Norm's Tasting Notes

Norm’s Tasting Notes

By: Norm Bentley

North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

2011 Chateau St. Jean Sonoma Fume Blanc

#nb-04-14 

During the last few years I have sampled a lot of Sauvignon Blanc and Fume Blanc, which are the same wine with different names, but they are both made from the Sauvignon Blanc grape, which happens to be my favorite white wine.  Just as the names are different the taste of a lot of these wines can vary from grassy, to steely, to fruity, and as is the case in many from New Zealand, the taste of grapefruit.

The 2011 Chateau St. Jean Fume Blanc from Sonoma County, California is what I call a "tweener", as it is a little fruity, a little grassy and has a citrus breeze, but not quite grapefruit in flavor.  The nose is full of apples, peaches and citrus and opens into an array of flavors suggesting its multiple personalities.  This is a clean wine on the palate with a crisp citrus finish.  I have had many vintages of the St. Jean over the years, and while this is not the best ever, it is still a solid performer, and would be a good addition to any table.

This wine is delightful with soft cheeses and fresh fruit for an informal gathering.  For dinner fare, it would pair best with roasted herb chicken or poached flounder, and would be excellent with a fresh Cobb salad.  Norm's score is 87.

Score: 87

Price: $11-$16

Norm

Norm’s Tasting Notes can also be accessed at his blog: http://normwine.blogspot.com/

Norm’s Tasting Notes available online at either:

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http://cumminghome.com/

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Also on "The Patch" at Dunwoody, Buckhead, Sandy Springs, and others:

dunwoody.patch.com/‎

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