2011 Franciscan Estate Napa Valley Chardonnay

Norm's Tasting Notes by:Norm Bentley North Georgia Wine Advisor normwine@bellsouth.net 2011 Franciscan Estate Napa Valley Chardonnay #nb-46-12   It is always pleasing to find a bottle of wine that tastes like it costs more than its actual retail price, and this was the case with the 2011 Franciscan Estate Napa Valley Chardonnay.  If you did not know better, you would think that this is a twenty dollar plus bottle of Chardonnay, when it can actually be purchased for around fifteen dollars. The nose is fresh with aromas of apple and melon which burst above the rim of the glass. The opening flavors are definitely Chardonnay with pronounced green apple, a nuance of pear, and a generous serving of ripe melon.  These flavors transcend into a big mouth-feel of creamy and buttery tones, wrapped up in a slight citrus breeze.  The finish is crisp with a nod toward the wine's barrel fermentation, and seven months of oak aging. This wine is in perfect harmony, with a pleasing balance between the fruit and acidity, and the mild oak undertones.  We enjoyed this wine with a chilled shellfish salad of lobster, shrimp, and king crab, which was magnificent with the Franciscan as a companion.  Norm's score is 91. Score: 91 Price: $13 - $18 Norm Norm's Tasting Notes can also be accessed at his Blog: http://normwine.blogspot.com/

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WINE - God's proof of his love for humanity

"2012 Christmas Special"

Norm's Tasting Notes
by:Norm Bentley
North Georgia Wine Advisor
normwine@bellsouth.net



Christmas Special
#nb-45-12


First let me say MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY DINING!...To make this happen you will need to make some good choices for your holiday meals. Below is a list of suggestions for which wines go best with which foods, that I put together several years ago. I hope this will help you with your holiday planning.

Grilled Steak or Beef Tenderloin - Cabernet Sauvignon
Lamb Chops or Pork Loin Chops - Merlot
Barbecued Ribs or Spaghetti - Zinfandel
Prime Rib or Roast Duck - Pinot Noir
Lobster, King Crab, Half Shell Oysters - Chardonnay
Oysters Rockefeller or Broiled Fish - Sauvignon Blanc
Shrimp Alfredo or Clams Marinara - Pinot Grigio
Baked Fish, Poached Flounder - Riesling or Pinot Grigio
Cornish Game Hens - Chardonnay or Pinot Noir
Grilled or Baked Salmon - Chardonnay, or Pinot Noir

The following is a top ten list of some of the wines that I have written about earlier this year, which I would recommend as good choices for some of the above.

2009 Francis Coppola Director's Cabernet Sauvignon - 91 score
2007 Barba Vignafranca Momtepulciano - 92 score
2010 Chateau Ste. Michelle Chardonnay - 90 score
2010 Robert Mondavi Carneros Pinot Noir - 91 score
2009 Marques de Casa Concha Cabernet Sauvignon - 92 score
2009 Edna Valley Paragon Chardonnay - 90 score
2006 Three Sisters Cabernet Franc - 93 score
2005 Sargrantino di Montefalco Collepiano - 93 score
2010 Dry Creek Fume Blanc - 91 score
2009 Beringer Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon - 93 score

This year's Wild Card selection would be any vintage you can find of Rodney Strong
Russian River Chardonnay, which would be the pick from the "Chardonnay Queen" to
accompany her famous "Christmas Eve Seafood Salad".

Whatever special dinner or wine you enjoy this year, I hope you have a:

Merry Christmas  - Norm's Score - 100!

Norm

Norm's Tasting Notes can also be accessed at his Blog: http://normwine.blogspot.com/

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WINE - God's proof of his love for humanity

       

2010 Robert Mondavi Carneros Pinot Noir

Norm's Tasting Notes
by: Norm Bentley
North Georgia Wine Advisor
normwine@bellsouth.net





2010 Robert Mondavi Carneros Pinot Noir
#nb-44-12


Just in time for the holidays, especially if you intend to serve prime rib, or another beef dish during the season, the 2010 Robert Mondavi Caneros Pinot Noir is arriving in the nick of time! This is one really good bottle of Pinot Noir, and I hope you can get a bottle for your holiday feast!

