At an elevation of 951 feet, Bluemont Vineyard offers visitors a spectacular, panoramic view that stretches from Loudoun County, Virginia to Washington DC.  I finally had the opportunity to take in the views firsthand while visiting during the DrinkLocalWine.com conference in April.  After making my way up the long and winding driveway, I was excited to see I had the winery and the breathtaking views to myself.  Once inside, I was warmly greeted by Loree Rupy who expertly guided me through their current lineup of wines.  During my tasting, we were joined by winemaker Bob Rupy who gave me a rundown of vineyard happenings and spent time answering my questions.  Both were gracious hosts and made my visit extra special.

On the white card, the 2009 Vidal Blanc (The Cow) won unanimously.  Their most popular wine, the Vidal Blanc retails for $18 and is stainless steel fermented.  Nice citrus notes on both the nose and palate, the semi-sweet wine is the perfect accompaniment for a warm summer day.  I also recommend their 2009 Viognier, The Goat.  Before moving to the reds, Loree poured a glass of their Donkey, a Rosé produced from eight different grapes.  I was never a big fan of Rosé prior to my trip to Virginia, but walked away very impressed with the many offerings I sampled during the week, with Bluemont included.  Before moving onto the reds, I chatted with Bob about future plans.  He was excited about future plantings of Petit Manseng and Norton, two varieties that were big talking points during the conference.

I sampled four reds which included two Merlots from the ’08 vintage that retail for a reasonable $20.  The first was produced from 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon.  A classic Virginia Merlot with delicious red fruit and good balance.  The second, also my favorite, was a blend of 90% Merlot, 7% Cabernet Franc and 3% Malbec.  More red fruit on the nose with notes of vanilla and spice.  On the palate, a medium-bodied dry wine with spice, pepper, red cherries and a hint of green pepper on the finish.  My wine of choice to enjoy on the patio and featured in the pics below.  Before making my way to the patio with the Merlot, I finished my tasting with two Nortons (The Pig), a non-vintage and the ’08.  Deep red color in glass, both were rich, full-bodied dry wines with spicy overtones and berry flavors.  Retailing for $22, kudos to the Bluemont team for producing not one but two delicious Nortons that can be enjoyed by all (read my review of the $50 Veramar Vineyard Norton here).

The view, the wine and the team at Bluemont Vineyard is first class.  If you haven’t experienced Bluemont Vineyard, what are you waiting on?  Enjoy the view from the top and be sure to tell them TheOther46.com sent you.  Cheers!

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A few weeks prior to the DrinkLocalWine.com conference, a few of us tossed around the idea of a Twitter Tweet-Up in Virginia.  Jennifer Breaux Blosser, Director of Sales and Hospitality at Breaux Vineyards, jumped on board and rolled out the red carpet for our small group this past Saturday.  Anyone who follows my blog, knows I’m a big fan of Breaux Vineyards (read more here) and I always plan a visit when I’m in Virginia.  The 404 acre estate has over 100 acres planted in 18 different grape varieties, making it one of the largest growers in the region, and a popular venue for events and gatherings.

Breaux Vineyards DLW10 Tweet-Up

Our group was treated to a behind the scenes tour of the bottling room and barrel tastings courtesy of the winemaker, Dave Collins.  The 2007 Malbec and Petit Verdot blend impressed (a future Cellar Club release), with it’s balance of tannin and fruit.  We then made our way to the tasting counter to sample the current selections of white wines.  The 2008 Viognier and Barrel Select Chardonnay scored high on my tasting sheet along with the Syrah Rosé with it’s strawberry and cranberry notes.

