Stone House Vineyard

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Apr 12, 2016

Favorite Wine: 2014 Claros Reserve Norton

We visited Stone House this past Friday, April 8, 2016 upon the recommendation of The Norton Wine Travelers. Our purpose was to try their Norton wine: Claros. In their review, the Travelers speak very highly of this wine. In other conversations, I judge their opinion of this wine to be higher than their review here. I don’t know if elegant, refined, subtle are typically associated with Norton. Often Norton wines are big, bold, wild. The best are much more subtle and balanced. Stone House has made a wine that starts with the signature Norton nose and initial fruit taste. However, it quickly moves to a very smooth spicy clove taste and then a very nice balanced, calming finish. If one wasn’t careful it would be very easy to drink too much of this in one sitting. Like the Travelers stated I am not sure if it would benefit from aging. Frankly, it is difficult for me to imagine it getting any smoother. What would be interesting is to learn if it would pick up additional and more complex flavors over some time. I rate the Claros Reserve Norton in a four-way tie for the best we have ever experienced. And in some ways, it can be judged to be the best. Not sure how many Nortons we have tasted now. But it would have to be well over 50. The point is this Stone House Norton does stand out. Just a wonderful wine. I would proudly serve it anywhere against any competition. The winery and vineyard itself is very nice and tastefully done. The Norton is all grown from this seven acre planting. The care and meticulous attention to detail is evident from the vineyard all the way to the tasting room. We only had time on this trip to make sure we got to Stone House. But our bucket list now includes the goal of spending a week touring the wineries in the Texas Hill Country west of Austin. Beautiful land. Not sure a week would be enough time though.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Apr 08, 2012

Favorite Wine: 2008 Claros Reserve Norton

Norton Wine Review: What wine can accompany fried chicken? I selected a recently received 2008 Claros Reserve Norton. Upon opening, we were greeted with a total surprise! Stone House Vineyards nailed it. We were taken back with this selection which did not have the earthy aromas found in most Deep South Nortons, nor the dark oak cherried flavors of the Midwest, or the indiscriminate tastes that bounce back and forth in Virginia. I know this is a sacrilege statement, but this Texas Norton had some of the refinements found in the best of what California can offer. A sleek, pure native wine that was a delight to drink on its own, or as in our case, with fried chicken. Who would have ever thought fried chicken could have been complimented with a really nice wine? The bouquet was totally unique in that I could not have identified or told you that this was obviously a Norton wine. The aromas, to be honest, were not a positive wine descriptive, but in this case did not detract from the wonderful "drink now" qualities of Stone House Vineyard's Norton wine. I have some doubt if this Norton wine will benefit from aging, but I'll put up a bottle just for the fun of it. I have still a 2008 Claros, picked up a couple 2009s on a recent visit and was graciously given a 2010. What fun it's going to be tasting these together.

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Mar 21, 2012

Favorite Wine: Tawny Port

Beautiful winery and area. A fantastic tawny port!