2021 Erath Oregon Pinot Noir

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

2021 Erath Oregon Pinot Noir

#39-2023

The Pinot Noir vineyards in Oregon have established themselves as a quality growing area producing good wine, and in the case of the 2021 Erath, an excellent value as well.  The climate and terrain are similar to France's Burgundy and the wines are also comparable.

The Erath has a fresh and fragrant nose, broadcasting the scents of plums and cherries.  The flavors are raspberry, cherry and a little strawberry.  There is a slight earthy flavor with a dust of cinnamon leading to a most pleasing finish.  The alcohol content is 13% and Norm's score is 89.

Great with salmon or prime rib, this wine would also be perfect for a big platter of soft cheeses and ripe fruit! 

score: 89

price : $15 - $19

Norm

Facebook/Norm's Tasting Notes

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 Rodney Strong Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

2019 Rodney Strong Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvginon

#38-2023

Fall is here, which means it is time for football, the World Series, and need I say it, a "Slab and a Cab".  I prefer a California Cab, and in this case, a one and a half inch Porterhouse steak from the grill, done a perfect medium rare.  The Cab is from the folks at Rodney Strong, and a great way to kick off the season!

This 2019 vintage from Sonoma County is big, bold and beautiful, and an excellent California Cab for under twenty dollars.  The nose is heady, with a berry patch appeal, and the flavors range from cherry to plum, with currant and spice in between.  The finish sails off into the night, with a lingering taste of delight.  The alcohol content is 14.5%, and Norm's score is 91.

A perfect wine for steak, all you need to go with this California Cab, is a hot grill and a nice thick Slab!

score: 91

price : $14 - $19

Norm

Facebook/Norm's Tasting Notes

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 Frei Brothers Russian River Valley Chardonnay

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

2021 Frei Brothers Russian River Valley Chardonnay

#37-2023

The Russian River Chardonnay from Frei Brothers, like most wine from Russian River, Sonoma County, California, is a real winner.  It is big, rich and full of bursting ripe fruit, which is suitable for a variety of dinner fare.

The flavors smack of green apple and ripe pear, with a citrus background, and a pleasing crisp finish.  There is also a touch of vanilla and butter, as you relax in its elegance.  The alcohol content is 13.9% and Norm's score is 89.

We sampled this lush Chardonnay with Jumbo "Shrimp from the Barbie", but the wine knows very little limit to its pairing with most seafood and fowl.

score: 89

price : $14 - $18

Norm

Facebook/Norm's Tasting Notes

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 E. Guigal Cotes du Rhone Rouge

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

2019 E. Guigal Cotes du Rhone Rouge

#36-2023

Once again the current vintage of Guigal Cotes du Rhone receives both critic's praise, as well as fan appreciation for its latest offering!  The 2019 vintage is an exceptional buy and a wonderful companion at the dinner table.  Its suits the palates of folks like the "California Cabernet Kid" as well as the "Chardonnay Queen!".

This mostly Syrah wine is a beautiful dark red in the glass, with a nose full of blackberries and cherries, which call all the hands in for supper.  This is a bold red which is kind in nature to a variety of foods, and offers up flavors of dark berries mixed with a little spice.  It has good balance, and a lingering finish which begs for another sip!  The alcohol content is 15% and Norm's score is 91.

We enjoyed our sample with medium rare steak kabobs served with a fresh garden salad, bathed in an exquisite blue-veined cheese dressing.  This wonderful French wine would be an excellent choice for Bouillabaisse or Hungarian Goulash.

score: 91

price : $14 - $19

Norm

Facebook/Norm's Tasting Notes

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 Antinori Santa Cristina Toscana Rosso

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

2020 Antinori Santa Cristina Toscana Rosso

#35-2023

The House of Antinori has been making wine in Italy since 1385, and produces some of the best, and most expensive wines from the country, known for both its history and its wine.  Some years back. Antinori introduced the Santa Cristina label, which showcases wines in the value price category.  The ones which I have sampled in the past have been among the best in that category.

The wine is dark red in color with a nose full of cherries and dark berries..  The flavor is both subtle and complex, with generous helpings of blackberry, black cherries, and a hint of strawberry.  The finish is mellow and smooth, with a modest amount of tannin toward the end.  The alcohol content is 12.5%, and Norm's score is 89.

This wine is an excellent choice for weekday pasta, or weekend steak.  It would also be a great companion for Cioppino.

score: 89

price : $12 - $16

Norm

Facebook/Norm's Tasting Notes. 

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 J Vineyards California Pinot Gris

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

2020 J Vineyards California Pinot Gris

#34-2023

Labor Day Special!  Shrimp on the Barbie and a chilled glass of Pinot Grigio.  In this case the Pinot Grigio was the 2020 Pinot Gris from J Vineyards, with shrimp on skewers marinated in a Hawaiian style  sauce, and it was wonderful!

This Pinot Gris from J Vineyards is a little dryer in style than most other Pinot Grigio wines. The nose is bright and inviting, and the flavors range from apple to melon, with intermingled bits of peach and citrus leading to a crisp finish.  The alcohol content is 13.6% and Norm's score is 91.

This wine is versatile, and would be great in the dining room with lobster, or out on the porch with cheese and fruit.  As a refreshing summer beverage, it is a good "back porch sipper", or as we enjoyed it, with a platter of "Shrimp from the Barbie".

score: 91

price : $16 - $20

Norm

Facebook/Norm's Tasting Notes

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 J Lohr Riverstone Chardonnay

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

2021 J. Lohr Riverstone Chardonnay

#33-2023

Yet another good vintage for the 2021 J. Lohr Chardonnay, following a parade of good years for this Monterey, California Chardonnay!  This latest edition is once again, a real "winner" in the value priced category for California Chardonnay.

The is a hint of citrus in the nose, which leads to flavors of peach, apple; and perhaps a touch of Meyer Lemon.  There is a bit of vanilla, and a good acidic backbone, which lead to a pleasing and lingering finish.  The alcohol content is 14% and Norm's score is 90

This is a well-balanced Chardonnay which is a good companion for both fowl and seafood.  We enjoyed ours with a piece of grilled salmon and a fresh garden salad.

score: 90

price : $13 - $17

Norm

Facebook/Norm's Tasting Notes

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