Late Harvest Merlot Natural Sweet
⏳ Drinking Window
Typically best enjoyed within 1–3 years of release to appreciate its fresh fruit profile and vibrant sweetness.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Dark chocolate desserts, blue cheese, berry tarts
✨ Technical Specifications
Bodega Norton's Late Harvest Merlot, known in its homeland as Cosecha Tardía, showcases a sweeter, more indulgent side of Mendoza's viticulture. By leaving the Merlot grapes on the vines well into autumn, the berries undergo a natural concentration of sugars, acids, and rich flavors under the intense Andean sun and cool mountain nights. The fermentation is carefully arrested to preserve the grape's natural residual sweetness, resulting in a luscious, velvety sweet red wine. This style represents Norton's innovative spirit, offering a friendly, approachable dessert wine that beautifully captures the generous red fruit profile of the Luján de Cuyo terroir.
🍾 About the Producer
Established in 1895 by British civil engineer Sir Edmund James Palmer Norton, Bodega Norton represents a cornerstone of modern viticulture in Mendoza's Primera Zona. Norton planted French vines south of the Mendoza River in Perdriel, an area historically devoid of vineyards. In 1989, the estate was acquired by Gernot Langes-Swarovski, who modernized operations and expanded international outreach under the leadership of Michael Halstrick and acclaimed chief winemaker David Bonomi. Spanning five premier estate vineyards across Luján de Cuyo—including Medrano, Lunlunta, Agrelo, and Finca La Colonia—the vines thrive at altitudes between 800 and 1,100 meters above sea level. This semi-arid, alluvial terroir features rocky, well-draining soils and sharp diurnal temperature variations that foster phenolic complexity and natural acidity. Norton implements precision sustainable viticulture, crafting a versatile portfolio ranging from classic Charmat-method sparkling wines and aromatic Torrontés to benchmark age-worthy Malbec expressions such as the iconic Gernot Langes and Privada Family Blend.
🍇 Grapes
Merlot
🍷 ABV
11.5% - 12.5%