Wine Review Procedures

FROM Norm:

 It has come to my attention, that there are increasing numbers of readers of this blog in Asia, and in particular, Singapore. 

Welcome!  All of the wines which I review may not be available in your market place, but most will be. 

Below is a short description of how I write my reviews: (Usually provided to wineries and PR firms)

Wine Review Procedures

My name is Norm Bentley.  I have been reviewing wine for over fifteen years.  Before that I spent more than twenty five years as a retail wine merchant.  During that time I served as a judge on numerous occasions at International Wine Festivals, as well as conducting both public, and private, wine tasting events.

I do not write negative reviews.  I use the 1 to 100 scoring scale, but do not write about wines which I judge to be a score of less than 85.  I receive samples from several dozen wineries, most of which are in California.  I also receive samples from ten or twelve PR firms both on the East and West Coasts, which represent wineries from all over the world.

I also purchase samples at retail wine outlets.  About half of the wines I write about are samples, and the other half from wines I have purchased.  I probably review about two thirds of the samples which I receive.

I normally write one review per week, which is usually released on Fridays.  I hope my methods meet with the expectations you seek for publicizing your products. 

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 Francis Ford Coppola Diamond Collection Merlot

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2021 Francis Ford Coppola Diamond Collection Merlot

#06-2024

Another story about a "Cab and a Slab"?  No, not this time.  This is a tale of a thick medium rare fillet and a California Merlot, which was not made for the movies, but was made by a winery owned by a famous movie-maker.  The Coppola Diamond Collection Merlot is worth talking about, especially as you are enjoying the thick, juicy steak it is paired with!

The nose is like a basket of dark berries, with a whiff of spicy overtones.  The dominate flavors are blackberry, plum, and black raspberry.  The texture is velvety, with a smooth mouth-feel, and a touch of earthy spice at the end.  The alcohol content is 13.5%, and Norm's score is 88.

For a real celebration, pair this one with rack of lamb, and set the controls for auto pilot.

score: 88

price : $14 - $18

Norm

normwine@bellsouth.net

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 Marcelo Pelleritti Signature Malbec

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2019 Marcelo Pelleritti Signature Malbec

#05-2024

Argentinian Malbec has been a favorite of mine for quite some time, so when I read a review of this one which said, "calling all Napa Cab lovers and Aussie Shiraz lovers, I knew it was probably right up my alley.  The 2019 Malbec from Marcelo Pelleritti, was not disappointing, but rather, went to the head of the class.  This is a high quality red for less that twenty bucks!

It has depth and character, with an enticing nose, and a huge burst of flavor featuring blueberry and black cherry.  The finish does not beg for another sip, but rather commands it!  The alcohol content is 14.8%. and Norm's score is 92.

You can serve this one with anything you might pair with red wine, including, but not limited to, grilled meats.  It is so good, you may want to just swill it down like grog!

score: 92

price : $15 - $20

Norm

normwine@bellsouth.net

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 Estates Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2021 J. Lohr Estates Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon

#04-2024

At the present time, Cabernet Sauvignon is the number one selling grape variety in the United States.  So, whether you are serving tenderloin or spaghetti, its good to have a good "go to Cab" available.  You can't go wrong with the J. Lohr Seven Oaks Cab, which year after year, is a winner!  This one; like many today is a blend, with 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Petite Sirah, 4% Petite Verdot, 3% Merlot, and 2 % Malbec.  A true Claret, or the more correct American term, "Meritage".

This is a bold, yet supple Cab, with a big nose and a complex, and supple flavor spectrum.  The concentration is blackberry and cassis, with a little black cherry, finishing with a lingering after-taste.  The alcohol content is 14%. and Norm's score is 89.

The choice of foods for this wonderful Cab is varied, but it can be enjoyed in almost any setting, including, just by itself!

score: 89

price : $15 - $19

Norm

normwine@bellsouth.net

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 Acacia Carneros Pinot Noir

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2020 Acacia Carneros Pinot Noir

#03-2024

Pinot Noir is always a good choice for Salmon or Prime Rib, and as we found out last night, does well with a Wednesday night plate of spaghetti.  Pinot Noir from Carneros has always been a good choice, and the 2020 vintage from Acacia proves the point.

The wine offers a fine balance between perfectly ripened big cherry flavor, and a polished and smooth finish.  This is an elegant Pinot Noir with complexity and character, which begs for another sip!  The alcohol content is 14.7%. and Norm's score is 89.

The Acacia Carneros Pinot Noir may be too good for Spaghetti, but then, that depends on how much you really like Spaghetti!

score: 89

price : $18 - $23

Norm

normwine@bellsouth.net

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 Chateau Ste. Michelle Canoe Ridge Estate Chardonnay

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2020 Chateau Ste. Michelle Canoe Ridge Estate Chardonnay

#02-2024

This delightful Chardonnay from Chateau Ste. Michelle was chosen by the "Chardonnay Queen", and it definitely gets her stamp of approval!  We enjoyed this bottle of Chardonnay from Washington state with a chilled seafood salad containing shrimp and lobster.

This is a well structured Chardonnay which is both mellow and crisp.  Its nose is apple and citrus, and the flavors range from apple, to tropical fruit with a touch of stone fruit and vanilla in the background    The alcohol content is 14.5%. and Norm's score is 91.

This one is ready for the starched white table cloth as a platform for Maine Lobster, or come spring, it would be a great addition to your picnic basket!

score: 91

price : $20 - $25

Norm

normwine@bellsouth.net

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

A Tale of Three Cabs

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

A Tale of Three Cabs

#01-2024

The Chardonnay Queen and I had the good fortune to sample three excellent Cabs during the holidays, and since I describe myself as the "California Cab Kid", I thought I would start the new year with a combined review of all three!

The Three Cabs:

2020 St. Francis Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon - price = $22 - score = 90

2019 Charles Krug Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon - price = $33 - score = 93

2015 Beringer Single Vineyard Chabot Cabernet Sauvignon - price = $64 - score = 94

All three of these wonderful California Cabs were paired with beef, both fillets, and roasted tenderloin.  They each contain the basic essence of cabernet with various mixtures of dark berries, plum, cherry, and cassis.  The emphasis of flavor varies somewhat with each having a stronger influence of one fruit over another.  The St. Francis is younger, and not quite as polished, but is an excellent choice in its price range.  The Charles Krug is the best overall choice, since it drinks well at the moment and will improve in the next few years.  My favorite though is the Beringer.  It is of course. older and more mellow in its character, and it also showcases a bit more of the black cherry flavor, which I like the best!  I also, am somewhat prejudiced, having a long history of enjoying wines from the Chabot vineyard.

You can't go wrong with any of these choices, so get yourself a thick medium rare piece of beef, and enjoy a "Cab and a Slab"!

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