Author: Renee Witthoff

Origin:  Mendoza, AR

Grape:  Malbec 40%, Merlot, 30%, Cabernet Sauvignon, 30%

Year: 2013

Alcohol: 14.5%

Price point: $20

Year Reviewed: 2018

 

Have you heard of Bodega Norton? You should have.  Sir Edmund James Palmer Norton (1865-1944) was the pioneer of Mendoza viticulture.  Here is some informative data on Norton’s history and who now owns the bodega:

 

 

Transandine Railway[edit]

After graduating with a degree in engineering his expertise in building railway bridges was requested to help build the Transandine Railway which connected the Argentine railroad from Mendoza to Santiago, Chile. This line, climbing through the Andes through a 12,000-foot pass, was built in one of the most difficult railroad terrains in the world.^[2] Though the railway has not been functional since 1984, in 2006, both the Argentine and Chilean governments agreed to refurbish the railway and make it functional by the year 2010, at an estimated total cost of US$460 million.

Argentine viticulture[edit]

Once his work on the railway was completed, he moved to Bahía Blanca before returning to Mendoza in 1889 to settle permanently. Though his formal training was in designing railway bridges, he soon sought other opportunities. In 1895 he founded the very first winery in the area, Bodega Norton, located to the south of the Mendoza River in the district of Perdriel, in the department of Luján de Cuyo. Norton recognized the Mendoza region’s potential for wine cultivation and production, and planted grapes with vines imported from France. He devoted the rest of his life to winemaking. He married Juana Suarez and had several children, some of whom continued the family business.^[3]

Bodega Norton[edit]

In 1989, Bodega Norton was acquired by Austrian entrepreneur Gernot Langes–Swarovski, owner of Swarovski Crystal Company.^[4] Bodega Norton now exports over 1.5 million cases annually.^[5]

References[edit]

1. Jump up^Fischer, Richard (2006, April 19). Globalization and the Latin Perspective. Retrieved October 24, 2008, from http://www.dallasfed.org/news/speeches/fisher/2006/fs060419.html
2. Jump up^Schreiner, John (2008, April 13). Travels in Argentina Wine Country: Bodega Norton. Plan It, British Columbia. Retrieved October 24, 2008 from http://www.planitbc.com/Articles/article241-BodegaNorton.html
3. Jump up^Bodega Norton. (n.d.). Retrieved October 23, 2008, from http://www.sawineco.com/vineyard.cfm?preview=96tml
4. Jump up^Bodega Norton. (n.d.). Retrieved October 23, 2008 from http://www.norton.com.ar/english/origin.htm
5. Jump up^Molesworth, James (2007, November 29). A Sit Down With Bodega Norton. Wine Spectator Retrieved October 23, 2008 from http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Blogs/Blog_Detail/0,4211,1541,00.html

This clean medium garnet presents aromas of plum, white and red pepper and vegetals. I also get some medicinal or eucalyptus aromas and did some research on why many wines I have been opening have hints of this.  Wines that give the medicinal, minty or eucalyptus aromas are usually wines that are higher in alcohol content or truly the vineyards are near eucalyptus trees….Interesting.

On the palate, you will receive a well-blended dry, medium acidity wine with only medium tannins. The body holds its own as medium with flavors erupting of black cherry, plum and red pepper with spices. The wine rounds out with a long finish and the quality is very good.  Norton continues to be a leader in his category of wines.

 

 

Origin:  Columbia Valley, Washington State

Grape:  Syrah, Merlot and Petit Syrah

Year: NV

Alcohol: 15%

Price point: $18

Year Reviewed: 2018

 

Check out my longer article on Dave Phinney’s location wines.   I am in love with this one from Columbia Valley.  I get why it has been rated 95 points by many folks.  This clear deep garnet blend is aged in French and American oak.  Dave found the best of the region, as usual, and has stated that he wanted to get folks interested in the best wines of each region to get folks to experience the grapes of each region.  On the nose, this wine is clean and pronounced with subtle aromas of menthol and eucalyptus and can be an indication that the wine is higher in alcohol or eucalyptus trees are planted near the vineyards.  On the palate this is off dry, with flavors of forest floor, pepper after notes, dark fruit, dark chocolate covered blueberries and cherry.

 

Pair this with blue cheese BBQ, short camembert cheese. This is a silky, slightly tannic velvety blend that goes down quite easy. A long luscious finish that will stain your teeth and tongue quite purple.  Outstanding quality from this region and Dave Phinney lands it again…….what an amazing wine maker!

