Author: Warren

Wine Tasting With Claude DelFosse

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We recently received an invitation by Claude DelFosse of DelFosse Vineyards to visit his tasting room for a tasting and conversation (about wine, of course). Needless to say, we accepted the offer and met with Claude to sample his impressive lineup of wines. We also took advantage of the opportunity to tour the grounds and along the way enjoyed lovely springtime sights and sounds.


We met Claude and his wife, Genevieve, on a bright but still chilly afternoon a week ago Monday at DelFosse Vineyards. While Claude wrapped up a previous business meeting in the tasting room, Genevieve started our tasting which included the full complement of white and red wines. In the process, we learned that Genevieve is also a school teacher and teaches French and Spanish in Fairfax County! We all began to relate to grading papers, antsy kids, spring break, and wine! Anyway, Genevieve started us off with the 2007 Pinot Gris, a simple yet refreshing wine with honey and citrus flavors—quite a nice way to begin our tasting and a perfect wine for spring and summer.

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From there, Claude continued our tasting which included several more white wines. Paul became an immediate fan of the 2008 Sauvignon Blanc with its notes of citrus and hay partnered with crisp grapefruit flavors. However, I held my own gold star until further into the tasting and could not resist with a sip of the 2007 Reserve d’Oriane. I’ve written glowing reviews about the 2005 Reserve d’ Oriane, and I continue to be impressed by this blend which includes Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Petit Manseng, and Viognier. Chardonnay makes up most of the blend; however, the aging of this one is quite unique as the component parts of the Reserve d’Oriane are aged differently. The Chardonnay is aged in French oak barrels; the Sauvignon Blanc, in neutral oak, and the Petit Manseng and Viognier in stainless steel tanks. The result is an olfactory delight of pineapple and lemons with similar flavors in the mouth and a crisp finish. Look no further for a perfect a partner with crabcakes! My close second was the 2006 Chardonnay Reserve with its toasty notes; pear and hazelnut flavors made for a rich, fuller-bodied wine destined for any shellfish or poultry dish with a rich sauce. Paul shies away from big Chardonnays but he did enjoy the aromatic, stainless-steel aged 2007 Viognier Reserve with its peachy and mineral characteristics.


So on to the reds! There were a number of these to taste as well, and those who are on the prowl for a crowd pleaser should certainly try the Chambourcin-based 2006 Cuvee Laurent, a fruity red wine that should prove versatile with any food pairing while enticing the most timid of red wine drinkers. My own favorite, however, was the 2006 Cabernet Franc with its mixed berry nose and spicy finish. I closed my eyes and envisioned steaks on the grill with this one—make mine medium rare! Paul placed his own star next to the 2006 Merlot. He observed cherry and cedar notes and appreciated its silky finish despite the bigger tannins. The 2006 Merlot is one to cellar and enjoy with a robust beef dish. We were also given a sneak preview of the upcoming release of Petit Verdot—inky, plummy, spicy, and sinful!! We look forward to sampling (and purchasing) this one on our next visit.

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In the midst of our swirling, sniffing, and savoring, Claude revealed to us that though DelFosse Vineyards is only four years old, wine has been a passion of his for many years. Though a native of Paris, France and previous resident of California, he decided to make wine in Virginia. Why Virginia? “It was in a fit of absolute craziness!” Claude joked. Like many others, Claude saw the potential in Virginia wine country. Claude’s 22 acres of vineyards are located in some of the highest elevations in the Charlottesville area, and he has benefitted from expert winemaking at first by Michael Shaps and now by Paul Mierzejewski. Claude also has a passion for connecting people with wine; though wine comes first, Claude and Genevieve enjoy hosting weddings at the vineyards and see these events as ways to bridge special events, gourmet foods, and fine wines. And Claude likes to boast that DelFosse Vineyards is also green—the facility itself is a green facility, and he uses sustainable practices in the vineyards. And of course, wines do come first at DelFosse Vineyards. In addition to earning numerous awards, DelFosse Vineyards was one of ten Virginia wineries selected to present its wines in an international showing to be held in London this May. And what will Claude present? The Reserve D’Oriane, of course!


