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.

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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.