This is never more evident than with Kinkead Ridge Winery.  Located in Ripley, Ohio, Kinkead Ridge has garnered more awards and acclaim than most wineries from the other 46.  But plagued by difficult shipping laws, low production wines and pending retirement, most will never have the opportunity to try their outstanding lineup of wines. Which is all the more reason for locals and visitors to jump on the Ohio wine trail and pay them a visit.  Trust me, you’ll thank me afterwards.

The Kinkead Ridge 2010 Riesling starts off with a floral bouquet and light aromas of green apple, honey and lime.

Dry, crisp and refreshing, citrus flavors display prominently on the palate.  Lemon, lime and grapefuit flavors give way to more subtle notes of green apple and light herbs.  A long finish with plenty of acid makes your case for a second pour easy.  All is right with this wine.  And at $12 retail, a downright bargain.  Kudos to the Kinkead Ridge team.

Barrel fermented in French oak, the Linden Vineyards 2008 Hardscrabble Chardonnay was more restrained on the nose than past vintages.  Floral, apple, lemon zest and subtle oak on the nose.

Bright, clean and mineral-driven.  Amazing structure, typical of Linden, and especially the Hardscrabble wines.   A polished effort that is drinking well now and should do so over the next 5 to 10 years.

Barboursville Vineyards, a winery with an extensive and impeccable track record, produces a reserve Viognier that ranks among the states best.  100% Viognier and fermented in stainless steel, the wine sees no barrel or malolactic fermentation.

Pretty white floral aromas lead the way, followed by pear, peach and honey on the nose.  Elegant and classic, the Barboursville Vineyards Viognier Reserve 2009 is the perfect example of just how good Virginia Viognier can be (and why I may become a believer after all).  Medium-bodied, the palate displays similar characteristics to the nose, but with added citrus notes that come through on the finish.  Wonderful acidity and balance.

Winemaker Luca Paschina has once again produced a wine that rivals the best Condrieu wines.

Chaddsford Winery 2005 Merican

One of the iconic wineries on the East Coast, Chaddsford Winery has been producing award-winning wines since their first release in 1983. Heralded winemaker Eric Miller is largely credited with launching a wine industry in Pennsylvania that now boasts more than 100 wineries and counting. Having achieved national acclaim and recognition, Eric’s wines have been featured in a number of prestigious wine and food publications.  A true wine pioneer that has dedicated his life to perfecting the art of winemaking.

One such wine that has raised the bar is their flagship Bordeaux blend, the Chaddsford Winery 2005 Merican ($40).   A classic blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot, the Merican makes a statement with a bottle that is almost twice as heavy as the norm.  A serious bottle of wine that not only looks the part, but acts the part.

The nose features delicate notes of tobacco, cedar and black raspberry.  An almost earthiness quality.

Spicy, rich, and intense, flavors of chocolate, currant and black cherries combine to seduce your every sense.

The nose offers citrus, floral and stone fruit (think peach, apricot and pear).  Light bodied, good acidity and a refreshing mineral finish help make the Oktoberfest the perfect accompaniment to Asian foods or spicy dishes.

Tarara’s primary focus is on terroir, and hence produce a number of single-vineyard blends.  The Tarara Winery 2008 Nevaeh Red is a blend of 71% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Cabernet Franc.  The wine was aged exclusively in new Virginia oak for 18 months and fermented on indigenous yeast and retails for $40.  From the website, “Nevaeh is made up of three distinct blocks – The Hill, The Road and The Pond. All of Nevaeh is planted to cane-pruned vertical shoot positioning with an average yield of just shy of 2 tons per acre. This helps with even ripening, better concentration and an easily sculpted vineyard.”

A somewhat tight nose (I recommend opening a few hours in advance), aromas of black fruit, namely ripe blackberries, black currant and a dash of black pepper.  Earthy undertones with cedar box, tobacco, cassis and black cherries on the palate.  Medium-bodied, solid tannins and good acidity, the wine impresses with each sip.  A well made wine that will reward the patient drinker.

Inspired after a trip to Montreal, Albert and Eleanor Leger decided to start Eden Orchards and Eden Ice Cider Company in the winter of 2007.  Located on what was an abandoned dairy farm in West Charleston, Vermont, the business currently consists of 800 apple trees and a small pressing operation and bonded winery in the basement of the rebuilt farmhouse.  They currently produce 3 ice ciders, in addition to an apple wine, all from 100% traditional and heirloom varieties of apples in Vermont.

Their flagship blend, the Eden “Calville Blend” Vermont Ice Cider is produced from 11 apple varieties including Empire, MacIntosh, Roxbury Russett, Calville Blanc, Cox’s Orange Pippin, Hudson’s Gem, Ashmead’s Kernel, Esopus Spitzenberg, Black Oxford, Belle de Boskoop and Reinette.  The ice cider retails for $25 (375ml).

Seducing aromas of apples and apricot, one can’t help but conjure up thoughts of a fresh baked apple pie.  Or to keep it local, a nice Vermont cheese and nuts would pair perfectly.  On the palate, distinct apple flavors with a pinch of lemon and pear.  Wonderful complexity, sweetness and acidity make the Calville Blend an instant classic destined for greatness.

At $19, the Chester Gap Cellars 2008 Merlot is a flat out steal.  In fact, all of their wine prices are reasonable, a rarity for Virginia wine.

The initial nose showed wild berries, herbs and a hint of cedar.  Secondary aromas of cherries and raspberries become more prevalent once the wine opened up.  On the palate, nice minerality with flavors of bright cherry, plum, mint and spice.  Medium-bodied with a lingering finish.

Enticing and complex, the wine will continue to improve with short-term cellaring.

I’m not certain where I purchased the wine, but I decided to open a red blend from Sawtooth Winery. Located in Nampa, Idaho, Sawtooth Winery produces a number of estate wines that are widely distributed and available locally across the US.  I’m a fan of their whites and reserve line of wines and was excited to try this one.

The Sawtooth Skyline Red 2005 is a blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Syrah, 10% Merlot and 5% Primativo.  The Syrah shines through on the nose with aromas of black fruit, spice and smoke.  The palate is medium to full-bodied, round and smooth with currant, blackberry, earth and subtle coffee notes.  The perfect pizza wine that’s easy on the wallet.

Normally, I’d launch into my wine reviews, but quite frankly, each deserve their own post.  Let’s just say one of every wine came home and I wish I had bought more.  A special place producing special wines.  I’ll leave you with a few pics and encourage you to visit and experience what Virginia wine is all about.  Cheers!