2012 Carneros Highway Chardonnay

Norm's Tasting Notes

 

By: Norm Bentley

North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

 

 

 

 

 

 

2012 Carneros Highway Chardonnay

#nb-28-13

 

 

 

 

The Carneros region in southern Napa and Sonoma Counties has long been famous as an excellent growing area for the Chardonnay grape.  We recently had the chance to sample a Chardonnay from that heralded district, from a relatively new winery, whose wine maker comes with a name long heralded in the California wine industry.  Michael Sebastiani  has been making wine at the Highway 12 Winery since 2003, and we were pleased to taste the 2012 Carneros Highway Chardonnay, which is one of their latest offerings.

 

 

This Chardonnay is a little different in that the initial taste is best described as lemony.  Now, I do not mean a tart lemon flavor, nor is it sweet like lemonade, but it is lemony, and combines well with the additional presence of tropical fruit.  The wine is crisp and clean with a lingering finish, which mingles in the flavors of apple and a hint of peach.  It is pleasant, and is very food-friendly.

 

 

We enjoyed the Carneros Highway Chardonnay with a spicy chicken dish flavored with onions and peppers, from the creative kitchen of Miss Mary, the "Chardonnay Queen", whose culinary expertise is well known throughout the land.  Norm's score is 88.

 

 

 

Score: 88

 

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:

http://cumminghome.com/

http://pineisland-eagle.com/

Also on "The Patch" at Oconee, Dunwoody and others:

oconee.patch.com/

WINE – God’s Proof of his love for humanity

2010 Los Vacos Grande Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Norm's Tasting Notes

 

By: Norm Bentley

North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2010 Los Vacos Grande Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

#nb-27-13

 

 

 

 

In 1988 the owners of the famous Lafite Rothschild Bordeaux Vineyards expanded their operations into Chile, with the acquisition of the Los Vacos Estate in the Colchagua Valley of Chile, which had been cultivated with grapes for over two centuries  The result is a stunning example of wine artistry exemplified by the 2010 Los Vacos Grande Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, whose under twenty dollar price tag strikes fear into the hearts of wine makers in Napa and Sonoma, whose creations cannot rival this offering in this price category

 

 

The wine is 75% Cabernet sauvignon, 10% Carmenere, 10% Syrah, and 5% Malbec, with an alcohol content of 14%.  The result is a wine with a rich aroma, and a mouth-feel of velvet, layered with an abundance of big juicy fruit.  The flavors are a perfect combination of cherry and plum, with an underscored presence of blackberry.  The finish is smooth and lingering.

 

 

We enjoyed this delightful Cab with a two inch thick fillet mignon, seared a perfect medium rare on the grill and accompanied by a garden salad and warm bread.  A perfect Saturday night dinner for the Chardonnay Queen and myself!  Norm's score is 92.

 

 

 

Score: 92

 

Price: $15 - $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:

http://cumminghome.com/

http://pineisland-eagle.com/

Also on "The Patch" at Oconee, Dunwoody and others:

oconee.patch.com/

WINE – God’s Proof of his love for humanity

2012 Waterstone Sauvignon Blanc

Norm's Tasting Notes

By: Norm Bentley

North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2012 Waterstone Sauvignon Blanc

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A few nights back the "Chardonnay Queen" prepared her famous Shrimp Scampi  for us, and we opened a bottle of the 2012 Waterstone Sauvignon Blanc from Napa Valley to further enhance this wonderful meal.  It was a good choice!  The Waterstone is actually a blend of 82% Sauvignon Blanc and 18% Semillon, which gives it a little of the character of a white Bordeaux.

 

The nose is refreshing with a suggestion of citrus and herbs.  On the palate the wine has the presence of apple, melon, and a little taste of lemon zest.  There is also a mild flirtation with grapefruit, without any tart undertones.  The finish is crisp and clean, with a hint of mineral in the background, but very little lingering aftertaste.  The alcohol content is 13.7%.

 

This wine would pair well with most seafood dishes, and would be a good accompaniment to most summer salads.  Norm's score is 87.

 

 

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:

http://cumminghome.com/

http://pineisland-eagle.com/

Also on "The Patch" at Oconee, Dunwoody and others:

oconee.patch.com/

WINE – God’s Proof of his love for humanity

2011 Edna Valley Sauvignon Blanc

Norm's Tasting Notes

By: Norm Bentley

North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

 

 

 

 

 

 

2011 Edna Valley Sauvignon Blanc

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We have enjoyed several vintages in the past, of Chardonnay from Edna Valley, but had never sampled their Sauvignon Blanc.  The 2011 Edna Valley Paragon Sauvignon Blanc from San Louis Obispo County, like its Chardonnay cousin, is a standout in the value priced category.  We opened a bottle the other night, with some friends, as a before dinner sipper.  It was delightful!

