Norm's Tasting Notes

Friday, January 11, 2019

2015 Edna Valley Central Coast Merlot

by: Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

normwine@charter.net

2015 Edna Valley Central Coast Merlot

#02-19

I am always on the look-out for a good bottle of wine in the ten to fifteen dollar range, and I recently found one in the 2015 Edna Valley Central Coast Merlot. This is a good medium bodied red with big fruit, and a dry lingering after-taste.

The aroma is powerful, and reminds one of a big basket of ripe fruit. This is a big fruit wine with pronounced flavors of black cherry, blackberry, and a slight touch of raspberry. There are mild tannins leading to a dry finish, which lingers awaiting the next sip. The alcohol content is 13.9% and Norm's score is 88.

We enjoyed the Edna Valley Merlot with a thick medium rare New York strip and an avocado and tomato salad. This would also be a very good choice for Eggplant Parmesan.

score: 88

price: $11 - $16

Norm

https://www.facebook.com/NormsTastingNotes

http://normwine.blogspot.com/

https://twitter.com/normswine

Available online at:

http://pineisland-eagle.com/

http://cumminghome.com/

http://dawsontimes.com/

Also available at AOL's Dunwoody Patch:

Dunwoody, GA Patch

WINE – God’s Proof of his Love for Humanity

Friday, January 4, 2019

2015 La Crema Russian River Pinot Noir

Norm's Tasting Notes

by: Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

normwine@charter.net

2015 La Crema Russian River Pinot Noir

#01-19

This might be my favorite Pinot Noir in the under fifty dollar range, as I have enjoyed many superb vintages over the last two decades, and the 2015 vintage is simply delightful! We enjoyed a bottle with our Christmas Feast, which featured medium rare beef tenderloin.

The scent of fresh made jam wafts up from the bottle to add to the aroma of the Christmas Dinner table. The flavors are thick and juicy with a preponderance of cherry and strawberry. There is an undercurrent of plum and raspberry which lead to mild toasty oak tannins. The finish is powerful and long, and sails off into the night begging for another sip! The alcohol content is 14.5% and Norm's score is 92.

The wine was superb with our roasted tenderloin, but I have also enjoyed this wine with grilled salmon, and once with broiled cold water lobster tails. I don't think you can find a better Pinot Noir for under fifty dollars.

score: 92

price: $37 - $45

Norm

https://www.facebook.com/NormsTastingNotes

http://normwine.blogspot.com/

https://twitter.com/normswine

Available online at:

http://pineisland-eagle.com/

http://cumminghome.com/

http://dawsontimes.com/

Also available at AOL's Dunwoody Patch:

Dunwoody, GA Patch