We admit it—we’re behind in our postings. But for those 9 to 5 occurrences called jobs, we’d post more frequently! Anyway, after our visit with Brian and Sharon at Barrel Oak last Saturday, we decided to sample the latest offering at Three Fox Vineyards. Three Fox Vineyards is less than a mile from Barrel Oak, and it had been quite a while since our last visit to tasting room there.
We did indeed make it to Three Fox Vineyards but with fifteen minutes to spare. However, the tasting room associate graciously accommodated us, and before long we were tasting away. Of the whites, my personal favorite was the crisp 2006 Leggero Chadonnay with its citrus flavors. This Chardonnay is done in stainless steel and is quite versatile to boot. Nice sipper but can be brought along on a picnic, this Chardonnay might also pair well with a favorite shellfish dish. With warmer weather around the corner, sweet wine lovers might appreciate the 2007 Appassionata Vidal Blanc; at 3% residual sugar, this Vidal Blanc might be the right sunset sipper that can be partnered with a stronger blue cheese and baguette.
On to the reds, and my top pick here was the 2006 Alouette Cabernet Franc. Pleasing here for me was the fact that Three Fox does not blend this one and offers 100% estate grown Cabernet Franc. I noted dark cherries in the mouth and some pepper toward the end. This offering has earned Three Fox several awards, and we opted to share a glass of this Cabernet Franc after our tasting! For Chambourcin fans, Three Fox’s 2007 Rosso Dolce is a port-styled wine that is made from Chambourcin grapes. Chambourcin lovers might want to savor the Rosso Dolce with dark chocolates or strong cheeses!
In the process of our tasting, we met co-owner Holli Todhunter; her husband, John, is also owner and winemaker. We also got to meet and chat with Pam Rich, the Director of Tasting Room Operations. From Holli, we learned that Three Fox currently has 10 acres of vines planted with a production of 3000 cases. Future plans include a new tasting room and facility done in the Italian tradition. Holli and John are inspired by Italian wines, and this is evident in the other tasting menu offerings that include Pinot Grigio and Sangiovese. Also, upcoming winemakers’ dinners prepared by local chefs will feature Three Fox wines, so visit the winery website for more information. We must also add that Holli allowed us to enjoy a glass of their Alouette Cabernet Franc even though the tasting room was officially closed. Paul and I enjoyed our wine with some cheese and crackers while taking in spectacular mountain views.
Of course, we eventually did bid our farewells to Holli and the tasting staff at Three Fox. A bottle of the 2006 Alouette Cabernet Franc was purchased for future consumption, and we plan to return to Three Fox to sample future releases. Holli was very excited about the 2007 harvest, and we know that we will have to check out the results. Plan to visit Three Fox Vineyards, and mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you.