 

The Edna Valley is just a few miles inland from the Pacific, where it enjoys a long and cool growing season, due to almost nightly fog banks rolling in from the ocean, after mostly bright sunshiny days. Unlike Sauvignon Blancs from New Zealand, which display an abundance of grapefruit flavor, this California varietal has only a mild flirtation with that tart fruit.  The wine's flavor is highlighted by tropical fruit and a slight kiss of wet grass, and a well rounded melon appeal.  The result is a good balance between the fruit and acidity. The alcohol content is 13.9%

 

While we enjoyed the Edna Valley as a before dinner aperitif, it would pair well with most fowl or seafood dishes, including Fettuccini Alfredo.  It, of course, would be excellent as a "Back Porch Sipper"!  Norm's score is 88.

 

 

Score: 88

Price: $10 - $14

 

Norm

 

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

Norm’s Tasting Notes available online at either:

http://cumminghome.com/

http://dawsontimes.com/

http://pineisland-eagle.com/

Also on "The Patch" at Oconee, Dunwoody and others:

oconee.patch.com/

WINE – God’s Proof of his love for humanity

2011 William Hardy Shiraz

Norm's Tasting Notes

By: Norm Bentley

North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

 

 

 

2011 William Hardy Shiraz

#nb-24-13

 

 

We conjured up a beef kabob dish the other night featuring beef, pineapple, and sweet peppers on skewers, on the Barbie, covered in a spicy, hot and sweet, orange marinade. Of course, nothing goes better with "Meat on the Barbie", than a good Australian Shiraz. We took the opportunity to sample a bottle of 2011 William Hardy Shiraz from South Australia.

 

This Shiraz was great with our kabobs, as evidenced by the initial aroma of cherries and plums which leapt out of the bottle as soon as I pulled the cork. The nose was backed up by full-bodied flavors of both the plum and cherry, highlighted by a superb blackberry presence. The finish was mellow and well rounded, with a lingering hint of chocolate and spice. The alcohol content is 14.5%.

 

Whether with kabobs or any other grilled meat on the Barbie, you won't go wrong, adding a bottle of this "Aussie Red" to the fare. Norm's score is 89.

 

 

Score: 89

 

Price: $14 - $17

 

Norm

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

Norm’s Tasting Notes available online at either:

http://cumminghome.com/

http://dawsontimes.com/

http://pineisland-eagle.com/

Also on "The Patch" at Oconee, Dunwoody and others:

oconee.patch.com/

WINE – God’s Proof of his love for humanity

2011 Talbott "Sleepy Hollow Vineyard" Chardonnay

Norm's Tasting Notes

By: Norm Bentley

North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

 

 

 

 

2011 Talbott "Sleepy Hollow Vineyard" Chardonnay

#nb-22-13

 

 

The Talbott Sleepy Hollow Vineyard Chardonnay is made from estate grown grapes grown in the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, which runs down the western side of the Salinas Valley in Monterey. Ocean breezes from Monterey Bay produce a cooling effect which makes this a great growing area for Chardonnay with uniquely intense flavors. We sampled a bottle recently with spicy Chicken a l' Orange, and it was wonderful!

 

The nose is powerful with an array of scents, ranging from a bouquet of flowers, to a bowl of tropical fruit. The initial taste is almost overwhelming, with a contest between fresh tart pineapple and a crisp Granny Smith apple, enveloped in a cloud of citrus. The wine finishes with a touch of mellow oak and a slight steely nature, highlighted by a crisp acidity, which keeps the wine in perfect balance. The alcohol content is a sturdy, but pleasant 14.9%.

 

Whether a spicy dish, like our Chicken a l' Orange, or almost any other seafood or fowl dish, this Talbott Chardonnay will be a standout on any dinner table! Norm's score is 90.

 

 

Score: 90

Price: $28 - $33

 

Norm

 

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

Norm’s Tasting Notes available online at either:

http://cumminghome.com/

http://dawsontimes.com/

http://pineisland-eagle.com/

Also on "The Patch" at Oconee, Dunwoody and others:

oconee.patch.com/

WINE – God’s Proof of his love for humanity