2018 Bonterra Organic California Sauvignon Blanc

Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley 

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

normwine@charter.net

2018 Bonterra Organic California Sauvignon Blanc

#13-2020

The Chardonnay Queen really liked this organically grown Bonterra Sauvignon Blanc.  It is an excellent example of a California style Sauvignon Blanc.

The Bonterra has a bright nose with aromas of melon and citrus inviting you in for a taste.  The flavors are bountiful, with melon and tropical fruit mixed in with citrus and a little grassiness.  The finish is crisp and refreshing and begs for another sip!  The alcohol content is 13.3% and Norm's score is 91. 

This was a great choice for our Shrimp and Artichoke Casserole, served with steamed Jasmine Rice and a fresh garden salad.

score: 91

price: $11 - $15

Norm

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AVAILABLE ONLINE AT:

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ALSO AVAILABLE at: Dunwoody Patch

Dunwoody,Ga Patch

Wine - God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

2017 Oak Farm Lodi Zinfandel

Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley 

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

normwine@charter.net

2017 Oak Farm Lodi Zinfandel

#12-2020

The Zinfandel wines from Lodi, California ("Oh Lord, stuck in Lodi again!") (CCR) are establishing quite a reputation for hearty red wines in the world market place.  The 2017 Oak Farm Lodi Zinfandel is an excellent example of a big, bold and juicy Zin.

The nose reeks of fresh dark berries, supporting jammy flavors of the same dark fruit.  The blackberry and black raspberry flavors are dominate, but are surrounded by suggestions of a multitude of others, such as, cherries and spice.  The finish features a good backbone of tannins, and a taste which lingers on the palate.  The alcohol content is 15% and Norm's score is 90. 

This is a great choice for Italian fare, or any grilled meat, including barbecue.  One of the best choices might be Lamb Osso Bucco.

score: 90

price: $19 - $23

Norm

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normwine.blogspot.com

AVAILABLE ONLINE AT:

Pine Island Eagle.com

Cumming Home.com

Dawson Times.com

ALSO AVAILABLE at: Dunwoody Patch

Dunwoody,Ga Patch

Wine - God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

2019 Charles Krug Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc

Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley 

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

normwine@charter.net

2019 Charles Krug Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc

#11-2020

The wines from Charles Krug represent a long heritage of wine making consistency, and their Sauvignon Blanc has been a good choice for many years.  This one is stainless steel fermented, and is fresh and clean, with an appealing array of flavors.

The nose is fresh and fruity, and has the scent of peaches and melon, with a little grassiness in the air.  The flavors are succulent with peach, citrus, and melon being dominate against a background of minerality.  The fruit and acidity are in harmony and the finish is crisp and clean. The alcohol content is 13.4% and Norm's score is 89. 

The Chardonnay Queen and I enjoyed this wine on a chilly night alongside a steaming bowl of Seafood Bisque, paired with a fresh hot baguette.  However, the hot weather is just around the corner, when the best paring will be with a chilled Seafood Salad, and the same hot baguette.

score: 89

price: $15 - $18

Norm

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normwine.blogspot.com

AVAILABLE ONLINE AT:

Pine Island Eagle.com

Cumming Home.com

Dawson Times.com

ALSO AVAILABLE at: Dunwoody Patch

Dunwoody,Ga Patch

Wine - God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

2016 Rodney Strong Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley 

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

normwine@charter.net

2016 Rodney Strong Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

#10-2020

The wine from Russian River is usually quite good, and the Pinot Noir from Rodney Strong and that region have always been "winners".  The 2016 vintage is another example of good wine from good soil and climate, and is even better than the previous vintage, which was quite good.

The nose is fresh and pleasing like a basket of ripe fruit.  While cherry is the predominate flavor, there is a background of violets and spice, with a little raspberry as well.  The wine is rich and textured and leaves a lingering after-taste which begs for another sip.  The alcohol content is 14.5% and Norm's score is 91.

