The month of April provided us with the opportunity to experience wines in two different ways: from the barrel and from the library. Glen Manor Vineyards hosted a barrel tasting which featured developing wines from the 2017 vintage; later in the month, Gray Ghost Vineyards hosted a vertical tasting of their reserve and non-reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. Both events allowed us to revel in the fact that Virginia winemaking has evolved to the point where Virginia wine enthusiasts can discuss vintages and their particular circumstances! Who needs Napa?
Paul and I were eager to sample the sleepers at Glen Manor Vineyards. The 2017 harvest in Virginia has earned glowing reviews from winemakers. Seasonal temperatures (rather than too hot) and a dry harvest (no hurricanes during harvest time) provided winemakers with fruit that ripened on time in Virginia. Winemaker Jeff White was thrilled with the 2017 harvest and used the barrel tasting to feature the components of his red blends. These included the St Ruth and two options for his award-winning Hodder Hill. These blend components were paired along side gluten free and vegan pairings by The Element in Front Royal and local cheeses by Fields of Grace in Remington.
Blend #1 featured the 2017 Merlot and 2017 Cabernet Franc components of St. Ruth. We tasted each individual component and then tried our hands at blends the two. We both enjoyed the Cabernet Franc with its rich seed berry characteristics and smoky aromas. After blending, the Franc-heavy mix
This Article was originally published on Virginia Wine Time
