Delplane Cellars offered guests a sneak taste of future bottling by hosting a barrel tasting this past weekend. I attended this event on a spur of the moment, and I took rough notes on what was developing in the barrels. I even snapped some photos, too! It sometimes pays to live in the moment.
My first stop was the Winemaker Sauvignon Blanc 2025, and winemaker Rick Tagg manned this station. Why were these barrels designated “winemaker”? Barrel fermented Sauvignon Blanc reflects the winemaker’s preference for a style commonly produced from the Loire region of France. What does this mean? In the 1960s, California winemakers coined the term “Fumé Blanc” to distinguish themselves from French winemakers in Loire. However, the grape, Sauvignon Blanc, is the same as is the process. This style ferments Sauvignon Blanc in neutral oak barrels to impart more body and complexity. Most wine drinkers are probably familiar with stainless steel Sauvignon Blanc with its distinct aromas of boxwoods and lemon followed by sharp or bracing acidity on the palate. New Zealand is common reference point for this style. At Delaplane, winemaker Rick Tagg gives a nod toward the Loire style, and he will blend sauvignon blanc fermented in three neutral oak barrels to bottle the Winemaker Sauvignon Blanc. I observed floral and grapefruit characteristics and a weightier feel on the mid-palate, and I imagined gamier cheeses or seafood dishes topped with a beurre blanc sauce paired with it. I also conjured thoughts of a wine vacation to Loire, but I will enjoy this one in the meantime upon its release.
Next was the 2024 Cabernet Franc—lighter-bodied with bright cherry and raspberry flavors, it was easy to sip, and destined to be a crowd-pleaser any time of the year. A familiar face awaited me at the Adjacency barrel. My friend Kathy Lang Wiedemann not only poured a sample of this lush blend into my glass but also agreed to pose with me for a picture. This blend of Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon made for a juicy entry on the palate with succulent cranberry and plum flavors preceded by a hint of graphite on the nose. Enjoyable and versatile.
Complexity of the red blends increased as I made my way to the remaining barrels. The 2024 Piedmont Station, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petit Verdot offered more body with Merlot imparting a rounder palate. Its entry was generous and fruity with elements of bright seed berries and cherries. The 2024 Rusticity, a blend of Petit Verdot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, exhibited a denser color in the glass. Its notes of coffee, ash, and tobacco were accompanied by a fruit profile of rich cherry and plum. Younger tannins provided texture. Here the dominance of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon provided brighter acidity and a lengthier finish. (The 2023 vintage of this blend won gold at the 2026 Virginia Governor’s Cup.)
A heavy hitter, the 2024 Tannat, finished the barrel tasting. Tannat requires time to evolve, and this one presented a whiff of rose petal and then dark plum after much swirling. Dark plum on the palate too, but this one is tight. Chewy? Yes—it is Tannat, after all.
A complementary glass of wine to enjoy at the end of the tasting was a perk to the barrel tasting, and I opted for a glass of the Viognier. Viognier is not my go-to, but I was pleasantly pleased with the lush fruit notes and more muted floral aromatics with this vintage. As I sipped on a warm spring day, I admired the gorgeous views from the outdoor deck.
My notes from this experience were not as detailed as I would have preferred. I really didn’t jot down details about bottling dates, potential release timeframes, specific times in barrels, ratios of blends, etc. It was a spur of the moment decision to attend, so I savored the experience. Seize the moment was my motto for the day; time is indeed short.
Please plan a tasting at Delaplane Cellars now that spring weather is upon us. Enjoy the wines, food, and majestic views. Of course, please mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you.