Virginia Wine Time Begins Its Phase 2

Buy Prednisone Online Without Prescription We continue to be a couple of weeks behind the rest of the local area in regard to venturing out; however, we are indeed getting back however slowly on the wine trails. Paul and I took a short vacation to the Charlottesville area recently, and we made full use of our time to visit several of the wineries there. We will capture our experiences in the next couple of posts.

https://theroyalstagproperties.com/about/ *Disclaimer: This trip was taken almost three weeks ago; needless to say, we are behind in posting. Therefore, we avoided associated specific wineries with the practices described below since these protocols may have changed since then. The key words will always be “plan ahead.”

https://dinoeliadis.com/press-releases/ Our wine ventures to the Monticello AVA were scheduled for weekday visits to the wineries, and we do this to avoid crowds—-we like to maximize the distancing potential! The focus of this post will be a summary of how wineries in the area honored Phase 2 guidelines while offering optimal service to customers. Future posts will be more specific about wineries, wines, and our favorite pours.

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https://castlehomecomfort.com/humidifiers/ We can report that wineries are indeed complying with state guidelines in regard to Phase 2 of reopening, and we know that these are relieved to be able to open the doors (and pours) once again. However, keeping winery staff and customers safe has added new layers to business practices; in particular, the tasting experience has had to be amended so that customers can taste wines before purchase and/or remain for an extended period of time beyond a tasting. Here is what we encountered:

Clonazepam Purchase Online Reservations: Some wineries required reservations but others did not. Plan ahead to avoid disappointment. Know which wineries you would like to visit and then either visit the websites or call to be certain in order to avoid disappointment. Also be aware that some wineries may be setting time limits on customers in order to accommodate a thorough cleaning of tables and other contact points prior to the arrival of the next guests. Time limits also allows the winery to accommodate a maximum number to guests; remember, wineries do need to distance consumers thus minimizing potential business if the winery is crunched for space. Do know that tastings will likely occur outdoors; however, most wineries offered seating arrangements beneath tents, umbrellas, or a canopy of trees. This offers a perfect opportunity to enjoy the lovely Shenandoah landscape!

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Buy Valium Online Without Prescription Flights and Self Guided Tastings: Be prepared for alternatives to traditional tasting experiences at the wineries. Most wineries that we visited offered a flight of self-guided tastings. Some wineries offered a set flight of wines to taste while others presented a number of flights from which to choose. In the latter circumstance, Paul and I each selected a different flight which then offered an opportunity to sample a maximum number of wines. Flights were usually served in plastic cups on a tray which was labeled with the wines offered in the flight. However, some of the wineries did serve flights in glasses that were arranged either on a paddle or came to the table via a specialized hook to accommodate wine glasses. The library tasting at Barboursville, for example, offered this sort of service. At least two of the wineries served flights by presenting them in small bottles that the consumer could then pour into a cup or glass. Some tasters may balk at plastic cups; however, keep in mind that this minimizes contact between staff and potentially contaminated surfaces—-cups can be tossed into the trash by the customer after use. So if sipping wine out of a plastic cup is a bridge too far then either bring your own wine glass from home or request/purchase a logo glass from the winery. Pour from the plastic into the glass, and you’re ready to enjoy!

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Ambien 10 Mg Price Glass/Bottle Purchases Only: A few wineries on our trip did not offer flights but did offer purchases that could be enjoyed on the property. Again, plan ahead to avoid disappointment if you were expecting something else. Tasting associates can direct you to a particular wine that may suit your palate. Sip on a glass of your favorite wine while appreciating spectacular mountain views, fluttering butterflies, or summer blooms. Bought a bottle? Remember that a bottle purchase can always be re-corked and brought home. And yes, you may be offered a plastic cup. See above—-bring a glass from home or purchase a logo glass from the winery and bring home a souvenir of your visit.

https://disneycruisinggroup.com/about/ Masks: Yes—-wear them. Wear a face covering to converse with a tasting associate, to enter the building to use the restroom, or when you are not otherwise sipping wine. Masks may be removed when drinking or eating. Also, respect distanced seating arrangements and avoid moving furniture.

Buy Xanax Online Overnight Future posts will provide a general review of wineries that we visited along with the wines that we enjoyed. I will admit to not keeping detailed tasting notes—-our aim was to enjoy our time away from seclusion of home. However, I will close with a teaser of one wine that we enjoyed with dinner recently, and that was the Michael Shaps Petit Manseng blended with a bit of Rousanne. Dinner included a plate of seared scallops topped with white wine sauce and capers then served beside mango relish and jasmine rice sprinkled with cilantro parsley.

