Monday, February 4, 2013

Norman Vineyards, 2005 The Vocation, Paso Robles


The Vocation is a red Rhone blend from Norman Vineyards in Paso Robles. We opened this bottle for a recent gathering of friends and it impressed with flavor and style.

Norman Vineyards is located in the Westside appellation of Paso Robles. It is a cool site by California standards, which allows the grapes to mature more slowly through the long growing season.

The vineyard was founded by Art and Lei Norman in 1971 and they started their winery in 1992. Norman has since carved out a reputation for standout Zinfandel.

Syrah was late to the game with their Syrah program starting in 2002. This wine has a 50% Syrah, 40% Grenache and 10% Mourvedre blend.

The Vocation features concentrated cherry and strawberry notes that first grace the bouquet and then caress the palette. There are no harsh tannins to mellow out before fully enjoying this wine.
It’s medium bodied with rich flavors that include a dash of cocoa and dark fruit. The finish is ultra smooth and of medium duration.

I picked this bottle up as a closeout for $19, and it is a great value. The 2004 vintage is currently available online for $32.

Not quite sure how this wine got the moniker of “The Vocation,” but Norman Vineyards has delivered a nice job.

Rating: 4 of 5  Value: 4 of 5

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