Category: Wines

Wines for the New Year

/ Paul / Leave a comment

Last week we were sent two bottles of wine from Virginia Wine.org. They asked us to taste the wines and share our food pairings. What a great way to start 2020!

The first wine was the 2018 Blenheim Vineyards Albariño. We love the wines from Blenheim so much that I’m a club member! We decided to have this bottle as our evening sipper. We paired it with various crackers and brie and Havarti cheeses. We noted white stone fruit, citrus zest, chamomile, a refreshing palate. Even though we enjoyed this as an evening sipper, we could also see pairing this with a fish dish. If you don’t often find yourself in the Charlottesville area, you can purchase this wine right from their website for $23.

The second bottle of wine was the 2016 Pinot Noir from Ankida Ridge Vineyards. We have been a fan of their pinot noir for years but hadn’t had a chance to taste the 2016. We were looking forward to it! Warren decided to roast a chicken to enjoy with the wine. He also made roasted root vegetables with a sprig of thyme and mashed potatoes. We noted bright seed berries, hint of anise, bright berries on the palate, fruity through the finish…elegant yet paired well with the rustic fair. We became instant fans of this vintage. Again, if you are unable to visit their tasting room, you can purchase this vintage from their website for $44.

A big Thank You to Virginia wine.org for sending us these wonderful wines. You should plan a visit to Blenheim Vineyards or Ankida Ridge Vineyards soon and when you do, tell them Virginia Wine Time sent you!

Free Form Tasting

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During the month of December, Linden Vineyards veered away from their normal tasting routine to do Free Form Tasting. For the Free Form Tasting, Jim Law selects wines from the wine cellar as well as current and new releases to taste during this time. This year Free Form Tasting took place on the two weekends before the holidays. We attended both weekends.

Yesterday we went to the Free Form Tasting at Linden. Of course we started with white wines. Jim introduced us to a new release. It’s called Wabi Sabi. It’s a blend of Vidal, Semillion, and the 2017 Boisseau Viognier. Warren wrote down dry, exotic, generous weight on the palate due in large part to the Viognier. We think this one would pair well with spicy dishes. We went on to taste the 2017 Boisseau Viognier on it’s own (which we had last weekend as well) and the 2018 Riesling. Both are wonderful wines anyone would enjoy.

We changed tasting bars to taste the red selections. We tasted the 2014 and 2016 Clarets. Last weekend when we tasted these we preferred the 2014 which has a bit more acidity but this weekend we both enjoyed the 2016. Before leaving this tasting bar we were treated to a tasting of the 1994 Cabernet Sauvignon. What a treat! We noted leather, cedar, sage and dark currants. Amazing how well it is holding up!

We then went into the side room for more reds. We tasted the 2016 Avenius Red along side the 2007 Avenius Red (which is not for sale). The 2016 is merlot based whereas the 2007 is petite verdot dominant. The 2016 presents plum, currants, dark cherry, tannic. We noted wet stone, ripe berry and tannins with the 2007. We enjoyed them both!

The Free Form Tasting at Linden is done for this year. And they are now closed until the new year. But be sure to visit Linden in the new year because they have some changes coming to the Cellar Tasting and we’re sure the Free Form Tasting will return next December. And when you visit, tell them Virginia Wine Time sent you!

New (To Us) Wineries

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As summer finally gives way to autumn, we reflect on wineries that, while open for a while, are new to our palates. Here we give brief reflections on those visits.

Effingham Manor Winery: This is a Pearmund operation and the tasting room is actually a historic home. We heard that it is haunted, but any ghosts and goblins were well behaved while we were there. We enjoyed the medium-bodied 2016 Chardonnay with its notes of pear and apple. For hearty beef dishes, try the 2016 Meritage—-blackberry and cherry elements were accompanied by tobacco and spice notes. The 2018 Rose is crafted from the Chambourcin grape, and this off-dry offering should please any palate.

Septenary – The Winery at Seven Oaks Farm: We were impressed with this winery. A start with the Sparkling NV had us hooked, and then led to the elegant, creamy Chardonnay 2017 with its pear notes and vanilla finish. Of the red wines, we favored the complex Carriage House 2016 and the fuller-bodied Coleman 2015 with its ripe berry nose and flavors of blackberry, plum and dried herbs. Enjoy a glass of a favorite wine while taking in the lovely grounds—-we will return to this winery!

Walsh Family Wine: Nate Walsh continues to produce quality wines, and this time he is doing so from the former North Gate Winery. Walsh purchased the facility and vineyards from former owners and winemakers of North Gate Winery, Mark and Vicki Fedor. Friend and fellow blogger Kurt Jensen (Wine About Virginia) joined us for a tasting of Walsh’s latest releases. We enjoyed the crisp 2018 Sauvignon Blanc but saved our accolades for the 2017 Merlot with its dark cherry elements and fruity palate. The 2017 Staggerwing Tannat was surprisingly accessible; buy now and enjoy now! Serve with braised meats and a crusty baguette on a chilly night.

Plan to visit these wineries if you have not already done so. Please mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you!

Veritas, The Farmhouse, and a Flying Fox

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We reflect on summer’s passing with a feature on another experience from our Charlottesville vacation in July. Our trip included a tasting at Veritas, a Virginia Wine Time favorite; however, winemaker Emily Pelton and Elliot Watkins have also taken on the winemaking duties at Flying Fox. Of course, we had to sample the releases there. The Farmhouse? Read on to find out more.

Tasters who visit Veritas are offered a choice of the regular wine tasting or the reserve tasting. Guess which one we selected? The Sauvignon Blanc 2018 was presented for tasting on both menus, and we appreciated its citrus notes and zesty finish; however, the Harlequin 2017 was the reserve list standout. Chardonnay lovers who appreciate an oaky style will be wowed with this one. Its ripe pear note and creamy palate seemed destined to partner well with any dish that includes a cream sauce atop poultry, pork or fish. I already looked forward to autumn and heartier dishes, and the Vintner’s Reserve 2016 captured my palate. This blend of Petit Verdot, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc featured flavors of dark cherry, blackberry, and dark plum with smoky notes and a kiss of mocha. Braised meats, roasted veggies, game meats—-the pairing options seemed endless.

The team behind Flying Fox Vineyard consists of Emily Pelton, Elliot and Chloe Watkins and George and Traylyn Hodson. Emily and Elliot serve as the winemakers. The tasting facility appeared unremarkable from the street—until we walked through the door. The decor recalled a 1920s parlor to suggest that we had entered a speakeasy. Small touches such as a period Smith-Corona manual typewriter completed the impression, and we expected flappers to suddenly appear while dancing the Charleston! However, we were also impressed with the wines especially the Rose 2018 and the more complex Trio 2015, a blend driven by Cabernet Franc. Elements of blackberry, tobacco and pepper converged to create a more complex yet accessible blend.

Need a place to stay while visiting the Charlottesville area? The Farmhouse might be the perfect place. This bed and breakfast is located on the Veritas property. It consists of 8 luxury rooms with many options for wining and dining. For more information, check out their website.

We say farewell to summer as we welcome autumn and its crisp air and lovely colors. Plan a fall visit to Veritas Vineyards and Winery; you can even book a place to stay there at The Farmhouse. Include a tasting to Flying Fox to complete the experience. Be sure to mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you!

The Last Cellar Tasting

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Last week when we got our Linden Vineyards newsletter in our email, we read that the cellar tastings were ending this past weekend until the new year. We decided we had to attend the last one of the year. On Saturday we headed to Linden to participate in the last cellar tasting of the year.

We arrived just in time for the cellar tasting to begin. The tasting started with the 2016 and 2017 Avenius Sauvignon Blancs. While we enjoyed them both, Warren and I preferred the 2017. Warren jotted down grassy, petrol, boxwood, mineral/graphite and lemon lime notes. Perfect for the end of summer.

We then compared the 2015 Hardscrabble Chardonnay with the 2015 Boisseau Chardonnay. Both of these wines are beautiful and have their place with different types of meals. Warren and I split on our favorite here. We may have been thinking of foods when making our decisions. Warren preferred the 2015 Hardscrabble. He described it as lush with pear notes, lean mid palate, fruit and spice on the finish. I preferred the 2015 Boisseau for it’s toasted ripe pear notes with a more rounded mouth feel. I thought you could have this one with food or just as a sipper.

