2017 Casillero del Diablo Blended Red

Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

normwine@charter.net

2017 Casillero del Diablo Blended Red

#32-19

The secondary label for Concha y Toro, Casillero del Diablo, has been a consistent winner in the value priced red wine segment, and their new Blended Red is another good choice.  The wine is 70% Syrah and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, and is lush and juicy, and easy to drink.

The nose is persuasive with jammy notes of wild berry.  The taste is wild berry, predominately blackberry, with a little plum and a trace of cherry.  It has juicy fruit with a little dryness in the finish,

and is quite enjoyable.  The alcohol content is 13.5%, and Norm's score is 88.

We sampled this easy drinking red wine from Chile with a fat grilled pork loin chop, with a fresh squash casserole, and it was most pleasing.

score: 88

price: $9 - $12

Norm

www.facebook.com/Norm'sTastingNotes

www.normwine.blogspot.com/

Available online at:

Pine Island Eagle.com

Cumming Home.com

Dawson Times.com

Also Available at AOL”s Dunwoody Patch:

Dunwoody, GA Patch

WINE – God’s Proof of his Love for Humanity

2016 Murphy-Goode California Pinot Noir

Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

normwine@charter.net

2016 Murphy-Goode California Pinot Noir

#31-19

Trying to find a decent Pinot Noir for under twenty dollars these days can be somewhat challenging.  Trying to find a good one for less than fifteen dollars can be quite difficult.  I am pleased to say that the 2016 Murphy-Goode California Pinot Noir is, in fact, quite decent.  Most of the grapes are grown in coastal areas from Monterey on up to Mendocino.

This Pinot Noir has a pleasant nose with a whiff of strawberry leading the way.  The wine is a little light, but still displays a good flavor spectrum consisting of cherry, plum, and a trace of that strawberry found in the nose.  It has a little tannin and a clean finish.  The alcohol content is 13.5%, and Norm's score is 88.

We found this Pinot Noir to be just right for Coq-au-vin, not only paired up at the table, but we also used it to cook the chicken. Butter, garlic and wine. How can you go wrong?

score: 88

price: $12 - $17

Norm

www.facebook.com/Norm'sTastingNotes

www.normwine.blogspot.com/

Available online at:

Pine Island Eagle.com

Cumming Home.com

Dawson Times.com

Also Available at AOL”s Dunwoody Patch:

Dunwoody, GA Patch

WINE – God’s Proof of his Love for Humanity

2017 Acrobat Pinot Gris

Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

normwine@charter.net

2017 Acrobat Pinot Gris

#30-19

I first reviewed the 2013 Acrobat Pinot Gris back in 2015 when the label was a secondary one from King Estate in Oregon.  I liked the wine very much, and scored it a 92.  It has now come to my attention that the label is now a part of the Foley Family Wine Group.  So I decided that it was time to take another look at the Acrobat Pinot Gris, which is now the 2017 vintage.  This vintage has already received some pretty good reviews from publications much more prestigious than my own.

The wine opens with noticeable aromas of apples and stone fruit.  The flavors are apple and peach, with an over-riding presence of citrus, which is a little lime and a little grapefruit.  The finish is very crisp and clean, with little aftertaste.  The wine is not as powerful as the 2013 was, but it is still quite pleasant.  The alcohol content is 13.5%, and Norm's score is 87.  The Chardonnay Queen gave it an 88.

We had a fabulous dinner to go with this Pinot Gris, which was Mango Tango Shrimp, accompanied by an avocado salad.  The Mango Tango Shrimp was a homemade copy of one of our favorite Thai dishes, and was as good as the best restaurant!

score: 87

price: $11 - $15

Norm

www.facebook.com/Norm'sTastingNotes

www.normwine.blogspot.com/

Available online at:

Pine Island Eagle.com

Cumming Home.com

Dawson Times.com

Also Available at AOL”s Dunwoody Patch:

Dunwoody, GA Patch

WINE – God’s Proof of his Love for Humanity

2017 Josh Cellars California Merlot

Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

normwine@charter.net

2017 Josh Cellars Merlot

#29-19

Bright cherry red color and bright cherry red taste, makes this affordable California Merlot most enjoyable.  The 2017 Josh Cellars California Merlot is definitely a winner!  The blend is 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, and most of the grapes come from Sonoma and Mendocino Counties.

The nose is fragrant, with the aroma of a basket of freshly picked fruit.  The flavors are intertwined, but are mostly cherry and plum, with just a little red raspberry for character.  The finish is fresh and fruity, with a touch of oak to dry it out, as it lingers on the palate.  The alcohol content is 13.5%, and Norm's score is 89.

We enjoyed this California Merlot with a big plate of Fettuccine and Meatballs with Marinara Sauce, sided by a fresh avocado, tomato and romaine salad.

score: 89

price: $12 - $16

Norm

www.facebook.com/Norm'sTastingNotes

www.normwine.blogspot.com/

Available online at:

Pine Island Eagle.com

Cumming Home.com

Dawson Times.com

Also Available at AOL”s Dunwoody Patch:

Dunwoody, GA Patch

WINE – God’s Proof of his Love for Humanity