The 2016 Rodney Strong Pinot Noir is an excellent choice for most grilled meats, and would also pair well with prime rib, or cedar planked salmon. We enjoyed it before dinner with friends, and a wonderful four cheese pate prepared by the Chardonnay Queen.

score: 91

price: $18 - $21

Norm

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normwine.blogspot.com

AVAILABLE ONLINE AT:

Pine Island Eagle.com

Cumming Home.com

Dawson Times.com

ALSO AVAILABLE at: Dunwoody Patch

Dunwoody,Ga Patch

Wine - God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

2018 Franciscan Monterey and Napa County Chardonnay

Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley 

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

normwine@charter.net

2018 Franciscan Monterey and Napa County Chardonnay

#09-2020

The 2018 Franciscan Monterey and Napa County Chardonnay used to be called Franciscan Estate Chardonnay, causing the Chardonnay Queen to state, "what's the difference, it is still a really good bottle of wine!"

The Franciscan Chardonnay has a fragrant nose of tropical fruit, citrus, and green apple.  The flavors range from pear, to sweet apple, and then into a little lemon.  The wine is delicate, and yet, has great depth, leading to a hint of toasty oak in the finish.  This delicious wine simply begs for another sip!  The alcohol content is 13.5%, and Norm's score is 91.

We enjoyed the Franciscan with shrimp and cheese tortellini in a sauce featuring olive oil, basil and Parmesan cheese, placed alongside a steamed artichoke. 

score: 91

price: $13 - $17

Norm

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normwine.blogspot.com

AVAILABLE ONLINE AT:

Pine Island Eagle.com

Cumming Home.com

Dawson Times.com

ALSO AVAILABLE at: Dunwoody Patch

Dunwoody,Ga Patch

Wine - God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

2017 Stag's Leap Winery Napa Chardonnay

Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley 

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

normwine@charter.net

2017 Stag's Leap Winery Napa Chardonnay

#08-2020

Valentine's Day with the Chardonnay Queen, was of course, celebrated with a really good bottle of Chardonnay, and a wonderful dinner prepared by the Queen herself.  The entree was Lemon and Ginger Sea Scallops, and the wine was Stag's Leap Napa Chardonnay.  Almost Heaven, and we were not even near West Virginia, but rather in the middle of the Georgia ridge line of the Piedmont.  It still was as good as a "Rocky Mountain High"!

The Stag's Leap is a wonderful bottle of wine, with a nose as appealing as a Rocky Mountain meadow full of wild flowers.  The flavors are apple and pear, with just a wisp of honeysuckle, and a hint of citrus on the fringe.  There is a lingering kiss of oak, and a clean, crisp finish which sails off into the night.  The alcohol content is 13.5%, and Norm's score is 93.

If you don't like this one, then you just don't like Chardonnay.  It was great with the Queen's Scallops, and would pair well with just about any dish you might like with Chardonnay!

score: 93

price: $19 - $25

Norm

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normwine.blogspot.com

AVAILABLE ONLINE AT:

Pine Island Eagle.com

Cumming Home.com

Dawson Times.com

ALSO AVAILABLE at: Dunwoody Patch

Dunwoody,Ga Patch

Wine - God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

2017 La Crema Monterey Pinot Noir

Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley 

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

normwine@charter.net

2017 La Crema Monterey Pinot Noir

#07-2020

Twas the night before Valentine's Day, and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even my spouse.  There was me in my Chef's hat, with flour on my nose, and it was home-made Lasagna I sought to compose.  And, boy was it good, and so was the La Crema Pinot Noir we had to go along with it!

This a light and delicate Pinot Noir, but it stands up well to Italian pasta.  It has the scent of cherries and ripe plum, along with the taste of cherries and a little strawberry, attached to a background of raspberry.  Even though the wine is light, the finish is strong, with a lingering on the palate which begs for another sip.  The alcohol content is 13.5%, and Norm's score is 90.

This wine was great with the Lasagna, and would be most excellent with grilled salmon.

score: 90

price: $18 - $23

Norm

Facebook/Norm's Tasting Notes

normwine.blogspot.com

AVAILABLE ONLINE AT:

Pine Island Eagle.com

Cumming Home.com

Dawson Times.com

ALSO AVAILABLE at: Dunwoody Patch

Dunwoody,Ga Patch

Wine - God's Proof of His Love for Humanity