The final comparison was between the 2014 and 2015 Hardscrabble Reds. The blends are different with the 2014 being mostly Cab Sauv and the 2015 including a good bit of Cab Franc. Both Warren and I preferred the 2015 blend. Lots of cherry and spice with a more rounded mouth feel made Warren think of several dishes he could pair this with.

The cellar tasting ended with a taste of the 2012 Late Harvest Vidal. A delicious way to end the tasting. It’s aging well and can be enjoyed for many years into the future.

If you missed the last cellar tasting for the year, be sure to return to Linden in the new year when the cellar tastings begin again. And when you do, tell them Virginia Wine Time sent you!

The sunflower garden at Linden Vineyards

Visiting Old Favorites

/ Warren / 2 Comments

A recent visit to the Monticello area offered us the opportunity to sample releases from favorite wineries. Here we present wines (and the wineries) that we enjoyed most:

Barboursville Vineyards: I always pay attention to the reserve wines at Barboursville, and this time was no exception. The Sauvignon Blanc Reserve 2016, Vermentino Reserve 2016, Viognier Reserve 2017 and the Cabernet Franc Reserve 2017 all earned my top scores. Perhaps it was due to the hot day, but I particularly enjoyed the Vermentino Reserve 2016 with its floral notes and nice mouth feel. I did, however, leave with a bottle of the Octagon 2015 to add to our collection of the Octagon line on our wine rack.

Blenheim Vineyards: We always hope to run into winemaker Kirsty Harmon when we visit Blenheim Vineyards, and we were in luck this time around. The Albarino 2018 was my favorite; faintly floral with orchard fruit on the palate, it should complement light fare, shell fish, and fresh fruit. The light-bodied Cabernet Franc 2017 with its cherry notes is destined to please with grilled fare, comfort foods or on its own with sliced deli meats and cheeses.

Cardinal Point Vineyard and Winery: On a hot day, it was hard to not appreciate the 2018 Quattro, a blend of Riesling, Gerwurztraminer, Vidal Blanc, and Viognier; however, this fruity blend should also come in handy during the upcoming Thanksgiving or Christmas holidays—-never to early to think about future menus! Be sure to sample the 2017 Clay Hill Cabernet Franc—-red berry notes and a bit of spice on the finish reminded us why Cabernet Franc is one of Virginia’s signature grape varieties.

Gabrielle Rausse Winery: We continue to be impressed with this winery, and I always seem to leave with a bottle (or two) of the Vin Gris de Pinot Noir, and this time from the 2018 vintage. The Rose 2018 produced from Cabernet Sauvignon was another favorite; strawberry flavors were noted with a dry, crisp finish. The non-vintage Cabernet Franc can be described as very berry; a light-bodied, fruity palate make this one delicious to sip on its own or with food.

King Family Vineyards: We expect to see lots of rose produced from the 2018 growing season, and were not disappointed to see the Crose 2018 on the tasting menu here. This is always one of our favorite roses, and we stock up whenever to visit King Family Vineyards. Loads of bright red berry notes and flavors with a crisp finish aptly describe the Crose 2018; buy to enjoy now or throughout the year—-rose is versatile! I made certain to purchase the complex Meritage 2017; it presented dark fruit aromas and flavors with a note of tobacco and cedar. It is still young and a bit tannic—-buy now and decant or store and enjoy later.

Pollak Vineyards: Yay for Chardonnay and the 2017 Chardonnay from Pollak Vineyards; tropical fruit notes and a crisp finish make for a lovely representation of this grape without the oaky presence. And yes, Rose 2018—-this one driven by Cabernet Franc, I noted flavors of strawberry and watermelon and appreciated its crisp acidity. The 2015 Meritage showed quite well; expect dark plum, black cherry and currant characteristics with spice on the finish and a bit of a tannic “chew.”

Our next post will feature new favorites (or at least new to us.). In the meantime, visit these excellent wineries while in the Monticello area. Please mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you!

Stay

/ Warren / 2 Comments

And we did just that during a recent summer getaway to the Charlottesville area. We rented a cottage on a vineyard site managed by Stay Charlottesville, and the cottage named Coop Billon was located on the property associated with Afton Mountain Vineyards. Of course, we visited several wineries during our stay!

