Drink This: Layton's Chance 2021 Norton Reserve
This plump, juicy example is an excellent introduction to the Norton grape
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Most of the Norton I’ve tasted in my almost 20 years writing about Eastern wine suffers from being bludgeoned with new oak. Especially when its labeled as “Reserve” — so I was admittedly a little nervous to try this reserve bottling from Layton’s Chance in Vienna, Maryland.
I shouldn’t have been. The oak footprint is subtle and well done with the wine aged only six weeks with French oak chips.
The fruit aromas here are dark — a mix of currants, blackberries, and blueberry jam — with delicate cocoa powder notes in the back.
Plump on the palate (even at 12.7% abv), it shows those same dark fruits with layers of sweet spice and dark chocolate. Low-tannin, it’s a wine that relies on fresh acidity for structure, to a nice effect. This red wine should appeal to a wide range of wine drinkers — even vinifera snobs.
(If you’re curious about the grape, I’d recommend Todd Kliman’s book about Norton)
Layton's Chance 2021 Norton Reserve
Region: Maryland
Grape(s): 100% Norton
ABV: 12.7%
Production: 115 cases
Rating: 88 pts
Price: $27* (Available Here)
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*sample provided by winery