With tasting completed, we were able to drive up to the old tasting room which is a cozy log cabin. The porch is still available for use, and inviting rocking chairs beckon for visitors to relax and enjoy gorgeous mountain views. With flowers fresh in bloom, it was futile to resist. Paul took the opportunity to snap photos, too! We know that we will return to DelFosse Vineyards soon, but readers may want to visit even sooner—just be certain to mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you!

Sweely Estate Winery

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On a recent trip to Charlottesville we planned a stop at Sweely Estate Winery. Previously known as Acorn Hill, Sweely Estate is not just a tasting room but an entire hospitality center for events of all kinds. The 16,000 sq. ft. center includes a tasting room, retail boutique, art gallery, culinary center, wine library and barrel room, and a large space for large events. The building is impressive. The estate sits on more than 300 acres of land with 40 acres in vine.

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We made our way to the tasting bar and were lucky to be the only ones there for a tasting. Our tasting associate walked us through the list of wines available for tasting. We tasted six whites and four reds. Most of the whites and some of the reds are fermented in stainless-steel. Those that are oak aged spend time in French oak barrels. White wine drinkers, like sometimes guest blogger Michael Tyler, might enjoy the Wolftown White Blend 2007. It’s a semi-sweet blend of chardonnay and vidal blanc with a nice floral nose. After tasting the wines and asking many questions of our tasting associate, we decided on a glass of the 1867 Meritage 2006.


With glass in hand and notebook ready we headed to the patio to enjoy the views and the 1867 Meritage 2006. This wine is named after the old barn on the property that was built in 1867. It’s a blend of 75% merlot and 25% cabernet franc. It spends 12 months in new French oak barrels. We noted blackberry and black cherry on nose. In the mouth we were treated to blackberry and black cherry with a spicy edge and a long finish. Warren noted the color as dark garnet. This one would pair well with a thick steak.

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After enjoying the 1867 Meritage 2006, we walked around the hospitality center to see the art gallery and all the amenities…all quite spectacular. Be sure to plan to stop at Sweely Estate Winery the next time you find yourself headed toward Charlottesville. And be sure to tell them Virginia Wine Time sent you!

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Faves at Three Fox and Miracle Valley

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https://polyploid.net/blog/?p=us5926pj So as promised here is our review of favorites at Three Fox Vineyards and Miracle Valley Vineyards. These were wineries that we visited two weekends ago, but I got sidetracked in my postings. Of course, I took careful notes complete with gold star awards!

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First up was our visit to Three Fox Vineyards, and we began our tasting with the white wines, of course. The first wine, the 2007 Leggero Chardonnay, was my gold star award for the white wines. Done in stainless steel, this Chardonnay exhibited apple and pear characteristics with a crisp, refreshing finish. This Chardonnay promises to be a crowd pleaser and is a versatile pour to boot. Serve with appetizers, light poultry dishes or white fish, bring along to a picnic, or enjoy on the deck with cheese and fruit. Paul went boheme on me and voted for the 2008 La Boheme Viognier. He appreciated its tropical fruit notes and flavors and noted a crisp edge associated with stainless steel aging.

https://mandikaye.com/blog/tex0wlb6 Of the reds, we both gold starred the 2007 Alouette Cabernet Franc. I observed more a layered wine here with black berries, dark cherries, and coffee on the nose; in the mouth, similar characteristics with a toffee on a lengthier finish. The 2007 Alouette Cabernet Franc is one to age, so buy now but save for later with a feast of roasted beef or game. So enamored were we of the 2007 Cabernet Franc that we opted to share a glass with a hunk of mild Swiss cheese and crackers.

