Norton Finca La Colonia Cabernet Franc 2022
A bold, ripe and spicy Cabernet Franc, elevated by subtle herbal and menthol notes. Deep red fruit flavours are followed by hints of black pepper whilst the well-rounded tannins give way to a pleasingly fresh finish.
The grapes come from 15-30 year old vineyards in the Luján de Cuyo district of Mendoza, planted at a density of 3,500 vines per hectare. Minimal treatments are used in the vineyards, which are run along virtually organic lines. All the grapes are hand picked.
Fermentation took place over ten days, with fifteen-day maceration period at 22C. The wine underwent natural malolactic fermentation and 50% of the wine was then aged in second and third-use barrels for three months, with the remaining 50% ageing in concrete vats.
| RRP | £14.95 |
| Vintage | 2022 |
| Alcoholic strength | 14% |
| Country | Argentina |
| Region | Mendoza |
| Subregion | Luján de Cuyo |
| Grapes | Cabernet Franc 100% |
| Body | D |
| Contains sulphites | Yes |
| Vegetarian | Yes |
| Vegan | Yes |
| Milk | No |
| Eggs | No |
| Organic | No |
| Biodynamic | No |
| Closure | Diam |
In 1885, the Buenos Aires to Mendoza railway opened, cementing the significance of this emerging wine-growing region high in the Andean foothills. One visitor to Mendoza, an English engineer called Edmund Norton, was so struck by the beauty and potential he saw there that he established a winery bearing his name, and in 1895 planted the first vines in Mendoza’s Luján de Cuyo district.
Almost a century later, Gernot Langes-Swarovski was similarly struck by Mendoza and its vineyards; in 1989, he acquired Bodega Norton and set about transforming it into the world-renowned winery it is today. Both men rightly recognized the special nature of the area. At 900-1100 metres, the altitude moderates the temperature while exposing the vines to more ultraviolet light. The result is whites packed with vibrant flavour and good natural acidity, and well-structured, food-friendly reds.
