Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
The 2014 Norton Malbec is all about the fruit, there are no edges here and the wine is so drinkable, smooth and delectable in the aftertaste. Medium ruby color; fresh and pretty in the nose, endearing strawberries, fine depth; medium bodied, smooth on the palate, no tannins at all; dryish, may have a gram or two of residual sugar, very good balance; zippy, red fruit flavors, bright aftertaste. (Tasted: August 19, 2015, San Francisco, CA)
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Wine Enthusiast
Core berry aromas are fresh and solid, while nuances of wild herbs, leather and smoky rubber give this Malbec some character out of the chute. A jammy, fairly lush palate gives flavors of plum, raspberry and cassis. On the finish, this is solid and doesn’t change much.
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Wine Spectator
There's a taut herbal note to the flavors of dried raspberry and cherry. Exhibits a crisp minerality midpalate, with a fresh and crunchy finish.
Celebrated for its bold flavors and supple texture, Malbec has enjoyed runaway success in Argentina since the late 20th century. The grape originated in Bordeaux, France, where it historically contributed color and tannin to blends. A French agronomist, who saw great potential for the variety in Mendoza’s hot, high-altitude landscape, brought Malbec to Argentina in 1868. Somm Secret—If you’re trying to please a crowd, Malbec is generally a safe bet with its combination of dense fruit and soft tannins.
By far the largest and best-known winemaking province in Argentina, Mendoza is responsible for over 70% of the country’s enological output. Set in the eastern foothills of the Andes Mountains, the climate is dry and continental, presenting relatively few challenges for viticulturists during the growing season. Mendoza, divided into several distinctive sub-regions, including Luján de Cuyo and the Uco Valley, is the source of some of the country’s finest wines.
For many wine lovers, Mendoza is practically synonymous with Malbec. Originally a Bordelaise variety brought to Argentina by the French in the mid-1800s, here it found success and renown that it never knew in its homeland where a finicky climate gives mixed results. Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot and Pinot Noir are all widely planted here as well (and sometimes even blended with each other or Malbec). Mendoza's main white varieties include Chardonnay, Torrontés, Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon.