Category: Wines

Napa Cabernet from Virginia?

/ Warren / Leave a comment

So I have been recovering from a dental procedure that required me to eat soft foods for two weeks. Poached chicken, mashed potatoes, and smoothies had been my go to menu items; so, I decided to munch on a juicy steak once I got the all clear to eat something more substantial. My wine of choice was the 2013 Home Town Red from Abingdon Vineyards.

We visited Abingdon Vineyards at least seven years ago, and we were mesmerized by the lovely mountain views and well-crafted wines while on a tour through that section of south western Virginia. In 2018, the winery was purchased by Loren and Elizabeth Gardner both of whom are native to California wine country. The 2013 Home Town Red was produced from Cabernet Sauvignon grown in Napa, California, and it presented the hallmark characteristics of a Napa Cab—-jammy dark fruit that lingered through the palate and finished with a leathery/cedar note. It struck a perfect chord with my filet mignon topped with mushrooms and partnered with sautéed potatoes a la Julia Child.

Abingdon Vineyards sent us several wines to try. We’ve enjoyed them all. If you follow us on Twitter or Facebook or Instagram, you will have seen our impressions of the wines we’ve tried so far. A big THANK YOU to Abingdon Vineyards for sharing some of their wines with us.

Whether you are on a steak break due to dental issues or at a loss as to what to serve with a favorite beef dish, consider the 2013 Home Town Red from Abingdon Vineyards. If you are at the winery, please mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you!

Oregon Chardonnay For Chardonnay Lovers

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Today we wander off of the Virginia Wine path and consider a Chardonnay from Oregon, the Marshall Davis 2017 Estate Chardonnay. The Marshall Davis Vineyard is located in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA of the Willamette Valley, and the vineyard itself is tended by the Marshall family. The vineyard includes “eight acres of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir vines surrounding their home near Carlton.” The vineyard site boasts an elevation of 450 feet with volcanic topsoil and superior drainage.

This particular Chardonnay is barrel fermented and aged for 16 months in French oak barrels, 15% of which are new. It presented notes of pear and tropical fruit followed by roasted pear and lush tropical fruit flavors that finished with a caramel kiss. Fruit flavors extended and then lingered through the palate. We enjoyed this Marshall Davis 2017 Estate Chardonnay with crab cakes topped with a corn relish; on a warm summer night, it proved to be a perfect pairing.

I have never been a a member of the “ABC” (Anything But Chardonnay) club, and my motto is “Yay for Chardonnay!” The Marshall Davis 2017 Estate Chardonnay get two thumbs up from me. Be sure to seek this gem out at your local wine shop or purchase on line by visiting the vineyard’s website. Mention that you read about it on Virginia Wine Time!

Early Release!

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On Saturday we went to Gray Ghost Vineyards to do a tasting and pick up a few cases of wine. Of course we enjoyed all the wines on the tasting, especially the reserve chardonnay.

Winemaker Al Kellert conducted out tasting so of course we learned more about the wines than usual. Al also informed us that the 2018 Cabernet Franc would be released next weekend on Father’s Day weekend. Unfortunately, we won’t be able to return to Gray Ghost next weekend so Al let us secretly buy a bottle of the 2018 Cabernet Franc before the release next weekend!

We decided to bring the bottle of 2018 Cabernet Franc to dinner at our friends’ house. We had steaks and burgers on the grill…delicious of course. We decided to open the Cab Franc to see how it paired with the burgers. Al’s 2018 Cabernet Franc was perfect with the burgers! It’s a classic Virginia cab franc. It’s a light bodied, smooth wine with notes of cherry , vanilla, and black pepper. We thoroughly enjoyed this cab franc.

Of course we’ll return to Gray Ghost in the near future to secure some more bottles of 2018 Cabernet Franc. If you happen to visit, be sure to try the 2018 cab franc and tell them Virginia Wine Time sent you!

Starting Summer at Slater Run Vineyards

/ Warren / 2 Comments

It has been a while since we have been on the wine trails; however, this past weekend we made certain to enjoy the transition from spring to summer with a visit to Slater Run Vineyards. Our summer plans include outdoor concerts, picnics, and gatherings with friends, and our quest was to stock up on summer pours that would be appropriate for warm nights, festive fireflies, and summer fun!

Our visit to Slater Run Vineyards coincided with the winery’s opening of its new spacious tasting room. The well-appointed tasting room highlights a trendy yet tasteful barn-like atmosphere with plenty of glass doors and windows to maximize exposure to green space and mountain views. We also appreciate the no pets, no children rule; yes, we like dogs and love toddlers, but wine tasting is an adult (and human) experience. (Sorry to offend anyone!)

Kathy skillfully guided us through our tasting experience. My palate was tuned in to summer wines, and the 2018 Pinot Gris with its citrus notes and refreshing palate was an instant hit for me. We both enjoyed the 2018 Rose, a blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. Bright red berry aromas and red berry flavors screamed summer. (Readers may already know that 2018 was a very difficult growing season due to heavy rain, so get ready for lots of rose from Virginia wineries.) Lean meats on the grill should pair well with the light-bodied 2016 Cabernet Franc with its brambleberry notes and spicy finish. Grilled steaks and heartier meats would appreciate the 2016 Roots as a sidekick. Cabernet Sauvignon dominates this blend and is accompanied by Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Merlot. Dark fruit prevails on the palate and the mouthfeel is heavier; however, the tannins are pliable; this one is accessible now but feel free to store on the rack for fall.

