A Trip To Piedmont
Last weekend we went to Piedmont Vineyards. It was the coldest day of February and we were hoping they would have indoor space to enjoy some wine and some nibbles. They have a very nice tasting room with a gas fireplace that was lit. We were pleased to see that considering how cold it was outside.
We did a tasting and were pleasantly pleased with their offerings. We then decided to get a bottle of their 2001 Reserve Chardonnay to enjoy with lunch. We chose a table near the fireplace and settled in to enjoy the wine and the nibbles we brought. The Chardonnay had a beautiful golden yellow color and had a nutty, toasty nose. You could easily taste pear and apple flavors and the time spent in the French oak barrel was evident. This Chardonnay paired well with our apples, almonds, white cheeses and crackers.
To extend our time at Piedmont we decided to have a glass of their 2004 Merlot with the chocolates we brought. The Merlot had a garnet color, was medium bodied, and presented berry and pepper flavors. The longer it sat on our table, the better it got. The dark chocolates we enjoyed really brought out the berry flavors. The 2004 Merlot is well worth a taste.
This is a photo of the tasting room at Piedmont Vineyards.
Here is a picture of the tasting room.
We did a tasting and were pleasantly pleased with their offerings. We then decided to get a bottle of their 2001 Reserve Chardonnay to enjoy with lunch. We chose a table near the fireplace and settled in to enjoy the wine and the nibbles we brought. The Chardonnay had a beautiful golden yellow color and had a nutty, toasty nose. You could easily taste pear and apple flavors and the time spent in the French oak barrel was evident. This Chardonnay paired well with our apples, almonds, white cheeses and crackers.
To extend our time at Piedmont we decided to have a glass of their 2004 Merlot with the chocolates we brought. The Merlot had a garnet color, was medium bodied, and presented berry and pepper flavors. The longer it sat on our table, the better it got. The dark chocolates we enjoyed really brought out the berry flavors. The 2004 Merlot is well worth a taste.
This is a photo of the tasting room at Piedmont Vineyards.
Here is a picture of the tasting room.
Virginia Wine Blog
Earlier this month we were approached by the Daily News Record to contribute to their online site in the Wine Guide section. A few of the articles began appearing on their site today.We wrote about the 2002 Gray Ghost Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon and the 2000 Horton Viognier. Click on the links to read the articles and see some photos from our visit to Gray Ghost.
We plan to continue to contribute to the Daily News Record as well as post our impressions of the wines and wineries of Virginia here on the Virginia Wine Time blog.
Oakencroft 2002 Petit Verdot
Last Friday evening we had a small dinner party and decided to serve the Oakencroft 2002 Petit Verdot with a roasted leg of lamb. It was a cold winter evening and the conversation was flowing. As we poured the last drop, we were wishing we had had another bottle to open.
The 2002 Petit Verdot is a full bodied wine with aromas of raspberries, coffee and tobacco. Lots of berry flavors especially raspberry and cherry; some mocha too. Nice, smooth finish; this one complemented roasted leg of lamb and roasted winter vegetables. It was a crowd pleaser and fitting for a cold winter night's meal.
The 2002 Petit Verdot is a full bodied wine with aromas of raspberries, coffee and tobacco. Lots of berry flavors especially raspberry and cherry; some mocha too. Nice, smooth finish; this one complemented roasted leg of lamb and roasted winter vegetables. It was a crowd pleaser and fitting for a cold winter night's meal.
Oakencroft Winery
On Saturday we were in Charlottesville visiting wineries and one on our list was Oakencroft Winery. We visited Oakencroft in August 2005 and really enjoyed our visit. We decided on this trip to Charlottesville we must stop at Oakencroft to see what new wines have been released.
Oakencroft produces wonderful wines. We did a tasting and chatting with our tastress about the current offerings and those to come in the future. After our tasting, we decided to enjoy a bottle of their 2003 Merlot. Even though 2003 wasn't the best year for grapes, their 2003 Merlot was quite good. Unfortunately the 2003 is no longer available. While we were there they sold their last bottle. They are now offering the 2004 Merlot. We sat out on their patio and enjoyed the Merlot with some sandwiches and chocolate. Before leaving, we purchased the 2004 Merlot as well as the 2002 Merlot Reserve. Thanks to Lorraine, the manager of the tasting room, and our tastress for providing a superb experience.
Here is a video from our visit to Oakencroft Winery. Click on the image to see the video. You will need QuickTime 7 to view the video.
Oakencroft produces wonderful wines. We did a tasting and chatting with our tastress about the current offerings and those to come in the future. After our tasting, we decided to enjoy a bottle of their 2003 Merlot. Even though 2003 wasn't the best year for grapes, their 2003 Merlot was quite good. Unfortunately the 2003 is no longer available. While we were there they sold their last bottle. They are now offering the 2004 Merlot. We sat out on their patio and enjoyed the Merlot with some sandwiches and chocolate. Before leaving, we purchased the 2004 Merlot as well as the 2002 Merlot Reserve. Thanks to Lorraine, the manager of the tasting room, and our tastress for providing a superb experience.
Here is a video from our visit to Oakencroft Winery. Click on the image to see the video. You will need QuickTime 7 to view the video.
Horton Vineyards Mardi Gras
On Saturday we took a trip to Charlottesville to attend the Mardi Gras event at Horton Vineyards. It was a rainy day but that didn't dampen our spirits. With your admission you got a logo glass, Mardi Gras beads, seafood gumbo, chili, and traditional Mardi Gras cake. We enjoyed all of these while tasting many of their wines.
After our tasting, we joined a tour of their tank and barrel room. We were able to taste several of their wines right out of the barrel and a few out of the tanks. It was interesting to taste what the wines are like right out of the barrel. You can taste where the wines will be in the future. Here's a picture from Horton's cellar.
After our tasting, we joined a tour of their tank and barrel room. We were able to taste several of their wines right out of the barrel and a few out of the tanks. It was interesting to taste what the wines are like right out of the barrel. You can taste where the wines will be in the future. Here's a picture from Horton's cellar.
First Colony Merlot
This evening we enjoyed the 2002 First Colony Merlot. We visited First Colony in September 2005 and saved this wine for a special evening. We had this merlot with some chocolates and nibbles appropriate for merlot.Strong cherry aromas greet the nose; big cherry flavors fill the mouth with hints of chocolate and vanilla at the end. This merlot craves chocolates! It lingers in the mouth to provide a longer finish. Some tobacco/leather appears at the end. The tannis are fairly soft and accessible to the mouth; this merlot would be fine with food such as steak yet elegant and easy enough to sip on its own.
This weekend we are headed off to Charlottesville to attend the Mardi Gras event at Horton Cellars Winery. We will also visit Oakencroft Winery and Vinyard and Barboursville Vineyard. We will provide tasting notes on our upcoming wine experiences at Horton, Oakencroft, and Barboursville.
