2021 French Blue Bordeaux Rose

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

normwine@charter.net

2021 French Blue Bordeaux Rose

#48-2022

This Thanksgiving the Chardonnay Queen and I indulged ourselves with a Honey Baked Ham and a bottle of French Rose.  We of course had "all the fixings", and had a wonderful holiday feast!  Ham and Rose are a good pair.

This Rose from Bordeaux is mostly from Cabernet Franc grapes, with a splash of Merlot for character.  The wine is left on the skins of the red grapes for only a short time and has a beautiful deep pink color.  The aroma is fresh flowers and plums, with the flavors of cherry, currant, and red plum swirling in the glass.  The finish is clean with a lingering effect, calling for another sip.  The alcohol content is 12.5% and Norm's score is 89.

Great with ham, this Rose would also be a good companion for quiche at Sunday Brunch, with maybe a little smoked salmon on the side.

score: 89

price: $13 - $17

Norm

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Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

2020 Trapiche Oak Cask Malbec

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

normwine@charter.net

2020 Trapiche Oak Cask Malbec

#47-2022

Whether you are grilling meat on the grill, or preparing a hearty stew, you can't go wrong by pairing the meal with a bottle of Argentinian Malbec.  One which I have commented on several times in the past, and bring to your attention once again, is the Trapiche Oak Cask Malbec, this one, a 2020 vintage.  It remains as one of the best values in the market place for more than a decade now.  The current vintage is in the eleven to fifteen dollar range.

The flavors showcase black cherry, currants and a touch of plum, with an undertone of peppery spice.  The finish lingers on the palate, with mellow oak, and a complex and satisfying boldness which is just right.  The alcohol content is 13.5%, and Norm's score is 89.

If you would like another dinner suggestion rather that meat, try it with Eggplant Parmesan and Angel Hair Pasta.

score: 89

price: $11 - $15

Norm

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Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

2018 Beaulieu Vineyards Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

normwine@charter.net

2018 Beaulieu Vineyards Napa Cabernet Sauvignon

#46-2022

We had dinner with old friends recently, who not only prepared a great steak dinner, but also opened a really good Napa Cab to go with the fillets.  My love for BV wines goes back a long ways, and this 2018 Napa Cabernet Sauvignon certainly reminded me of the "Good Old Days"!  If memory serves me correctly, BV Cabs were also the favorite American wines of Queen Elizabeth.  I know that the Chardonnay Queen and I enjoyed this one!

I like the taste of cherry in a Cabernet, and this one has plenty, along with a little cassis, and a smattering of plum.  There is a nuance of mocha, along with a thin veil of sweet tannin, which sail off into the night on a ship of dreams finish.  The alcohol content is 14.7%, and Norm's score is 93.

We always enjoy dinner with friends, but when you add in a "Slab and a Cab", its hard to have a more enjoyable evening!

score: 93

price: $27 - $33

Norm

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Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

2020 J. Lohr Arroyo Secco Chardonnay

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

normwine@charter.net

2020 J. Lohr Arroyo Secco Chardonnay

#45-2022

It seems like year after year the folks at J. Lohr come up with a new vintage of Chardonnay which is anywhere from pretty decent to down right great.  The 2020 vintage rates a pretty darn good, and is an excellent buy in its price range!

The nose is fragrant with a hint of citrus in the breeze, which leads you to a rich, well balanced wine with great mouth-feel.  The flavor spectrum encompasses apple, pear, and stonefruit, with a lasting finish.  The alcohol content is 14%, and Norm's score is 90.

Enjoy the J. Lohr  Arroyo Secco Chardonnay with almost anything from seafood or fowl to Fettuccini Alfredo.

score: 90

price: $12 - $16

Norm

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Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

2020 Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells Chardonnay

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

normwine@charter.net

2020 Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells Chardonnay

#44-2022

The Indian Wells Chardonnay was a good choice for the wonderful Seafood Newburg prepared by the Chardonnay Queen the other night!  We have enjoyed previous vintages from this Chateau Ste. Michelle vineyard, and this one was also a winner.

Tropical fruit and vanilla scents lead to a creamy texture, and flavors of pineapple, apricot and a hint of apple.  The fruit and acidity are in harmony, and the finish is crisp.  The alcohol content is 14%, and Norm's score is 88.

We enjoyed the wine with our dish of shellfish in Newburg Sauce, and would also like this one with grilled salmon.

score: 88

price: $15 - $19

Norm

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ALSO AVAILABLE at: Dunwoody Patch

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Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

2020 Liberty School Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

normwine@charter.net

2020 Liberty School Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon

#43-2022

Fifteen dollars for a bottle of California Cab is a very good price, even if the grapes are from Paso Robles, instead of Napa or Sonoma.  I might also add, the the wines produced in Paso Robles get better every year.  Besides that, the folks from Liberty School know how to make a good bottle of wine, and they have been at it for a number of decades now.  Put me in coach, I'm ready to play!

This Cab has a pretty ruby red color and a fragrant nose, which leads to flavors of black cherry, plum and black currants.  There is a small presence of mild tannin and a finish which lingers on the palate until the next sip.  The alcohol content is 13.5%, and Norm's score is 88.

The Liberty School Cabernet is a good choice for grilled meats, and would make a good companion for lasagna as well.

score: 88

price: $13 - $18

Norm

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Wine – God's Proof of His Love for Humanity

2021 Josh Cellars California Rose

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

normwine@charter.net

2021 Josh Cellars California Rose

#42-2022

A good choice for a variety of fare from seafood chowder to chilled seafood salad, the Josh Cellars Rose makes a good companion for lots more than just fried chicken in the picnic basket.  But of course, its good for that as well!

This is a pretty pink wine with a fragrant nose, and compelling flavors of strawberry, nectarine, and white grapes. with a pleasing dry and crisp finish containing a hint of citrus,  The alcohol content is 12.5%, and Norm's score is 87.

I do enjoy chilled Rose with cold fried chicken, but the Josh Rose was quite tasty with our seafood chowder, which contained cod, shrimp, and scallops, along with okra, tomato, and parsnips. and of course saffron.

score: 87

price: $11 - $15

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