I had the privilege of tasting a 10-year old Norton this weekend. What a treat! We were at a birthday party for a good friend and she set out several wines, among them a 2003 Norton from St. James Winery in St. James, Missouri. This wine had moved from the black cherries and blackberries to rich plum and luscious fig with a touch of smoke. It was a wonderfully complex, flavorful wine! My compliments to St. James Winery.
The Norton is one of the few United States grape varieties that can produce a good dry red wine. It is difficult to make good wine out of this "wild vine", but a well-made Norton has great depth and character. I admit it is hard to wait for a Norton to come into its own, but a well-aged Norton is a real treat. I have put away some of my favorite Nortons to age for 8-10 years, if only I can wait! Cheers!
