Linden’s Case Club Has Advantages

https://baixacultura.org/2025/02/01/zv169nx5lxj Paul decided to take advantage of his Case Club membership at Linden Vineyards, and I went along for the ride. Actually, we trekked on out there on the Sunday before last when it was cool but sunny, and we looked forward to sampling new pours and enjoying a glass of wine on the deck. Once we got there, we also opted for the Cellar Tasting. All of the above are perks associated with the Case Club membership, and as Paul’s guest, I got to share in these delights.

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Since I was the guest of honor, I let Paul take all of the notes on his nifty new iPod Touch. At the regular tasting counter, Paul’s favorite was the 2004 Claret, an easy and accessible blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc. He noted bright berry, dried herbs and tobacco on the nose with cherry and plum flavors in the mouth. However, Paul saved gold stars for the 2005 Hardscrabble Chardonnay and the 2005 Hardscrabble Red. Paul is very picky about Chardonnays and usually does not care for them, but he was very excited with the 2005 Hardscrabble. Fuller-bodied with big apple flavors and a nutty finish were the descriptors that Paul used, and a check mark meant that a bottle was going home. Equally pleasing to the palate was the 2005 Hardscrabble Red; in fact, Paul simply noted, “loved this one”. Other notes included dark fruit, smoky, and dried basil. These were certainly apt words to describe this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Merlot and Caber net Franc. Another star awarded to a lovely wine, and we were back upstairs to enjoy food and wine!

We did end up nibbling on a block of Derby cheese and baguettes with a glass of the 2004 Claret. We did also observe that with the new case club restrictions, the atmosphere was certainly quieter. No problems finding a table from which to gaze on mountain views and to appreciate food, wine, and conversation! Paul purchased yet another case of wine this go round including several bottles of the Avenius Sauvignon Blanc. For myself, I purchased a bottle of the 2004 Claret to savor with a simple meal.


Linden Vineyards produces some of the best wines around! It’s always a treat to discover the gems produced by Jim Law, and we know that we’ll back soon, especially for the barrel tasting usually held in April. In the meantime, pay Linden Vineyards a visit, inquire into their case club membership, and mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you.

Wine and Chat at the Chateau

We’ve intended to re-visit Chateau O’Brien since our last visit about a year ago. This weekend we were determined to do just that and in the process catch up with owner Howard O’Brien about the latest developments at the chateau.


Howard greeted us like old friends, and we immediately settled in for some wine tasting and conversation. Howard was very eager to tell us about his successes with tannat, a varietal with potential in Virginia. Readers may know that Portugal makes some outstanding wines from tannat, and Horton Cellars right here in Virginia won gold in the Virginia’s Governor’s Cup with its 2001 Tannat. Anyway, Howard’s own tannat has won accolades from international wine makers. In fact, Howard traveled to Uruguay to talk tannat with winemakers there. Uruguay, like Virginia, seems to have the right climate for tannat, and Howard’s meeting proved fruitful. In fact, Howard will be hosting a tannat tasting and event at Chateau O’Brien in May featuring tannat wines from Uruguay.

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As we chatted, Howard conducted our wine tasting. The 2005 Chardonnay, done in the French style, still shows well and remains my personal favorite of the white poured at Chateau O’Brien. Paul, however, favored the newer 2006 North Point White done in stainless steel. He appreciated its citrus and apricot flavors and crisp finish. The North Point White should prove to be a versatile pour that would be appropriate for an appertif, a summer picnic, or a light, casual meal that featured poultry or white fish. Of the reds, we both favored the 2005 North Point Red. This Bordeaux-style blend features all of the Bordeaux varietals except for Malbec. The result is an accessible wine with a vibrant appearance and lush cherry/berry flavors. Velvety tannins make for an easy wine to drink, and we later enjoyed this one with the cheese and baguette board offered by the winery.

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After our tasting and conversation, we enjoyed lunch and wine in the chateau’s dining area, and we were able to enjoy lovely views of mountains and wished for spring to arrive. We should also mention that Howard does a reserve tasting for his Reserve Tannat and Reserve Chardonnay. We plan to arrange for a tasting soon so as to experience these excellent wines ourselves! In the meantime, visit Chateau O’Brien and mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you.

Wineries and Friends

https://www.daathize.com.br/np1d3it Our friends John and Megan from Woodland Vineyards and Anything Wine came to visit us from Richmond this weekend. They came up to experience some wineries in Loudoun County. This was their first visit to any Loudoun County wineries.

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Our first stop was Loudoun Valley. We discovered they offer special soups on the weekends in January and February. Since we brought our own lunch, we did not take advantage of the offer.

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Our next stop was Corcoran Vineyards. Lori always treats us so well when we visit. We enjoyed our tasting and were able to sample the new wines since our last visit. They were all very good and we left with almost half a case of wine!


Next we went to Doukenie Winery. They had a busy tasting room but we were able to sample their current selections. A favorite here was the Sauvignon Blanc. Paul walked away with two bottles!

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Our last stop was Hillsborough Vineyards. We always enjoy our tastings at Hillsborough. This is where we settled down for lunch. It was a little chilly to be outside but the sun was warm on our faces. We enjoyed a bottle of the Opal and The Ruby…both paired well with our lunch items. Before ending the day we made a few purchases for our wine collections.

Pancakes and Norton

We had no intention of pairing these two, but that’s what happened this past weekend. Jenni McCloud of Chrysalis Vineyards agreed to let us interview her again for an upcoming article on Norton, and she was nice enough to even feed us breakfast! We were treated to pancakes and eggs from her own harem of hens, and executive chef for Chrysalis, Hump Astorga joined us too to discuss food and wine.

https://sapooni.com/irp9t20p21t It was a very, very cold morning when we met Jenni at her house, and I gladly took her up on the offer for a cup of coffee. As we chatted about wine, Jenni whipped up pancakes, fried eggs graciously delivered by her own hens, and bacon. The focus of our conversation was Norton, its history, and its potential. We’ve been following the Norton Renaissance first pioneered by Dennis Horton and then taken to a whole new level by Jenni McCloud. Since the time that we started this blog, we have noted that winemakers in Virginia have taken notice of Norton; newer wineries like Green Springs gladly offer Norton. Jenni and Hump shed light as to why that may be the case.

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In the course of our chat with Jenni and Hump, we discovered that Norton, unlike European varietals like Cabernet Sauvignon, is resistant to the disease and fungus that is part and parcel of Virginia’s humid climate. Also, Norton, a hybrid of native grape varietals is fully adapted to Virginia’s sometimes wacky weather—late frosts, early springs, rain today, dry tomorrow, etc., Therefore, late freezes that may kill off a vineyard of European varietals most likely will never effect Norton. Also, with the current focus on “green”, Norton does not need to be sprayed with chemicals—it is the product of its environment and can defend itself without the help of “agri-chemicals”.

https://www.suitupmaine.org/s8hexgo Our conversation continued to the dining table with its view of mountain-covered landscapes. We’ve already described Jenni as a true visionary, and she only confirmed that judgment as we munched on eggs and pancakes. In fact, Jenni shared with us that she recently poured Norton at a wine event in Sicily, and she remains steadfast in the conviction that Norton will put Virginia wines on the international map. (And no—we did not literally have pancakes with Norton wine!)

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We did mention that our interview with Jenni and Hump were pursuant to an upcoming article–we’ll leave you all in suspense about the article and its details for a bit longer. However, after we wrapped up our interview with Jenni and Hump ( and breakfast, too—we were pleasantly stuffed!), we made our way to the tasting room. Our goal was to find a Norton that we would serve at an upcoming Norton tasting. I already have the 2003 Locksely Reserve on the wine rack; Paul has his favorite, Sarah’s Patio Red, but we both were interested in the newer 2006 Norton Barrel Select. This 100% Norton offering has earned Chrysalis accolades at wine competitions, and we understood why—dense, intense colors, jammy aromas and flavors that included dark berries and raisins, the 2006 Norton Barrel Select offered a fruit-forward presentation that demands to be appreciated now. Needless to say, a bottle of this one found its way home.

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More to come about the outcome of our interview with Jenni McCloud and Hump Astorga. In the meantime, visit Chrysalis Vineyards and experience Jenni’s vision of quality winemaking for yourself—be sure that Virginia Wine Time sent you!

Drink Naked

Well, not really—we visited Naked Mountain, and we did keep our clothes on. Winter time is lasagna time at Naked Mountain, but the opportunity to sample some nice wines is always available at Naked Mountain.

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Our focus was a wine to enjoy with sausage lasagna, and we honed in on the reds. Of course, Naked Mountain is known for their Chardonnays, and we did both the 2003 and 2004 vintages at the tasting bar. Paul and I were split on favorites; Paul favored the toastier 2003 Chardonnay, but Warren preferred the crisper 2004. Both were quite good, though. However, we did have our minds made up to have a red wine to accompany lunch, and we found our match with the 2005 Raptor Red. This blend includes 47% Merlot, 27% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Cabernet Franc, 4% Tannat, and 3% Petit Verdot. A dense garnet color best described its appearance in the glass; cherry and spice notes prevailed on the nose. Of course, it’s the mouth that makes the final decision, and we both noted dark cherry and plum flavors. “Medium bodied” and “fruit forward” finished our notes. We both gold-starred this one!


Our tasting finished with the 2006 Chardonnay/Riesling. I’m not a fan of sweeter wines, but I found myself liking this one. At 3% residual sugar, it is on the sweet side, but not cloyingly so. It possesses a floral/honeysuckle bouquet and a pleasant honeyed texture with pear flavors. In fact, I placed an “MT” next to this one, because I know that our friend and guest blogger would love this Chardonnay/Riesling. Quite nice to sip on its own, I’d serve this one as a dessert wine partnered with baked pears.

Clonazepam Express Shipping By the end of our tasting, we were definitely hungry, and we could scent of lasagna and garlic bread wafted from other tables in the tasting room. We selected a table near the glassed door that opens out to the deck so that we could view the mountains on the horizon and try to guess which species of birds were visiting the bird feeders. The lasagna was soon brought to our table, and it was absolutely delicious; the Raptor Red matched the red sauce, sausage, and herbs quite well. (For the vegetarians out there, they also offer a vegetarian lasagna.)

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We enjoyed a winter’s afternoon lunch with wine, but before we know it, it was time to leave. We are sure to return to Naked Mountain to sample upcoming releases of their unoaked Chardonnay, oak-aged Chardonnay, and Cabernet Franc. In the meantime, we can think of no better way to spend a chilly afternoon than with lasagna and wine at Naked Mountain. Drink Naked, and be sure to mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you.

Ingleside Vineyards

https://www.daathize.com.br/4ahb417au We recently visited friends who lived in the Northern Neck of Virginia, and we used the occasion to visit some wineries in the area. (Would we pass up the opportunity? Of course not !) In fact, our friends, Bob and Jackie joined us on the wine trail. They prepared a lovely picnic lunch to bring along, and we headed off to Ingleside Vineyards for our first stop. We’ve been to Ingleside on several occasions, and we were anxious to try newer releases. Bob and Jackie were also eager to sample Ingleside’s numerous offerings, and we were all on a quest to find a wine that would pair with lunch!

Buy Ambien Online Usa We sampled several selections from three tasting menus—the Premium Wines, the Chesapeake Wines, and the Black Label Wines. Each menu offered something for everybody. The Premium and Black Label wines might be featured at dinner parties or black tie affairs; the Chesapeake Wines lend themselves to picnics, sunsets on the balcony, or summer concerts. With four different palates at the tasting bar, sampling from all three menus proved to be interesting.

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https://olashirt.com/tbhszlp Jackie tended to favor drier white wines and dinner-friendly reds. For her, the premium Chardonnay and the Black Label Sangiovese topped the charts. Warren concurred with these ratings. The Sangiovese presented notes of violet and plum with subtle smoky aromas. Cherry/berry flavors with a rustic, earthy charm made this one irresistible. Herb-crusted beef tenderloins would simply moo with delight when paired with this Sangiovese. And what if seafood is on the menu? Jackie’s preferred Premium Chardonnay would be just fine. Done in the classic French style, the Premium Chardonnay has a gentle toasty finish that suggests an appropriate oak treatment..

Buy Clonazepam 1Mg Jackie’s husband, Bob, likes his wines on the sweeter side. Two Chesapeake Wines struck his fancy—the Blue Crab Blush and the Sweet Virginia Rose. Both wines are done in the rose style and possessed bright strawberry flavors; pinkish colors suggest a sweeter style appropriate for the picnic table, poolside, or dessert! One Chesapeake Wine that did earn unanimous approval was the Blue Crab Blanc. The Blue Crab Blanc is a blend of white wine grapes, and the final product is not as sweet as its pinkish siblings. In fact, this off-dry selection would be quite lovely as a partner to light fare such as salads topped with crabmeat.

https://sapooni.com/u04y6yjo5 So what about Paul’s favorites? Surprisingly, the Black Label Syrah finished ahead of the Merlot! Paul was enticed by the leathery/spicy aromas and was then hooked with its dry fruit and peppery flavors. Warren detected more black cherry on the palate, but each palate is different, and no one argued with Paul’s gold star selection.