 

Origin:  Piemonte, Italy

Grape:  Barbera

Year: 2016

Alcohol: 13%

Price point: $10

Year Reviewed: 2018

 

 

Barbera is a dark-skinned wine grape variety found in several Italian wine regions, including its native Piedmont, Emilia-Romagna, Puglia, Campania and even the island regions, Sicily and Sardinia. At the turn of the 21st Century, it was Italy’s third most-commonly planted red wine grape, after Sangiovese.

https://www.wine-searcher.com

 

The Piedmont (Piemonte) regions sits in northwest Italy and is home of the most DOCG wines out of any other Italian wine regions. This particular wine has been increasing in popularly and look at the price point. Ratings on this wine have been around 87-89 points by various critics.  I found this wine indicative of a Barbera.

 

On the eyes, there is a clear (with just a bit of blur) medium Ruby color. The aromas, upon opening are truly of those red fruits snacks you packed in your children’s lunch boxes, blending with black cherry, spice and a minor nutty smell.  I also did pick up the earthy and barnyard smells. On the palate, lots of red tart cherry flavors with an off dry sweetness, medium acidity and lower tannins than I anticipated for this region.  Flavors of a tart cherry tart are forward, rounding out more upon consumption.  The finish leaves you puckering a bit with cherry flavors surrounding your inner cheeks.  Quality—good.

Origin:  Paso Robles, CA

Grape:  Cabernet Sauvignon

Year: 2016

Alcohol: 13.9%

Price point: $24

Year Reviewed: 2018

Note: (Apologizes for the blurry picture.  Must get a new phone soon and will retake and replace.)

 

This clear deep garnet wine gives aromas of eucalyptus, mint, black cherry and black currant with bits of vegetal essence.   This well-structured, and fully integrated wine was tight when I opened it up, but once it got some air, was simply amazing.  Right upon opening, flavors of animal, meaty and leather where on top of some herbal notes.  After being opened ½ of an hour, it was not as harsh and began almost velvety, smooth with the tannins rounded out.  Other flavors of black plum and almost a sweet and sour red fruit seems to blossom.   Sweetness was off dry with low acidity, well integrated medium tannins and a medium body to this wine appeared in the glass. This wine had a medium finish but I would rate the quality of outstanding.  Let this wine open up and get some air to really bring out its beautiful character.  Decant or open 1 hour before serving.  Incidentally, tried this wine one day later (after keeping it in the wine refrigerator) and it was still quite amazing.  Serve this wine to impress those cabernet lovers.  Serve with heavy red pasta dishes, prime rib, steak or even ribs.  I will purchase this one again.

 

 

 

 

Origin:  Burgenland, Austria

Grape:  80% Zweigelt, 15% Blaufrankisch, 5% Sankt Laurent

Year: 2015

Alcohol: 12.5

Price point: $15

Year Reviewed: 2018

 

 

Step out of your comfort zone with your usual varietals…Take a look at the above blend of grapes…..go to the wild side. This wine captured my interest as it was a blend of Austria’s 2 staple grape varietals….

 

The creation of the Zweigelt variety in the 1920’s by Professor Fritz Zweigelt, a crossing between Blaufränkisch and St. Laurent, only really gained recognition after the Second World War. Nowadays, Zweigelt is the most widespread red wine variety in Austria and can be found in suitable sites in all wine-producing regions.

 

 

https://www.austrianwine.com/our-wine/grape-varieties/red-wine/zweigelt/

 

 

he Blaufränkisch is a thoroughly central European variety. This traditional Austrian variety is a cross between Blauer Zimmettraube and Weißer Heunisch. Blaufränkisch was previously widely-planted throughout the Habsburg Monachy,

 

https://www.austrianwine.com/our-wine/grape-varieties/red-wine/blaufraenkisch/

 

 

 

 

 

The high quality St. Laurent variety belongs to the Pinot family, and the synonym Pinot St. Laurent suggests a pinot seedling. In the course of a more quality orientated thinking in recent years, the variety has experienced a revival in all wine-producing regions.

 

 

https://www.austrianwine.com/our-wine/grape-varieties/red-wine/st-laurent/

 

A clear medium ruby wine with a clean nose and medium intensity with aromas of spice, sharp cherry and vanilla. Not as interesting on the nose as on the palate.  The palate awakes you with such interesting flavors that I haven’t experienced in a wine previously.  The cherry notes, pepper and spice are well blended and have a good structure.  Tannins are well integrated and not too strong.  I see this wine pairing with some foods that are difficult to pair with such as asparagus dishes, liver and veal dishes and duck.  Besides the interest on the palate, I am enjoying the unique aromas I receive from my glass.  This wine gives me many flavors from start to a medium finish that finishes a bit tart and then rounds out beautifully in 15 seconds and becomes almost velvety on the tongue.  Quality is very good and worth the experience of trying some popular Austrian grapes.  I will purchase this one again.

 

 

 

 

Origin:  Horse Haven Hills, WA

Grape:  95% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon

Year:  2013

Alcohol:  14.5

Price point:  $27

Year Reviewed:  2018

 

On the eyes, this is a clear deep garnet wine.  On the nose, clean and pronounced with a bit under ripeness of green pepper and leafiness.  I also get aromas of kernel, possibly almond, coffee and chocolate.

On the palate, off dry, low acidity, medium tannins that are well integrated and dusty.  A bunch of flavors appear of red cherry, plum, red and green pepper, a bit of smoke, tobacco and chocolate….which I love in finer Merlots.  The long finish was unchanging and quite stable throughout.

 

Aged for 16 months in French and American oak, 60% new. Outstanding quality of a Merlot…..must purchase some more.

 

 

Planted in 1991, the vineyard at Canoe Ridge Estate lies on a steep south-facing wind-swept slope on the bank of the Columbia River in Washington’s Horse Heaven Hills AVA.

 

https://www.ste-michelle.com/our-wines/2013-canoe-ridge-estate-merlot

 

 

 

 

 

Origin:  Columbia Valley, WA

Grape:  Cabernet Sauvignon

Year:  2015

Alcohol:  14.1

Price point:  $14

Year Reviewed:  2018

 

Another great find from a large tasting event, this Washington State Cabernet arouses your interest and senses.  Had to purchase a bottle to evaluate and blog on.  By now, some may have “picked up” on how much I enjoy wines and grapes from Washington State.  I believe they are not given the fame they should be….but maybe that will change in the next 10 years.  Sharecropper’s winery was started around 1999 and here is the history.

 

 

 

 

http://www.owenroe.com/About-Us

 

This clear deep ruby colored wine appears with a medium color intensity.  Despite a bit of allergies acting up today, the nose of this wine gives off aromas of the gamey, meaty, leathery type of wines I usually love to savor.  Medium tannins, medium acidity, and medium body with intense flavors upon opening that are full of spices like red pepper and white pepper.  Flavors of licorice, pungent spices, vegetals like cabbage and black olives are evident also.  After getting some air or upon decanting, this wine rounds itself out to become more integrated in those flavors, giving a successful and excitable Cabernet on the palate.  I do hear requests that many wine lovers, want a 100% cabernet sauvignon and do not want any blended grape with it.  Well, here it is…..a beautiful 100% Cab Sauvignon rated around 87 points by various wine critics.  Compare this $14 value from Columbia Valley, WA to some $35 California wines that may not even be 100% Cab Sauvignon.  Truly 100% Cab Sauvignons are not hard to make, but are hard to make well…….that is the rub.

Bottled in Benton City, WA, this enjoyable Cab finished hot and spicy upon opening and after rounding out, finished much gentler but still held a longer finish.  If you enjoy pungent spice and extreme flavors, drink upon opening; if you prefer a mellower rounded out wine, decant or open up 2 hours before serving.  Enjoy this 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, as it appears that more blending is occurring with Cab’s in the US and 100% Cab’s are becoming rarer.  Also be reminded that even though a California wine may state Cabernet Sauvignon on the label, there very well may be other varietals blending with your Cab.

Try this wine with beef, lamb and heavier dishes.

 

Origin:  Rueda, Northern Spain,

Grape:  Verdejo, Viura, Sauvignon Blanc Blend

Year:  2015

Alcohol:  13%

Price point:  $9

Year Reviewed:  2018

 

Found this at a large scale Wine tasting event in Illinois, and what a find this was.  An amazingly unique blend of some Spanish varietals found.   Verdejo is a variety of wine grape that has long been grown in the Rueda region.  Viura is a synonym for Macabeo and is the most widely planted white grape variety in Rioja.

The fun modern and exotic label, just beautiful, is indicative of what you will experience in the wine.  In the glass the wine presents as a clear pale yellow wine.  The nose is clean, with a medium intensity and aromas of lemon, citrus and pear appear.

Tasting this wine was just as great as experiencing it at the tasting event where I found it, as it boasts itself with flavors of lemon, yeast, lees, butter… reminding me of a lemon sconce or my famous lemon bars.  Also on the finish, I pick up some enchanting flavors of green sour fruit or melon, such as a granny smith apple.  Drink chilled or over chilled, as the viscosity of the blend can handle to be a bit cooler than usual.