After our tasting, we headed back to the barrel room for a tasting of Breaux reds paired alongside a fabulous lunch prepared by Grandale Farm Restaurant.  And if that wasn’t enough, we were joined by Paul Breaux, President and CEO of Breaux Vineyards.  We chatted about the history of the vineyard and winery along with his vision for the future.  Easily the highlight of my visit.  And what about those reds?  My favorite Virginia wine, the 2002 Reserve Merlot, took first place followed by the earthy, 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon.  Elegant and reserved, a beauty drinking fabulously well.  The surprise of the tasting, the 2001 Nebbiolo, was a favorite around the table (I regret not reserving a spot for the Nebbiolo vertical tasting that same day).

What makes Breaux so special, aside from the great wine, is the people. From top to bottom, the team welcomed us and made our Twitter Tweet-Up an event to remember.  Bravo Breaux!

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The second annual DrinkLocalWine.com conference has come and gone, but the friendships formed are here to stay.  Held in picturesque Loudoun County, Virginia, the 2-day conference included a reception/winemaker dinner on Saturday night (invitation only) followed by Sunday’s activities which included a series of panel discussions and the popular Twitter Taste-off featuring some of the best pours across Virginia and Maryland.  The brainchild of Dave McIntyre (Washington Post) and Jeff Siegel (Wine Curmudgeon), the conference proved to be a big hit and helped to spotlight the wines and people that have helped put Virginia on the global wine map.

Conference aside, the real treat for me was meeting the people and hearing the stories behind some of the best regional blogs and wineries. Over the next few days I’ll recap the conference, along with the stories and wines that have firmly cemented Virginia’s status as a premier wine growing region in the United States.

Virginia Wine Mafia (Photo courtesy of Dezel Quillen)

The dedicated and passionate group of wine writers led by Dezel Quillen (My Vine Spot), Lenn Thompson (New York Cork Report), Frank Morgan (Drink What You Like), John Witherspoon (Anything Wine), and last but certainly not least Paul Armstrong and Warren Richard (Virginia Wine Time) or otherwise known as the Virginia Wine Mafia are helping to fill the void of local wine coverage so often neglected by mainstream media.  A great group of guys and quoting Lenn Thompson during the social media panel, “the Virginia wine industry is lucky to have them”.  I second that!

Of course, any trip to Virginia isn’t a trip without jumping on the wine trail.  Stay tuned for more on the conference, the wines, and wineries that represent the heart and soul of Virginia wine.  Cheers!

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Breaux Vineyards 2002 Reserve Merlot

Before I recap my trip to Virginia and Maryland this past week, I wanted to catch up on a few wine reviews from my previous trip to Virginia.  Tonight’s review features the 2002 Reserve Merlot from Breaux Vineyards.  A perennial favorite and one of the top producers in the state, Breaux Vineyards is located in Loudoun County (read more about my visit here).

This wine has a dark red color and an expressive nose, showing rich, dark fruits and a little earth.  On the palate, notes of black cherry, licorice, and plum.  Well structured and smooth.  The 2002 Reserve Merlot is a great example of the potential of the variety in Virginia.  The wine retails for $39 but is available from their website for $30.  I recommend grabbing a bottle or two before it’s too late.  Better yet, if you’re in the area, stop by and tell them TheOther46.com sent you!  Cheers!

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Fabbioli Cellars 2007 Cabernet Franc

The wine clocks in at 12.5% alcohol and retails for $24.99.  Medium-bodied and fruit forward, the wine displayed nice fruit and spice characteristics on the nose.  In the mouth, raspberry, red cherry, and pepper.  A great example of a Virginia Cabernet Franc, delicious from start to finish.

The 2007 vintage will be remembered as one of Virginia’s best, with wineries across the state producing beautiful and balanced reds.  What is your favorite Cabernet Franc (no matter the state)?  I’d love to read your comments.

A quick reminder that the Texas Twitter Taste-Off is Saturday. I will be monitoring all the action and blogging live on TheOther46.com and tweeting @TheOther46.  Be sure to tune in and also follow all the action on Twitter using hashtag #DLW09!

