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!
Aging Norton wine is very rewarding. A more detailed article dealing with held Norton wine can be found at: http://palatepress.com/2011/06/wine/considering-norton-an-age-worthy-wine/
ReplyDeleteMost all Norton wines need aging with there being only a few 'drink now' examples; as, Westphalia Reserve Norton (MO) and Stone House 'Claros' Norton which beats the socks off most California Cabs (TX). And for those wineries who properly hold out their Norton wines for several years before releasing, you can expect to pay more for them (and in some cases, ~ much more). We are currently just now opening delightful Norton wines which have been put away for awhile(2003 & 2005 Chrysalis Locksley Reserve (VA), 2007 Crane Creek Hellbender & 2003 Three Sisters Cynthiana (GA), 2006 Stone Hill Norton and Cross J Reserve (MO) examples).