Will keep in the frig for you for several days, but drink before 2020. lol

 

I paired this with a ginger chicken dish and a fresh salad with a unique ginger dressing. 

An amazing blend of some striking varietals for under $9.00.   Try this one with shrimp, crab or lobster.  (Invite me over too.)  Check out Naia wines on line, as they have a huge assortment and I will be looking into some of their other products.

 

Origin:  IGP Ardeche, Vin de Pays, France

Grape: 100% Grenache

Year:  2016

Alcohol:  14%

Price point:  $11

Year Reviewed:  2018

 

 

 

IGP Ardeche Wine

Ardeche is an IGP title that covers red, white and rosé wines that are made in the Ardeche department in the south of France. Ardeche sits on the western banks of the Rhone river and is an important part of the northern Rhone wine region: the AOC-level appellations Saint-Joseph, Cornas and Saint-Peray are located here.

The department lies some 60 miles (95km) from the Mediterranean coast on a landscape that ranges from river plains in the south to the mountains of the Massif Central in the north. Generally speaking, the IGP-level vineyards are found in the dry, scrubby foothills of the Cévennes mountains, with the narrow valley of the Rhone reserved for the more prestigious AOC wines.

 

A village on the Ardeche River
© Wikimedia/Patrice78500

The Mediterranean climate in the south of Ardeche is well suited to viticulture, and mild winters are followed by hot, dry summers. The cool, northerly Mistral wind is felt throughout the department, although this is often interspersed by moisture-laden sea breezes from the south. This collision of winds can result in sudden heavy rain, particularly in spring and autumn.

As in many of the mountain ranges in the Massif Central, the soils here are dominated by limestone and sandstone. Pebbly, thin soils in the main vineyard areas drain freely and stress vines, leading to good concentration in the grapes.

Ardeche IGP wines are usually made up of the classic Rhone varieties Grenache and Syrah, although plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon and other more international grape varieties are finding a place in the vineyards here. As in many of the IGPs in southern France, varietalwines are becoming more common, particularly to international consumers.

The department – formerly classified under the now-defunct Vin de Pays category of French wine – has one sub-appellation: the Coteaux de l’Ardeche further covers IGP-level wines in the south of Ardeche.

https://www.wine-searcher.com/regions-igp+ardeche

Perfect with salads, summer foods and lighter fare, this clean pale salmon, lighter intensity colored wine was a great find of mine for a little over $10 a bottle.  On the nose, fresh aromas of white flowers, strawberries and a hint of peach or apricot.  Upon sipping, low tannins, with a medium acidity which will pair well with lighter fare, but could hold up to a heavier grilled dish.  The off dry sweetness surprisingly ends in a mild tartness, which I liked, as it gave some great flavors and interest to this wine.  A truly long finish retained on the tip of my tongue and inside of my cheeks.  Just a hind to frizzante tingled my mouth with this lighter body Rose’.  Flavors of a buttery, pastry, and a spec of white pepper with fruits of melon, strawberries and apricot were pronounced with a gentle sprinkling of mint or medicinal sparkle.  Serve this crisp Rose’ chilled and keep it cold to experience it best on a hot day. Rose’s   can be make from a variety of grapes.  Have fun sampling Rose’s made from Merlot, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon.   Remember the saying for 2018; “Rose’, all day!!!”

 

 

 

 

 

Origin:  Horse Heaven Hills, WA

Grape: 100% Cabernet Franc

Year:  2014

Alcohol:  14.5%

Price point:  $30

Year Reviewed:  2018

 

As I have visited the Columbia Winery in Woodinville, WA (see section on this website about Wineries), I thought I would experience yet another wine of theirs.  This clear, deep garnet Cab Franc was not from the Red Mountain AVA, but from the well-known Horse Heaven Hills.

 

The Horse Heaven Hills appellation is located in south-central Washington along the Washington-Oregon border. The area takes its name from an early pioneer who said, upon seeing the region and its wide prairies and expanses, ”Surely this is Horse Heaven!”

https://www.washingtonwine.org/wine/facts-and-stats/regions-and…/horse-heaven-hills

 

 

On the nose, clean with medium intensities of spice, currant jam/jelly, hints of vanilla and almond extracts and a dash of white pepper.

Off dry with lower acidity and high tannins.  This wine had a medium body and a medium finish……I was expecting a longer finish.  Quality good.

Enjoyable, but not as great as some of the other Columbia winery wines I have purchased.