2021 J. Lohr Estates Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2021 J. Lohr Estates Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon

#04-2024

At the present time, Cabernet Sauvignon is the number one selling grape variety in the United States.  So, whether you are serving tenderloin or spaghetti, its good to have a good "go to Cab" available.  You can't go wrong with the J. Lohr Seven Oaks Cab, which year after year, is a winner!  This one; like many today is a blend, with 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Petite Sirah, 4% Petite Verdot, 3% Merlot, and 2 % Malbec.  A true Claret, or the more correct American term, "Meritage".

This is a bold, yet supple Cab, with a big nose and a complex, and supple flavor spectrum.  The concentration is blackberry and cassis, with a little black cherry, finishing with a lingering after-taste.  The alcohol content is 14%. and Norm's score is 89.

The choice of foods for this wonderful Cab is varied, but it can be enjoyed in almost any setting, including, just by itself!

score: 89

price : $15 - $19

Norm

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2020 Acacia Carneros Pinot Noir

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2020 Acacia Carneros Pinot Noir

#03-2024

Pinot Noir is always a good choice for Salmon or Prime Rib, and as we found out last night, does well with a Wednesday night plate of spaghetti.  Pinot Noir from Carneros has always been a good choice, and the 2020 vintage from Acacia proves the point.

The wine offers a fine balance between perfectly ripened big cherry flavor, and a polished and smooth finish.  This is an elegant Pinot Noir with complexity and character, which begs for another sip!  The alcohol content is 14.7%. and Norm's score is 89.

The Acacia Carneros Pinot Noir may be too good for Spaghetti, but then, that depends on how much you really like Spaghetti!

score: 89

price : $18 - $23

Norm

normwine@bellsouth.net

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Wine - God's Proof of his Love for Humanity

2020 Chateau Ste. Michelle Canoe Ridge Estate Chardonnay

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2020 Chateau Ste. Michelle Canoe Ridge Estate Chardonnay

#02-2024

This delightful Chardonnay from Chateau Ste. Michelle was chosen by the "Chardonnay Queen", and it definitely gets her stamp of approval!  We enjoyed this bottle of Chardonnay from Washington state with a chilled seafood salad containing shrimp and lobster.

This is a well structured Chardonnay which is both mellow and crisp.  Its nose is apple and citrus, and the flavors range from apple, to tropical fruit with a touch of stone fruit and vanilla in the background    The alcohol content is 14.5%. and Norm's score is 91.

This one is ready for the starched white table cloth as a platform for Maine Lobster, or come spring, it would be a great addition to your picnic basket!

score: 91

price : $20 - $25

Norm

normwine@bellsouth.net

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A Tale of Three Cabs

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

A Tale of Three Cabs

#01-2024

The Chardonnay Queen and I had the good fortune to sample three excellent Cabs during the holidays, and since I describe myself as the "California Cab Kid", I thought I would start the new year with a combined review of all three!

The Three Cabs:

2020 St. Francis Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon - price = $22 - score = 90

2019 Charles Krug Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon - price = $33 - score = 93

2015 Beringer Single Vineyard Chabot Cabernet Sauvignon - price = $64 - score = 94

All three of these wonderful California Cabs were paired with beef, both fillets, and roasted tenderloin.  They each contain the basic essence of cabernet with various mixtures of dark berries, plum, cherry, and cassis.  The emphasis of flavor varies somewhat with each having a stronger influence of one fruit over another.  The St. Francis is younger, and not quite as polished, but is an excellent choice in its price range.  The Charles Krug is the best overall choice, since it drinks well at the moment and will improve in the next few years.  My favorite though is the Beringer.  It is of course. older and more mellow in its character, and it also showcases a bit more of the black cherry flavor, which I like the best!  I also, am somewhat prejudiced, having a long history of enjoying wines from the Chabot vineyard.

You can't go wrong with any of these choices, so get yourself a thick medium rare piece of beef, and enjoy a "Cab and a Slab"!

Norm

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2023 Year End Special

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

2023 Year End Special

#48-2023

It has been a long time since I have sampled a wine which I would rate as a 95 score, probably more than five years.  This year the Chardonnay Queen and I had just such an experience.  As a companion to our medium rare roasted tenderloin for Christmas dinner we indulged in her favorite red, Chateauneuf du Pape!  This was to be specific, Domaine Vielle Julienne Chateauneuf du Pape les Trois Sources 2020.  This one is a typical blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, and a couple of others.  It is a well structured wine which reeks of blackberries and cassis, with swirling flavors of black cherries and plums, with a spicy mineral finish.  To say that this one begs for another sip would be a gross understatement, when in fact, it demands it!  The alcohol content is 15%. and Norm's score is 95.  (prices range from $55 to $ 75)

Since it is almost New Year's, below are a few suggestions for sparkling wine

Louis Roederer "Collection 243" NV Champagne

Veuve Clicquot Brut Yellow Label NV Champagne

Schramsberg Blanc de Noirs 2020 Sparkling Wine

Moet $ Chandon White Star NV Champagne

Mumm Napa Brut Rose NV Sparkling Wine

Korbel Natural Brut NV Sparkling Wine

La Marca Prosecco NV Sparkling Wine

Happy New Year !

Norm

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Wine - God's Proof of his Love for Humanity

20232 Baker's Dozen

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

Baker's Dozen Top Wines for 2023

The following list contains thirteen wines which I scored 91 or above.

2020 Dry Creek Heritage Zinfandel - 91

2021 Decoy California Sauvignon Blanc – 91

2019 La Crema Russian River Valley Chardonnay – 92

2021 Ferrari-Carano Sonoma County Chardonnay – 91

2018 E. Guigal Cotes du Rhone Rouge – 91

2021 The Four Graces Willamette Valley Pinot Gris – 91

2018 Marques de Caceres Rioja Crianza – 91

2021 Chalk Hill Sonoma Coast Chardonnay – 92

2019 Rodney Strong Knights Valley Estates Cabernet Sauvignon – 91

2020 Predator Old Vine Zinfandel – 91

2019 Louis Latour Grand Ardeche Chardonnay – 92

2020 Fleur de Mer Rose – 91

2019 La Crema Russian River Pinot Noir - 92

score: 91+

price: $15 - $75

Merry Christmas ! And Happy New Year !

Norm

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2020 Fleur de Mer Rose

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

2020 Fleur de Mer Rose

#47-2023

Sometimes Rose is the perfect choice for a diverse dinner table.  We recently joined friends for a holiday dinner at a nice restaurant, where the entrees varied from shellfish to heavy salads.  Our choice of this French sweetheart was "spot-on" with the variety of presentations on our plates!  This "Flower of the Sea" was a real bouquet on our table.

The color is a pale, peachy pink, but the nose in anything but pale, with heady aromas of peach. wild flowers, and a mild citrus breeze.  The flavor spectrum is dominated with stone fruit, but has additional swirls of strawberry and watermelon.  The finish is crisp and lingering with a summons to hasten back for another renewal of the encounter!  The alcohol content is 13%. and Norm's score is 91.

In the summertime this French Rose would be the perfect companion for a picnic basket of cold fried chicken.  At the restaurant, try it with Shrimp Scampi or a chilled seafood salad.

score: 91

price : $16 - $20

Norm

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AVAILABLE ONLINE AT:

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ALSO AVAILABLE at: Dunwoody Patch

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Wine - God's Proof of his Love for Humanity