine competition and watch some heads spin.

A number of reviewers have described this wine as "jammy", which is right on point.  There are lush flavors of blueberry and blackberry, with subtle notes of spice and earthiness.  The finish is a little oaky, which underscores the complex array of fruit and acidity, for a near perfect balance.  The alcohol content is 13.7%, and Norm's score is 90.

We had our Petite Sirah with a grilled pork loin chop, which is only one option for this "real winner"!  Try it with lasagna or bouillabaisse, you can't go wrong.

score: 90

price: $11 - $15

Norm

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AVAILABLE ONLINE AT:

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ALSO AVAILABLE at: Dunwoody Patch

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Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

2019 100 Nails Ranch Chardonnay

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

normwine@charter.net

2019 100 Nails Ranch Sonoma Chardonnay

#23-2022

I had lunch a few weeks ago with an old friend from the wine business, and he brought me a bottle of wine for the Chardonnay Queen.  The wine was a Chardonnay from 100 Nails Ranch in Sonoma County, California, and we enjoyed it on her birthday.  This winery is owned by the Zonin family, who has been making wine in Northern Italy since 1821.

There is a lot of citrus and apple in the nose, with strong Chardonnay flavors of apple and pear, with that strong citrus breeze wafting through.  There is a little oak in the finish which helps cleanse the palate for the next sip.  The alcohol content is 14.2%, and Norm's score is 89.

We enjoyed the wine with a snack plate of cheeses before dinner, but it was obvious that this Chardonnay was a perfect match for a chilled seafood salad.

score: 89

price: $19 - $24

Norm

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Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

2017 Ruffino Riserva Ducale Oro

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley
The North Georgia Wine Advisor
normwine@bellsouth.net
normwine@charter.net

2017 Ruffino Riserva Ducale Oro
#22-2022

If I had to choose a favorite winery, it would have to be Ruffino in Tuscany.  My favorite Ruffino is the Chianti Classico, Riserva Ducale Oro, which I chose for my birthday dinner at a great little neighborhood Italian restaurant in Columbus, Georgia, where I grew up after leaving Napa, California.

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.  Later when I was about twelve, we used to visit Spano's Italian-Seafood Restaurant in downtown Columbus, Georgia.  Spano's was opened in the 1880's and lasted until the 1990's. Visits there for a Saturday plate of spaghetti often included a three ounce glass of Ruffino Chianti to accompany my lunch.  So you might understand that I am well acquainted with Ruffino Chianti.  Ruffino has been  making wine in Tuscany, Italy, for more than 145 years since their founding by Liario Ruffino in 1877. They produced their first reserve Chianti in 1947.

The Riserva Ducale Oro is typical of predominately Sangiovese wines, with a heady nose of violets and cherries.  This is a big, lush wine with lots of cherry, red berry, and plum flavors sailing into a dry, pleasing finish, with enough oak to help cleanse the palate for the next bite of food.  The alcohol content is 14.2%, and Norm's score is 93.

We enjoyed the Ruffino with our dinner of Veal Marsala, and Eggplant Parmesan, but this wine is also an excellent companion for any dinner fare asking for red wine!

score: 93
price: $33 - $40

Norm
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ALSO AVAILABLE at: Dunwoody Patch
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Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

2019 Decoy Red

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

normwine@charter.net

2019 Decoy Red

#21-2022

A beautiful blend, featuring Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Zinfandel, the 2019 Decoy Red from Duckhorn was an excellent companion for our Italian Steak and Pasta dinner!  This one might be described as a "Field Blend" since there are at least six varieties in the mix, and the result is quite tasty.

This wine has so many flavor nuances, that all would be hard to list.  Suffice it to say that the complex structure is highlighted by the presence of both red and black berries and a subtle but toasty finish which lingers on the palate.  The alcohol content is 13.9%, and Norm's score is 89.

Italian Steak is merely a grilled steak which has been marinated in Italian spices and served with a side of Pasta Marinara, but with the addition of the right wine, it can make for quite an Italian Feast!  Oh, and I forgot to mention, "the right "Grill Chef".

score: 89

price: $19 - $25

Norm

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normwine.blogspot.com

AVAILABLE ONLINE AT:

Pine Island Eagle.com

Cumming Home .com

Dawson Times.com

ALSO AVAILABLE at: Dunwoody Patch

Dunwoody, GA Patch

Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity