With each new year comes new opportunities to visit some of our favorite wineries. We both had a long weekend due to Martin Luther King Day, and we decided to visit some of our favorite wineries in Charlottesville. Charlottesville is home to some of the best wineries in Virginia, and we have many favorites; however, we had time to visit only a few of them. At the top of our list was Barboursville.

Barboursville is always on our list when we visit Charlottesville, and this trip was no different. We did remember to bring our Barboursville wine glasses with us; therefore, the nominal tasting fee was waived. We eagerly made our way to the tasting counter and began with the white wines. Though nothing new had been released since our last visit, we were able to confirm that the Sauvignon Blanc, the Pinot Grigio, and the Reserve Chardonnay were standouts. To our dismay, the Riesling was sold out. Do sample the 2005 Rose which is an excellent dry wine; don’t let that pinkish color fool you! This Rose will pair with almost anything.

We then moved on to the red wines, and the Cabernet Franc and the Octagon VII topped our list of favorites. In particular, the Octagon VII presented a full-bodied red wine with intense dark fruit characters; Warren also detected dry fruit, leather, and mocha. The Octagon VII is definitely age worthy, and Warren determined to buy a bottle to store on the wine rack at home.

Of course, a sampling of dessert wines rounded out our tasting. We particularly enjoyed the Phileo with its peach/apricot flavors and honeyed texture. The Phileo would also make an excellent appertif.

After our tasting, we decidedto share a glass of the Octagon VII. It was a very warm day, and we were able to finish our glass outdoors to enjoy the spring-like day. We always look forward to a visit to Barboursville, and each time we return to Charlottesville, a stop at Barboursville is a must. If you visit Barboursville, be sure to mention that you read about them on the Virginia Wine Time blog. And don’t forget your tasting glasses!