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Make plans to visit your favorite Virginia wineries and be sure to include one that you have not tried before. I emphasize the word plan—-planning avoids disappointments. Of course, be respectful of tasting associates and other wine tasters and follow safety protocols. Wherever you decide to go, please mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you!

Walsh Family Wine

Recently we met up with Kurt from Wine About Virginia at Walsh Family Wine. With all the changes happening at wineries during COVID-19, we wondered how Walsh Family was conducting tastings.

Like many wineries have discovered, they can continue to do tastings with modifications. Walsh Family is offering flights of wines to taste. Each flight consists of three wines you select served in little bottles. A wine glass is provided to sample each wine. I chose to taste the 2018 Chardonnay, the 2019 Rosé and the 2017 En Passant. All three were wonderful.

After our tastings we decided to enjoy a bottle of the sauvignon blanc with our lunch items. It paired nicely with our lunch. It was nice to relax, enjoy food and wine and catch up with Kurt. Because of social distancing, we were able to sit inside to avoid the heat and be comfortably away from others.

We had a chance to chat with Nate and Sarah Walsh. They are enjoying doing their “DrinkWell” virtual tastings on Facebook on Fridays at 5:00 PM. We have participated in a few of them and really enjoyed discovering new wines. You can purchase and have shipped the wines for each virtual tasting. Nate and Sarah have also begun doing corporate virtual tastings….exposing a wider audience to some fantastic wines.

They also shared with us a taste of the 2018 Petit Manning. Beautiful tropical nose with a dry finish with a pear note. It would pair nicely with scallops.

Before leaving we said our goodbyes and purchased our favorites. If you haven’t been to Walsh Family Wine in awhile, it’s time to go back. We felt very comfortable visiting Walsh Family with the COVID 19 restrictions in place. And don’t forget you can participate virtually with their Friday Drink Well virtual tastings. When you visit, tell them Virginia Wine Time sent you!

Romantic Rosé

On a recent Saturday we met some friends at Gray Ghost Vineyards to catch up, do a tasting and enjoy some lunch.

Marketing director Amy Payette conducted our tasting. We worked through all the whites and reds but were most interested in tasting the new Romantic Rosé. This is the first time winemaker Al Kellert has produced a rosé for Gray Ghost. We learned the rosé is made from three different red grapes. It’s a secret which red grapes make up the blend though. We tasted the rosé and were instantly excited to see it is a dry rosé. We love dry rosés. We noted strawberry and raspberry notes with an overall fruity palate. We know this will pair nicely with cheeses, light fair or sandwiches for lunch.

After our tasting we decided to enjoy some rosé with our lunch items. We were socially distancing from other guests at Gray Ghost while we enjoyed our lunch. It was a warm afternoon but the rosé made it cooler. Before leaving we secured a few bottles of the rosé plus some other favorites. Plan a trip to Gray Ghost Vineyards soon to get your own bottle of the new Romantic Rosé. You’ll be glad you did. When you do visit, tell them Virginia Wine Time sent you!

Oh, check out the video that Gray Ghost posted about the new Romantic Rosé and an update on the vineyards.

Week Day Winery Visits

During this time of COVID and busy weekends at wineries, we have decided to visit Virginia wineries during the week. We have done this a few times and found the wineries to be less crowded. A few weeks ago on a Monday we decided to visit Naked Mountain Winery and Vineyards. We hadn’t been there for a few years and it was time too see the changes and taste the current line up of wines.

Upon entering the tasting room (wearing masks of course) we noticed an addition to the tasting room. There was a new room off to the left full of tables and chairs for extra seating. There are no tastings at the bar but they do set up a tasting to do on your own. They have five small glasses with five different wines poured. You taste at your own pace. We tasted the 2017 Catamount Run White, the 2018 Barrel Fermented Chardonnay, the 2019 Naked Mountain Rosé, the 2018 Catamount Run Red and the 2018 Raptor Red.

Our favorites were the 2017 Catamount Run White with its crisp citrus notes and bright acidity and the 2019 Naked Mountain Rosé with its strawberry notes and crisp finish. We were disappointed with the 2018 reds. We found them both to be quite acidic and lacked specific flavors. We think this might have to do with the rough 2018 growing season.

At Naked Mountain there is plenty of space to spread out both indoors and out. They also have several food items for purchase and also allow visitors to bring their own food. Everyone was wearing masks and they are required when indoors.

We brought our own food and decided to try the 2017 Talon. The Talon is a blend of 40% Petit Verdot, 40% Cab Sauv and 20% Cab Franc. We noted cherry on the palate with a hint of spice. This red was also a bit acidic for our taste but it did pair with most of our lunch items.

After purchasing some of our favorites it was time to head home. Plan a trip to Naked Mountain soon….during the week! And if you do tell them Virginia Wine Time sent you!

Virginia Wine Time Begins Phase 1

Yes, Paul and I are behind by one phase, but we are beginning to venture out. We do appreciate Nancy Bauer’s regular updates on wineries and their practices as things begin to open up a bit more. True to our last post, we have gone to wineries that offer either reservations only and/or open on weekdays. We were eager to get back on the wine trail even if on a limited basis.

Our first venture was to Linden in late May. Easy to reserve outdoor seating here, and we could not have picked a lovelier day to visit the winery. We enjoyed a bottle of the 2016 Claret with our picnic snacks included mortadella, Virginia ham, olives, and fresh berries. Our table was located in a prime spot on the crush pad, and we were entertained by barn swallows that flitted about the property. Jim Law stopped by for a chat, and he was very excited about the upcoming release of the 2018 Chardonnay Village; in fact, guests at Linden were treated to a sneak pour of this easy-sipper.

Gray Ghost Vinyeards was our destination on a weekday excursion to Amissville. We were treated to the aromas of vines in bloom, and we secured an outdoor table that allowed us to appreciate the immaculate vineyards. A tasting was available at Gray Ghost so we were able to catch up on new releases that included the crisp 2019 Seyval Blanc. Our picnic basket included smoked turkey, brie, almonds, and melon, and the wine of choice was the 2016 Chardonnay Reserve.

A trip to Breaux Vineyards last week was our final winery visit, and we reserved a table for outdoor seating on a weekday. Again—-easy process. No tastings at Breaux but a full range of wines by the bottle were available to enjoy while dining outdoors. Chèvre and manchego cheeses came along for lunch along with rosemary crackers and herbed turkey slices. Our selection of the 2019 Sauvignon Blanc Reserve done in a Fume style proved to be the perfect pairing for yet another afternoon of gorgeous weather and vineyard views. Paul was also able to catch up on collecting membership wines that included the 2015 Nebbiolo; Breaux Vineyards is well known for its success with that variety, so we look forward to appreciating this one after a rest on the wine rack.

We will probably stay in our own Phase 1 for a bit longer. However, we can attest to the caution taken by the wineries that we have visited. Wine associates wore face coverings, tables were distanced, and other customers were respectful of protocols. For those who wish to be extra cautious, wineries that are open during the weekdays might be the way to go since this is a way to avoid crowds. Whatever reopening phase in which readers find themselves, consider a visit to the wineries mentioned in this post. Please mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you!

Quality Prevails at Capstone

Capstone Vineyards is indeed a rare gem in the ever-growing Virginia wine industry. This small operation requires an appointment for tasting in its small but quaint tasting room. Owners Dave and Andrea Adams comprise both the vineyard management team and the tasting room staff. The tasting menu offers four high-quality wines for a seated tasting; however, the ability to taste these wines may be for a limited time only—-only grapes from the 2015-2016 growing season were bottled. Rare indeed!

The Adams duo caught the wine bug while visiting California wine country in Sonoma; however, they decided to realize their dream in Virginia. They planted a 13 acre vineyard in Linden (yes, near that Linden) and varieties include the Bordeaux grapes minus malbec, muscat, sauvignon blanc, Chenin blanc, and chardonnay. The vineyard benefits from a south-facing slope and a 1300 foot elevation, and soil composition includes clay, sandy loam, and gravel. Capstone’s first harvest occurred in 2015 with Virginia wine guru Jim Law in charge of a custom crush of their grapes. Law also crafted the wines that comprised the 2015 as well as the 2016 releases.

And the wines? With quality vineyard planning and management coupled with expert wine making, what could go wrong? The crisp 2016 Chardonnay presented notes of lemon/lime and pear and a zesty finish. Chablis lovers should enjoy this one especially when paired with oysters or other shell fish. The 2015 Merlot demonstrated the grape’s potential in Virginia—-aged in neutral oak, its juicy entry led to flavors of blackberry and cherry; a note of anise provided an extra nuance. Tasters in the group suggested this one as an everyday wine to serve with light fare; however, I might enjoy with lean beef too.

