2021 La Crema Monterey Pinot Gris

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

normwine@charter.net

2021 La Crema Monterey Pinot Gris

#29-2022

We had company join us for dinner out, so before departing for the restaurant, we had a before dinner glass of wine along with a few hors d'oeuvres.  We chose a bottle of La Crema  Pinot Gris, which is one which I wrote about a few years back.  This was the 2021 vintage which was even better than the 2019 I wrote about earlier.

The 2021 vintage from Monterey has a wonderful nose of pear and citrus, which awakens the senses to the flavors of apple, Meyer lemon and a touch of melon.  The finish is clean and crisp, and the alcohol content is 13.5%, with Norm's score being 90.

A good choice for hors d' oeuvres, or as a "Back Porch Sipper", this one will also pair well with Seafood Chowder, or a crisp shellfish salad.

score: 90

price: $15 - $20

Norm

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Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

2019 Rutherford Hill Napa Merlot

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

normwine@charter.net

2019 Rutherford Hill Napa Merlot

#28-2022

One way to beat a "Slab and a Cab", would be a Slab and a Napa Merlot, almost the same, but only different.  The Slab was a thick, medium rare, New York Strip, hot off the grill, and the Merlot was the 2019 Rutherford Hill, which has a few other Bordeaux varieties blended in with the Merlot.  The two were a great summertime grill success!

This is a really good merlot with a powerful nose, and rich complex flavors.  Cherry, blackberry, currant, and blueberry abound, with a richly textured finish, bespeaking of a little spice and a touch of oak.  The alcohol content is 14.5%, and Norm's score is 91.

Great with steak, like any good merlot, this would pair well with lamb, and would also make a good companion for Tournedos of Beef in a mushroom sauce.

score: 91

price: $21 - $26

Norm

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Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

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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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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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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normwine.blogspot.com

AVAILABLE ONLINE AT:

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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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normwine.blogspot.com

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