Norm's Tasting Notes

Norm's Tasting Notes

By: Norm Bentley

North Georgia Wine Advisor

normwine@bellsouth.net

2011 Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Chardonnay

#nb-40-13

I have enjoyed Robert Mondavi wines for several decades now, and it was one of the highlights of my wine career to have met him some years back at a tasting function in Atlanta.  I am glad to see that the tradition continues in his absence, as is exemplified by this latest Chardonnay offering from the winery.

The 2011 Napa Valley Chardonnay is one of the better ones in several years, perhaps due to the long and cool growing season experienced in the Napa Valley during 2011.  The harvest was late, yielding some juicy fruit, which was pressed, and then aged for about ten months, with 75% in oak, and the balance in stainless steel.  The result is a well balanced wine with big fruit and a lean finish.

The nose contains the aromas of pear and melon, with a slight citrus breeze.  The flavors swirl with apple and spice, intermingled with a touch of vanilla oak.  The finish is long and clean, with a lingering taste of mineral and oak, attached to that slight citrus appeal.  The alcohol content is 13.5%.

This is a great wine for seafood, and has just the right amount of acidity to cut through heavy flavors laced with butter and garlic, like the "Chardonnay Queen's" "Famous Shrimp Scampi".  This would also be a good companion for lobster with drawn butter.   Norm's score is 90.

Score: 90

Price: $17 - $20

Norm

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

Norm’s Tasting Notes available online at either:

http://pineisland-eagle.com/

http://cumminghome.com/

http://dawsontimes.com/

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

dunwoody.patch.com/

WINE – God’s Proof of his love for humanity