An ambitious style, with very bold licorice, fruitcake and spice aromas giving way to richly layered blackberry, raspberry ganache and linzer torte notes. The long, toasty finish has plenty of fruit in reserve. Malbec, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.Norton's 2007 Malbec Privada is medium purple in color with aromas of damp earth, spice box, a hint of balsamic, violets, and black cherry. Medium-bodied, savory, ripe, and concentrated, on the palate it reveals good volume and balance leading to a medium-length finish. This tasty effort can be approached now and will drink well through 2018.
($22; 40% malbec and 30% each merlot and cabernet sauvignon) Pungent oak over cassis, graphite and licorice on the nose. Rather exaggerated dark fruit and licorice pastille flavors along with an herbal greenness that builds with aeration. Finishes with a hint of bitter chocolate and a slightly minty dryness.