The complexity factor increased with the structured 2016 Vintner’s Blend, a mix of cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon, and petit verdot. Notes of smoke and cedar gave way to blackberry and black currant flavors. Nice acidity suggested that this one could hang out on the rack for a couple of years. Lamb chops came to mind as I sipped and savored. Our tasting finished with the 2016 Fielder’s Choice which includes merlot, cabernet franc, and cabernet sauvignon. Dark fruit prevailed on both the nose and palate, and I did catch a whiff of tobacco too. This is a fuller-bodied wine that should partner well with heavier beef, chops, roasts, etc.

So why make an appointment now? Dave and Andrea Adams’ vision may not include a long-term commitment to the retail end of the industry. In fact, they sold their grapes from the 2017 through the 2019 harvests. Vineyard management and the ability to enjoy their lovely mountain landscape drives their passion. Tasting room management and all that it entails? Maybe not. Therefore, they are using the limited ability to taste wine by appointment and perhaps even an odd weekend that is open to the public as a testing time to determine if that is a direction to pursue. We hope that they do! These wines definitely meet the standard for excellence. Please make your appointment to Capstone Vineyards as soon as possible, and mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you!

Gold Medal Winners

The Gold Medal winners in the Virginia Wineries Association Governor’s Cup Wine Competition have been announced. 64 different wines from 40 different wineries were awarded gold medals. 19 world-class judges tasted over 530 wines to select the best. Next week the Governor’s Cup winner will be announced at a special event held in Richmond. Congratulations to all the gold medal winners!

 

 

868 Estate Vineyards – Vidal Blanc 2017
Afton Mountain Vineyards – Tradition 2017
Barboursville Vineyards – Octagon 2014
Barboursville Vineyards – Vermentino Reserve 2018
Barboursville Vineyards – Octagon 2017
Bluestone Vineyard – Blue Ice 2015
Breaux Vineyards – Nebbiolo 2015
Breaux Vineyards – Merlot 2016
Cardinal Point Winery – Clay Hill Cabernet Franc 2017
Chester Gap Cellars – Cabernet Franc 2017
Chisholm Vineyards – Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
Chestnut Oak Vineyard – Chestnut One 2017
CrossKeys Vineyards – Ali d’Oro 2016
Cunningham Creek Winery – Herd Dog Red 2017
Delaplane Cellars – Williams Gap 2017
Delaplane Cellars – Rusticity 2017
DuCard Vineyards – Petit Verdot 2017
DuCard Vineyards – C’est Trop 2017
Early Mountain – Petit Manseng 2018
Early Mountain – Shenandoah Springs Cabernet Franc 2017
Fifty-Third Winery and Vineyard – Viognier, Monticello AVA 2018
Glen Manor Vineyards – Hodder Hill 2015
Greenhill Vineyards – Mythology 2016
Hamlet Vineyards – Eltham 2017
Hark Vineyards – Merlot 2017
Honah Lee Vineyard – Petit Manseng 2017
Jefferson Vineyards – Meritage 2017
Jefferson Vineyards – Jefferson’s Own Estate Reserve Red Wine 2017
Keswick Vineyards – Les Vents d’Anges 2018
Keswick Vineyards – Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Reserve 2016
King Family Vineyards – Loreley 2017
King Family Vineyards – Mountain Plains Red 2017
Lake Anna Winery – Tannat 2017
Lake Anna Winery – Chardonnay 2018
Lake Anna Winery – Petit Verdot 2017
Lost Creek Winery – Cabernet Franc 2017
Michael Shaps – Meritage 2016
Michael Shaps – L. Scott 2017
Michael Shaps – Petit Verdot 2017
Michael Shaps – Cabernet Franc 2017
Michael Shaps – Raisin d’Etre Blanc 2016
Michael Shaps – Meritage 2017
Michael Shaps – Petit Manseng 2018
Muse Vineyards – Cabernet Franc 2015
Narmada Winery – Chardonel Reserve 2017
Paradise Springs Winery – The Moment 2016
Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards – Petit Verdot 2017
Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards – Wild Common Reserve 2017
Pippin Hill Farm & Vineyards – Easton Blue 2016
Pollak Vineyards – Cabernet Franc Reserve 2017
Pollak Vineyards – Smuggler 2017
Pollak Vineyards – Cabernet Franc 2017
Pollak Vineyards – Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
Pollak Vineyards – Meritage 2017
Potomac Point winery – Petit Verdot 2017
Rockbridge Vineyard – V d’Or 2017
Rosemont Vineyards – Cabernet Franc 2017
Shenandoah Vineyards – Shenandoah Reserve Red 2017
Sunset Hills Vineyard – Mosaic 2017
The Barns at Hamilton Station Vineyards – Meritage 2017
Trump Winery – Blanc de Blanc 2014
Trump Winery – Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
Winery 32 – Thoroughbred Blend 2016
Zephaniah Farm Vineyard – Friendship 2017

