Category: Wines

Narmada Winery Opens

/ Warren / 2 Comments

Ambien No Prescription During a Labor Day weekend trip to Amissville, we paid a visit to Narmada Winery on its opening weekend.  We also got to briefly chat with winemaker Rob Cox about the winery, its vineyards, and the future.

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Buy Soma 350 Mg Online We were struck by the expanse of the property that includes Narmada Winery.  This includes the home of owners, Sudhas and Pandit Patil, the vineyards, barrel room, and future tasting room.  A man made pond adds a bucolic touch, too.  On opening day, though, the tasting room was still under construction, and tasting were conducted beneath tents that overlooked the property and its amenities.  Of course, we all about the wine, and winemaker Rob Cox guided us through the list of current releases.  The first wine was also the only white wine offered, and it was affectionately called Mom to recall the hard work and dedication associated with being a Mom.  It’s made from Chardonel , a French-American hybrid, grown on the estate and spends  some time spent in both oak barrels and stainless steel tanks.  It presents pleasant pear aromas and flavors with a subtle almond at the end. Boasting 1.5% residual sugar, Mom is a refreshing wine but not cloyingly sweet.  In fact, it was the perfect pour for the warm afternoon and would make for an easy sipper or picnic partner.  (I also imagine that many Moms would love to relax with a glass of this one after a hard day!)

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Of the four reds available for tasting, three were Chambourcin products; Chambourcin, too is a hybrid grape and grows well in Virginia.  Our favorite here was the dry Chambourcin known as Reflection.  Treated seven months in oak, Reflection is a light-bodied wine with bright cherry and raspberry notes.  I think this would be a nice red wine to enjoy during summer time with grilled or spicy fare.  An interesting port-style wine was Primita which comes in at 9% residual sugar; it’s also blended with a bit of Grenache.  Destined to be great with dark chocolate, I’d also enjoy Primita with a strong cheese.

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Buy Soma Overnight As we swirled and sipped, we also got to chat with Rob Cox. He recognized us from the blog even though we were trying to be anonymous. Rob’s credentials include work at Pearmund Cellars, and he has worked with Sudha and Pandit Patil to produce upcoming releases that will include Chardonnay, Viognier, and Cabernet Franc.  The Patils are of Indian heritage; therefore, they favor varietals and a winemaking style that can compliment spicy cuisine such as Indian food.  Their vineyard adventures began six years after they purchased the Amissville property in 1999.  Fourteen acres of property are now in vines.  The tasting room will open in November.

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So with our tasting done, we shared a glass of the Mom Chardonel and enjoyed the blue grass rhythms of a local trio.  We do plan to return to Narmada especially once the tasting room is open for business, and we are eager to try the upcoming releases.  Be sure to stop by Narmada Winery, and mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you.

Breaux Vineyards

/ Paul / 1 Comment

https://twofunnelsaway.com/madgicx-pricing/ Labor Day weekend affords us the time to visit more wineries. We decided to visit a few in Loudoun County. There are several we haven’t visited in awhile. On this trip we visited Breaux, Notaviva, and Hiddencroft.

Our first stop was Breaux Vineyards. As we walked into the tasting room we were greeted by Cooper, the vineyard dog. He was very excited to see us. As we were giving Cooper some attention, Jennifer Blosser, Hospitality & Events Manager, recognized us from the blog and gave us a warm welcome. She set us up at the bar for a tasting with Richard, our hospitality associate.

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https://phoenix-flow.co.uk/amplifier/ Richard began our tasting with the whites. Of these I put my gold star next to the 2007 Madeleines Chardonnay. I enjoy steel fermented chardonnays and this one is well balanced. It’s got tropical notes and honey on the nose. Warren put his gold star next to the 2007 Viognier. His notes included words like floral nose and honey suckle. He also mentioned it was crisp.

https://10bestforwomen.com/sharing-secrets/ Next up were the reds and we had plenty to taste. My gold star was placed next to the 2002 Merlot Reserve. Warren placed his star here as well. This was a wonderful merlot with smooth tannins and extracted fruit flavors. Another wine of note was the Equation. This is 95% merlot and 5% petit verdot. The interesting “equation” here it’s a blend of 2005 barrel aged and 2007 steel aged. We thought it was quite interesting.

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We were also able to taste a few wines from the Cellar Club library. We were able to taste a 2002 Free Run Merlot and a 2005 Syrah. The merlot was a light bodied sipper that we both enjoyed. Warren described the syrah as having some spice and chewy tannins.

Richard finished our tasting with the sweet wines. Of these we enjoyed the Nebbiolo Ice. It’s an interesting dessert wine made from nebbiolo. It has 10% residual sugar and wasn’t too sweet for our palates. We enjoyed this one.

With our tasting complete, we selected the 2007 Madeleines Chardonnay to have with our lunch of grilled chicken, almonds, cheeses and crackers. It was a warm day outside so this was a nice cooling sipper enjoyed with our lunch.

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Before leaving we purchased a few bottles of wine and thanked Jennifer and Richard for their wonderful hospitality. When you find yourself in Loudoun County be sure to visit Breaux Vineyards and tell them Virginia Wine Time sent you!

New Reds at Piedmont

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Recently Gerhard von Fincke e-mailed us inviting us to visit Piedmont Vineyards to taste his recently released wines. Last Sunday we decided to do just that.

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It’s always nice to chat with Gerhard and enjoy some wine at the same time. He conducted our tasting and we were able to taste many of our favorites. But we were there to taste the new 2006 Merlot and the 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon. Both of these wines were released in late July.

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The 2006 Merlot spent 30 months in oak. Even though it spent a long time on oak, it retained much of the fruit characters you expect in a merlot. I enjoyed this one. Gerhard suggests letting mellow in the bottle for three or four months. This one got my gold star for the day.

The 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon also spent 30 months in oak. This one has a dark garnet color. In the mouth it has hints of dark fruit; plums and cherries. It has some chewy tannins. As with the Merlot, this one needs a few months to settle down in the bottle. With time this will turn into an amazing cab. Warren awarded this cab his gold star for the day.

After our regular tasting, Gerhard let us taste a few older cabs. We were able to taste the 2000 cab and the 1997 cab. The 1997 is holding up beautifully. We liked this one so much, Gerhard let us have a glass with our lunch!

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While enjoying our lunch and the 1997 cab, we also enjoyed some live music. Piedmont now has live open mic entertainment on Sunday afternoons. We got to hear several songs by Expanding Waistlines. We think this is a great addition to the atmosphere at Piedmont.

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The next time you visit Piedmont, be sure to tell them Virginia WIne Time sent you!

End of the Monticello Trail

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So finally we revisit the oldies—wineries that we visit frequently while on the Monticello Trail. This will be a quick rundown of our personal favorites based on our recent tastings:

Afton Mountain Vineyards—Unoaked Chardonnay was Paul’s fave; crisp and refreshing

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Barboursville Vineyards—2005 Octagon; this Merlot-based Bordeaux-style blend is currently the subject of international acclaim. Also try the 2006 Cabernet Franc and the 2007 Viognier Reserve.

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Cardinal Point Vineyard and Winery—my own favorite was the 2008 A6, a crisp blend of Viognier and Chardonnay; Paul preferred the 2008 Quattro, an aromatic blend of Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Viognier, and Traminette.

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Kluge Estate Winery and Vineyard—we still detest the test tubes, but we do enjoy the wines. The bubbly 2004 Blanc de Blanc was my favorite, but Paul was in the mood for summer wines and gave the nod to the 2008 Albemarle Rose.

White Hall Vineyards—a very nice tasting staff allowed us a tasting even though we arrived a few minutes before closing time. The lush 2007 Petit Manseng won my gold star for the white wines while the jammy 2007 Touriga earned my award for favorite red wine. (Be sure to try the port-style 2006 Edichi, too.)

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Planning to visit these award-winning wineries soon? Be sure to mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you.

Back To Our Regular Program

/ Warren / 1 Comment

So back on the Monticello Trail and re-visits to first timers the last time we were in the area. These would include Sugarleaf Vineyards and Pollak Vineyards.

We continue to be impressed with the offerings at Sugarleaf Vineyards. The 2008 Viognier, blended with 20% Petit Manseng, was my own favorite and presented stone fruit and honeysuckle on the nose with a lovely fruit combination of papaya, fresh pineapple, and a citrus twist in the mouth. I noted some white pepper, too. Some aging in French oak helps to provide a longer finish. Paul placed a star next to the 2007 Petit Manseng and jotted down “floral” and “fruity” as aromatic notes and “peachy” for flavors. He described its finish as “crisp”.

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Of the red wines, we both concurred that the 2006 Cabernet Franc (blended with 10% Petit Verdot) was the gold star winner. Extracted berry and dried herbs were detected on the nose with similar qualities in the mouth with some pepper to boot; I noted some vanilla at the end due to aging in both American and European oak. Looking for a decadent treat? Try the 2007 Neubia Nectar, a lush dessert wine that is a blend of Petit Manseng and Vidal Blanc.

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We always hear good things about Pollak Vineyards and for good reason. Here too, the lineup of wines continues to be quite impressive. The 2008 Durant White, a blend of Viognier, Pinot Gris, and Chardonnay, is a crisp pour with characteristics of citrus, apple, and tropical fruit. A crowd pleaser by any means, this easy drinking white should prove to be versatile at the most formal or informal affairs. I appreciated the 2008 Rose with its tart berry characteristics. Dry and crisp, this rose is yet another example of nice roses being produced in Virginia.

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Paul’s gold star was reserved for the 2007 Merlot with its ripe cherry and blackberry aromas and flavors. Paul found this one to be more fruit-forward and appreciated its longer finish. My own star was reserved for the complex 2006 Meritage, a blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Darker fruit profiles here with pepper and cedar noted, too. Nice tannins here made me wish for a nice steak!

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With our tasting done, we were ready to enjoy lunch with one of our favorite wines at Pollak Vineyards. We dined on sliced beef and wild rice salad with a hunk of Emmental cheese, and we paired this with the 2007 Merlot. The grounds at Pollak Vineyards offer stunning views which we enjoyed while munching and sipping.

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Pollak is also known to be amongst the most “green” of vineyards and wineries, and we look forward to delving into this topic the next time we visit Pollak Vineyards. Of course, we also plan to visit Sugarleaf Vineyards to sample upcoming pours that will include the anticpated Cuvee Neubia. Let us know your favorites at Sugarleaf Vineyards and Pollak Vineyards, but when you visit, mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you.

Pardon The Interruption

/ Paul / 1 Comment

Pardon the interruption of our Monticello Wine Trail series. It will resume after this brief break.

Despite the nasty, rainy day, we decided to visit a few Loudoun County wineries to get a few more stamps in our passport for the Loudoun Wine Trail. We decided to visit a few that we hadn’t been to in a while. This won’t be a full on report of all the wines; Warren is the expert there. I’ll be sharing my impressions of our visits. We went to Loudoun Valley Vineyards, Sunset Hills, and Doukenie.

newlabelGreat things have been happening at Loudoun Valley. When we visited in the Winter we could see things were beginning to change. This time we saw lots of changes. The tasting room has a new air about it…fresh paint, new tables and chairs, and there was even live music! Of course we tasted all the wines and enjoyed them all but I’ll say the 2008 Pinot Grigio was awarded my gold star. It was crisp, floral, with citrus flavors. We also noted the new labels. Very nice! When you visit Loudoun Valley, and I’m sure you will, be sure to taste the 2008 Pinot Grigio.

Our next stop was Sunset Hills. We last visited Sunset Hills in February. At that time they had only been open a few months. Since then things have only gotten better at Sunset Hills. The tasting room was a buzz with tastings going on. They were setting up for a wedding reception as well. As busy as the tasting room was, there was someone available to help us with our tasting. She led us through the tasting and Warren put his stars next to the viognier and the cabernet franc. We were lucky to taste some of these reds in the barrels during our last visit. The big change to Sunset Hills that I noticed this time over our last visit was the addition of food. You can now order cheese and bread baskets with meats and other delicious items. They even have fudge! I had to have some of the peanut butter fudge. It was delicious! Keep in mind though that you can only bring your own food to the lawn for a picnic. The two large decks and the tasting room are reserved for food purchased at Sunset Hills.

Our last stop was at Doukenie. We’ve been there many times in the past and always enjoy their wines. The same was true this time, we enjoyed the wines, especially the 2008 Mandolin. What was different about our visit this time was the change in the tasting room. They have moved the old bar out and now have a huge rectangular bar pretty much in the middle of the room. You just about run into it when you walk in the door. Of course the new big bar does allow for more people to cluster around for tastings. I was just a little disappointed because so many times in the past we had made a connection with our tasting associate in a smaller, more personal way and that seems to be lost with this new arrangement. However, the new bar set up doesn’t effect the wines at all! The wines are what keeps us coming back!

The next time you find yourself in Loudoun County be sure to stop off at Loudoun Valley Vineyards, Sunset Hills, and Doukenie and be sure to tell them Virginia Wine Time sent you! Also, be sure to check our next post as we finish up our tasting notes from our visits on the Monticello Trail.

Back on the Monticello Trail: Item #3

/ Warren / 1 Comment

So third on our agenda was to revisit wineries that were first timers for us last year: Blenheim Vineyards, Sugarleaf Vineyards, and Pollak Vineyards.

Since our last visit to Blenheim Vineyards, Kirsty Harmon has taken the reins as winemaker. Kirsty personally guided us through the wine tasting, and along the way we got to chat with Kirsty about her visions for Blenheim’s future. Of the white wines, Paul and I both place our gold star next to the 2008 Chardonnay. This crisp Chardonnay gives the impression of a stainless steel-fermented wine; however, this Chardonnay is indeed done in oak barrels—French, American, and Hungarian. How was this achieved? Portions of Chardonnay from each barrel were blended together to present flavors of apples and pears with a subtle lemon on the finish. Not to be missed, though, is the 2008 Viognier with its peachy aromas and flavors with some white pepper noted, too. Another crisp pour, the 2008 Viognier is a blend of Viognier fermented in oak barrels (40% from French, American and Hungarian oak).

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Paul and I split decisions with the red wines. Paul’s star was awarded to the 2008 Seven Oaks Merlot; he noted full, rich cherry flavors; “fruity with a smooth finish” were Paul’s exact words. Aging in French oak did indeed give this 2008 Merlot a silky finish. My own gold star was awarded to the 2008 Blenheim Farm Cabernet Franc . Full cherry and pepper flavors with some earthy notes were also on display here with a nice acidity to boot. A fuller-bodied wine, it provided a lengthier finish.

As we sampled the 2008 offerings, we did observe a fruit-forward approach to making these wines, and Kirsty does admit to embracing this style of winemaking. A protégé of noted winemaker Gabriele Rausse, Kirsty’s wines are ready to drink now, and they could be enjoyed with food or simply on their own. Other changes include the labels which also reflect Kirsty’s artistic input and the use of screw cap enclosures instead of corks. Ten acres of vines now include Viognier, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot; however, Kirsty likes a challenge and has planted Pinot Noir. Virginia’s climate is usually not kind to Pinot Noir, but Kirsty relishes the chance to make quality wine from this fickle varietal.

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Kirsty finished our visit to Blenheim Vineyards with a brief tour of the barrel room located beneath the tasting room. Small and immaculate describe the barrel room and quite cool to provide optimum conditions for fermenting wines. Kirsty described to us her commitment to making limited quantities of wine that also presented the highest quality possible; after our tasting, we believe that she has reached her goal.

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Of course, we were hungry and eager to eat—light fare including cubed chicken tossed with pasta and herbs, and Swiss cheese with crackers awaited in the car. Now that Blenheim’s tasting room is open to the public, we decided to enjoy lunch and a mountain view from the lofty, spacious tasting room. What wine did we enjoy? The 2008 Chardonnay.

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After lunch, we purchased wine to bring home, and bid our farewells to Kirsty; we also thanked her for being such a gracious hostess and promised to return soon. So what about Surgarleaf Vineyards and Pollak Vineyards? Item #3 continues on our next post. In the meantime, visit Blenheim Vineyards, and mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you.

Item #2: Visit Newer Wineries

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So back on the Monticello Trail, and this time we were interested in sampling the wares at newer wineries. For this item on the agenda, we added Flying Fox Vineyard and Mountfair Vineyards.

Flying Fox Vineyard has operated as a winery for the last three years, so it’s still a relative newbie. The tasting room was quite nice, and the tasting associate was friendly and knowledgeable about the wines. After many years of growing grapes, they have moved into producing their own wines. Three white wines were offered for tasting, and we reached a split decision on the gold star awards. I favored the 2007 Chardonnay which was fermented in stainless steel to present a crisp wine. Nice citrus aromas were noted here with flavors of apples and pears. On a warm, sultry summer day, the 2007 Chardonnay could be the perfect sipper. Paul preferred the 2008 Viognier with its peach and melon characteristics and dry finish. This, too, was fermented in stainless steel tanks.

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I did think that the red wines at Flying Fox were a bit stronger, and I particularly enjoyed the 2006 Cabernet Franc. Raspberry and cherry were evident on the nose with hints of dried herbs and black pepper with complementary flavors presented in the mouth. A small blending of Merlot rounded out this Cabernet Franc. Not to be outdone was the 2006 Petit Verdot with its blackberry and black cherry characteristics; the tasting noted use the term “concentrated”, and I do indeed concur. I noted some vanilla at the end with a lengthier finish to boot.

As we swirled and sipped, a rain shower announced its arrival outdoors. With our tasting done, we decided to gaze up at the summer shower from the dry comfort of the tasting room. We opted to enjoy a generous cheese plate offered by the winery which we then paired with the 2006 Cabernet Franc. I particularly enjoyed the Gorgonzola cheese while Paul munched on the white cheddar.

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Alas, the summer shower did indeed end, and with lunch and wine consumed it was time to move on. With a lovely rainbow guiding the way, we made our way to Mountfair Vineyard. Mountfair just opened with the past six months, and the focus is blended red wines from Bordeaux varietals. We were fortunate enough to meet one of the owners, Chris Yordy. He conducted our tasting. Three wines were offered for tasting, and all presented different blending proportions of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petit Verdot. I allowed Paul to award the gold star here, and this he presented to the Merlot-based 2007 Engagement. (The blending proportions here are 65% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Petit Verdot.) Paul’s descriptors included “intense cherry”, “spice”, and “nice tannins” to suggest a complex yet accessible red wine. I thought it still tasted a little young, so “engage” now with a purchase but enjoy a bit later with a favorite beef dish. A juicier pour is the 2007 Wooloomooloo (an Aboriginal term). The predominant varietal is Petit Verdot: so, expect a denser color with a more layered fruit structure.

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Mountfair’s tasting room is still a work in progress; however, it’s the wines that count, and the wines here are very good. Paul was impressed with Engagement and purchased a bottle that now rests comfortably on his wine rack.

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The list of Virginia wineries grows every day it seems, and that just keeps us busier and busier as we continue to sample Vriginia’s finest. Be sure to visit Flying Fox Vineyard and Mountfair Vineyards, and mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you.

Summertime Along The Monticello Trail

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Summertime allows us the opportunity to visit lots of wineries especially those that are most distant from home. We made wise use of our time staying in the Charlottesville area, and we had a few items on our agenda. One item was to interview winemakers for an upcoming feature on Viognier, and these included Michael Shaps of Virginia Wineworks, Andy Reagan of Jefferson Vineyards, and Matthieu Finot of King Family. Second on our “to do” list was to visit newer wineries in the Monticello area, and this we did accomplish—Flying Fox Vineyard and Montfair Vineyard were indeed visited by the “dynamic duo”. Item #3 was to re-visit certain wineries that were first visits the last time around to see how things were progressing—Blenheim Vineyards, Sugarleaf Vineyards, and PollakVineyards were placed on the calendar. Next on the list? Visits to established wineries in the area just because we wanted to—Afton Mountain Vineyards, Kluge Estate Winery and Vineyard, White Hall Vineyard, Cardinal Point Vineyards, and Barboursville Vineyards. Final item—enjoy some down time in the lovely Monticello area. Did we accomplish all of this? Yes, but over a period of five days; so, we have lots to write about for the next several posts!