We enjoyed a bottle of the 2018 Rose with sliced ham, fresh strawberries, and light cheeses while taking in the scenic view from the patio. A gentle breeze and the scent of blossoms filled with warm air. Of course, we left with a case of our favorite wines, and we encourage readers to do the same. Please visit the new (and expansive) tasting room at Slater Run Vineyards to enjoy their excellent wines. Be sure to mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you!

Nebbiolo Through the Years at Breaux Vineyards

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Nebbiolo is a grape variety that oenophiles would associate with Italy; however, there are a few wineries in Virginia that are able to grow the grape in their vineyards. Breaux Vineyards is one of them. In fact, it was owner Paul Breaux who fell in love with Nebbiolo while visiting Italy in the late 1990s and decided to try growing it in his own vineyard. It has since proven to be Breaux’s flagship red wine with excellent vintages on display at a recent vertical tasting.

The 2005 vintage was the eldest statesman at the event with the 2016 bottling debuting as the youngster. In between the two, the 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 were poured for comparison. Vintages are paired together and then partnered with three courses prepared by Grandale Restaurant and Catering. So what were our favorites?

First Course and Pairing:
Chicken, spinach, and prosciutto Napoleon with Bechamel Sauce paired with the 2005 and 2012 vintages.

This course proved that chicken can be matched with red wine. The 05 vintage was the winner at our table and presented the raisiny fruit profile associated with an aging red wine. I noted clover and earthy aromas too. However, the fruitier ’12 vintage with its brighter red berry notes was my own personal favorite.

Second Course and Pairing:
Braised pork shank over leek and truffle risotto paired with the 2014 and 2015 vintages.

This was my favorite course. The pork shank was braised to perfection with truffle risotto providing an earthier flavor to the dish; this matched quite well with the ’15 vintage and its dark fruit notes and subtle whiff of violet on the nose. For readers with a bottle of the ’14 vintage rest assured that it can stay a while longer on the wine rack. Tannins on this one are still firm. Decant if you insist on enjoying it now.

Third Course and Pairing:
Cheesy polenta cake with bolognese sauce and shaved pecorino Romano cheese with snow pea tendrils paired with the 2010 and 2016 vintages.

This was Paul’s favorite course—-the polenta cake was an excellent alternative to pasta with the bolognese sauce. The pairing also offered a contrast in winemaking styles. The 2010 shared a profile that was similar to the 2005, and both were products of longer oak aging. The 2016, though, presented the vision of current winemaker, Josh Gerard. Gerard favors less oak aging but longer bottle aging in order to showcase Nebbiolo’s lush aromatics. Though young, the ’16 presented rich berry notes that extended through the finish. The ’16 has not been released yet; however, it already shows potential.

Lagniappe (or bonus for those who are not from New Orleans):
Smoked chestnut and wine berry tossed in cocoa paired with the 2013 vintage

The ’13 was an easy sipper and a nice partner with the cocoa powder. Softer fruit notes and tannins with this one.

The Nebbiolo vertical allowed us to taste many of the vintages that we have on our own wine rack, and we determined that ’05 and ’10 vintages should be enjoyed now. ’14 and ’15 can rest while longer; ’12 and ’13 can be enjoyed now or held a bit longer. Be sure to visit Breaux Vineyards to either add to or begin your own collection of Nebbiolo, but mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you!

Under a Starlit Sky

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We were invited to attend a soft opening of another new Virginia winery aptly named Star in the Valley. We can say that the new tasting room offers a stunning view of the Virginia skyline which was aglow with stars on the night of the opening. A starlight backdrop accented the wall behind the tasting bar, and the winery’s name, Star In The Valley, seemed fitting.

The winery currently has eight acres of property planted in vines with varietals that include Chardonel, a hybrid that mimics the Chardonnay profile, Vidal Blanc, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. Star In The Valley now produces 400 cases of wines and can safely be classified as a small producer of wine.

We were treated to a tasting of the 2018 Field Star White, a Chardonel that was co-fermented with Chardonnay and then aged five months in neutral oak barrels, the 2018 Chardonel that was also co-fermented with Chardonnay but aged five months in new Hungarian oak barrels. Red wine offerings included the 2018 Cabernet Franc, and the 2018 Field Star Red, a blend of Cabernet Franc and Chambourcin.

After our tasting, we enjoyed light fare that included cheeses, prosciutto, olives, and canapés. Readers who wish to experience a new winery under the stars should consider Star in the Valley Winery. Mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you.