https://oringsuspensiones.com/en/330fnmc After our tasting, lunch was calling us from the trunk of the car. Jackie and Bob prepared sandwiches that included chicken salad, cheese and pimento, salad. and ham/cheese. Paul brought along various cheeses and nuts. Now our task was to find the right wine, and we actually selected two wines from our tasting options. One wine, the Rosato di Sangiovese, satisfied the dry wine lovers; the other, the Blue Crab Blush, pleased the sweet wine lovers. (Of course, we did not finish both bottles of wines, and leftovers came home with us!) At a loss for a wine for to serve with baked ham for the holidays? Try either of these wines.

https://medikaplaza.com/plaza/cuxykyl/ We enjoyed food, wine and conversation amidst fall colors and crisp breezes that made us forget about the global warming autumn that characterized most of October. We all purchased bottles of favorite Ingleside wines and we bid our farewells. For those who plan a trip to the Northern Neck, do stop by Ingleside Vineyards and tell the tasting room staff that Virginia Wine sent you!

Gray Ghost Reserve Cabernet Release

Clonazepam Pills For Sale This past weekend we joined friends and other wine enthusiasts at Gray Ghost Winery to celebrate the release of their acclaimed 2004 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. An elegant evening of wine, fine cuisine and music was held at the winery, and attendees were presented with their own keepsake glass, a lovely crystal red wine glass inscribed in gold ink with the Gray Ghost logo. Of course, the glass was filled with the 2004 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon!

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And what an elegant pour it was—deep garnet in color, a bold bouquet that featured tobacco and dried currants, and a complex flavor profile rich in deep cherry/plum flavors with some spice toward the end. We all noted a lengthy finish . Our friend, Jason, remarked that it seemed to be a perfect cigar wine. However, all of us preferred the 2004 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon with the evening’s menu. This included prime rib with gorgonzola sauce, salmon filets, roasted vegetables, and potatoes. A richer experience was enjoyed with the Cabernet and dark chocolate desserts offered at the end of the meal.

https://regenamex.com/1udu5h4ug Time did seem to fly, but we made certain to purchase bottles of the 2004 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. Warren’s bottle is destined for the wine rack as this one will only get better with age. This is a limited production wine, so be sure to make it out to Gray Ghost to purchase a bottle of this special offering–and be sure to mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you.

Michael Tyler Returns

Our friend and wine enthusiast, Michael Tyler, joined us for wine and lunch at Winery at La Grange. It had been a while since we last visited Winery at La Grange; of course, it’s enough to visit the facility just to tour the historic home and lovely grounds. On this crisp fall afternoon, though, we were also interested in Michael’s impressions of Winery at La Grange’s wines.


The tasting menu featured six wines to sample, and our associate, dressed in her finest Halloween fashion, guided us through our tasting. Of the dry whites, the unanimous favorite was the 2006 Fletcher’s Chardonnay with its apple flavors and buttery finish. Michael tends to appreciated off-dry white wines, and the Cuvee Blanc was made just for him. In fact, Michael placed a check mark next to this one, and we knew that he would be contributing comments on this selection. Done in stainless steel, the 2006 Cuvee Blanc features three varietals that include Pinot Grigio, Viognier and Rousanne. The 1.5 residual sugar makes it slightly sweet but not cloyingly so. More on this from Michael later!


Six reds were next up for a taste, and the first three were lighter-bodied reds. The team favorite here was the 2006 Cabernet Franc. In fact, Michael placed another check mark next to this one, and we’ll let Michael do the commentaries on this one. Three bolder reds were also presented, and Warren’s own favorite was the 2005 Meritage. The 2005 Meritage blends Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot; it was the most complex of its “red” siblings with darker fruit aromas and flavors with an earthy undertone. Done in American and French oak, this Meritage leaves a lengthier finish and destined for a favorite beef dish. We were also treated to a sample of the Reserve Cabernet Franc; aged in American oak for 20 months, the Reserve Cabernet Franc was surprisingly smooth and sophisticated.

So on to lunch. We brought along herbed chicken, pasta salad with chopped ham and parmesan cheese, and a wedge of cranberry cheese. Our selection for lunch was Michael Tyler’s favorite, the 2006 Cabernet Franc. Michael noted woodsy/herby characteristics on the nose with bright berry flavors. He appreciated its lighter body and smoother finish and suggested that the 2006 Cabernet Franc might please those who would ordinarily drink a white wine. In fact, Michael stated that he would even sip a glass of the 2006 Cabernet Franc on the deck after work. Of course, Michael “check-marked” another wine that he sampled at the tasting bar, and he graciously jotted down his comments on the 2006 Cuvee Blanc.


