Virginia Wine Notes
Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 5:23 pm
I have visited many Virginia wineries over the last year and here is a quick rundown. I have categorized them based on my opinion on whether they are average for Virginia wine, above average, or sets the standard for Virginia wine. In addition to the 14 below, I have visited 7 others over the years so my sample size is 21. These are concentrated in the Monticello AVA and the Northern Virginia Region.
Trip 1 (March 2011)
Glen Manor Vineyards: A fairly new winery, above average for whites, especially the 2009 Sauvignon Blanc, which reminded me of New Zealand SB. The reds were good also, but nothing special.
Chester Gap Cellars: above average for whites. The Viognier was excellent (although a bit high in alcohol, which I didn't notice during the tasting but noticed with a full glass during a meal a few weeks ago). Don't remember the reds.
Linden Vineyards: I'm going to abstain from an opinion here and I need to re-taste. The winery has stellar reviews but it was my last tasting after a very long day and I don't remember anything special about the wines.
Trip 2 (June 2011)
The Winery at La Grange: I would say about average for whites and a smidgen above average for reds. Their Cabernet Sauvignon was pretty good and so was their Meritage blend. I also liked the Rosé of Merlot.
Chrysalis Vineyards: average all around. They do a Norton, which I did not like and also a Tannat, which was bland. They do a bunch of "mass-market consumer" reds (light, sweet) which were unimpressive. I did buy a bottle Albariño on blind faith as it was not part of the tasting - I really liked it.
Boxwood Estate Winery: set the standard for Virginia wine. The Boxwood (Médoc-style) and Topiary (Saint-Émilion-style) are incredible, and incredibly priced at $25. Very earthy and meaty reds. The Rose is good too.
Trip 3 (December 2011)
Pearmund Cellars: fairly typical Virginia winery, about average in my opinion, nothing special.
Trip 4 (April 2012)
Notaviva Vineyards: I would say a little above average for reds and average for white. I liked the Ludwig Meritage blend. I found the "wine paired with music" marketing a bit silly.
Tarara Winery: incredible white wine! I loved the Petit Manseng and Chardonnay - the aromas was unlike anything I have experienced, very intense. Reds were nothing special.
Fabbioli Cellars: a little above average for reds and average white. I liked the Cabernet Franc and Tre Sorélle (Merlot, CS, PV blend).
Trip 5 (May 2012)
Bluestone Vineyard. Fairly average Virginia winery. Overall, both the reds and white were good; I bought a bottle of Cab Franc. They also have a Eiswein, but after having the real stuff from Germany, anything else seems terrible in comparison.
Veritas: I would rate it above average for both reds and white but I think the incredible venue, overlooking the Blue Ridge mountains, might be coloring my judgement. I did like the Vintners Reverse (Merlot, CF, PV, CS) and their Cab Franc.
DelFosse Vineyards and Winery: Incredible white wines! I loved their Chardonnay Reserve and 2009 Reserve d'Oriane (Chardonnay, Petit Manseng, Viognier). I also liked their red wines, especially the Cabernet Sauvignon.
Trump Winery. OK, I only visited this winery because of the Trump name and knowing the history of the winery (Kluge). Plus I wanted to know how The Donald would do it differently. He did not disappoint on both fronts! First the tasting - you find a place to sit and they bring you the tasting in very small half-glass carafes. They briefly explain the wine then you are on your own. I loved this format as I can taste at my own pace. Now the wines - excellent! This is not Trump's doing as it was Kluge's since he only bought the winery last year. Their sparkling wine was excellent, better than the Champagne I've had - and I'm not even a sparking wine guy. I loved the Kluge SP Blanc de Blancs Brut. The reds were excellent also - I loved the Kluge Estate New World Red (Merot, CF, CS, PV, Malbec).
Others Visited
Barboursville (multiple trips, I think 5): sets the standard for Virginia wine. The 2010 Pinot Grigio was out of this world; so was the 2009 Cab Franc. They are known for their Octogon, which I have 3 bottles in the cellar.
Horton (at least two trips): last visited a few years ago. It's famous for it's Norton and Viognier, but I was unimpressed with the lot. I need to reevaluate.
Burnley Vineyards: last visited over 5 years ago, rather awful.
White Hall: above average for whites; I liked the Chardonnay and Gewurztraminer. Reds where average.
Keswick: average for whites, I liked the Les Vents d’Anges Viognier and the really liked the Verdejo. The reds were disappointing.
Jefferson Vineyards: above average for reds, especially the Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. I don't remember the whites so must have been average.
