2021 Wente Morning Fog Chardonnay

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

2021 Wente Morning Fog Chardonnay

#19-2023

If you are looking for a Chardonnay which is a perfect match for seafood, hot or cold, then you need look no further than the 2021 Wente Morning Fog from the 140 year family run vineyards in the Central Coast of California.  The wine pairs equally well with Shrimp Scampi, as well as chilled Crab Salad.

This is a wine bursting with flavor, which is defiantly a "Food Wine".  It has waves of green apple and ripe pear, along with juicy peach and a mild citrus presence.  The finish is crisp and clean, and begs for another sip!  The alcohol content is 13.5% and Norm's score is 91.

Try this one with steamed clams, or chilled shrimp salad and you won't be disappointed.

 

score: 91

price : $13 - $17

Norm

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AVAILABLE ONLINE AT:

Pine Island Eagle.com

ALSO AVAILABLE at: Dunwoody Patch

Dunwoody, GA Patch

Wine - God's Proof of his Love for Humanity

2020 Gnarly Head Old Vine Zinfandel

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

2020 Gnarly Head Old Vine Zinfandel

#18-2023

Just enough time left before Memorial Day for you to get to the store and pickup a bottle of 2020 Gnarly Head Old Vine Zinfandel for your first big cook-out weekend.  Whether it is ribs, barbeque chicken, or hamburgers, this rich and jammy Zinfandel goes well with all of these and then some!

The wine is lip-smacking good with juicy blackberry and and other dark berries rushing for command of your tastebuds against the force of flavors found in spicy food.  The alcohol content is 14.5% and Norm's score is 89.

Great with all sorts of grill cooking, this hearty wine is also a good companion for a big platter of spaghetti. .

score: 89

price : $10 / #13

Norm

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normwine.blogspot.com

AVAILABLE ONLINE AT:

Pine Island Eagle.com

ALSO AVAILABLE at: Dunwoody Patch

Dunwoody, GA Patch

Wine - God's Proof of his Love for Humanity

2019 Simi Russian River Reserve Pinot Noir

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

2019 Simi Russian River Reserve Pinot Noir

#17-2023

The Pinot Noirs from the Russian River Valley of Sonoma County, California have become high on my list for preferable red table wines.  It seems that you just can't find one which isn't at least above average, if not far better.

The Simi Russian River has an inviting nose, which leads you to flavors of plum, black cherry, and a splash of strawberry.  It is a complex, yet smooth sensation on the palate, which has a lingering finish with soft notes of oak.  The alcohol content is 14.5% and Norm's score is 90.

Great  with steaks or salmon, we enjoyed ours with friends after dinner along with just a bit of dark chocolate, which brought an enjoyable evening to a pleasant close!

score: 90

price : $38 - $43

Norm

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normwine.blogspot.com

AVAILABLE ONLINE AT:

Pine Island Eagle.com

ALSO AVAILABLE at: Dunwoody Patch

Dunwoody, GA Patch

Wine - God's Proof of his Love for Humanity

2021 The Four Graces Willamette Valley Pinot Gris

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

2021 The Four Graces Willamette Valley Pinot Gris

#16-2023

One of the delights associated with Pinot Gris is that it is a great food wine which also is good as a refreshing summer time beverage, or a glass with a good book.  The Four Graces from Willamette Valley stands out in a crowd or by itself, and is a wonderful social companion for gatherings of friends!

This is a wine with pizazz which is as clean and bright as a cloudless night.  The flavor spectrum encompasses tropical fruit, melon and Meyer lemon.  The crisp finish lingers on the palate and begs for another sip!  The alcohol content is 13.5% and Norm's score is 91.

Great as a companion for summer salads, or chilled seafood, it is one to open for friends when all you want is a good back porch sipper!

score: 91

price : $17 - $21

Norm

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normwine.blogspot.com

AVAILABLE ONLINE AT:

Pine Island Eagle.com

ALSO AVAILABLE at: Dunwoody Patch

Dunwoody, GA Patch

Wine - God's Proof of his Love for Humanity

2020 Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells Cabernet Sauvignon

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

2020 Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells Cabernet Sauvignon

#15-2023

This is one I have written about in the past, and it has always been a good choice, especially for steak.  The 2020 Indian Wells Cab from Chateau Ste. Michelle once again proves to be a winner!  It is hard to find good Cabs for less than twenty dollars, which makes it even better.

This is a rich jammy wine, with a nose as big as the great outdoors, and a flavor spectrum which begs for another sip!  The predominate flavors are dark cherry and currant, with a little plum in the background. The alcohol content is 14.5% and Norm's score is 89.

Its the time of year to fire up the grill, so try this Cab with a Slab this weekend!

 

score: 89

price : $15 - $19

Norm

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AVAILABLE ONLINE AT:

Pine Island Eagle.com

ALSO AVAILABLE at: Dunwoody Patch

Dunwoody, GA Patch

Wine - God's Proof of his Love for Humanity

2022 Acrobat Pinot Grigio

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

2022 Acrobat Pinot Grigio

#14-2023

Some years back, I wrote about the Acrobat Pinot Gris which was at the time being produced by the folks at King Estates in Oregon.  A short while later the label was sold and the wine became Pinot Grigio by Acrobat,  Same vineyards, same excellent offering, which I have recently sampled and was once again, very pleased by this simple, yet elegant wine!

The Acrobat opens with a flowery bouquet backed by a citrus breeze and the hint of melon.  The abundant flavors contain green apple, Bartlett pear, and a touch of the melon. The finish is clean and crisp and requests an encore.  The alcohol content is 13% and Norm's score is 90.

Enjoy the Acrobat with with shrimp and pasta, or it would also be a fine companion for almost any summer salad!  We had ours with ham for our Easter Dinner.

score: 90

price : $12 - $17

Norm

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AVAILABLE ONLINE AT:

Pine Island Eagle.com

ALSO AVAILABLE at: Dunwoody Patch

Dunwoody, GA Patch

Wine - God's Proof of his Love for Humanity

2018 E. Guigal Cotes du Rhone Rouge

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

2018 E. Guigal Cotes du Rhone Rouge

#13-2023

For many years I have considered the wines from Cotes du Rhone to be one of the best values for red wine in the market place.  E, Guigal has also been a leader in their offerings from this esteemed region.  The 2018 Cotes du Rhone from Guigal exemplifies this heritage.  From steak to stew, you can't go wrong with this one!

This is a hearty red with good color and a pleasing fragrance.  It smacks of black plum and red berries, and a finish which begs for another sip.  The alcohol content is 13.5% and Norm's score is 91.  Considering its price range, perhaps this wine should be rated at 95!

This is a great choice for steak or any other grilled meat.  It is also a first choice for Hungarian Goulash, or any other hearty stew, even seafood chowders like Cioppino. 

score: 91

price : $14 - $19

Norm

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normwine.blogspot.com

AVAILABLE ONLINE AT:

Pine Island Eagle.com

ALSO AVAILABLE at: Dunwoody Patch

Dunwoody, GA Patch

Wine - God's Proof of his Love for Humanity