"Dining out these days"

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

About four years ago. I published the article below, and it seems to me that it needs to be said again. nb

2019 "Dining out these days"

Last week the Chardonnay Queen and I celebrated our wedding anniversary, and decided to have dinner at a really upscale restaurant to mark the occasion.  We chose a highly rated Italian restaurant for our big event, which was rated number one or two in the area, by Trip Adviser and several other rating services.  Now I have been enjoying fine dining establishments for many decades, and this occasion reminded me of the changes in the fine dining arena over the last ten or fifteen years.

Americans tip at about double the rate from what was normal in the seventies and eighties, and yet the service seems to have deteriorated at almost the same pace as the increase in gratuity.  In the eighties I managed a fine wine shop in an upscale part of town, and employed, part-time, two young men who worked as wait staff at the finest fish emporium in town.  These two worked hard at their job at the seafood restaurant and were always trying to increase their knowledge of food, wine, and especially service.  I was reminded the other night of how much times have changed.

The food we had for our anniversary was excellent, but the service was abysmal.  It was as though no time had been spent training the staff, from the maître's, to the server, to the wine server.  This is a restaurant where a couple can easily expect to run a tab of two hundred dollars or more.  The following is what I posted on Trip Adviser.

Review: Trip Adviser

"The food was very good although not a typical Italian menu. Neither the waiter nor the person who took drink orders, or the management person we spoke with had any knowledge of their wine list, even though the list was quite extensive and contained dozens of bottles at $100 to $300.  The (Cocktail Waitress?) asked me to spell the name of the wine I ordered and stated there was no wine steward, and that she had been on the job for less than two weeks. The management person also had no knowledge of the wine list.  

We had to ask the waiter to refill our water glasses, and he only filled the wine glasses once.  We were not even offered coffee or after dinner drinks.  Even though the food was quite good, I would probably not go back because of the poorly trained and un-coordinated staff. By the way, it was our anniversary."

Norm

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Wine - God's Proof of his Love for Humanity

2018 Marques de Caceres Rioja Crianza

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

2018 Marques de Caceres Rioja Crianza

#27-2023

The wines from Rioja Spain have been a longtime favorite of mine, and the 2018 vintage from Marques de Caceres is a great example of how good the Tempranillo grape can be in a dinner wine.

The nose is the essence of plum and blueberry, with a flavor spectrum ranging from plum to blackberry, with a background of cassis.  There is a lingering finish which compliments a wide range of foods  The alcohol content is 13.5% and Norm's score is 91.  This one definitely, "begs for another sip"!

Great with grilled meats and stews, we enjoyed our sample with beef kabobs, hot off of the grill!

score: 91

price : $12 - $17

Norm

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AVAILABLE ONLINE AT:

Pine Island Eagle.com

ALSO AVAILABLE at: Dunwoody Patch

Dunwoody, GA Patch

Wine - God's Proof of his Love for Humanity

2022 Charles Krug Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

2022 Charles Krug Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc

#25-2023

This is the perfect time of the year for grilled salmon and chilled white wine.  In this case, the salmon was steelhead, and the wine was Charles Krug Sauvignon Blanc.  If you like the kiss of grapefruit in your Sauvignon Blanc, then this would be a good choice for you.

In addition to grapefruit, there is the presence of lime with a little lemon zest, and the unusual background note of not-quite-ripe plum, which adds a good backbone to the finish, which lingers until the next sip.  The alcohol content is 12.8% and Norm's score is 88.

Hit the backyard and pair up some "Grilled and Chilled" for yourself!

score: 88

price : $15 - $20

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

2021 Emiliana Natura Malbec

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

2021 Emiliana Natura Malbec

#24-2023

Hot weather is here and the grill is hot, and the steaks are coming off hot and juicy, and medium rare.  All that needs to be added is a slightly cool bottle of red wine.  We tried the 2021 Natura Malbec from Chile, and it was just right!  Ah yes, "summertime and the living's easy",

The Naura Malbec from Chile's Rapel Valley is a dark red, juicy wine which smacks of black cherries and blackberries.  It is rich and complex with a dry, lingering finish.  It is also made from 100% organic fruit.  The alcohol content is 13.6% and Norm's score is 89.

