I love Norton wines. They have heart and complexity. They vary greatly from one vineyard to another. Some more full-bodied; some more spicy. Some with a smooth finish; some with an uncomfortably bite on the end. Dark cherry, berry tones, fruit forward, oakiness?
Where can I find a good Norton? I found one this weekend at Chaumette Winery in Ste. Gen. Made from a blend of 2008 and 2009 grapes, the Chaumette Norton has great body, flavor, and finish. Selling for $28.00 may seem a little pricy, but for this quality, I think it is a reasonable cost.
Where have you found a great Norton lately?
"Where can I find a good Norton?" After trying 113 different Norton wines (there are 246 Norton wineries in 23 states), I would suggest trying the varying tastes (as you stated) at such places in Missouri as Durso in Marqund, Westphalia in Westpahlia, Adam Puchta in Hermann, Blumenhof in Marthasville, Chandler Hill in Defiance, *Heinrichshous in St. James, Montelle in Augusta, River Ridge in Commerce, Robller in New Haven, Seven Springs in Linn Creek, and Stone Hill's Cross J Norton in Hermann. If you are on the road, the best by state would be White Oaks (AL); Mount Bethel (AR), Three Sisters (GA); Elk Creek (KY); Stone Mountain Cellars (PA); Century Farms (TN); Stone House Vineyards (TX); Cooper (consistently best Virginia Norton year in and year out), DuCard, and Chrysalis’ Locksley Reserve (if you are willing to put this $35 bottle away for a few more years), Paradise Springs (VA). As Jeff Siegel from The Wine Curmudgeon blog stated it, you are looking for a Norton that is “varietally correct, balanced, and interesting enough to buy again”
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