After a week of tiding up the house and trying to clean my home office, it was that time again: “…Wine Time!”
Thank you Sambo for that quote!
Tish didn’t like the idea of leaving at 10 o’clock in the A.M. She would prefer to sleep but, I’m a firm believer in you’ll get all the sleep you need when you are dead.
So I got her up, she wasn’t happy but that changed after a few vineyards.
Our first stop was near my former employer or in that general vicinity. As most of you know, I have visited at least one new vineyard each month since Sept. ’11. And the streak continues.
Down Limestone Rd. we arrived at our first stop of the day, Winery 32.
I passed this vineyard a few months ago when I visited the cluster of vineyards in this area. However, they weren’t open that Friday so, I waited for another opportunity.
Peach trees line the road leading up to the tasting room. They better get down and start picking soon. I used to pick peaches when I was a kid. Old man Heishman was a crusty old fart and he paid me .50 cents a bushel which wasn’t much. However, it did put a little coin in my pocket…literally!
Another barn tasting room, Loudoun is known for their barn style tasting rooms. I guess they are trying to channel their inner redneck.
Oh Hell No!
Here are my picks from Winery 32:
Gloria’s Sunshine Light Peach, a blend of Peaches and Vidal Blanc. A nose of citrus almost tropical fruit filled the glass. Crisp on the palate, the Vidal Blanc helped cut down on the peach flavors. But the peaches shined on the finish as a sweetness closed this wine.
This is a sippin’ wine. For me and my classmates from the Great Class of ’83, this would make for the perfect field party wine to share with friends. No, this isn’t the type of wine that we would make a circle, take a swill from the bottle and pass it down…that’s Boones Farm. It just reminded me of cool nights, a bonfire and a little Southern Rock playing in the background. Give me a minute y’all…
…okay I’m back from the ’80s. I had visions of me with hair and sporting a mullet and a bottle of Country Quencher.
’11 Cabernet Franc, this one scared me. Knowing how horrible the growing season and harvest was for that vintage, I expected a flabby wine. I was wrong!
A full-bodied wine, the nose was predominately cigar smoke. I’m talking Dominican filler with a Connecticut broadleaf wrapper. I know too much info. A touch of leather too. Bright red fruits on the palate with just enough spice on the finish to bring out nice Tannins. A huge surprise.
Tish was partial to to Gloria Peach Dessert Wine. She grabbed a bottle to take home.
It was time to head over to the west side of Leesburg to our next stop, Casanel VIneyards.
We discovered this vineyard several years ago while we were out with Big D. and B. On this trip we got to enjoy the new tasting room.
Beautiful building with an amazing deck. All the staff at this stop were absolutely Awesome!
As for the wines:
’12 Pinot Gris, a golden colored wine, with nice floral essence of honeysuckle. Apricots dominate the palate with a sweet acid finish. This wine would pair well with spicy shellfish. Crab cakes with an Old Bay Aioli would give this wine the right balance.
’11 Petit Verdot, a full-bodied red with a touch of green pepper on the nose. Smoky aromas on the front of the mouth that transcend to jammy plum flavors in the back of the mouth. The finish is any cigar smokers dream, a hint of white pepper and tobacco leaf. A vegetarian’s nightmare, this wine would go well with a juicy steak, a bottomless plate of ribs or even something a bit exotic like venison. I think PETA just tried to call.
We each got a glass and enjoyed the cool temperatures from their deck
Overall a good stop and if you’re in the LoCo area, stop in and taste. My next stop is just at the base of Mount Weather.
Bogeti Bodega Winery, this is probably the most convenient vineyard to all those who commute to and from the valley. Any watering hole close to your commute is a good stop. Remember my rant about The Lone Oak Tavern?
Here are my choices from BBW:
B-Thin Pinot Gris, are you noticing a trend? This light bodied wine had just a hint of honey and lime on the nose. Sweet yet crisp flavors on the palate. A tangy finish makes this wine would be perfect for an evening of baguettes and cheese with friends.
Bogeti Malbec, one of the few vineyards in the state that grows Malbec. This rudy colored wine has nice earthy aromatics with a touch of leather. Deep, dark red fruits on the palate that transition to a peppery finish. A nice wine that will get better with time.
With 3 down, it was only fitting that we make it an even 4.
Just over the mountain in Clarke County is the counties newest vineyard, 612 Vineyards.
This was part of my tour last year but I ended up just enjoying a glass of wine as they were pouring the wines from Cave Ridge Vieeyards.
After a year, they are now making their own.
Here is what I enjoyed:
Viognier, this was their barrel aged. A bit of earthiness on the nose with a bit of hay. Rich flavors of melon on the front with pineapple on the back of the palate. A crisp mouth watering finish. Another wine for the deck sitting and telling lies.
Always ‘n Forever, yeah I just sang the name of that wine. If you remember the song who was the band? A blend of Cab. Franc, Petit Verdot and Chamborcin. A medium bodied wine with intense flavors of rich dark cherries on the nose. Rich smoky flavors on the palate. Low tannins give this wine an astringent finish.
So after 4 vineyards, this brings my total to 92 for the year and I’m 8 away from 100.
This goal will be met within the next 2 weeks.
My travels over the next 2 weeks may take me to the Charlottesville area. Maybe even reaching to goal at few new ones.
The ride is coming to an end.
crazynvirginia 