Prince Michel Vineyard: last visited over 5 years ago. It's a tourist place right off a main road (Rt. 29) and I recall awful reds and ho-hum whites.
Trip 1 (March 2011)
Glen Manor Vineyards: A fairly new winery, above average for whites, especially the 2009 Sauvignon Blanc, which reminded me of New Zealand SB. The reds were good also, but nothing special.
Chester Gap Cellars: above average for whites. The Viognier was excellent (although a bit high in alcohol, which I didn't notice during the tasting but noticed with a full glass during a meal a few weeks ago). Don't remember the reds.
Linden Vineyards: I'm going to abstain from an opinion here and I need to re-taste. The winery has stellar reviews but it was my last tasting after a very long day and I don't remember anything special about the wines.
Trip 2 (June 2011)
The Winery at La Grange: I would say about average for whites and a smidgen above average for reds. Their Cabernet Sauvignon was pretty good and so was their Meritage blend. I also liked the Rosé of Merlot.
Chrysalis Vineyards: average all around. They do a Norton, which I did not like and also a Tannat, which was bland. They do a bunch of "mass-market consumer" reds (light, sweet) which were unimpressive. I did buy a bottle Albariño on blind faith as it was not part of the tasting - I really liked it.
Boxwood Estate Winery: set the standard for Virginia wine. The Boxwood (Médoc-style) and Topiary (Saint-Émilion-style) are incredible, and incredibly priced at $25. Very earthy and meaty reds. The Rose is good too.
Trip 3 (December 2011)
Pearmund Cellars: fairly typical Virginia winery, about average in my opinion, nothing special.
Trip 4 (April 2012)
Notaviva Vineyards: I would say a little above average for reds and average for white. I liked the Ludwig Meritage blend. I found the "wine paired with music" marketing a bit silly.
Tarara Winery: incredible white wine! I loved the Petit Manseng and Chardonnay - the aromas was unlike anything I have experienced, very intense. Reds were nothing special.
Fabbioli Cellars: a little above average for reds and average white. I liked the Cabernet Franc and Tre Sorélle (Merlot, CS, PV blend).
Trip 5 (May 2012)
Bluestone Vineyard. Fairly average Virginia winery. Overall, both the reds and white were good; I bought a bottle of Cab Franc. They also have a Eiswein, but after having the real stuff from Germany, anything else seems terrible in comparison.
Veritas: I would rate it above average for both reds and white but I think the incredible venue, overlooking the Blue Ridge mountains, might be coloring my judgement. I did like the Vintners Reverse (Merlot, CF, PV, CS) and their Cab Franc.
DelFosse Vineyards and Winery: Incredible white wines! I loved their Chardonnay Reserve and 2009 Reserve d'Oriane (Chardonnay, Petit Manseng, Viognier). I also liked their red wines, especially the Cabernet Sauvignon.
Trump Winery. OK, I only visited this winery because of the Trump name and knowing the history of the winery (Kluge). Plus I wanted to know how The Donald would do it differently. He did not disappoint on both fronts! First the tasting - you find a place to sit and they bring you the tasting in very small half-glass carafes. They briefly explain the wine then you are on your own. I loved this format as I can taste at my own pace. Now the wines - excellent! This is not Trump's doing as it was Kluge's since he only bought the winery last year. Their sparkling wine was excellent, better than the Champagne I've had - and I'm not even a sparking wine guy. I loved the Kluge SP Blanc de Blancs Brut. The reds were excellent also - I loved the Kluge Estate New World Red (Merot, CF, CS, PV, Malbec).
Others Visited
Barboursville (multiple trips, I think 5): sets the standard for Virginia wine. The 2010 Pinot Grigio was out of this world; so was the 2009 Cab Franc. They are known for their Octogon, which I have 3 bottles in the cellar.
Horton (at least two trips): last visited a few years ago. It's famous for it's Norton and Viognier, but I was unimpressed with the lot. I need to reevaluate.
Burnley Vineyards: last visited over 5 years ago, rather awful.
White Hall: above average for whites; I liked the Chardonnay and Gewurztraminer. Reds where average.
Keswick: average for whites, I liked the Les Vents d’Anges Viognier and the really liked the Verdejo. The reds were disappointing.
Jefferson Vineyards: above average for reds, especially the Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. I don't remember the whites so must have been average.
Prince Michel Vineyard: last visited over 5 years ago. It's a tourist place right off a main road (Rt. 29) and I recall awful reds and ho-hum whites.