This information was provided to us by the Virginia Wine Board Marketing Office.

The Law of Evolution

We are all familiar with Darwin’s scientific theory of evolution; however, winemakers have their own viticultural theory of evolution. We recently became familiar with Jim Law’s theory of evolution at a recent tasting event at Linden fitfully called, “Evolution.”

Jim Law’s reputation as the pioneer of excellent winemaking in Virginia is well known. Law bottled his first vintage in 1987, and this included a Cabernet Sauvignon that was tasted at the event. He described this vintage and those of the 1990s as years of understanding vineyard management with a struggle to achieve high expectations. The primary expectation was that wines expressed the terroir, or sense of place, while presenting a balance of acidity and alcohol. Jim’s trip to Bordeaux vineyards in the early 2000s was described by him as the time when the “light bulb went off”, and it was then that Law, already considered an accomplished winemaker, took his own evolution as a winemaker to a different direction. Under the direction of vineyard managers in Bordeaux, a re-evaluation of vineyard management at Linden Vineyards Hardscrabble site took place. This included both red and white wine varietals especially Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. Vines that were not appropriately placed and thus presented ripening challenges were ripped up, and new vines were planted to take advantage of the site’s unique terroir and micro-climate. The transition year was the 2007 vintage, and it was the 2007 Hardscrabble Red that was included in the session’s tasting.

It was by tasting through the vintages of Hardscrabble Reds and Hardscrabble Chardonnays that we could witness the results of this evolutionary process. Law described the 1987 Cabernet Sauvignon as the result of his “wild cowboy days” when he was still learning best vineyard and winemaking practices. It was indeed a treat to taste this one with its sweet fruit, cedar, and savory characteristics. Gone too since the wild west days is the use of American oak barrels that Jim favored in 1987. The 2009 Hardscrabble Red, two vintages past the transition phase, was stunning. Dark fruit and plum notes with nice acidity and fruit through the palate was framed by velvety tannins, and better-placed vines took advantage of a dry yet cool summer that resulted in slow, even ripening. The 2016 vintage was fourth in the line up of red wines, and it presented fresh cherry and cola on the palate; young with good length, Jim believed that this vintage of Hardscrabble Red will hit its stride in eight years.

Evolution perhaps would be meaningless without passion, and vineyard work is truly Jim Law’s passion. However, Law seemed even more committed to his Chardonnay site that created the Hardscrabble Chardonnay. Chardonnay from Burgundy had been his father’s love, and Jim was allowed to sample the pleasures of white Burgundy wines at a very young age. This in turn led to Jim’s own desire to know more about wine, wine regions, winemaking, etc.; of course, the rest of history. A sampling of Chardonnay from Virginia’s Naked Mountain Vineyard in the 1980s convinced him that Virginia could produce stunning results from Chardonnay at a time when big, buttery Napa styles were the rage. The 2012 Hardscrabble Chardonnay was the earliest vintage offered for tasting, and here we tasted the product of older vines on the Hardscrabble site. Rich orchard fruit and lovely texture on the palate made for an elegant wine that Law declared had hit its “sweet spot.” His own favorite was the 2013 vintage with a fruit profile similar to the 2012 but leaner on the palate with a distinct mineral note. I favored the 2015 vintage with its juicy apple and pear presentation and generous feel on the palate. The white flight ended with the exquisite (and still evolving) 2017 Hardscrabble Chardonnay that seemed a bit riper on the nose and more acidic on the palate than the other vintages.