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Doukénie Winery

Just a short drive from Breaux Vineyards is a perennial favorite of mine, Doukénie Winery.  I’ve previously written about Doukénie in the past (see my earlier post and review) and always pencil them in when visiting Northern Virginia, especially when on the Loudoun Wine Trail.  Winemaker and Vineyard Manager, Sebastien Marquette, produces some of the best wines in Virginia.  Located in historic Hillsboro, VA, Doukénie is a 500-acre farm, with 12-acres under vine producing everything from Cabernet Franc to the newly bottled Pinot Grigio.

We visited on a Wednesday prior to the 4th of July weekend.  Surprisingly, the tasting room was quiet.  We were warmly greeted by Lucy the Lab and owner Nicki Bazaco. We sampled 15 wines, including 3 for Heritage Club members only.

Doukénie Winery

My highlights for the whites included the new ’08 Pinot Grigio and Chardonnay.  The Pinot Grigio is a crisp white wine with aromas of melon, citrus, and honey. I could see this pairing well with seafood (think Maryland crab cakes).  For a nice balance between oak and creaminess, the Chardonnay is a winner.  The Pinot Grigio is only available to club members for $20 while the Chard is available for $21.

I’ve always been a big fan of Doukénie’s reds, which is one of the primary reasons I joined the Heritage Club during my visit.  The ’07 growing year was stellar in Virginia resulting in beautiful reds.  My many favorites on the list included the ’07 Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Sangiovese (available only to club members).  The ’06 Vintner’s Reserve, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and a splash of Petit Verdot is outstanding.  My wine of the day, besides my all time favorite Hope’s Legacy Raspberry (see my earlier review), was the ’07 Cabernet Sauvignon.  Produced from 25-year old vines, the wine explodes with cherry, black pepper, and spice.  A nice balance of tannin and oak, I believe this wine will provide drinking pleasure for several years.

After our tasting, we enjoyed the unseasonably cool summer weather with a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon and Hope’s Legacy Raspberry.  Overlooking the vines, horses, and a picturesque pond, Doukénie Winery provided the perfect setting.  Next time you’re on the Loudoun Wine Trail, be sure to visit Doukénie and tell them The Other 46 sent you!

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Breaux Vineyards Entrance Sign

Whenever I visit Northern Virginia, there are three wineries that are must visits.  One of those, Breaux Vineyards, is located in Purcellville, VA on the Loudoun Wine Trail.  Easily one of the most picturesque wineries in Virginia with sweeping views of the valley between the Blue Ridge and Short Hill Mountains.  The 404 acre estate has over 100 acres planted in 18 different grape varieties, making it one of the largest growers in the region.

We visited on a Wednesday where Breaux is one of the few Virginia wineries open during the week.  The tasting room was quiet and the weather fabulous to sample some of Virginia’s best.  The tasting fee is $10 and includes 13 wines.  If I were to include all of my notes, this post would become a small novel, so I’ll stick with the highlights.  Up first were the whites.  The ’07 Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier were my winners of the group.  The Sauvignon Blanc was outstanding and has me very excited about the potential of this grape variety in Virginia.  A dry, crisp wine with good fruit left me wishing I had driven to Virginia versus flying.  I’m limited to what I can pack in my suitcase and of course, it’s no time to be shipping wine to Florida in this heat.  The Viognier, on my palate at least, was a unique example for Virginia (which I appreciate).  Beautiful orange blossom and pineapple dominated throughout.  The ’06 Select Barrel Chardonnay and the ’05 Madeleines Chardonnay are great examples of the contrasting styles of this variety and are highly recommended.

