"Time off, or is it Time out?"

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

Time Off

July 15, 2024

Dear Readers and Friends,

After fifteen years of writing Norm's Tasting Notes, and reviewing more than 700 wines during that span, I have decided to take a break.  While this may lead to retirement, it also may not.  I have decided to take a few weeks and mull over the options available to me.  You may wish to review some of my past reviews over the years at my blogsite:

Norm's Tasting Notes

Norm's Tasting Notes

While the vintages may not be current, most of the wines are "Proven Winners" over the years and most current vintages would, for the most part, be good choices.

I will keep you posted as the future becomes more clear.  Thanks for all of the support over the years.

As Bogart said in one of the most memorable Toasts ever...

"Here's looking at you kid!"

Norm

normwine@bellsouth.net

Facebook/Norm's Tasting Notes

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

2022 Josh Cellars Merlot (Joseph Carr, Napa Valley)

 

Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2022 Josh Cellars Merlot (Joseph Carr, Napa Valley)

#28-2024

I like Merlot with steak almost as much as I like Cab.  So we paired a bottle of Josh Merlot with our medium rare fillet hot off the grill, and enhanced the meal with a salad made with fresh vine-ripe tomatoes from a nearby farm.  It was excellent! 

The nose on this Merlot suggests blackberries and sweet cherries, and the flavors affirm the aroma, with a touch of vanilla and a mellow finish.  The alcohol content is 13.5%, and Norm's score is 88.  

The Josh Merlot was a good choice for our fillet, and would be an excellent companion for almost anything coming off your summertime grill!

score: 88

price : $12 - $16

Norm

normwine@bellsouth.net

Facebook/Norm's Tasting Notes

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

2022 Ferrari-Carano Dry Sangiovese Rose (Sonoma County)

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2022 Ferrari-Carano Dry Sangiovese Rose (Sonoma County)

#27-2024

Happy Birthday America!  We celebrated the 4th with a traditional mid-day meal of Hot Dogs and Beer.  Our evening meal, however, was not quite as traditional, as we enjoyed Peel and Eat Shrimp with a tasty bottle of chilled Rose, which also was not traditional, since it was my first experience with a Rose made from the Italian Chianti grape, Sangiovese.  This one from Ferrari-Carano of Sonoma County, and I really liked it!

The wine is dark pink, with a fruit blossom aroma, which leaps from the bottle.  The flavors are soft but compelling with the essence of cherries, red raspberry and a whiff of orange peel, and maybe a hint of mellow apple.  The finish is bright and clean, and certainly begs for another sip!  The alcohol content is 13.9%. and Norm's score is 91.

This Sangiovese Rose was wonderful with the shrimp, but I can't wait for the weather to cool, so we can get it into the basket with the fried chicken and head for the Picnic Grounds!

score: 91

price : $16 - $22

Norm

normwine@bellsouth.net

Facebook/Norm's Tasting Notes

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

2021 R. Stuart & Co. Big Fire Pinot Noir

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2021 R. Stuart Big Fire Pinot Noir

#26-2024

In somewhat of a departure from our usual fare, we had a wonderful dinner the other night, consisting predominately of farm fresh vegetables.  There was squash, okra, corn, field peas, and tomatoes, all from a farm just a few miles from our home.  We added a homemade meatloaf, and some cornbread for quite a feast.  Our dessert was a gouda with brie cheese selection from a creamery in the southern part of Georgia.  Also included was a bottle of Oregon Willamette Valley Pinot Noir from R. Stuart & Co..  A night to remember!

The Big Fire Pinot Noir has lots of big, red fruit in the nose, with a touch of strawberry.  The flavors are mostly cherry and plum, with a lingering finish, which is both satisfying and seductive.  The alcohol content is 13.2%. and Norm's score is 89.

The Pinot Noir and delicious cheese from the Sweet Grass Dairy (Thomasville,Ga) was a fitting finish to a farm fresh dinner (Newman Farms, Thomaston,Ga).  I think you would also like the Big Fire Pinot Noir with grilled salmon.

score: 89

price : $19 - $25

Norm

normwine@bellsouth.net

Facebook/Norm's Tasting Notes

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

2022 Acrobat Willamette Valley Pinot Gris

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2022 Acrobat Willamette Valley Pinot Gris

#25-2024

The Chardonnay Queen prepared one of my favorites last night, Fettuccine Alfredo with bay scallops, along with a salad featuring fresh tomatoes from our garden.  We added a 2022 bottle of Acrobat Pinot Gris, and the feast was a delicious success!

The Acrobat opens with a flowery bouquet backed by a citrus breeze and the hint of melon.  The abundant flavors contain Bartlett pear, green apple, and a touch of the melon. The finish is clean and crisp and requests an encore.  The alcohol content is 13.5% and Norm's score is 89.

Enjoy the Acrobat with seafood and, or pasta, or it would also be a fine companion for almost any summer salad!  It is also a great addition to the picnic basket.

score: 89

price : $12 - $16

Norm

normwine@bellsouth.net

Facebook/Norm's Tasting Notes

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 Josh Cellars Bourbon Barrel Aged Reserve Zinfandel

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2020 Josh Cellars Bourbon Barrel Aged Reserve Zinfandel

#24-2024

Zinfandel is often paired with hamburgers or barbecue, and sometimes, pasta dishes.  Which is what we chose for our Macaroni, Beef and Sausage Casserole, with cheese and marinara sauce. The tangy and spicy Josh Cellars Zin was a great match for our taste- tingling casserole!

A powerful nose leads to rich, jammy flavors of blackberry and raspberry, with a touch of spice, backed by pungent undertones.  The lingering finish definitely compliments barbecue and other flavorful foods.  The alcohol content is 14.5%. and Norm's score is 88.

Wine reviewer Natalie Maclean, had this to say; "Aged in Bourban barrels and perfect to pair with smoky, sticky and saucy ribs from the BBQ."  So go ahead and get the grill ready, the 4th is just around the corner!

score: 88

price : $15 - $19

Norm

normwine@bellsouth.net

Facebook/Norm's Tasting Notes

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 J Lohr Los Osos (Paso Robles) Merlot

 Norm's Tasting Notes

by Norm Bentley

The North Georgia Wine Advisor

2020 J Lohr Los Osos (Paso Robles) Merlot

#23-2024

Often we have spaghetti for dinner.  However, occasionally we have "Spaghetti"!  The difference is, that sometimes we go "all-out" with the sauce and only use the finest ingredients.  When we have this "special" spaghetti, we like to have a better wine than usual, so the other night, we paired our Spaghetti with a bottle of J. Lohr Merlot which was just wonderful!

The wine is dark red in color, with a bright nose of black plum, cherry and blackberry.  The flavors swirl in the glass, with plum and black cherry being most evident.  This Merlot has some Malbec and Cabernet Franc in the blend to add earthy tones to its structure.  The finish has a lingering effect; with the alcohol content being 14.1%. and Norm's score is 90.

The J. Lohr Los Osos Merlot would be a great companion for anything requiring red wine, from Rack of Lamb to Spaghetti.

score: 90

price : $14 - $18

Norm

normwine@bellsouth.net

Facebook/Norm's Tasting Notes

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