Winemaker Notes
Blend: 40% Malbec, 30% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon
Professional Ratings
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Wine Spectator
A pure-tasting red, with concentrated dark plum, kirsch, mineral and dark chocolate flavors that glide over the palate. Long and lush, presenting a core of sweet spice and creamy notes that fill the rich and powerful finish.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
Simply outstanding, the remarkable 2012 Norton Privada has put it all into the bottle- a Bordeaux blend that rises above most others and at a price that is really affordable, you can now buy some grass-fed beef to pair with this one. Very deep ruby, black color; a power hit of ripe fruit and sweet oak, super attractive; medium to full bodied, excellent density on the palate, sweet tannins abound; dry, medium acidity, well balanced; bright, bold black fruit flavors; long finish. (Tasted: August 19, 2015, San Francisco, CA)
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Decanter
Youthful with attractive notes of blackberry, cassis and dried herbs. Very dense palate but with nice purity of fruit. Nice soft texture – a classic example of a very good Malbec blend.
One of the world’s most classic and popular styles of red wine, Bordeaux-inspired blends have spread from their homeland in France to nearly every corner of the New World. Typically based on either Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot and supported by Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, the best of these are densely hued, fragrant, full of fruit and boast a structure that begs for cellar time. Somm Secret—Blends from Bordeaux are generally earthier compared to those from the New World, which tend to be fruit-dominant.
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.