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#localwine, AVA, Boxwood, Chatham Vineyards, DLW11, Jefferson Vineyards, Keswick Vineyards, Linden, Local Wine, Petit Verdot, VaWine, Virginia, Virginia Wine
Ok, this is a blatant, deceptive, non-truth in labeling practice. One of my 2008, 2009, and 2010 New Year’s Resolutions was to be more creative. I missed the mark in the previous years so I’m at it again.
The real title of this post is ‘My List of Virgnia’s Top 20 Wines.‘
A couple of weeks ago the semi-anonymous duo at Swirl, Sip, Snark posted an article about a ‘green’ Cab Franc from Old House Vineyards that resulted in a robust exchange of comments – one of which was from Tarara winemaker Jordan Harris. In his comment, Jordan suggested that a group of us share a list of our favorite Virginia wines.
As with most ‘Top anything’ lists, this of my top 20 Virginia wineries of course subjective, and based on my ‘current’ preferences (and memory limitations). I should add a disclaimer to note I have not tasted every wine from Virginia, but have tasted wine from over 100 of our wineries so this list is reasonably representative.
Never one to follow directions all that well, I’m going to countdown my Top 10 first, then provide the other ten without assigning a ranking.
10. – Mountfair 2007 Composition (Monticello AVA) – A delicious blend of 60% Cab Sauv, 35% Merlot, and 5% Petit Verdot.
9. – Keswick 2008 Consensus (Monticello AVA) – Another great example of potential of Virginia red blends. This wine won the inaugural Virginia-vs.-Colorado taste-off last year.
8. – Veritas 2009 Sauvignon Blanc Reserve (Monticello AVA) – I had this during a media tour of Central Virginia with The First Lady, and this wine stole the day for me! In terms of freshness and purity of fruit, one of the very best examples of Virginia Sauvignon Blanc (only rivaled by Glen Manor Sauvignon Blanc).
7. – Kluge 2007 SP Blanc de Blanc (corner of bankruptcy and bad decisions blvd.) – One of my all time favorite sparkling wines. Sadly, with Kluge’s demise, we won’t have any future vintages to enjoy.
6. – Chester Gap 2009 Viognier Reserve (Fauquier County) – One of the very few oaked Viogniers that I like. This is a great example of Virginia Viognier from one of the state’s most underrated gems. This could be the only winery I’ve visited that I liked every wine on the tasting list.
5. – Breaux 2002 Merlot (Loudoun County) – Perhaps Virginia’s best example of Merlot.
4. – Linden 2005 (and 2006) Petit Verdot (Fauquier County) – Jim knows Virginia. Jim knows grape growing and agriculture. Jim knows Petit Verdot. Jim does great Virginia Petit Verdot – perhaps the best single varietal example in the state (although with all of the excellent contenders now available, this is changing).
3. – Linden 2005 (et. al.) Hardscrabble (Fauquier County)
2. – Glen Manor 2007 Hodder Hill (Shenandoah Valley AVA, barely) One of the best red blends in Virginia. Jeff White has mad winemaking skills!
In the absence of the time and technical skills to embed a drum roll sound clip here, below is my #1 most favorite Virginia wine:
1. – 1988 Montdomaine Heritage (Monticello AVA) – Without a doubt the best Virginia wine I’ve ever had. Absolutely excellent! Aside from the liveliness of this 23 year old, I appreciated the alcohol level of just 12.5%. Hat tip to Jim Raper for sharing this beauty with us.
Identifying my top 10 Virginia wines were easy, but ranking wines 11 through 20 proved more difficult because I wasn’t able to clearly justify differences in ranking that far down my preference scale. I did initially rank the wines below, but wasn’t really sure why wine #13 was better than wine #14, or wine #18 was any better than wine #20. Wines 11 through 20 represent wines that I really like – a couple perhaps a little more than others – but overall I like them fairly the same. (this is basically a copout too)
In no particular order (11 thru 20)…
North Gate 2008 Petit Verdot (Loudoun County)
Gadino Cellars 2009 Viognier (Rappahannock County)
Jefferson Vineyards 2009 Viognier (Monticello AVA)
DuCard 2009 Petit Verdot (Madison County area)
Hume 2008 Detour
Chatham Vineyards 2009 Steel Fermented Chardonnay (Eastern Shore AVA)
Boxwood 2009 Rosé (Loudoun County)
Linden Vineyards 2007 Hardscrabble Chardonnay (Fauquier County)
Chrysalis Vineyards 2009 Albarino (Loudoun County) – Wish we had more of this in Virginia.
Breaux Vineyards 2007 Viognier (Loudoun County)
I look forward to reading everyone else’s Virginia wine rankings!
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Thanks for putting together this list. Even though I’m a lifelong Virginian, I’m fairly new to Virginia wine. I’m always looking for recommendations, so this list will be useful.
It’s great seeing everyone’s Top 20 Virginia Wine list. A great way to learn more is of course to ‘drink’ more and consider attending WBC11!
It is great seeing everyone’s list! And thanks for including DuCard’s new PV on your list! Can’t wait to try some of the others you’ve included. Hmmm…gotta make more room in the wine cellar now…lol!–Marty
HI Marty – thanks for stopping by to comment. Lots of interesting wines on all the lists, eh? Really enjoyed that Petit Verdot on Friday. I had a brain freeze and didn’t get a bottle – will have to stop by soon for a visit to pick up a bottle.
Hey Frank–You should consider making a bail out offer to Kluge. You’d make a great owner/winemaker maybe you and Trump can buy it together then make a reality series out looking to hire a winemaker. I can see it already!
Hi Marcy – Well, I’m not sure that would be a great career move for me since I am a genius up to the point I have to apply my genius.🙂 Now, if The Donald wanted to offer me a monthly stipend for my consulting services, I would be open to that. Donald… call me…
Love Linden’s Hardscrabble!
Agreed – Hardscrabble is always one of Virginia’s stellar performers. I’m becoming a fan of Jim’s Chardonnay’s as well. Last time I was there, he had one of his Chard’s aging in a cement egg – can’t wait to try that one. Between Chester Gap, Linden, Glen Manor – that triangle is one of my favorite Va wine areas.
The title of the post certainly got my attention after my visit to the Virginia Wine Expo. Glad to have discovered your blog. Look forward to catching up on your previous posts.
Hi Teresa – Mission Accomplished! Glad the title of the post got your attention. What were your favorites from the Virginia Wine Expo. I was there on Friday – several great new finds like the DuCard Petit Verdot and Annefield Cab Franc. Cheers!
We were there Friday evening also and ran into you early in the evening although not formally introduced as I was busy making comments about someone else that you found humorous.
We really liked the DuCard Petite Verdot and we did buy a bottle of it. Another great find for us was Philip Carter Cabernet Franc. For my husband and I though it was a great opportunity to discover new places to go visit. I now have a whole new list of day trips to plan.
Ah, yes, ok. Finding new places to visit is definitely one of the benefits of these wine expos.
Frank, you’ll be happy to know that I burst out laughing when I read your title. Love it!
GEG: Cool, thanks!!! Interesting to see the site count on this particular post. I’m now thinking of a real post… although I’m not so sure that would go over all that well with the winemakers. 🙂
While I agree that the title is fantastic it is without any truth. I can accept my wines not being on a list butmy long curly locks not being part of Virginia’s Sexiest Winemakers is insulting. Is it the screw-caps?
Honestly, great list. There are a few I have not tries and look forward to.
BTW, As I write this OV scored and life is good.
Hi Jordan – thanks for stopping you curly headed, screw-top lovin, winemaking gangsta! As someone with insanely straight hair who is burdened with 5 cowlicks resulting in weekly haircuts as the only control mechanism, yes, this ranking has everything to do with your curly locks. Ok, I kid, I kid – it’s all about the screwtops. 😉
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