We sampled a bottle last night with my famous Beef Bourguignon and all the "Chardonnay Queen" could say was, "I think we better write this one down"! That is high praise indeed. The nose leaps out of the glass and grabs your attention with an array of aromas, ranging from blackberry to plum. The flavors swirl, with an abundance of plum and blueberry, and a trailing hint of strawberry. The finish is long and clean, and makes an eloquent statement so smooth, that it denies an alcohol content of 14.8%,, which is normally a little high for a Pinot Noir.

Pinot Noir and Beef Burgundy are a natural, but not as much so, as when paired with my favorite, prime rib! This wine would also be an excellent companion for broiled salmon. Norm's score is 91.

Score: 91
Price: $24 - $28

Norm

Norm's Tasting Notes can also be accessed at his Blog: http://normwine.blogspot.com/

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WINE - God's proof of his love for humanity

2009 Liberty School Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon

Norm's Tasting Notes
by: Norm Bentley
North Georgia Wine Advisor
normwine@bellsouth.net






2009 Liberty School Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon
#nb-43-12


Located in Paso Robles, in San Louis Obispo County, California, the Hope family has been producing Liberty School wines since 1990. Paso Robles is a warm inland climate shielded from Pacific Ocean breezes by the coastal mountain ranges. The Liberty School wines have been consistent in quality for the last two decades and are marked by their traditional style, at a value price.

This is a re-taste of the 2009 Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon, and once again after more time in the bottle, I am going to raise my score from the previous sampling. I first tasted this wine in February of this year and scored it an 87, even though the "Wine Enthusiast" had rated it at 90. Today, after an additional ten months in the bottle, I am going to agree with that 90 rating.. In Feburary, this is what I had to say:

"The wine has abundant fruit which smacks of black currant and black cherries, which flow into a lengthy finish, showcasing sweet and mild tannins, which sail on into the night. The Liberty School Cabernet would pair well with any grilled meat, or would be excellent after dinner, with fruit and extra sharp Vermont white cheddar cheese!

Some ten months later, the wine shows much more complexity and depth. The black cherry flavor now dominates the taste, and the mild tannins now develop into a more pronounced vanilla oak finish. It is hard to beat time when it comes to bringing out the rich flavors in a hearty red wine. Usually three years of age is just the beginning for a good Cabernet, and most hit their peak at five to seven years old, if we could just wait!


Score: 90
Price: $16 - $20

Norm

Norm's Tasting Notes can also be accessed at his Blog: http://normwine.blogspot.com/

Norm's Tasting Notes available online at either:
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WINE - God's proof of his love for humanity



     

2012 Thanksgiving Special

Norm's Tasting Notes
by: Norm Bentley
North Georgia Wine Advisor
normwine@bellsouth.net





Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving Special


Thanksgiving is the one day of the year when people who do not normally drink wine have at least one glass with their traditional Thanksgiving Feast. If you are going to have a glass of wine only once per year, make it a good one, since it is a long time between now and the next Thanksgiving Dinner! It is always difficult to select the perfect wine for this occasion, because the table offers such an array of aromas and flavors, but there are a few guidelines which will make this dinner more memorable than ever.

Here are a few suggestions for the standard Thanksgiving Dinner. If you like Chardonnay, choose one which is not bone dry, but rather one with a strong fruit presence. This will serve well with the white meat turkey, which can sometimes be a little on the dry side. Sauvignon Blanc is also a good choice if you like dry white wine with your meal. If you like red wine with your meal, choose a lighter style Pinot Noir, or one of the softer Merlots. For myself, I always go for a German Riesling, or one of the good domestic ones from New York State, or Washington State. The fruity, but dry finish of a good Riesling is perfect for that dry white meat turkey, which did not turn out as juicy as you had hoped for. Italian Pinot Grigio would also be a good choice for the same reason.

There is only one rule to adhere to: "The best wine to serve is the one which you like best." However, be prepared to have something different for those whose tastes may differ from yours. Also, please don't forget to consume large quantities of water with the feast, as it compliments both the food and the wine, and aids in digestion.

Below is a list of wines which would be good choices for your Thanksgiving Dinner.