Michael really enjoyed this one. He appreciated its pear and light citrus bouquet and “sparkling” color; Light and crisp, Michael commented that its melon flavors made this one a crowd-pleaser; if cerviche is on the menu, Michael would opt to pour the 2006 Cuvee Blanc.

As we finished our lunch and then toured the grounds, we enjoyed the pleasant breezes and mountain views. With fall finally in the air, it was a relief to even see some autumn colors. We know that we will return to Winery at La Grange, and we may even have Michael along with us. In the meantime, pay a visit to the Winery at La Grange and let them know that Virginia Wine Time sent you.

Fall Weather and Wine in Hunt Country

After an extended hot summer season, Fall has finally arrived, and we eagerly hit the wine trail to sample new releases and old favorites at local wineries. This past weekend, we focused on wineries located in the Middleburg area: Piedmont Vineyards and Winery and Swedenburg Estate Vineyard.

We began our day with a visit to Piedmont Vineyards and Winery. Readers may remember that Piedmont is a favorite of our friend, Michael Tyler, who graciously provided his expert commentary for our previous write up about Piedmont. His pick of the day that time was the Little River Rose; however, this spring/summer favorite is currently sold out. A newer offering; though, is the 2006 Hunt Country Red. We thought of Michael as we sample this supple red as it suits his palate quite well. The 2006 Hunt Country Red is a blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon and can best be described as a fruit-forward sipper, and it can also be paired with a variety of foods especially with holiday seasons quickly approaching. (Herbed poultry with cranberries seem like a natural partnering.) For those who do not like tannic red wines, the stainless-steel aged 2006 Hunt Country Red presents a pleasing alternative. In fact, we reminded ourselves that lunch was waiting in the trunk, an d we noted that the Hunt Country Red might be an option!


However, other selection on the tasting menu presented themselves. Lunch for us included herbed pork tenderloin, Swiss cheese, red grapes, and French bread. White wines are always a pairing idea with pork, and the 2006 Hunt Country Chardonnay was an idea. Pear aromas and flavors prevailed here with some oak aging to provide structure and body. We continued down the tasting sheet, and Paul became excited with Merlot as a possibility—Paul loves Merlot, in case readers have forgotten. Anyway, the 2004 Merlot quickly became an option for Mr. Merlot. Dark garnet in color, cherry and subtle spice notes gave way to dark cherry/fruit flavors in the mouth. Given the garlic and generous herb coating that seasoned the pork, Warren had to admit that the 2004 Merlot was a contender for a lunch rendezvous. As we tasted away, we were also able to catch up with John Fitter, winemaker, and Gerhard von Finck, owner of Piedmont Vineyards and Winery. They were very pleased with the 2007 crop espec ially the Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, and they are confident that 2007 Virginia reds will be memorable.

So what did we select for lunch? The 2004 Merlot was the selection of the day. We sat on the patio and enjoyed the afternoon’s vittles while taking in vineyard landscapes, crisp breezes, and blue, sunny skies. As we sipped and nibbled, we received a visit from Anabel, the winery dog, who was a very sweet and gracious guest at our table. While Anabel did not ask for a sip of Merlot, she did help herself to some French bread; she then thanked us for food, conversation, and hugs and made her way into the tasting room.

With appetites satisfied, we loaded up the car and made our way back home. Along the way, we decided to stop by Swedenburg. We had not been to Swedenburg since the untimely death of matriarch Juanita Swedenburg, in June. In fact, we enjoyed our last bottle of C’est la Vie at Wolftrap this past summer; so, it was time to return. Newer offerings at Swedenburg include the Chardonnay with its pear/apple characteristics and dry finish. A partner to the Chardonnay is the latest in Ellen Crosby’s wine country mystery series, Chardonnay Charade. For those who read Merlot Murders, Chardonnay Charade is a continuation of events presented in Merlot Murders; in fact, the third installment in this series will be going to press soon. Ellen Crosby consulted with Juanita Swedenburg to produce this series of spine-tinglers, and Chardonnay Charade can be purchased at the winery. In fact, Warren purchased a bottle of the Chardonnay with a copy of Chardonnay Charade—what a perfect pairing!


With Fall in the air, we will be sure to enjoy the season with our favorite Virginia wines. Of course, October is Virginia Wine Month, and we encourage readers to consider Virginia wines when thinking about holiday menus. When in the Middleburg area, do stop by Piedmont Vineyards and Winery and Swedenburg Estate Vineyard but be sure to mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you.

