Syrah is renowned throughout the Rhône Valley in France, famous across Australia (Shiraz) and continues to grow in popularity in California.  So imagine my surprise when I pulled the cork on a varietal Syrah from Ohio.  You read correctly, Ohio!  The Syrah hails from Kinkead Ridge Vineyard and Winery, located in Ripley, Ohio.  I’ve raved about their wines before, and tonight, I showcase their estate Syrah.

The Kinkead Ridge 2008 Syrah showed a deep ruby red hue in glass with wild berries, pepper and spice on the nose – and a subtle hint of smoke that lingers after the first swirl.

In the mouth, blackberry, plum, vanilla, cloves and tobacco flavors shine through. A balanced, medium-bodied wine with great acidity and refined tannins, making this age-worthy Syrah a perfect match with dinner.

Only 194 cases were produced, and at $19.95, Kinkead Ridge delivers one of the best quality to price ratio Syrahs in the United States.  Once again, Kinkead Ridge has proven that Ohio has the terroir (and talent) to produce world-class wines.  Cheers!

Kinkead Ridge 2008 Syrah

Kinkead Ridge cork photo by Megan Nadolski.

Click here to vote TheOther46.com as your favorite wine blog!

I usually steer clear from writing about wines that are released only to club members, in other words, not released to the general public.  But there are exceptions, and today’s wines were too good not to share.  Jennifer Breaux Blosser, Sales and Hospitality Director for Breaux Vineyards, sent me 4 wines only available to their Cellar Club members.  It’s no secret that I have developed somewhat of a Breaux Palate.  I’ve raved about their wines before (read more here) and am partial to the bottles I have in my cellar (sorry friends, but I won’t be pouring you a glass of my Breaux).  So you can only imagine the excitement when I opened the box to see a bottle of their 2006 Nebbiolo Barrel Select, 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Double Reserve, 2005 Syrah and last but certainly not least a 2007 Viognier.

A common theme quickly developed between the wines.  A sophistication that easily places Breaux Vineyards in the top tier of Virginia wineries.  Mature, balanced and complex.

Breaux Vineyards Cellar Selection 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Double Reserve

2007 Viognier
A varietal-correct Viognier.  A floral nose with honeysuckle and peach.  Flavors of grapefruit, lime and honey.  A full-bodied, mature wine that proves Virginia IS the state for Viognier.

2005 Syrah Cellar Selection
Big spice, red fruit (strawberries, cherries and raspberries) and a hint of forest floor.  On the palate, tobacco, spice and red fruit. Full-bodied with good tannin structure and acidity.  Paired with a top sirloin cut, grain fed beef with organic salad.

2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Double Reserve
Breaux Vineyards has a great Cabernet Sauvignon program and the Double Reserve is another standout wine in a long lineup of excellent Cabernets.  Smoky, ripe, red fruit and plum aromas.  Chocolate, inky, earthy flavors develop into a powerful, full-bodied wine.  Excellent aging potential if you have the patience (obviously I didn’t).

2006 Nebbiolo Barrel Select
One word, “Wow”.  Elegant, complex and balanced.  If you haven’t had Breaux’s Nebbiolo, you’re missing out.

Click here to vote TheOther46.com as your favorite wine blog!

Located in the Atlantic Uplands district of southeastern Pennsylvania in the Brandywine Valley, Chaddsford Winery has achieved a national reputation for producing premium wines of world-class structure.  Founded in 1982 by proprietors Eric and Lee Miller, the boutique winery is Pennsylvania’s largest and most acclaimed winery.  At the forefront of Pennsylvania winemaking, Chaddsford Winery has received critical acclaim from wine writers and drinkers throughout the country, including Robert Parker, The Wine Spectator, Bon Appétit, and The Robb Report.

Last month I received a package from Chaddsford including several wines from their award-winning lineup.  I’ve sampled 3 to date and have included my summaries below:

From the heralded 2007 vintage comes the Syrah.  Retailing for a very fair $19, the wine offers aromas of charcoal, smoke, and vanilla.  A medium-bodied wine perfect for sipping on its own or pairing with grilled meats.  Flavors of black pepper, dark fruit, and a hint of tobacco help make this tasty wine the perfect Christmas present for your wine-loving friend.

Also from the ’07 vintage is the Pinot Noir.  The light, ruby colored Pinot displays beautiful aromas of cherry, blackberry and spice.  A medium body Pinot made in a classic Burgundian style.  My first Atlantic Uplands Pinot Noir, and certainly not my last.

Rounding out my tasting is a variety that is finding a home in the fertile soils of Pennsylvania.  Retailing for $18, the ’07 Pinot Grigio delivers from start to finish.  A nose of honey, lemon, and toasted almonds, help set the stage for a refreshingly crisp, zesty wine.

No matter the wine or vintage, Eric is serving up some of the best offerings on the East Coast.  Cheers!