viognierSo let’s start with Item #1 and our experiences with Viognier. I’ll keep this one brief, because we are planning an extra feature on Virginia Wine Time in the upcoming months which will focus on Viognier. Why Viognier? From our observation, Viognier appears to be the flagship white varietal for Virginia, and this is based on our reading of reviews from wine critics, national and international awards heaped upon Virginia Viogniers, and formal and informal conversations with winemakers. Therefore, we plan to offer a more detailed article on Viognier for the Fall; look for a history of Viognier in Virginia to appear in the spring issue of Edible Chesapeake, too. (Yours truly will be writing that article!)

Our first interview and Viognier tasting was done courtesy of renowned winemaker, Michael Shaps. Michael’s winemaking credentials are well known and quite extensive. His winemaking skills were honed in France, and Michael has lent his considerable talents to several Virginia wineries including King Family. Michael graciously agreed to meet with us on a Friday at Virginia Wineworks, a day that the tasting room is not usually open for tasting. In fact, Michael was already quite busy with the bottling of white wine for First Colony Winery. We had never seen this highly mechanized process in action, so we were quite mesmerized by the whole affair. Before long, though, Michael treated us to a sampling of his two Viognier offerings—the Virginia Wineworks White and the premium Shaps label. The Wineworks White was a blend of Viognier and Vidal Blanc with less that 1% residual sugar, and it proved to be a very nice, uncomplicated sipper. Nice to share with a friend on the deck, serve as an aperitif, or pair with a chicken and cream sauce dish. Our favorite, though, was the Michael Shaps Viognier, and this one we’ve already described on our short video. The Shaps Viognier is indeed premium—aromatic, intense, and full-bodied. It’s done in stainless steel; however, the juice is allowed to soak on the skins to give this Viognier the weightiness often associated with an oak-aged Viognier. Pour to accompany a shellfish dish and enjoy!

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While Michael Shaps prefers to ferment his premium Viognier in stainless steel, Andy Regan of Jefferson Vineyards opts for a mix of fermentation in neutral French oak barrels and stainless steel tanks. We sampled Jefferson Vineyards’ 2008 Viognier and concurred with the tasting notes—floral and apricot aromas with complimentary flavors in the mouth framed in a nice acidic structure. I confessed to Andy that I always keep a bottle of the Jefferson Viognier on my wine rack, and I left the winery with a bottle of the 2008 offering. Andy shared with me his own favorite recipe to pair with this lush Viognier—grilled bacon-wrapped tuna steaks topped with homemade salsa. Of course, hearing the details made me hungry, but I left with another great menu suggestion to partner with this lovely Viognier.

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Matthieu Finot of King Family Vineyards presented yet another treatment of Viognier. Finot was trained as a winemaker in Burgundy and brings a classic Old World style to King Family’s Viognier (and Chardonnay, too) and also prefers stainless steel fermentation with some time in neutral French oak barrels. The result? The 2008 offering presented the familiar honeysuckle and stone fruit aromas and flavors; in particular, I noted white peaches. Nice acidic structure and a fuller body, too. Finot likes to sip this one on its own, especially in the summer, or with a shellfish dish. (And yes, I added a bottle of this one to my wine collection, too! )

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Three excellent Viogniers offered to us by three outstanding winemakers—what a treat! Needless to say, we learned lots from the three winemakers as we swirled and sipped, but we’ll reserve these extras for our later article. (Didn’t I say this post would be short? Oh well!) In the meantime, be sure to sample Virginia Viogniers to find out what the buzz is all about; start with these offerings from Virginia Wineworks, Jefferson Vineyards, and King Family Vineyards. Of course, mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you!