Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wine & Spirits
Privada, Norton’s flagship, used to be a big wine, concentrated in ripe fruit and well oaked, but this new vintage shows a new direction for the company, one of the largest producers in Argentina. A blend of 40 percent malbec, 30 percent merlot and 30 percent cabernet sauvignon from different areas of Mendoza, this is crunchy and vibrant in its ripe red fruit flavors, the mineral tones giving it depth and dimension. Radiant and young, with firm tannins and acidity, it will stand up well to grilled steak with chimichurri sauce.
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James Suckling
A serious red with blackberry, blueberry and mineral aromas. Full body, silky tannins and a long finish. A blend of malbec, merlot and cabernet sauvignon. Drink or hold until 2018.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
I was positively impressed with the 2014 Privada Proprietary Red Wine, which is 40% Malbec with 30% each of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot from Luján de Cuyo. It fermented in cement vats and matured in French oak barrels (new and second use) for some 12 months on average, as it's bottled throughout the year. It had good color and concentration while keeping balance and subtleness; there are notes of red and black fruit, some herbal aromas and some balsamic hints of incense. The palate shows pungent flavors of violet pastille and sweet spices, nicely textured. Quite attractive.
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Wine Spectator
Well-structured, with muscular flavors of dried blackberry, dark plum and cherry tart, swaddled with accents of cream and spice. Features muscular tannins, presenting cocoa powder and chocolate mousse notes on the finish. Malbec, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now through 2021.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: The 2014 Bodega Norton Privada Family Red Blend is attractive and satisfying. TASTING NOTES: This wine shows up with lush black fruits in is aromas and flavors, as well as hints of savory spices. Pair it with Thai basil pork. (Tasted: August 16, 2020, San Francisco, CA)
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Decanter
Flinty graphite and black fruits on the nose with a stream of black raspberry and juicy cassis on the palate. A lovely blend.
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Wine Enthusiast
Cola, cool earth and aromas of blackberry and cassis represent the nose of this always steady blend of Malbec, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Solid and mouthfilling across the palate, this tastes heavily oaked and charred, thus there's a strong smoky complement to blackberry flavors. A peppery, toasty tasting finish feels a bit hot.
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.