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With snack digested and a bottle each of the Leggero Chardonnay and the Alouette Cabernet Franc purchased for future enjoyment, we made tracks on what was becoming a rainy day to Miracle Valley Vineyards. As we entered the tasting room, we heard strains of live music as a guitarist serenaded guests. We made a quick friendship with tasting associate, Ashley, who expertly guided us through the tasting menu. In fact, my gold star was awarded to the wine described by Ashley as “liquid art”, and that was the 2007 Cabernet Franc. And liquid art did indeed present itself in the glass. Dark plum, dried herbs and spice filled the nose while waves of dark plums and cherries flooded the mouth . Completing the exhibit was a vibrant acidity and peppery edge that commanded a lengthier finish. This piece of art does indeed expect to be appreciated for quite a while.

https://solomedicalsupply.com/2024/08/07/95lm0h2 So what of the whites? An interesting treatment of Chardonnay was offered with the 2007 Reserve Chardonnay which was aged for six months in Hungarian oak. Oak aged Chardonnay usually spends time in French and/or American oak barrels; however, this is not the case at Miracle Valley Vineyards. The result is a fruitier Chardonnay with some citrus notes and apple and pear flavors. The short time on the gentler Hungarian oak does impart a slight toasty edge, but Paul noted a smooth finish.


As our tasting came to a close, we realized that the light drizzle that accompanied our short trip to Miracle Valley became a steadier rain shower. Not wanting to get all wet, we had no choice but to share a glass of the 2007 Cabernet Franc with the complementary snacks offered for the afternoon at Miracle Valley. What better way to spend a springtime shower than with a glass of nice wine and light snacks with soft folk tunes playing in the background!

Alas, the rain did let up, and we were able to depart Miracle Valley Vineyards. We bid our farewells to Ashley, and we promised to return soon. In the meantime, we do encourage a visit to both Three Fox Vineyards and Miracle Valley Vineyards; just be sure to mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you!

Gray Ghost Barrel Tasting

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Xanax Ordering Online So I promised a post about our visits to Three Fox and Miracle Valley, but I’m taking a detour to write about our recent visit to the barrel tasting at Gray Ghost Vineyards. (However, do look for our reviews of Three Fox and Miracle Valley on our next post!)

We look forward to this barrel tasting every year as one of the barrel samples is taken from the developing Chardonnay; Paul and I harvest Chardonnay every year at Gray Ghost, and this is our opportunity to witness the vine to barrel to bottle process. Our barrel sample of the 2008 Chardonnay presented enticing aromas and flavors of apples and pears, and we were pleased to find out that this one will be bottled in late spring.

From the Chardonnay barrel we sauntered over to the 2008 Cabernet Franc barrel. Paul was already eyeing the Merlot barrel, but this barrel tasting was very well organized with numbered stations so Paul had to wait a bit longer. Anyway, the 2008 Cabernet Franc had been in the barrel for six months and was showing black pepper and cherry on the nose with similar flavors in the mouth. Similar to a Cabernet Franc from the Loire region of France, this Cabernet Franc was already showing potential.


With our Franc sample done, Paul could no longer be restrained and we made haste to the Merlot barrel. The 2008 Merlot was actually prepared from grapes grown in a Leesburg vineyard; we were told that this vineyard escaped a summertime hail storm that had damaged grape cluster at several vineyards. This indeed was a fortunate piece of luck, and Paul wasted no time placing his gold star next to the 2008 Merlot sample. Aged in French oak barrels, this Merlot presented big cherry characteristics; tannins were a bit “chewy”, but these will soften over time. Merlot fans should look for a mid to late summer release of the 2008 Merlot from Gray Ghost Vineyards. (Guess who will be first in line to purchase a bottle?)

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I was more anxious to try the Cabernet Sauvignon. Samples here were pulled from three stations—the 2008 American oak barrel, the 2007 American oak barrel, and the 2007 French oak barrel. Differences here could be observed due to age and type of barrel. The 2008 sample was certainly young yet exhibited juicy cherries and a bit of earthiness with the same chewy tannins. However, the 2008 American oak sample displayed a more mellow smokiness with dark plum flavors; I detected a whiff of violets, but Paul thought I was nuts. I jotted down “violets” anyway. Tannins certainly softened quite a bit, too. The ultimate sensory experience, though, was indeed the 2007 French oak sample. Dark fruit characteristics noted here with silky tannins. “Lush” and “decadent” were adjectives that we agreed upon. As an extra treat, we were able to blend the 2007 American and French Oak sample, and “smoke meets silk” was our assessment. Layers of dark berries and plums were complimented by a nice acidity and lengthy finish. Guiding us through the blending process was winemaker Al Kellert who revealed to us that the final blend for the 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon will indeed be blend of both the French and American aged Cabernets with the French-aged portion dominating the mix.

https://mandikaye.com/blog/dgup9c5 An incentive to attending the barrel tasting at Gray Ghost Vineyards was the opportunity to reserve favored samples in the future program. Tasters were given the opportunity to reserve favorites by the case at a substantial saving per bottle. Needless to say, Paul has already reserved his case of Merlot, and I opted to stake a claim to one case of the 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon.

With our barrel tasting done, we bid adieu to Gray Ghost Vineyards. Before we left, we made certain to try the newly released 2008 Riesling and the 2008 Vidal Blanc. Both should be popular summer pours, so be sure to visit soon to give these a try. Of course, be sure to mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you.

Barrel Tasting at Barrel Oak

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https://aiohealthpro.com/2eibx4sqfe Brian and Sharon Roeder of Barrel Oak Winery invited us to sample sneak previews of the bottled 07 and 08 reds, that were still in the barrel. Also on display were the the 08 whites. This was a special event for wine bloggers and barrel owners, and we felt privileged to be able to attend. The event was attended by more than 80 people and everyone enjoyed complimentary sips from barrel and bottle.

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We started with the Bowhaus White, and guests were greeted with a taste of this crisp white. With its refreshing minerality and citrusy flavors, it was with little wonder that the Bowhaus White was an immediate crowd favorite.

After sipping and mingling, the gathering was then guided through samples of 08 whites and reds as well as 07 reds currently in the bottle. Of the future whites, we sampled the 2008 Traminette, 2008 Stainless Steel Chardonnay, 2008 Barrel Select Chardonnay and the 2008 Viognier. We both placed a gold star next to the 2008 Traminette. We noted grapefruit and stone fruit on the nose, and apricot and spice in the mouth, and we both predicted that this one is destined to become a holiday favorite this fall. Lovers of bolder Chardonnays should look for the 2008 Barrel Select Chardonnay to be bottled in June.

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Of the reds, we sampled the 2008 Cabernet Franc, 2008 Merlot, 2008 Norton, 2007 Merlot and the 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon. Our gold star was awarded to the 2007 Merlot which was bottled last July. We noted a nice big cherry nose with a bit of coffee on the finish; it lingered in the mouth for a longer period of time, and it should be a favorite with a steak dinner. The most promising of the 2008 reds that we sampled was the Cabernet Franc with its raspberry and dried herb characteristics.

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After the barrel tasting we each decided to enjoy a glass of wine while blogging in the loft. Warren favored the crisp 2007 Seyval Blanc with its lemony nose and flavors, vibrant minerality, and refeshing acidity. Paul enjoyed the 2005 Merlot with its cherry vanilla nose, cherry and dried herbs in the mouth, and toffee on the finish. It was a great day and we want to Thank Brian and Sharon for inviting us. Thank you!

Divine

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https://sugandhmalhotra.com/2024/08/07/x9iqlszn That is the only word that could be used to describe the 2006 Viognier de Rosine. Honeysuckle in the bottle; apricot delight, or nectar of the gods might be other apt descriptors. Do seek out this stellar wine from the Rhone region of France. Produced from Viognier grown on the tiny estate in Ampuis, this Viognier is a knock out. I tasted it at Pearsons in Georgetown,and I fell in love. I was seduced by a honeysuckle nose and a whiff of seashells, although Paul thinks I’m nuts with the seashells. Anyway, a lovely blend of apricots and honey filled the mouth, and a soothing acidity completed the sensual experience. In fact, if a romantic evening with a significant other calls for a special wine then this might be the clincher. Serve with a poultry or seafood dish, add some candles, and dim the lights!

https://www.clawscustomboxes.com/gad7gdd4fl This special wine is not cheap—I bought this one at a discount, and it cost me $36. However, it’s worth every penny. So, go to your favorite wine shop and ask for the 2006 Viognier de Rosine; mention this review on Virginia Wine Time!

Time To Drink Naked

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Order Xanax Online In Usa Well, we kept our clothes on, but at Naked Mountain winter season is lasagna and wine time.  We look forward to the sausage lasagna with garlic bread served up at Naked Mountain, and of course, we also look forward to sampling current offerings on the wine menu.

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Paul and I both agreed that the 2005 Barrel Select Chardonnay was the gold star white wine.  Pears and honey on the nose and a creamy texture makes this one a classic.  We were more interested in the red wines since we already knew that lasagna was on the lunch menu.  In a rare moment, we again both agreed that the 2005 Cabernet Franc was the best red wine.  Dark cherries and spice on the nose gave way to similar flavors in the mouth with a smoky finish.  Small portions of Merlot, Tannat, and Petit Verdot are blended into this lush Cabernet Franc.
 
For those who are tired of winter’s chill and promises of snow that never seems to fall, the 2008 Cabernet Franc rose may bring summer closer to home.  Strawberry characteristics abound here with a nice tart finish that conjured images of summer concerts, picnics, and barbeques!

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Feeling the cabin fever this winter? Get out to Naked Mountain and enjoy lasagna and wine; of course, mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you.

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Virginia Wine Showcase

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Xanax 2Mg Bars Online This past weekend we attended the Virginia Wine Showcase held at the Dulles Expo Center. While more established wineries were represented at the Showcase, our intent was to sample wines either from newer Virginia wineries or from more distant wineries that are difficult for us to visit. Included at the Showcase were other venders that offered food, arts and crafts. (However, our focus was wine!)


We made a quick scan of the expo and then began to settle on wineries stations to visit. Our first visit was to newbie Rosemont Vineyard and Winery located in LaCrosse, and this was also the most promising of the newer wineries represented at the event. In fact, Rosemont’s tasting room officially opened in November. Winemaker Justin Rosemont has been bottling some excellent wines. Rosemont’s crisp Traminette with its notes of peach and spice compared favorably to a Gewurztraminer, and it earned my gold star for best white wine on the menu. Of the reds, my own favorite was the 06 Cabernet Sauvignon with its dark cherry and plum characteristics. Eighteen months on French oak provides both body and longevity. Paul was torn between the 06 Merlot (0f course) and the Cabernet Franc. When pressed for a decision, he declared the Cabernet Franc to be his winner. “Cherry” and “pepper” were characteristics that Paul noted with this one. Paul also thought that the finish was lengthier yet “silky”. For those looking for a lighter red wine, then Paul suggests the 06 Merlot as an option. Justin Rosemont did chat with us, and we learned that he was trained in California; his return to Virginia was to continue a 150-year family history of farming. We think Justin is off to a great start. We also noticed that he is not afraid to think outside of the box, and his dessert wines prove the point. Rosemont’s LaCrosse, produced from LaCrosse grape, has quickly become a signature wine. LaCrosse is a hybrid from the seyval blanc family and is slightly sweet. For those wanting to sample wine made from a real North American native, try Blackridge Red made from the Catawba grape. Packed with a grapey nose and bright berry flavors, this dessert wine should be quite popular with a favorite Southern dessert.

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Another first sample for us was White Fences. This vineyard and winery is located in the Northern Neck of Virginia; these wines tended to be lighter-bodied. The Meteor Bright White with its floral nose and pineapple flavors was slightly sweet and was best appreciated with the spicy peanuts provided by the tasting associate. A unique offering was the Meteor Midnight Red. This dessert wine is made from chambourcin grapes and presents intense blackberry flavors with a touch of sweetness.

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We were pleased to pay another visit to the New Kent tasting station. Paul sampled the Merlot and declared it to be a Chianti-style, lighter bodied red wine. The Chardonnay Reserve, my own favorite from the last Showcase, was sold out; however, I did appreciate the unique and versatile White Norton with its strawberry nose. New Kent’s spacious tasting room and facility is still relatively new, and we briefly chatted with managing partner Pete Johns. Pete filled us in on New Kent’s successes with the Chardonnay Reserve, Vidal Blanc, and White Norton qualifying as the winery’s top sellers.


Readers may recall our favorable impressions of Sugarleaf Vineyards. Needless to say, when we caught sight of Lauren Taylor at the tasting booth, we knew that we had to say hello. We also opted for a tasting of Sugarleaf’s quality wines. Be sure to try both the 07 Vidal Blanc and the excellent 07 Petit Manseng; however, my own favorite remains the 06 Cabernet Sauvignon. A full-bodied offering packed with dark fruit characteristics, this one is an age-worthy keeper.

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Fruit wine lovers should enjoy Bright Meadows Farm Vineyard. Though in operation since 2001, we had never visited the winery, and we did not neglect a chance to sample their fruit wines. The Halifax Red presents yet another true Native American grape, the Concord grape. Dry and bold, there is no doubt that this one is indeed King Concord. Paul enjoyed the Apple wine made from a blend of apples that provided an array of apple characteristics.

https://oevenezolano.org/2024/08/vc1989y So what other wines made our all-star list? From Rebec Vineyard, we preferred the Riesling. Davis Valley Winery presented a blend of hybrids (chardonnel, vidal blanc, and seyval blanc) in its White that should prove to be a crowd pleaser for the summer time. We’ve reviewed Cooper Vineyards’ Norton, and the 2006 Norton is still one of my favorite Virginia Nortons. And finally, Cabernet Franc lovers may want to try the current offering by First Colony.

https://solomedicalsupply.com/2024/08/07/556qegicog6 And so ended our trip to the winter edition of the Virginia Wine Showcase. For the record, we do pick and choose what to taste and how much to taste. For those who wish to navigate these events without getting inebriated, remember that you do not have to taste everything on the tasting menus. For example, I do not like sweet wines and do not taste them. Paul avoids most Chardonnays, and we both say “no thanks” to so-called hot tub wines. Also, do not be afraid to dump into the buckets even if you enjoy the wines you are tasting. Tasting portions do tend to be quite minimal, but if an associate is pouring too much into your glass then speak up! Finally, drink lots of water and be sure to eat. (Your palate will tell you when you’ve sampled too much wine—when Merlot tastes like Chardonnay, it’s time to call it quits.)

https://polyploid.net/blog/?p=nbbjq6g0np Be sure to visit any or all of the wineries featured here, but be sure to mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you.

Bright Horizons at Sunset Hills

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While on our recent Loudoun County winery tour, we decided to visit Sunset Hills Vineyard. Though owners Diane and Mike Canney established their first Chardonnay vineyard in 1997, the winery is very new and opened for business two months ago; in fact, the facility is a restored 130-year old Amish farm. Of course, we were eager to taste current offerings, and in the process we got a sneak barrel tasting from Mike Canney.

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Three white wines were available for tasting, and all three were very good. My own favorite was the Viognier with its pineapple and honey characteristics. I noted a longer finish, too. This Viognier is finished in neutral French oak and therefore has more body and structure without an overwhelming oak feel. Paul preferred the stainless steel Chardonnay and appreciated its flavors of apples and pears. Not to be missed is the Reserve Chardonnay. Aged in French oak barrels, the Reserve Chardonnay exhibits hazelnuts on the nose and roasted pineapple in the mouth; a nice buttery finish is the product of partial malolactic fermentation.

Of the red wines, we both placed a star next to the 2006 Cabernet Franc with its notes and flavors of rich red berries, dried herbs and spice. Aged 18 months in oak, this one is built for longevity. A pairing with any favorite beef or game dish would do just fine. Of its 20 acres of planted vines, the largest planting is Cabernet Franc. The 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon was likewise quite good and another age-worthy pour. This one offered darker fruit characteristics with smooth tannins. Seventeen months in French oak will allow this Cabernet to age very well.

https://udaan.org/pu0n23xvb64.php We did get to meet owner Mike Canney who offered us a barrel tasting of developing Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. We saw great potential with these evolving wines, and we noted Mike’s passion for making quality wines. His dedication was reflected in the immaculate barrel room located beneath the tasting facility. Mike was also mindful of soils and environment when he selected his property for use as a vineyard. The results are the quality wines that are available in the tasting room. We also discovered that Mike is a race car driver, so perhaps he also knows how to keep a competitive edge!

At the end of our tasting and tour, we shared a glass of the Viognier and watched a spectacular sunset as we sipped and savored. Before we left Sunset Hill Vineyard, I was sure to purchase a bottle of the Viognier with a shellfish dinner in mind. We do intend to return to Sunset Hills, but we do recommend a visit to readers; of course, be sure to mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you.

Breaux Vineyards

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What better way to warm the body than with a bowl of chicken gumbo and a glass of wine! While on our Loudoun County trek, we made certain to take the chill off by stopping in at Breaux Vineyards for gumbo and wine (of course).

Before lunch, the wine tasting—how else to decide what to pair with the food? Hospitality Associate Sylvia Miller guided us through a tasting of current offerings; as always, white wines were featured first. Paul’s personal favorite was the 2007 Viognier, and he observed a floral nose with vibrant fruit in the mouth. My own pick of the white wines was the 2006 Barrel Select Chardonnay, and for those who enjoy a fuller-bodied Chardonnay, this one is for you. Nine months of barrel aging in American and French oak and malolactic fermentation gives this one a creamy texture with a butterscotch finish.

Of the red wines, Paul placed a star next to the medium-bodied 2004 Lafayette with its peppery characteristics. He jotted down, “dark berry” and “caramel toward the end” as descriptors. Sylvia explained that the secret to the Lafayette’s complexity was the weather during the 2004 summer—cool, dry nights, and hot, dry days. My own gold star was placed next to the 2002 Merlot Reserve. Dried fruit characteristics prevailed here with nice, silky tannins. Aging in both American and French oak gave this Merlot Reserve a toastier edge toward the end with a lengthy finish.

By this point, we were hungry and thinking of lunch. I was very keen on the gumbo; since, I am from New Orleans I never miss a chance to try gumbo wherever it is offered on the menu. Pairing gumbo with wine can be tricky given the numerous and complex flavors. However, I met my match with the 2007 Jen’s Jambalaya. A blend of Viognier, Vidal, and Muscat provided a floral nose with peachy flavors. The half-percent residual sugar was barely noticeable but just enough to combine with the fruit characteristics to balance the spiciness of a dish like gumbo. With my decision made, I was ready to wine and dine. Paul was in a patriotic mood given the recent inaugural events and opted instead to have the all-American hotdog with a glass of his favorite 2004 Lafayette.

With appetites satisfied and excellent wines sampled, we were ready to bid “adieu” to Breaux Vineyards. We were very grateful for the time that Sylvia Miller gave us, and we know that we will return to Breaux Vineyards very soon. Be sure to visit Breaux Vineyards, and mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you.