We always make a point to attend Chrysalis’ springtime music event, and this year’s concert featured cool jazz. Saturday also offered a respite from the rainy weather, and it was just a gorgeous day to enjoy music and wine. We also got to catch up with Jenni McCloud who allowed us a sneak preview of her upcoming 2007 releases.

Before settling down to lunch and jazz, we did opt to do a tasting at the outdoor tasting bars. Nine wines were offered for tasting, and we started with the whites. Of course, gold stars were brought along, and by the time we were done, we had gold stars all over the place. My own favorite of the white wines was the full-bodied 2006 Viognier with its seductive floral nose. Paul, however, enjoyed the clean, crisp 2006 Chardonnay. Of the reds, the 2003 Norton Locksley Reserve still tops the list and gets better every time I taste it—big dried fruit notes and flavors finish with a bit of pepper. Paul preferred the 2004 Norton Estate Bottled, and he noted cherries in the mouth with a smoother finish. For an every day red, we both enjoyed the 2004 Rubiana with its blackberry, smoky, and spice characteristics. For summer options, consider the 2006 Mariposa which the tasting sheet compared to a Spanish style Clarete. Some might call it a rose-style, but it is actually a blend of red and white varietals. Serve chilled, of course, Mariposa’s strawberry nose and flavors might be perfect for a summer picnic.

With our tasting done, it was time for lunch, and we headed to the food tent to purchase lunch. Actually, this was a fairly large tent, and several vendors were on hand to offer locally produced artisanal products. I was particularly intrigued with Wanders Artisan Chocolaterie. Melanie and Wilhelm Wanders guided us through a sampling of their hand-crafted chocolates which they also paired with Chrysalis wines. In addition, they also make jelly candies produced from Virginia wines! The chocolates were divine, and I particularly enjoyed the espresso chocolates paired with Chrysalis’ Petit Verdot. However, we were mindful not to spoil lunch with desserts, and we both ordered chicken sandwiches. Wine? The 2006 Viognier—because it was my absolute favorite of the day!

So we munched and sipped away on a glorious afternoon while being serenaded with various jazz acts. The bands were outstanding, and we enjoyed classics by Dave Brubeck and John Coltrane. In fact, we finished our 2006 Viognier while lounging on Adirondack chairs beneath a large tree, its limber branches swaying to jazz beats. As we were headed back to the tasting room to purchase some wines, we ran into Jenni McCloud. Jenni offered to update us on the latest happenings, and before long Jenni had us swirling and sipping previews of the upcoming 2007 vintages.

Curtis Vincent, winemaker.

I’ve described Jenni as a visionary more than once, and we were excited to hear of plans for a restaurant and cheese bar on the Chrysalis property. Of course, her mission is Norton, and Jenni played for us a clip of an interview she did about Norton for NPR. We were also treated to a visit to the barrel room where we got to meet new winemaker, Curtis Vincent from California. It was with Curtis that Jenni guided us though a sampling of the 2007 whites. These are going to be blockbuster wines—the 2007 Viognier and the 2007 Albarino were particularly outstanding. The 2007 Viognier is truly reminiscent of a full-bodied Condrieu Viognier. Jenni proclaimed the 2007 Albarino to be the best Albarino in the country, and it was hard to disagree with her—clean, crisp and flinty with citrus flavors and nice acidity. I thought of crab cakes as the perfect pairing with this one. Paul favored the vibrant 2007 Sarah’s Patio Red made with Norton; Paul likes Sarah’s Patio Red with pizza. Not to be outdone was the 2005 Papillion. Big and bold with upfront dried fruit and spicy flavors, the 2005 Papillion is destined to join the 2003 Norton Locksley Reserve as a must-have from Chrysalis Vineyards.

So did we mention that we also met new chickens and cows? As part of Jenni’s vision to offer estate-grown eggs and dairy, her family of chickens and cows has grown since our last visit to Chrysalis; in fact, free-range eggs from her hens were available for purchase at the jazz event as well as her finishing oils produced from Norton seeds.

We always look forward to meeting up with Jenni McCloud—-I always wonder where she gets all of her energy. We know we’ll be visiting Chrysalis again very soon, but in the meantime, do visit Chrysalis and mention to Jenni McCloud that Virginia Wine Time sent you.

This past Saturday, we treated ourselves to an elegant evening of wine and food at Gray Ghost Vineyards. The occasion was a vertical tasting of Reserve Cabernets (93, 97, 98, 99, 01, 02) and Merlots (03, 04, 05, 06). Pictures will tell the story for most of this entry, but I will share some of our notes from the evening as well as some exciting news from Gray Ghost Vineyards.

Al telling us about the evenings events.

The evening started with a pre-event social in the tasting room. Featured here was Gray Ghost’s first ever release of a Riesling. The Gray Ghost 2007 Riesling presented lovely floral notes with grapefruit flavors and was served with hors d’oevres that paired well with a dry Riesling.

The wine library where the wines were set out for pouring.

Before long we were invited to the wine library where the evening’s event was to take place. The setting there was truly elegant with candles creating a perfect ambiance for a night of fine, award-winning wines and dinner. We were first treated to the flight of Merlots and a first round at the buffet which featured such dishes as chicken and pasta, roasted pork loin, and venison teriyaki. Assorted cheese and dried meats were also served; of course, all of the buffet items complimented the wines. Also, Cheryl Kellert, who could probably pursue a second career as a chef, did all of the cooking

All the glasses ready for wine.

Once we all served ourselves a round of food, the room began to buzz about the Merlots. Of course, we all had our own favorites. I preferred the 05 followed closely by the 03. Both were packed with rich cherry flavors and nicely structured due to a limited yet appropriate time in oak. I also noted that the 03’s perseverance had to be due to quality wine making as 2003 was the year of rain, rain, rain and a special visit from Hurricane Isabel. Paul placed the 2006 offering at the top of his list, but his second favorite was also the 2003!

Round two at the buffet table, and this time to pair with the Reserve Cabernet Sauvignons. A special feature was the 1993 Reserve Cabernet; this was the first Reserve Cabernet poured by Gray Ghost, and it earned them numerous awards and rave reviews. I say special because this was the last time that this wine will be poured; remaining bottles will continue to rest in the library. So enough nostalgia—what Cabs were the faves? I kept grabbing the 1998 and placed this one at the top of my list. To me, this one represented a fine integration of aromas and flavors; I thought it was still nicely balanced. Paul went with the sentimental favorite, the 1993 Cab.

The candle light was lovely.

At the end of the evening, we were treated to a pairing of a rich chocolate dessert and a glass of the 2004 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. As the revered 1993 goes into final retirement, I predict that the 2004 will take its hallowed place at the verticals! We’ve written about this one before, and it only gets better every time we try it!

We had a great time.

We ended our evening with conversations with Al, Amy, and Cheryl. Exciting developments include the future release of its meritage blend called Ranger Reserve which has already won a silver medal in a California wine competition. In fact, several Gray Ghost wines have won medals in California already this year and include the 2006 Reserve Chardonnay, the 2006 Cabernet Franc, the upcoming 2007 Gewurztraminer and 2007 Adieu. We’ll return to Gray Ghost to sample these upcoming releases; so, put a trip to Gray Ghost on the agenda, and tell the Kellerts and Gray Ghost that Virginia Wine Time sent you!