Daniel Vineyards

Wine: Winery: Ambiance: Jul 14, 2010

Favorite Wine: 2008 Esprit

Norton Wine Review: First on this tasting was a 2008 Frontenac which my wife had no taste for, but I found portrayed a bold meaty bacon aroma which held well on the palate. Obviously I must like to chew my wines. After tasting other wines, it was time to tackle Daniel’s 2008 Norton. It lacked depth and substance normally associated with this varietal, but would be gladly appreciated by dinner guest as a “slow” dinner wine accompanying red meats or spicy dishes. It will be fun opening and reflecting a bit more on it at home. Have you come home to thoughts of “What were we tasting when we bought this?” or “Dern, why didn’t we buy more?” Funny how a home setting changes our wine tastes when relaxed and unencumbered by the winery’s ambience. Daniel Vineyards is a beautiful winery setting, complete with an extremely large open deck under some magnificent oak trees away from the tasting room. Perfect for some different wine tastes and your picnic. Hmmm, did I mention the 2007 Frontenac Port? Strange, my wife truly enjoyed this uniquely different Frontenac in this presentation. Though white wines are not our usual forte, we came away also with a very light and pleasant new grape taste for us in a 2008 Esprit. A semi-dry white which has clear melon flavors.