2018 Gary Farrell Russian River Selection Chardonnay

2018 Gary Farrell Russian River Selection Chardonnay

#53-2020

The 2018 Russian River Chardonnay from Gary Farrell, might be called a "cross-breed" in that it seems to share some of the characteristics of both a Northern California Chardonnay, as well as some attributes normally associated with French White Burgundies.  It does not have the big fruit of a lot of California wines, nor does it have the more austere qualities usually found in the big white Burgundies.  However, it does have good fruit mixed with a somewhat mineral backed dryness.  It is both complex and classy.

The nose is bright and inviting with the scent of apples escorted by a slight citrus breeze.  The flavors are apple, pear, and a little vanilla, with a chalky, mineral background.  The finish is clean, and does not compete with the flavors of the food.  The alcohol content is 13.3%, and Norm's score is 90.

A bottle of Gary Farrell Chardonnay was a good companion for a dinner with friends, which featured bay scallops, combined with linguini and Alfredo Sauce.

score: 90

price: $28 - $35

Norm

Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

The Best of 2020

2020 Wines with a 90, or above, Score from Norm

2017 Rodney Strong Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon

2016 Louis Martini Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

2016 Sterling Napa Merlot

2017 Oak Farm Lodi Zinfandel

2016 Rodney Strong Russian River Pinot Noir

2018 Cakebread Napa Valley Chardonnay

2018 Landmark Overlook Chardonnay

2018 Fritz Zimmer Piesporter Goldtropfchen Spatlese

2018 Cline North Coast Viognier

2018 Honig Sauvignon Blanc

2017 Joel Gott Oregon Pinot Gris

2016 Ruffino Modus Toscana

2016 Francis Ford Coppola Black Label Claret

2019 Ferrari Carano Fume Blanc

2019 J Vineyards California Pinot Gris

2018 Napa Cellars Napa Valley Chardonnay

2016 Rodney Strong Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

2018 Coppola Director's Cut Cabernet Sauvignon

" i hope all of your holidays are wonderful!"

Norm

Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

Norm's favorite above 90 score for the year 2020

Of all the wines that I reviewed in 2020, which received a score of 90 or above, this one was my favorite.

I have always liked a Slab and a Cab, plus this one is a sentimental favorite.

2016 Louis Martini Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

#20-2020

In the late 1970's, I spent the better part of a year in Northern California, and one of my most pleasant memories was going to the Safeway with a five dollar bill and coming home with an eight ounce fillet and a bottle of Louis Martini Napa Cab.  Man, those were the days!  The 2016 Louis Martini Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon might be a tad better, and it is definitely a tad more expensive, but it is a high quality Napa Cab, and still great with a juicy, thick fillet!

This is a big, bold, and yet sophisticated California Cab with a rich heritage, and a rich taste to match.  The flavors are black currant and dark cherry, with a bit of spice mixed in.  The oak gives it a long and luxurious finish which sails off into the night.  The alcohol content is 15.1%, and Norm's score is 92.

A bottle of Louis Martini Cab and a fat steak are a good reminder of the good old days in the Northern California Wine Country!

score: 92

price: $32 - $37

Norm

Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

The Chardonnay Queen's Favorite for 2020

This is the Chardonnay Queen's favorite wine, of those  reviewed by Norm in 2020.

Of course, its a Chardonnay!

2018 Cakebread Napa Valley Chardonnay

#23-2020

In my life there have been many great cooks, including my mother who became famous at the Church Suppers for her version of Chicken Divan, which she advertised as "Chicken Divine".  For our Wedding Anniversary, another great cook, The Chardonnay Queen, adapted this recipe for shrimp, and it became "Shrimp Divine".  For a divine dinner, we had to have a divine Chardonnay, so we chose a bottle of 2018 Cakebread Chardonnay, and the result was Heavenly!

This is a classic, old style California Chardonnay which does just about everything right, from the nose, to the balance between the fruit and acidity, and finishing with a crisp finish, which highlights the oak, without over-powering you with it.   The nose broadcasts its array of aromas throughout the room with the scent of a bushel of ripe apples.  The flavor is Granny Smith, with a sidecar of Bartlett Pear.  The finish has a bit of citrus breeze and a touch of toasty vanilla.  The alcohol content is 13.7%, and Norm's score is 92.

A bottle of Cakebread Napa Chardonnay, and a dish involving shrimp, which is called "Divine", can have no other effect than to create memories, as well as recall dreamy ones from the past!

score: 92

price: $37 - $43

Norm

Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

2019 Ferrari Carano Fume Blanc

2019 Ferrari Carano Fume Blanc

#49-2020

The first time I remember seeing a wine get a perfect score of 100, was back in the eighties, and it was Ferrari Carano Fume Blanc, on the cover of the The Wine Spectator.  The winery was new on the scene, and hit with full impact. We have enjoyed many bottles over the years, and this year, we chose the 2019 vintage to pair with the magnificent 

Thanksgiving Day Feast prepared by the Chardonnay Queen.

This wine has a floral nose, accompanied by a slight kiss of citrus.  The flavors are big and juicy, with suggestions of stone fruit, melon, and green apple, with a touch of citrus.  The finish is crisp and clean, and begs for another sip!  The wine is 100% Sauvignon Blanc, and has an alcohol content is 13.8%.  Norm's score is 91.

We had Cornish Game Hen for Thanksgiving this year and the Ferrari Carano Fume Blanc was a great companion.  I also know from past experience, that this wine will also pair well with Shrimp or Crab.

score: 91

price: $12 - $16

Norm

Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

2019 J Vineyards California Pinto Gris

2019 J Vineyards California Pinot Gris

#48-2020

We sampled a bottle of the J Pinot Gris the other night with grilled salmon and a few pieces of sushi, and it was a great combination.  J Vineyards has been producing some good wines for a few decades now, and this is another fine example of their skill!

The nose is full of tropical fruit with a slight citrus breeze wafting through.  The flavors are a mix of pineapple, peach and lemon zest, with a touch of spicy mineral at the end.  The finish is clean and crisp with the taste of tropical fruit lingering on the palate.  The alcohol content is 13.6%, and Norm's score is 90.

The J Pinot Gris was a great pair for our sushi and salmon, and would make a good companion for almost any seafood dish.  If you like Pinot Grigio, you will enjoy this one!

score: 90

price: $14 - $18

Norm

Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

2016 Edna Valley Central Coast Cabernet Sauvignon

2016 Edna Valley Central Coast Cabernet Sauvignon

#47-2020

We had a bottle of the 2016 Edna Valley Cab the other night with our thick grilled rib eye steak, and it was most enjoyable.  Of course, I do enjoy a Slab and a Cab!

The nose is delightful with a mix of blueberry and cherries.  The flavors swirl in the glass with cassis, cherry, and a little plum.  The wine is full and rich, and has a lingering finish.   The alcohol content is 13.9%, and Norm's score is 89.

A bottle of Edna Valley Central Coast Cabernet Sauvignon would be a good companion for a variety of foods, so if steak is not your choice, try it with veal, or even duck.

score: 89

price: $12 - $17

Norm

Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity