Tasting - Horton Vineyards 2015 Norton

Name: Horton - Horton Vineyards - Norton
Variety: 100% Norton
Region: Gordonsville, VA
Country: USA
Year: 2015
Price: $12

Vivino Tasting Notes: Of this vintage, notes of oak, vanilla, cherry, red currants, plum, blackberry, leather, cocoa, almond, pepper, dried fruits, and even cheese were described as being found within this deep dark wine. The nose is described as being blueberry heavy, with black cherry jam, oak, and black pepper. - Vivino Comments and Tasting Notes

Wine Folly: Unsurprisingly, the book lacks information about such an obscure varietal. The back of the bottle describes the Horton varietal as the 'original Virginia claret,' a grape that is native to Virginia and had produced internationally prize winning clarets of the Monticello Wine Company of Charlottesville in the late 1800's. A dark, rich color, with an aroma of plums and tart cherries, and a spicy finish a descriptors the winery flaunts of this grape.

My review: It is time for a little vertical! As well as a little adventure of tasting a pretty obscure grape, one that I couldn't really find a lot of information about within Wine Folly, nor even mention of in terms of grape varietals of the east coastal region of the US. This first bottle is a 2015 vintage of Norton, from the Virginia based Horton Winery - a favorite of my mother's. It pours nearly jet black, heavy with an aroma of dried fruits, oak, leather, tobacco, spices, and a hint of vanilla. The mouthfeel is smooth, as one would expect of an aged red, almost silky even. Notes of dried figs, black currants, black pepper, nutmeg, and oak, with hints of vanilla and tobacco. It finishes silky smooth with a light tingling in the back of the throat, either from the alcohol or acidity. I was surprised with the amount of flavor still swirling within such an old vintage, my worries of off notes were quickly subsided - though I guess that's what you can expect when properly cellar-ed at the winery itself!

No food was had, while tasting this wine - just a glass, and some good music.