A View of the Vineyards

After enjoying the whites, I had the pleasure of meeting Jennifer Breaux, Director of Sales & Hospitality.  After introductions, we jumped right into the reds, where Jennifer and the tasting room associate provided background on their current reds.  Up first was the Equation.  A blend of Merlot from the ’05 and ’07 vintages, with a splash of Petit Verdot, the wine retails for $15.  A great quality to price ratio for a Virginia wine!  Up next included the ’05 Marquis De Lafayette, a 100% Cab Franc.  I had written down black pepper and plum on my tasting sheet.  Lighter bodied than I had remembered, and once more, a great example of a Virginia Cab Franc.  Breaux has a great Cabernet Sauvignon program, producing age worthy Cabs.  We sampled the ’03 which was complex, earthy, and well-balanced.  My wine of the day featured the 2002 Merlot Reserve, which made its way to Florida safe and sound in my luggage.  Expect an upcoming review of this wine.  The last of the reds included the much-praised, small production Nebbiolo.  Coming in at $48, the wine exhibits nice fruit and complexities with earthy, cherry, and tobacco characteristics.  We finished off our tasting with a selection of dessert wines.  I had mentioned the tasting included 13 wines, but our tasting associate pulled out the recently bottled Nebbiolo Ice Wine, that is certain to become a Virginia classic.  A beautiful wine that my wife and I went on and on about.  One bottle came home and will be reviewed at a later date.

Breaux Vineyards

I’ve tried to do my best summing up Breaux Vineyards, but sometimes words can’t describe and pictures don’t do justice. From the customer service to the wine, Breaux Vineyards is a must on every itinerary when visiting Virginia wine country.  I’ve noticed a jump in my site traffic thanks to all of my Virginia fans.  As a thank you, I will send two free Breaux tasting passes for the tenth comment telling me their favorite Breaux wine OR a favorite Breaux story.  Hurry up and plan that trip to Breaux Vineyards and be sure to tell them The Other 46 sent you.  Cheers!

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The other night I was in the mood for something sweet, so we pulled a favorite from the cellar, a 2004 Linden Late Harvest Vidal from Virginia.  To be quite honest, I was a little disappointed at first due to the fact that this was our last bottle.  But of course, all good things have to come to an end.  A little background: Linden Vineyards is located in Linden, Virginia, about 65 miles west of Washington D.C. and is a must stop when visiting Northern Virginia.  The owner and winemaker Jim Hill is one of the top winemakers if not the top in Virginia.  We always include Linden on our wine trail when visiting the area.  Unfortunately, Linden does not sell their wines via their website but can be found online for purchase.  In fact, I’ve located the exact vintage online at kybecca.

From their website:

Aromas: Pear, sweet cream, hazelnut & fresh straw.

Flavors: Warm Crème Brûlée & carmelized sugar, hibiscus, sweet on the palate and drying on the finish.

Food Pairings: Rich, decadent main courses such as foie gras or desserts that feature fruits — especially apricots, peaches, pears or dried fruits. Very ripe triple cream cheeses.

Vineyard: Hardscrabble Vineyard (100%), Fauquier County, on top of the Blue Ridge at an elevation of 1300 feet on a northeastern slope. Deep, well-drained granitic soils. The vines are 20 years old.

Vintage: 2004 can best be categorized as a roller coaster vintage. The growing season was quite good, with a very early flowering due to a hot May, below normal summer temperatures, and slightly higher than normal rainfall. The harvest was quite good for regular harvest with the exception of heavy rains that fell in mid-September. October brought good sun and dry weather giving good concentration to the late harvest (November 8, 2004) of Vidal.

Winemaking: 100% Vidal, the grapes are frozen and pressed while frozen. Only the first thawed juice is used (AKA icewine). The wine fermented slowly in French oak barrels and was stopped by chilling to retain fruit and sweetness. This wine should become more honeyed and spicier with age. Bottled in August 2005. 270 cases of half bottles produced.

The bottle was a treat, which by the way is sold in a half bottle for around $23.  I’ve tried numerous dessert wines that were too sugary and over the top sweet, but not this one.  Linden has once again found that perfect balance in the Late Harvest, and especially the 2004 vintage.  A perfect pairing with pears.  I’ve heard a few rumors that they were no longer going to bottle the Late Harvest Vidal.  I’ll do some research and post back.  But until then, I recommend you seek this one out and enjoy!