For readers looking for a local weekend getaway or longer vacation in the historic Charlottesville area, consider booking accommodations through Stay Charlottesville. We booked a cottage located on a vineyard because we are wine geeks; however, other Stay sites include Charlottesville estates, rustic Virginia countryside, and University of Virginia. The Coop Billon is one of four cottages that offer guests views of Afton Mountain’s vineyards, a tasting in the tasting room, a gorgeous views of Virginia mountainsides. The cottage itself can be described as country quaint with a complete kitchen, spacious bathroom, and a back porch that included rocking chairs. Paul and I enjoyed simple meals each night paired with a favorite Virginia wine while dining al fresco on the porch. Each meal was partnered with lovely skies, and on one evening, music from the winery.

A stay at the cottages includes a free tasting at the winery; of course, we took advantage of the opportunity to sample the latest releases from Afton Mountain Vineyards. Owner Elizabeth Smith greeted us warmly, and it was she who conducted our tasting. I already had dinner on my mind even though it was 11 AM—-it’s never too early to think about dinner; anyway, I knew that we were going to enjoy crab cakes that evening. The first pour on the tasting list was also my choice to pair with dinner, and it was the 2018 Albarino. It presented floral notes with peach aromas and a crisp, refreshing feel in the mouth. Be on the look out for lots of rose from the 2018 vintage due to the heavy rainfall during that growing season, and the 2018 Rose from Afton Mountain Vineyards offered bright red berry notes and fruity palate that demanded to be enjoyed on a hot summer day.

Speaking of the 2018 vintage, readers may know that some winemakers have opted not to produce red wines from that growing season; however, remember that microclimates matter. While some vineyard sites got soaked, others were more fortunate to receive a break from the constant rainfall and were able to produce red wines. The 2018 Cabernet Franc from Afton Mountain Vineyards was quite enjoyable. It was lighter bodied with lots of red raspberry and cherry notes; it also presented a fruity palate that makes it an easy pairing with lighter fare now or in the fall. If in doubt about which winemaker is doing what with the 2018 vintage, ask the particular winemaker at a specific winery——don’t assume everyone has decided not to produce red wines.

Of course, summer will not last forever and fall/winter fare will grace the dinner tables. Consider Afton Mountain’s Bacco 2016 which is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, Petit Verdot and Tannat. This one featured a profile of ripe dark berries and currants with a chewy/tannic presence that plays well with heavier beef dishes and game meats. Look out for a white port-style wine crafted from the floral muscat grape; we were treated to a sneak preview; however, we are not sure when it will be released.

And so our day ended just as we had planned—-crab cakes with the 2018 Albarino from Afton Mountains. We dined outdoors and were entertained by the band playing at the winery; a cool breeze greeted a colorful sky made brighter by fire flies flitting above the meadow. Consider a Stay at the vineyard cottages while visiting the Charlottesville area, and enjoy the lovely wines at Afton Mountain Vineyards. Please mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you!

25th Anniversary

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On Saturday I attended the 25th Anniversary celebration at Gray Ghost Vineyards. Twenty five years ago on July 9th Al and Cheryl Kellert opened the doors to Gray Ghost Vineyards. They were only tasting one wine on that day, a Vidal.

The day began with an opening reception. Amy Payette, Virginia House of Delegates from the 18th district Michael Webert, Richard Leahy and Al Kellert all spoke during the reception.

Following the reception there were events that took place all day. You could enjoy a tasting of their current release of wines (even the limited release 2017 Merlot). The wine library was open tasting four vintages of library wines. The barrel room was also open for tasting of the 2016 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (first time a reserve barrel as been opened!). There was also beautiful music in the barrel room from harpist Tess Miller. If that wasn’t enough, you could also take a vineyard tour, winery tour and enjoy live music around the grounds at Gray Ghost. And if you got hungry Talk of the Mountain Seafood was on hand to fill that hunger.

It was an amazing day. The events continued again on Sunday. We have been part of the Gray Ghost family for many years. We want to congratulate them on reaching their 25th year. We know they will continue on into the future with great success. And we of course will continue to visit Gray Ghost, help in harvesting and enjoying their wines for years to come. Congratulations Gray Ghost!

Before I left, I bought a case of the limited release 2017 Merlot. If you haven’t been to Gray Ghost Vineyards, it’s one winery in Virginia that you must visit. And when you do, tell them Virginia Wine Time sent you!