Horton Vineyards 2007 Norton (The Tower Series)

In the spring of 1992, Dennis Horton re-introduced Virginia to the Norton grape variety with the release of Horton’s Norton.  A wine pioneer in Virginia, Dennis Horton is also credited with introducing Viognier to the state and helping put Virginia on the global wine map.  Located in Orange County, Virginia, Horton Vineyards is a must stop on the wine trail to experience one of the state’s winemaking mavericks.

A dark, rich colored wine in glass, aromas of plums and black cherries with smoky notes round out the nose.  The full-bodied Norton combines good acidity, ripe plum and dark fruit in a unique, food-friendly wine.  If you haven’t had the opportunity to taste a Norton, I recommend you seek out Horton’s Norton.  Cheers!

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At an elevation of 951 feet, Bluemont Vineyard offers visitors a spectacular, panoramic view that stretches from Loudoun County, Virginia to Washington DC.  I finally had the opportunity to take in the views firsthand while visiting during the DrinkLocalWine.com conference in April.  After making my way up the long and winding driveway, I was excited to see I had the winery and the breathtaking views to myself.  Once inside, I was warmly greeted by Loree Rupy who expertly guided me through their current lineup of wines.  During my tasting, we were joined by winemaker Bob Rupy who gave me a rundown of vineyard happenings and spent time answering my questions.  Both were gracious hosts and made my visit extra special.

On the white card, the 2009 Vidal Blanc (The Cow) won unanimously.  Their most popular wine, the Vidal Blanc retails for $18 and is stainless steel fermented.  Nice citrus notes on both the nose and palate, the semi-sweet wine is the perfect accompaniment for a warm summer day.  I also recommend their 2009 Viognier, The Goat.  Before moving to the reds, Loree poured a glass of their Donkey, a Rosé produced from eight different grapes.  I was never a big fan of Rosé prior to my trip to Virginia, but walked away very impressed with the many offerings I sampled during the week, with Bluemont included.  Before moving onto the reds, I chatted with Bob about future plans.  He was excited about future plantings of Petit Manseng and Norton, two varieties that were big talking points during the conference.

I sampled four reds which included two Merlots from the ’08 vintage that retail for a reasonable $20.  The first was produced from 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon.  A classic Virginia Merlot with delicious red fruit and good balance.  The second, also my favorite, was a blend of 90% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 3% Malbec.  More red fruit on the nose with notes of vanilla and spice.  On the palate, a medium-bodied dry wine with spice, pepper, red cherries and a hint of green pepper on the finish.  My wine of choice to enjoy on the patio and featured in the pics below.  Before making my way to the patio with the Merlot, I finished my tasting with two Nortons (The Pig), a non-vintage and the ’08.  Deep red color in glass, both were rich, full-bodied dry wines with spicy overtones and berry flavors.  Retailing for $22, kudos to the Bluemont team for producing not one but two delicious Nortons that can be enjoyed by all (read my review of the $50 Veramar Vineyard Norton here).

The view, the wine and the team at Bluemont Vineyard is first class.  If you haven’t experienced Bluemont Vineyard, what are you waiting on?  Enjoy the view from the top and be sure to tell them TheOther46.com sent you.  Cheers!

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Veramar Vineyard Tasting Room

My vacation in Virginia’s wine country kicked off with a visit to Veramar Vineyard in Berryville, VA.  Surrounded by the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, Veramar is located in the Shenandoah Valley AVA.  A boutique winery, Veramar produces 4000 cases annually and is a popular venue for weddings and events.

Upon our arrival, the tasting room was surprisingly quiet for a Friday afternoon with two other couples at the counter.  We were told by the tasting room associate that it would be a few minutes before she could get to us.  Apparently this particular staff member has not yet mastered the skill of multitasking.  While waiting, I patiently scanned the tasting sheet (which I practically memorized by the end of our visit due to the long delays between pours).  After several minutes passed, we were told the tasting fee is $5 and includes a sampling of 8 wines.  We were accompanied by a Veramar Estate Club member, so our tasting fees were waived and also included a tasting of their Norton.

Veramar Vineyard

The white wine highlights included a Riesling/Vidal and Seyval Blanc.  Both whites had good balance and acidity, and retailed for $17 and $18 respectively.  I was a bit disappointed with the reds, although the Rooster Red was very good.  A delicious blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc, I could easily see this pairing well with Italian.  Nice black cherry, raspberry, and spice, I decided to enjoy a glass of the Rooster Red on the patio, but not before tasting the 2007 Norton.  Retailing for $50, I wasn’t sure what to expect, as this was easily the most expensive wine I’ve tried from Virginia.  Unfortunately, I was underwhelmed.  A solid wine with nice black fruit and oak, the wine is far, far from a $50 wine.  But then again, everyone’s palate is different, and I’m sure they sell the heck out of it.

We finished our visit outside with a baguette, cheese, and salami alongside the vines.  If you’re in the area, be sure to include Veramar Vineyard on your wine trail and mention that The Other 46 sent you.  Cheers!

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Ozan Vineyard and Wine Cellars 2007 Norton

Tonight’s wine comes to us from Ozan Vineyards & Cellars, located in Shelby County, Alabama.  A state typically known for their sweet Muscadine wines, the French Hybrid and Norton grapes have begun to take root.  With ten operating wineries across the state, Alabama is a relative newcomer to the wine world.  Recently passed legislation and a new wine trail have helped position Alabama as an up and coming wine destination for tourists and residents alike.

Estate grown and aged in American oak, the 2007 Norton clocked in at 13.2% alcohol.  A small production wine, only 100 cases were produced and is available for purchase online from their website for $17.99 (shipping available only to Alabama, Georgia, and Florida residents).  I also received a winery logo glass with my purchase (a nice touch).

I paired the Norton alongside a pulled pork sandwich topped with blue cheese and a Texas barbeque sauce.  Exhibiting a dark, rich color, the Norton had an intense aroma of plums and dark cherries.  In the mouth, a dry wine with dominant cherry, nutmeg, and spice throughout.  A very solid effort that left me excited to experience more Norton wines.  Be sure to visit Ozan Winery and tell them The Other 46 sent you.  Cheers!

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