Norm's Tasting Notes

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2014 Chateau Ste. Michelle Columbia Valley Chardonnay

#nb-16-16

We had a fabulous dinner the other night with fresh stone crab claws accompanied by a bottle of Chateau Ste. Michelle Chardonnay from the state of Washington. This is not our first memorable dining experience with Chateau Ste. Michelle, which is one of those

wineries which manages to be consistently good year after year.

The 2014 Chardonnay opens with a delicate, yet fragrant, nose suggesting a floral bouquet highlighted by whiffs of tropical fruit. This is a well balanced, refined wine with notes of apple and pineapple which are ripe and juicy, but not over-stated. There is a smooth mouth-feel with a slight buttery presence which drifts off into a crisp finish with just a tiny kiss of oak. Norm's score is 89.

The wine was perfect with the stone crab, and would also make a great companion for Fettuccini Alfredo, or Shrimp Scampi.

price : $10 - $14

score: 89

Norm

Available online at:

WINE – God’s Proof of his Love for Humanity

Friday, April 15, 2016

2014 San GiuseppePinot Grigio Valdadige

Norm's Tasting Notes

by: Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2014 San Giuseppe Pinot Grigio Valdadige

#nb-15-16

We sampled an interesting Pinot Grigio the other night from the Valdadige DOC located about sixty miles from Venice, and rated as one of the best Pinot Grigio growing areas in Italy. The 2014 San Giuseppe certainly lives up to the region's reputation.

The wine opens with a fragrant floral nose which takes you into a garden of flavors showing pronounced pineapple and apple tones, with a silky mouth-feel and a clean, fresh delicate finish. The wine is a mild 12% alcohol content, and has a lingering, refreshing aftertaste which requests further attention. Norm's score is 88.

We enjoyed the San Giuseppe with fresh sea trout and home-made coleslaw which made a wonderful warm weather dinner.

price : $10 - $14

score: 88

Norm

Available online at:

WINE – God’s Proof of his Love for Humanity

Friday, April 8, 2016

2014 Concha y Toro Casillero del Diablo Carmenere

Norm's Tasting Notes

by: Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2014 Concha y Toro Casillero del Diablo Carmenere

#nb-14-16

We have been enjoying the wines from Chile's Concha y Toro for several decades, and the Casillero del Diablo label for at least the last ten years. I like wine made from Bordeaux grapes, and the Carmenere, first cousin to Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot, is sometimes known as the "lost grape from Bordeaux", and has become a personal favorite.

The nose broadcasts and array of aromas ranging from plum to dark spicy berries. The flavor is both bold and eloquent and provides a taste sensation of blueberry and blackberry wrapped around layers of chocolate and toasty tannins which flow into a rich mellow finish, which begs for another sip. Norm's score is 89.

This is a quality bottle of wine in a value price range, which shoulders its way past many contenders which just don't measure up to its level of excellence. We paired his wine with Chicken Parmesan, but it would also be great with steak.

price : $10 - $14

score: 89

Norm

Available online at:

WINE – God’s Proof of his Love for Humanity

Friday, April 1, 2016

2011 Cakebread Cabernet Sauvignon

Norm's Tasting Notes

by: Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2011 Cakebread Cabernet Sauvignon

#nb-13-16

We recently had old friends visit us at the "Little Cottage by the Sea" and brought us a wonderful present, a bottle of 2011 Cakebread Cabernet. Cakebread has been long time favorite, especially for special occasions, and there is nothing more special than a visit from old friends, so we sat down and enjoyed it together. All I can say is Wow!

This wine was mature for its age and opened with a distinguished nose of violets, cherry, and a whiff of chocolate. Like most Cakebread Cabs it contained a massive presentation of fruit highlighted by black cherry, blackberry and black raspberry. There was a slight presence of spicy currant which flowed into a mild and smooth finish with mellow tannins in the background. Norm's score is 91.