Great with our thick and juicy fillet, it would also be a good choice for any other grilled meat or red sauced dish. 

score: 89

price : $11 - $15

Norm

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AVAILABLE ONLINE AT:

Pine Island Eagle.com

ALSO AVAILABLE at: Dunwoody Patch

Dunwoody, GA Patch

Wine - God's Proof of his Love for Humanity

2020 La Vieille Ferme Rouge

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

2020 La Vieille Ferme Rouge

#23-2023

A long time ago when I first got into the wine business, there was a quest to find the best "value" wines for our customers.  One of the best red wine values from back then was an inexpensive red blend from the Rhone region of France.  It is a blend of Syrah, Grenache and a couple of other grapes, and La Vieille Ferme Rouge today is still a "best buy" in the under ten dollar range.

It is a deep purplish-red in color, with an outstanding nose, and big flavors of ripe red fruit.  The flavors showcase dark cherries with some blackberry, and a background of earthy spice, leading to a pleasing finish.  The alcohol content is 13% and Norm's score is 88.

This red Rhone has been a consistent "winner" for many years, and we enjoyed our sampling with Beef Stroganoff over Jasmine rice, plated next to a fresh garden salad featuring tomatoes and avocado. 

score: 88

price : $9 - $11

Norm

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AVAILABLE ONLINE AT:

Pine Island Eagle.com

ALSO AVAILABLE at: Dunwoody Patch

Dunwoody, GA Patch

Wine - God's Proof of his Love for Humanity

2019 Knotty Vines Cabernet Sauvignon

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

2019 Knotty Vines Cabernet Sauvignon

#22-2023

This California Cab is a secondary label from the folks at Rodney Strong, and is a real winner in its price range.  In fact, I scored it a point or two higher because of its attractive price.  Good California Cabernet Sauvignons are hard to find in the below twenty dollar range, and certainly rare at fifteen or less.

This is a big, juicy Cab with a big nose, lots of flavor, and a satisfying finish.  The flavors range from black cherry to plum, with a little black raspberry and some spice mingled in.  There is a trace of oak in its lingering finish.  The alcohol content is 14.5% and Norm's score is 90.

Of course its good with steak, but it is also a good companion for Stroganoff, or a hearty stew.

score: 90

price : $11 - $15

Norm

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normwine.blogspot.com

AVAILABLE ONLINE AT:

Pine Island Eagle.com

ALSO AVAILABLE at: Dunwoody Patch

Dunwoody, GA Patch

Wine - God's Proof of his Love for Humanity

2020 Rodney Strong Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

2020 Rodney Strong Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

#21-2023

Opening a bottle of Rodney Strong Russian River Pinot Noir is a lot like sitting down with an old friend for a long chat.  You know each other well, but there are always a few pleasant surprises.  We have always enjoyed this old friend with salmon and grilled meats, however, this time we paired it with a special dish of meatloaf and spaghetti.  I also noticed a bit of plum in the wine which had not been there in the past.

Another good ending to another good meal!

The nose is bright and inviting, and the flavors showcase  black cherry, cranberry and a touch of the aforementioned plum.  The finish has a bit of spice, and an earthy quality to its lingering presence.  The alcohol content is 13.5% and Norm's score is 89.

Great choice for a Southern Favorite like Leftover Meatloaf over Spaghetti!

score: 89

price : $17 - $21

Norm

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normwine.blogspot.com

AVAILABLE ONLINE AT:

Pine Island Eagle.com

ALSO AVAILABLE at: Dunwoody Patch

Dunwoody, GA Patch

Wine - God's Proof of his Love for Humanity