2013 Governor’s Reserve Holden Vineyard Norton

INFORMATION: Stone Hill Winery is proud to offer the first release of the 2012 and 2013 Governor’s Reserve, Holden Vineyard, Norton. The grapes for this very limited wine are grown by Bob Holden, Governor of Missouri 2001 – 2005. Governor Holden was a strong advocate for Missouri agriculture including the rapidly growing Grape and Wine Industry. In 2003, Governor Holden signed legislation making the cultivar Norton the official State Grape of Missouri. In 2007 the Holdens planted 192 vines of Norton at their weekend hideaway in Fredericksburg, Missouri.  This small vineyard is the sole source of grapes used to produce these very limited wines. To further promote our great State, the wine was fermented and aged solely in new barrels made by Missouri coopers from Missouri grown white oak. To the best of our knowledge this is the first vineyard designated wine made from grapes raised by a United States Governor.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION: Harvested October 2013; Alcohol - 12.7%

TASTING INFORMATION: Winemaker Shaun Turnbull describes the wine as having intense aromas of dark fruit, melted dark and white chocolate, and hints of candied grapefruit, coconut and butterscotch. The palate has flavors of bitter chocolate, strawberries, a hint of coconut and a full, deep mid-palate tapering off to a soft finish. This wine received 12 months of barrel aging and only 780 battles produced.