This Cakebread Cab would serve well with an array of grilled meats, or could be served as a compliment to itself as a stand-alone treasure.

price: $70 - $85

score - 91

Norm

Available online at:

WINE – God’s Proof of his Love for Humanity

Friday, March 25, 2016

2016 Easter Special

Norm's Tasting Notes

by: Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2016 Easter Special

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If you are having ham for Easter this year, you may be in a quandary as to the right choice in wine for this special dinner. My suggestion would be one of the choices below.

2014 Tavel Rose:

An intense nose with aromas of pureed strawberries and raspberries. A beautiful palate that is fresh tasting, delicious and perfectly balanced.

Wine & Spirits - "Firm and dense, this lives up to Tavel's reputation for lusty, full-bodied rosés. From 60-year-old vines in limestone-rich soils -- Mostly grenache with some cinsault, clairette and syrah, all vinified in cement tanks.” Score 90

2014 St. Supery Sauvignon Blanc:

Brilliant pale yellow hues are speared with youthful hints of green. Aromas are rich and enticing. Grapefruit, green lime, caper, and citrus tones couple with a vibrant note of lychee. Flavors present incredible intensity of grapefruit, lime and lemon zest, all with a subtle thread of fennel.

Wine & Spirits - "Succulent and round, this takes sauvignon's passion fruit flavors in a red-hued direction. Its full-on fruit has a musky edge, finishing clean." Score 92

2014 Ruffino Lumina Pinot Grigio:

Straw yellow in the glass. This wine shows notes of meadow flowers, pears, and golden apple. The bouquet is fresh and complex, showing refined notes of sage and mint accompanied by an elegant minerality typical of Pinot Grigio. Medium bodied, lively, and elegant. A touch of minerality lingers in the finish, with notes of lemon peel. Score 88

Norm

Available online at:

WINE – God’s Proof of his Love for Humanity

Friday, March 18, 2016

2012 Chateau Lestage Simon

Norm's Tasting Notes

by: Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2012 Chateau Lestage Simon

#nb-11-16

If you are a true red wine lover, then you have to open a bottle of Bordeaux every now and then to set next to a thick and juicy piece of beef, and enjoy one of life's best flavor combinations. In our case this past week, it was a Cru Bourgeois from the Haut Medoc, and a nice thick medium rare New York Strip. The wine was the 2012 Chateau Lestage Simon, and the combination was a flavor extravaganza.

The wine has a heady nose with notes of violets, cherries, and dark berries. The flavors were robust with pronounced black cherry and plum in the forefront, and undercurrents of black raspberry with a bit of tannin toward the end. The finish was lingering and had the ability to make one anticipate the net sip. The alcohol content is 13.5%, and Norm's score is 89.

Great with steak, this wine would pair well with a variety of foods, including Beef Stroganoff or Veal Parmesan.

price: $20 - $25

score - 89

Norm

Available online at:

WINE – God’s Proof of his Love for Humanity

Friday, March 11, 2016

2013 McManis Family Viognier

Norm's Tasting Notes

by: Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2013 McManis Family Vineyards Viognier

#nb-10-16

If you are looking for a refreshing, dry, yet different alternative to Chardonnay, you might enjoy a Viognier. The 2013 McManis Viognier would be a good place to start. The McManis family grew grapes in Central California for fifty tears before they started making wine back in 1990. Viognier has been one of their best offerings year after year for those seeking a decent dinner wine at an affordable price.

The 2013 McManis opens with a fragrant nose leaping out of the bottle with an abundant array of scents highlighted by pear and apricot. The flavors are enticing with heavy accents of vanilla and apricot, underscored by a dash of spice, and a bit of ripe peach. The wine was fermented in stainless steel accomplishing a clean and refreshing finish with no cloying after effects. It reminds me of a more spicy Chardonnay.

We opened a bottle of the 2013 Viognier as a companion for grilled salmon and it was a wonderful matchup. This wine would be great with most grilled or broiled fish, and would be excellent with most spicy Thai or Korean dishes. You might also enjoy it with Veal or Chicken Piccata. Norm's score is 89.

price: $9 - $12

score - 89

Norm

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