Click here to vote TheOther46.com as your favorite wine blog!

The first wine, a 2008 Viognier, retails for $15.  A grape that is beginning to gain a foothold in Colorado, the Allis Ranch Viognier was crisp and lively.  Floral aromas, with flavors of honeysuckle, honeydew melon, and cantaloupe.  A great wine with food or flying solo after a long day at work.  The second wine poured was the 2007 Two Husky Red Syrah.  Retailing for $18, the Syrah was aged in new French, French/American hybrid barrels and American Oak barrels.  A gorgeous bouquet, the Syrah packs plenty of red fruit intermixed with pepper and smoky flavors.  A medium to full-bodied wine that delivers quality from the first pour to the last.

Allis Ranch Winery impresses with two focused efforts that deliver great value.  I’m beginning to run out of adjectives to describe Colorado’s wine country.  From top to bottom, Colorado continues to impress, thus the streak continues…

Click here to vote TheOther46.com as your favorite wine blog!

Up first in glass was the 2006 Syrah ($17.95).  A deep red color in glass, the Syrah displayed dark fruit aromas with a touch of pepper, smoke, and coffee.  After my first sip, I was convinced the variety has a bright future in Colorado.  A great wine by itself, but a better match for grilled meats or a hearty stew.

After tasting the Syrah, I was excited to see if I could go two for two.  The following night I pulled the cork on Canyon Wind Cellars most awarded wine, the 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon.  Retailing for $24.95, I was excited to try my first Cab from the state, especially considering my first love is Cabernet Sauvignon.  From the website,

Perfectly balanced, deep dark and concentrated with intense aromas of black cherry, plum, and mocha; firm tannins intertwined with hints of chocolate, coffee, and tobacco with an elegant finish. An excellent accompaniment to Colorado lamb.

I must admit, I held the bottle upside down longer than usual, ensuring every last drop was accounted for.

If your not convinced on the quality of Colorado wines, I guarantee you haven’t tried Canyon Wind Cellars.  Cheers!

Click here to vote TheOther46.com as your favorite wine blog!

Sawtooth 2005 Reserve Syrah

Tonight’s pour is a 2005 Reserve Syrah from Sawtooth Winery, located in Idaho, in the Snake River Valley AVA.  The wine was received as a sample and is the first red I’ve tried from the state.  To date, I’ve been very impressed with the white offerings and previously reviewed the Pinot Gris from Sawtooth, which can be read here.

A small production wine with only 140 cases produced, the Reserve Syrah is not available for purchase online.  Coming in at 14.5% alcohol, the blend contains 83% Syrah, 6% Mourvèdre, 5% Cinsault, 5% Viognier, and 1% Grenache.  Nice earthy aromas are followed up with spice, raspberry, and dark cherry in the mouth.  I could see this pairing well with venison or prime rib.  A nice effort from Sawtooth Winery.

Remember to drink local and be sure to click here to vote TheOther46.com as your favorite wine blog!

Views From Fox Meadow Winery

Perched atop the Blue Ridge Mountains in Linden, Virginia, Fox Meadow Winery is pairing great views alongside great wine.  Located at an elevation of 1700 feet, Fox Meadow provides visitors with panoramic views of breathtaking mountain ranges, landscapes, and vines, all while enjoying a glass of wine on the spacious deck.

We visited on the fourth, and arrived 30 minutes prior to opening.  Our early arrival allowed us plenty of time to enjoy the picturesque surroundings and snap a few pics of the winery and vineyard.  After enjoying the grounds, we made our way to the tasting room where we were greeted by Dan Mortland, owner of Fox Meadow.  Fox Meadows offers two tastings, the standard and premium.  We opted for the premium tasting which included 8 wines paired alongside small fare.

Fox Meadow Winery

The first pour included the ’08 Pinot Grigio.  An easy drinking, crisp, clean wine that paired well with the sun-dried tomato cheese.  Up next was the ’07 Oak Chardonnay.  The name says it all, lots of oak, cream, and butter.  Aged 9 months in American oak with a splash of Riesling.  The last white include a side-by-side tasting of the ’07 and ’08 Pinot Gris.  Displaying beautiful melon and pear on the palate, the semi-dry wines were paired next to a White Stilton cheese with mango, which was incredible!  The Estate Series Cabernet Franc stole the show for the reds.  A silky, smooth red wine, with lots of plum, and blueberry flavors.  We finished the tasting with the ’06 Syrah that was paired with a tortilla chip and blue cheese.  Delicious!

More Views From Fox Meadow Winery

After our tasting, we decided to enjoy a glass of the ’06 Cab Franc outside on the deck with some Cabot horseradish cheese and Carr’s crackers, while soaking in the views.  Fox Meadow Winery provided the perfect backdrop for our wine tasting adventure on the Fauquier Wine Trail.  Cheers!

Remember to drink local and be sure to click here to vote TheOther46.com as your favorite wine blog!