Rodney Strong Russian River Valley Reserve Chardonnay (California)
Chateau Ste. Michelle Columbia Valley Chardonnay (Washington)
St. Supery Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc (California)
Ferrari-Carano Sonoma Fume Blanc (California)
Kris Pinot Grigio (Italy)
Brotherhood Riesling (New York State)
La Crema Russian River Pinot Noir (California)
Three Sisters Cabernet Franc (Georgia)

I hope each and everyone of you has a happy and enjoyable Thanksgiving!

Score: 100
Price:- Priceless

Norm

Norm's Tasting Notes can also be accessed at his Blog: http://normwine.blogspot.com/

Norm's Tasting Notes available online at either:
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WINE - God's proof of his love for humanity

2009 Ruffino Il Ducale Tuscana

Norm's Tasting Notes
by: Norm Bentley
North Georgia Wine Advisor
normwine@bellsouth.net





2009 Ruffino Il Ducale Tuscana IGT
#nb-41-12


First let me say that my love affair with Ruffino wines goes back to my childhood days in Napa. Second, let me say that I have been in love with Sangiovese since my first glass of Chianti with a plate of spaghetti at age ten. And, finally let me confess that the wines from Tuscany rival my favorites from anywhere in the world. With all of that said, I must tell you that the 2009 Ruffino Il Ducale Tuscana IGT is just one more addition to my list of praise worthy wines from Ruffino. Labeled by some a Super Tuscan, this is a blend of 60% Sangiovese, 20% Merlot, and 20% Syrah, and is almost too good for a plate of spaghetti, but not quite.

Of course when you are talking about my homemade marinara sauce, you are not just talking about a plain old plate of spaghetti. It takes a sturdy bottle of wine to stand up to all that tomato and garlic, and this one does the job. The nose is bright and clear and suggests cassis and spice. The flavors highlight cherry and a tinge of dark berry jam. The finish is spicy with a hint of pepper from the Syrah, and just enough acidity to cut through the tomato sauce.

While I don't know why you would not like this bottle of wine with spaghetti, you might like it even better with eggplant parmesan. Norm's score is 90.

Score: 90
Price: $16 - $20

Norm

Norm's Tasting Notes can also be accessed at his Blog: http://normwine.blogspot.com/

Norm's Tasting Notes available online at either:
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WINE - God's proof of his love for humanity

2010 Wild Horse Central Coast Merlot

Norm's Tasting Notes
by: Norm Bentley
North Georgia Wine Advisor
normwine@bellsouth.net




2010 Wild Horse Central Coast Merlot
#nb-40-12


The 2010 Wild Horse Merlot formerly know as Paso Robles Merlot, now goes by the label Wild Horse Central Coast Merlot. Since 90% of the grapes in this new vintage were grown in Paso Robles, one might ask, "so what's in a name?" Not much more than a broader horizon. The Wild Horse Merlot has always been a good solid bottle of wine, and this one is no exception, and since it is 90% the same, then you might say it is just about the same wine. The only difference I noticed, was a touch on the lighter side.

At two years old "The Wine Spectator" scored the 2006 Wild Horse Merlot an 85 with the following comments; "Ripe and zesty, with plum and roasted herb aromas and red currant and exotic Asian spice flavors. Drink now." A lot of you did. However I tasted a 2006 vintage in 2010, and had the following to say:

"We just had a bottle last night with some wonderful Beef Stroganoff, and my score would be a 90 at this point in its life. It is dark red in color with a nose of black cherry and currant. The flavors are complex with maturity, but have not lost any of their bright fruit zest. The combination of cherry and cassis swril together with the slight presence of spice, and flow into a well rounded finish of mild toasty tannin. So often we consume wine at too early an age, but four years old may be the perfect place in time to enjoy this Merlot."

The flavors are still pretty much the same in the current vintage, with a lot of cherry and dark berries, and the finish is a mellow toasty oak, after fourteen months in the barrel. We enjoyed a bottle of the 2010 Wild Horse Merlot the other night with a two inch thick, medium rare, New York strip, and it was quite good, but I couldn't help thinking what it would be like in two more years. Norm's score now is 87, but it might be higher in two years, if you can wait..

Score: 87
Price: $16 - $19


Norm

Norm's Tasting Notes can also be accessed at his Blog: http://normwine.blogspot.com/

Norm's Tasting Notes available online at either:
dawsontimes.com
cumminghome.com
pineisland-eagle.com







WINE - God's proof of his love for humanity