Now here is an unusual varietal for you.......

[Bucko]

1997 DeRose, Negrette, Cienega Valley, $25, 818 cases. Spicy plums accent the nose of this exotic varietal. Full-bodied, the wine has complex black fruit flavors, supple tannins, and very food-friendly acidity. Match this beauty with venison or lamb shanks.

Bucko

[winoweenie]

DeRose is making some very interesting wines.See Zin thread. winoweenie

[Innkeeper]

Absolutely amazing, rename the ole Pinot St George, and get twenty five bucks a bottle!

[Thomas]

IK, California wine producing is nothing if it ain't a marketing song and dance--or is that bait and switch?

[Bucko]

Play the ropa dopa all that you want -- it is a good bottle of wine.

Bucko

[Innkeeper]

Was not disparaging PSG. Used to love it when people made it back in the '70s. Bet their Zin vines are are old as the the hills. Also bet their "negrette" vines are just as old.

[Scoop]

I've never heard of Negrette being grown outside of SW France (Cote du Frontonnais), much less in California. Exotic, indeed. Sounds intriguing -- I'll try to find a bottle. It certainly matches the "native" flavor profile -- glorious blackberries.

Cheers,

Scoop

[winoweenie]

Unless I`m going completly Alzie, I used to love some Pinot St George from Martini. Is this the Negrette yous`uns be jawin` `bout? winoweenie

[Innkeeper]

Bingo!

[Thomas]

So the question now is: if Negrette grows in France is the Negrette in California a true variety or is it Pinot St. George, or are the two the same grape?

[Innkeeper]

They are the same grape.

[mrdutton]

Bucko here's one for you:

1998 Horton Norton. Very dark, deep ruby color, almost purple. Plums and cherries on the nose and the palate with an earthy, spicy finish.

Almost makes one laugh a bit.......... Horton Norton ...............

OBTW, the varietal is Norton. [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/biggrin.gif[/img]

[winoweenie]

Is this the famous Norton that is normally planted with famous " Ralph " Varietal? winoweenie

[mrdutton]

Alice.............. One of these days, I'm gonna send ya to the moon.........

No, its a grape not an Art..... Carney that is.

[Thomas]

Like its namesake, Norton produces a fine product when paired with the right partner (perhaps a winemaker named Ralph).

You know, the Great One who played Ralph had a constant BAC up with which no meter has been able to catch--and he wasn't consuming Norton.

[Bucko]

I judged a lot of Nortons at the Indy International There are some good ones out there.

Bucko