Two Different Experiences

This article will appeal to wine tasters who may or may not appreciate two completely different tasting room experiences. One experience might appeal to the ADHD crowd—very visual, very active, and something new every ten minutes. The other experience might appeal to the those who prefer a more sedate, intimate experience. However, both experiences will reveal quality wines to the receptive taster!


For the ADHD folks, we recommend Chateau Morrisette. Chateau Morrisette has something for everyone. The tasting room offers not only a wine tasting experience but also a comprehensive gift shop—Warren did some early Christmas shopping! Trust us, there is a gift here for everyone. Of course, we were interested in the wines, and we were witnesses to the busiest wine bar in Virginia; at least thirty wine enthusiasts lined the tasting bar with glasses ready. In fact, we were curled around the tasting bar to squeeze ourselves into the tasting session. An informative tasting associate conducted this session with considerable skill and knowledge, and tasters were informed to push their glasses forward if they wished to sample the offering being poured. Sixteen wines were presented for tasting, but we pushed our glasses forward for the dry wines and opted to skip the sweet wines. (These are the ones that may be touted as “hot-tub wines”, and these should not be confused with well-craf ted dessert wines.) Anyway, Warren’s gold star for the white wines was awarded to the 2003 Chardonnay with its longer finish punctuated with buttery/nutty flavors. Nice pectin fruit in the mouth makes this Chardonnay a natural pairing with shellfish or chicken. Not to be outdone was the 2005 Viognier—a classic offering here that is clean on the finish with lots of tropical fruit in the mouth. For both of us, the 2005 Cabernet Franc was the gem of the afternoon. This Cabernet Franc is actually a blend of Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Tannat, and the result is a wine with a denser core with woodsy-spicy notes. darker cherry/berry flavors with herb and violet undertones were noted in the mouth. Sipper is not the word that comes to mind with this one, but it should be enjoyed with any variety of meats and heavier cheeses; in fact, we enjoyed the 2005 Cabernet Franc for lunch with spicy summer sausage and hard cheese with crackers.


We completed our tasting before the sweet wines were poured, and we were also very hungry; so, we made our purchases and settled on an outdoor picnic table to enjoy lunch, wine, and mountain scenery. Little did we know that we would be treated to live music and belly dancers! Yes, it’s true—before long, Paul was doing his best Dance of the Seven Veils to rival the shapely, gyrating ladies who provided the afternoon’s entertainment. Other offerings at Chateau Morrisette include on-site lodgings and restaurant. This facility would be heaven to skiers!


A different experience was had at Savoy-Lee. We met owner David Wood at his facility. Savoy-Lee is a newer winery on the Bedford Trail in Huddleston Virginia; in fact, the tasting room was not yet complete on the day of our visit. However, David offered us a personal tasting in the work-in-progress tasting room, and we were seated at the make-shift tasting bar as David poured us through our tasting in a quieter atmosphere. No belly dancers here, but we were treated to personal attention and well-crafted wines. Gold-star favorite for the white wines was the 2005 Chardonnay with its slightly floral bouquet and pear flavors. The 2005 Chardonnay is done in stainless-steel and certain to please those who would not ordinarily drink oak-treated Chardonnays. Picnic goers may be well-served with the Johnson Mountain Picnic Red. This one is a blend of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon but fermented in stainless steel—any BBQ dish would pair nicely. We noted a more fruit forward wine that can be sipped as well as paired with a favorite summer meal. For palates that enjoy bolder red wines, the 2005 Echo Forest Red will do the trick. Warren placed a star next to this one and noted its well-rounded finish. More dark fruit with some spice noted here, the Echo Forest Red is a Bordeaux-style blend dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon. Can be enjoyed now, but we’d recommend a rest on the wine rack to be savored next year with a steak dinner!


As we sampled his wines, David informed us that his vision for Savoy-Lee included the opening of his tasting room as well as future plantings of more vines. His 2005 production of wines topped out at 300 cases; however, Savoy-Lee’s output for 2007 will increase to 1500 cases. David’s dedication is to quality wines and an intimate experience with customers. In fact, he encourages visitors to sign up for harvest. As we chatted with David and sampled his wines, the time seemed to fly by—as other customers arrived, we bid our farewells to David, and we know that we will be back to sample future offerings at Savoy Lee.

We did enjoy our different experiences at Chateau Morrisette and Savoy-Lee, and we can now conclude that Virginia wineries can offer something for everyone. If you intend to visit Chateau Morrisette and Savoy-Lee, please mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you!