Governor’s Cup Awarded to Pioneer

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The Virginia Wineries Association’s Governor’s Cup announced the 2019 medal winners, and this year 68 wines from Virginia wineries earned gold medals. However, only one entry wins the coveted Gold Cup, and this year it was awarded to a true pioneer in the Virginia wine industry, Dennis Horton. Horton’s 2016 Petit Manseng garnered the competition’s top honor. Dennis Horton past away last year, but he will be remembered for playing a key role in Virginia’s renaissance in winemaking. Horton loved to experiment with grapes in order to determine which ones grew best in a state known for tricky weather and clay soils. It was Dennis Horton who revived the Norton grape and heralded Viognier as a viable choice for Virginia’s state grape. It is therefore fitting that his winery won the Gold Cup with another up and comer, Petit Manseng.

The Governor’s Cup case was also announced. The wines in the case consist of the 12 top scoring wines in the competition. In addition to the Horton 2016 Petit Manseng, the 11 other wines in the case are:

Barboursville Vineyards 2017 Vermentino Reserve
Early Mountain Vineyards 2016 Eluvium
Glen Manor Vineyards 2015 Cabernet Franc
King Family Vineyards 2016 Mountain Plains
King Family Vineyards 2016 Meritage
Paradise Springs Winery 2015 Meritage
Virginia Wine Works 2016 Hamlet Vineyards Eltham
Virginia Wine Works 2016 Michael Shaps Petit Manseng
Virginia Wine Works 2016 Michael Shaps Raisin d’Etre White
Virginia Wine Works 2015 Michael Shaps Tannat
Virginia Wine Works 2014 Upper Shirley Zachariah

Congratulations to all the medal winners, the Governor’s Cup case winners and to the Horton Vineyards team! If you get a chance to visit Horton Vineyards, tell them Virginia Wine Time sent you!

Photos courtesy of the Virginia Wine Marketing Office

East Coast Wine Chat

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On Sunday we had the opportunity to join in on the East Coast Wine Chat on Twitter. For this month’s chat we were tasting wines from Dr. Konstantin Frank located in the Finger Lakes region of New York. The three wines they sent us to taste were the 2013 Blanc de Blanc, the 2016 Eugenia Dry Riesling and the 2017 Rkatsiteli.

Frank Morgan of Drink What You Like led the discussion on Twitter. There were two members of the winemaking team at Dr. Frank who helped answer questions submitted by the tasters on Twitter. Below is what we tweeted about each of the wines.

 

 

 

 

We enjoyed all three wines and the Twitter discussion. It’s a great way to learn about new wines we may not be familiar with. We hope to visit Dr. Frank’s winery sometime in the future. If you happen to visit Dr. Frank’s winery, tell them Virginia Wine Time sent you!

Return To The Barns

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Being retired affords me the time to go to wineries on work days. Last Friday I met my friend George at The Barns at Hamilton Station. George is a club member so we were able to take advantage of his membership and do a tasting. We hadn’t visited them for several years.

We tasted three white wines and three red wines. They had many others on their full wine list but they were only tasting the six wines. Of the whites, I really enjoyed the 2016 Viognier. It was tank fermented. I noted peach and honeysuckle. I was thinking of warmer times while tasting this one.

From the reds I really enjoyed the 2016 Petit Verdot. It had a nice ruby color and had notes of herbs and blueberry. The tannins were robust and made me think of a nice filet. I put this one on my purchase list. In talking with our tasting associate, I found out the grapes for this came from the Honah Lee vineyard in Charlottesville.

After our tasting we both enjoyed a glass of the 2015 Merlot. We noted the fruit forward nature and the smooth ending. Before leaving I bought my favorites and George picked up his shipment. It was nice to return to The Barns at Hamilton Station after so long and to see the wines progress nicely. Next time you visit them, tell them Virginia Wine Time sent you!

Cellar Tasting at Glen Manor

/ Paul / 2 Comments

On Saturday we headed out to Front Royal, Virginia to visit Glen Manor Vineyards. We were attending the December 2018 Cellar Tasting. We always enjoy tasting wines from the barrel to see how they are developing.

We started with the 2018 Dry Petit Manseng. It’s 100% petit manseng. Being so fresh in the barrel it’s obvious that it needs more time. However, we did note a nice level of acidity. We know when its released it will be a nice dry version of petit manseng.

The second wine was the 2017 St. Ruth. It’s a blend of 43% merlot, 35% cabernet franc and 22% petit verdot. The blend for 2017 is a bit different then it is for the current release, 2014. There is less merlot and more petit verdot. We think the blend is perfect and would easily enjoy a glass right now. But we’ll wait until it is released in the future.

The final wine we tasted from the barrel was the 2017 Hodder Hill. The 2017 Hodder Hill is a blend of 63% cabernet sauvignon, 21% merlot and 16% petit verdot. This may not even be the final blend. They will go through more blending trials to get to the final blend. The Hodder Hill has always been one of our favorites and this blend doesn’t disappoint. We know it will be a few years before it will be ready to enjoy but we’ll wait patiently knowing it will be worth the wait.

After the barrel tastings we went upstairs to the tasting room and tasted the other wines on the tasting menu. We then decided to enjoy a glass of the 2015 Cabernet Franc before leaving. We also bought several of our favorite wines. The next time you visit Glen Manor Vineyards, tell them Virginia Wine Time sent you!