The COVID pandemic has kept us from visiting wineries as much as we would like. We still need to pick up club wines and taste what new wines are on tasting menus though. Saturday we decided we would take a trip to Delaplane Cellars and pick up our club wines and enjoy a tasting. We planned to get their early to avoid any possible crowds. And we made a reservation ahead of time. We put on our masks and made our way to Delaplane.

We started with the current self guided tasting. We tasted four of the current vintages. We tasted the 2019 Petit Manseng, 2017 Benevino Cabernet Franc, 2017 Cinq 8 and the 2017 Williams Gap. Warren jotted down some notes for each one.

2019 Petit Manseng – apple, honeyed texture, balanced

2017 Benevino Cabernet Franc – smoky nose, cedar, cherry, mocha, blackberries, dried herb, juicy palate

2017 Cinq 8 – juicy nose, tobacco, anise, menthol, cherry, currant, a little chewy, acidity gives structure

2017 Williams Gap – tight on nose, swirl leather, blackberry, tobacco, surprisingly juicy, cherry palate

After our tasting Matt offered to let us try the 2019 Chardonnay Reserve. We were thinking of having it with our lunch items. He was not wrong in his suggestion! Warren made some notes for this one as well.

2019 Chardonnay Reserve – neutral oak, rich pear, chamomile, pear/apple, palate lingers for a while, elegant.

We decided to have a bottle of the 2019 Chardonnay Reserve with our lunch. It was delicious and paired well with our lunch items. The views at Delaplane are spectacular. Being inside the tent with just a few other patrons socially distanced made enjoying the views even better. We felt completely safe and comfortable during our visit. After lunch we split a glass of the 2017 Cinq 8. We enjoyed it with a few dark chocolates they provided.

Before leaving we picked up our club wines and added another three to make it an even case. We want to thank all the guys at Delaplane for making our visit a nice one. If you haven’t been to Delaplane lately, it’s time to make a reservation and visit. When you do, tell them Virginia Wine Time sent you!

The holidays are over now, the holiday trimmings are stored away, and the rush of attending holiday parties and events has subsided. We decided to destress from our holiday happenings with a visit to Delaplane Cellars. We counted on the spectacular views from the tasting room and the excellent wines there to give us that zen-like experience that we needed.

The frigid temperatures did not deter us from venturing out to the winery, but other wine tasters decided to stay cozy at home. We and few other bundled-up sippers were at the tasting bar; we knew we were going to be rewarded with the peace and quiet that we sought. Our tasting began with the Rose, one that is produced from the saignee method and a blend of Merlot Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. Its salmon pink hue and strawberry notes suggested a classic rose, and indeed it was. Rose is a good pour anytime of the year, and we enjoyed this 2016 offering from Delaplane Cellars. White wines followed, and I enjoyed the 2016 Vidal Blanc with its aromas of tropical fruit and flavors of juicy apple. Serve as an aperitif or with a spicy dish. In fact, if spicy food is on the menu then try the 2016 Petit Manseng; tropical fruit characteristics and sweeter palate should be enough to cool down spicy Thai or Cajun dishes.

Of the red wines, Paul enjoyed the light-bodied 2014 Cinq, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, and Syrah. A nose of smoke, jam, and tobacco led to flavors of brambleberries, licorice and spice. Perfect with lighter fare, pizza, or a plate of deli meats and cheeses. For heavier dishes that might grace the table this time of year, the 2014 Left Bank Estate is the wine to pour. It’s a blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Blackberry notes and aromas of forest floor were followed by cherry and blackberry flavors. Nice tannins should play well with braised fare or heartier meats.

We continued our experience at Delaplane by enjoying a glass each of our favorite red wines along with a cheese plate and bread. We made certain to enjoy the beauty of the stark winter landscape and mountain peaks as they lay against a sharp cerulean sky.

Begin your New Year with a visit to Delaplane Cellars. Be sure to mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you!

After our lasagna lunch at Naked Mountain we decided to stop at Depaplane Cellars to pick up our club wines and enjoy a tasting with our friends Jill and Michael.

Our favorites from the tasting were the 2013 Barrel Fermented Chardonnay and the 2012 Williams Gap. The 2013 Barrel Fermented Chardonnay presented apple and pear notes and a lightly creamy ending. The 2012 Williams Gap is a Bordeaux style blend of 4 of the 5 Bordeaux grapes. The only one missing is Malbec. We noted tobacco, earthy notes with blackberry and raspberry. It had a toasty oak finish with pepper hints.

After our tasting we decided to enjoy the 2013 Barrel Fermented Chardonnay and the 2013 Melange Rouge with some nibbles. Before leaving we picked up our wine club wines and a few other bottles. We always enjoy our time at Delaplane Cellars. If you haven’t been lately, plan a trip soon. And tell them Virginia Wine Time sent you!