The witness to evolution continued with a trip to the cellar, and here we tasted barrel samples of the 2019 Chardonnay that will eventually make up the Village Chardonnay; picked from young, four year old vines, this one was all fresh apple in the mouth. It was resting in older, neutral oak barrels. (The 2019 growing season, already being heralded by local winemakers as one of the best in at least 10 years, was hot and dry.) A contrast to this vivacious youngster was a sample of the 2019 Chardonnay from the hardscrabble site. Produced from older vines planted in the 1980s, it was softer on the nose with better acidity and yet a rounder palate. The session concluded with two barrel samples of 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon from the Hardscrabble site; the first sample seemed soft with fresh cherry notes. However, the second sample seemed more tannic with blackberry and plum flavors. Jim confided that a blending trial for the 2019 Hardscrabble Red would be taking place on the Monday after our session that weekend, and these Cabernet samples will be part of the decision making process.

Evolving to achieve an expected standard of excellence best describes Jim Law as a vineyard manager and winemaker. We learned so much about this evolutionary process both by Jim’s testimony to his own process as well as by tasting the results. At the end of the session, we also appreciated his hard work and dedication. We will continue to appreciate wines at Linden, both those that have evolved and those that are evolving. Be sure to attend one of Jim Law’s educational sessions or plan a trip to the tasting room to experience the excellent wines there. Of course, mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you!

Wines for the New Year

Last week we were sent two bottles of wine from Virginia Wine.org. They asked us to taste the wines and share our food pairings. What a great way to start 2020!

The first wine was the 2018 Blenheim Vineyards Albariño. We love the wines from Blenheim so much that I’m a club member! We decided to have this bottle as our evening sipper. We paired it with various crackers and brie and Havarti cheeses. We noted white stone fruit, citrus zest, chamomile, a refreshing palate. Even though we enjoyed this as an evening sipper, we could also see pairing this with a fish dish. If you don’t often find yourself in the Charlottesville area, you can purchase this wine right from their website for $23.

The second bottle of wine was the 2016 Pinot Noir from Ankida Ridge Vineyards. We have been a fan of their pinot noir for years but hadn’t had a chance to taste the 2016. We were looking forward to it! Warren decided to roast a chicken to enjoy with the wine. He also made roasted root vegetables with a sprig of thyme and mashed potatoes. We noted bright seed berries, hint of anise, bright berries on the palate, fruity through the finish…elegant yet paired well with the rustic fair. We became instant fans of this vintage. Again, if you are unable to visit their tasting room, you can purchase this vintage from their website for $44.

A big Thank You to Virginia wine.org for sending us these wonderful wines. You should plan a visit to Blenheim Vineyards or Ankida Ridge Vineyards soon and when you do, tell them Virginia Wine Time sent you!

Free Form Tasting

During the month of December, Linden Vineyards veered away from their normal tasting routine to do Free Form Tasting. For the Free Form Tasting, Jim Law selects wines from the wine cellar as well as current and new releases to taste during this time. This year Free Form Tasting took place on the two weekends before the holidays. We attended both weekends.

Yesterday we went to the Free Form Tasting at Linden. Of course we started with white wines. Jim introduced us to a new release. It’s called Wabi Sabi. It’s a blend of Vidal, Semillion, and the 2017 Boisseau Viognier. Warren wrote down dry, exotic, generous weight on the palate due in large part to the Viognier. We think this one would pair well with spicy dishes. We went on to taste the 2017 Boisseau Viognier on it’s own (which we had last weekend as well) and the 2018 Riesling. Both are wonderful wines anyone would enjoy.

We changed tasting bars to taste the red selections. We tasted the 2014 and 2016 Clarets. Last weekend when we tasted these we preferred the 2014 which has a bit more acidity but this weekend we both enjoyed the 2016. Before leaving this tasting bar we were treated to a tasting of the 1994 Cabernet Sauvignon. What a treat! We noted leather, cedar, sage and dark currants. Amazing how well it is holding up!

We then went into the side room for more reds. We tasted the 2016 Avenius Red along side the 2007 Avenius Red (which is not for sale). The 2016 is merlot based whereas the 2007 is petite verdot dominant. The 2016 presents plum, currants, dark cherry, tannic. We noted wet stone, ripe berry and tannins with the 2007. We enjoyed them both!

The Free Form Tasting at Linden is done for this year. And they are now closed until the new year. But be sure to visit Linden in the new year because they have some changes coming to the Cellar Tasting and we’re sure the Free Form Tasting will return next December. And when you visit, tell them Virginia Wine Time sent you!