I had a chance to speak with the CEO of Bodega Norton Michael Halstrick about their 120th anniversary and Sauvignon Blanc from Argentina. Sauvignon Blanc from South America is something that I’m certain will be popping up on a lot of peoples wine glasses over the next little while.
2013 Norton Barrel Select Malbec – LCBO 400556 – $12.95 – ***1/2 – Straightforward and fruit driven. Many entry level Malbecs can start off with very firm tannin and be difficult to swallow, that is not the case with the Barrel select. Plum, Currant and Blackberry are dominant on the palate with just a hint of woodsmoke on the finish. This will make a perfect match to barbequed red meats or serve it on its own slightly chilled (maybe 20 minutes in the fridge)
2014 Norton Barrel Select Sauvignon Blanc – LCBO 400564 – $12.95 – ***1/2+ – Sauvignon Blanc from South America is something that has appeared on my radar over the past year. It is an interesting grape, but will never be as popular is Chardonnay. Thanks to places like New Zealand and the great wineries in Ontario we can see how Sauvignon Blanc is capable of expressing terroir. I urge you next time you feel like picking up a bottle of Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc to pick up a few other bottles from around the world. They will all have similar characteristics of citrus, herbaciousness, and/or tropical fruit. The Sauv Blanc from Norton is one of only a few in the LCBO right now, but you will find very strong flavours of lemon, and lime with a grassy edge to it and more subtle pressence of passion fruit. What stands out is a nice minerality that lingers on the finish of this wine. A perfect pair to seafood or on its own on a patio.
