Top 5 Wines In the Virginia Wine Showcase
I didn’t get to taste everything, so this isn’t a comprehensive Best In Show. We’ll just call it Best of What I Tasted.
The BWIT: 2002 Kluge Estate – New World Red. A fruit forward wine but the fruit is starting to fade as this was bottled a few years ago. This was the most elegant of the wines I had at the VWS.
2nd BWIT: 2005 Ingleside Vineyards – Sangiovese. Cherry and coffee flavors and the best finish of the whole Showcase.
3rd BWIT: 2006 Chateau Morrisette – Cabernet Sauvignon. Chateau Morrisette is down in Floyd virginia and their vineyards are at a higher elevation than most vineyards in VA. Their Cab had a less vicious profile than other Va Cabs that like the punch you in the grill with alcohol. This is a classic steak wine.
4th BWIT: 2004 Kluge Estate – Blanc de Blancs. Well-balanced sparkling white wine. Light citrus fruit and a good finish. Really nice for a value sparkling wine.
5th BWIT: 2006 Chrysalis – Chardonnay. Nice and clean. Fermented in neutral oak.
The Breaux Meritage would probably have made this list if I hadn’t already had a bottle a few months ago. So, we’ll give that one an honorable mention.
February 13th, 2008 at 7:13 pm
Nice start but you are starting at the bottom – except for maybe the Chrysalis.
If you want to try fabulous Virginia wine, try some wines from Linden, Barboursville, King Family, Cardinal Point (especially Cab Franc) and Lovingston (Pinotage). I have also heard that Chester Gap (near Front Royal?) is producing some really exciting wines.
February 14th, 2008 at 6:11 am
Yeah I was sad to see Linden was not there. I’ve been to taste there, but it was years ago before I was into wine at all.
February 15th, 2008 at 4:48 am
Well, I for one am glad to see some kudos for Chateau Morrisette. I often hear people deriding them, seemingly for their obvious success with sweetened table wine. I would bet most of them have never actually tried their other wines. I have tried their 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, and I feel it is indeed very praiseworthy.