Week 12 Wine Tasting

This was kind of an off week, I was tired and not feeling well when I went to the tasting. Correspondingly, I wasn't really feeling any of the wines. I guess it just goes to show how subjective these things can be! Anyhow, here goes:




Wine #1: Sierra Cruz (the first)

Sierra Cruz, Sauvignon Blanc, Maule Valley, Chile, 2011, $6.95

Smell: I smelled citrus and melon, but not a lot of the grassy-ness that I was anticipating with a Sauvignon Blanc.

Taste: Very light and tangy, not a whole lot of different flavors going on.

Established Review: "This Chilean Sauvignon Blanc just oozes with bright citrus flavors and a nose of herbs and grass. Stylistically, it is a cross between the herbal, grassy wines so prevalent in Sonoma County and the riper, more fruit forward products of New Zealand. Match it with pasta sauced with arugula, pine nuts, mushrooms and parmesan." Vintage Cellar

Wine #2: Lost Vineyards

Lost Vineyards, Chardonnay, Argentina, no vintage, $3.95

Smell: Sweet, definite banana scent, and some vanilla. Smelled more like a dessert wine, to me.

Taste: Not a lot of flavors, and nothing like the way it smelled. It was extremely light, had a little heat, and a small tang. Kind of like a glass of water with a squirt of lemon juice.

Established Review: "Pale golden color. Perfumed peach, pineapple, and nougat aromas. Round and soft with a fruity-yet-dry medium body. Tangy apple skin and lemon zest notes lift the fruit nicely on the finish." Vintage Cellar

Wine #3: Sierra Cruz (the second)

Sierra Cruz, Carmenere, Maule Valley, Chile, 2009, $6.95

Smell: Oaky and meaty

Taste: Not too heavy, a hint of wood and spice. Smooth mouthfeel.

Established Review: "The ’09 Sierra Cruz is a very pleasant, soft, mediumbodied wine that has fresh cabernet-like aromas and flavors of spice,  dark fruit and black pepper. It is a great value and also would be a nice match with marinated and grilled skirt or flank steak." Vintage Cellar

Wine #4: Senda 66

Senda 66, Tempranillo, Spain, 2008, $8.95

Smell: Lighty, plummy

Taste: Very dry! Like trying to eat 3 saltines in a minute. Had a little vanilla and spice, and a hint of oak and toast developed on the very end.

Established Review: "The 2008 Senda 66 spent 8 months in new French oak. Purple/black in color, it sports a fragrant nose of spice box, lavender, blueberry, and blackberry. Smooth-textured, layered, and remarkably rich on

the palate for its humble price, this lengthy effort will drink nicely over the next 5-6 years." Robert Parker via Vintage Cellar

Wine #5: Opera Prima

Opera Prima, unknown white blend, Spain, 2010, $5.95

Smell: Floral, pineapple

Taste: Very sweet and floral

Established Review: "Flowery and sweet smelling, then round and fairly smooth in the mouth. The flavors package of tropical fruits galore is sweet and shouldn't offend anyone. Finishes clean and easy. A mango boat of flavor." Vintage Cellar

Winery Visit #3

Chateau Morrisette
Saturday, March 24, 2012

Walking up to Chateau Morrisette on a rainy day

A couple of friends and I went to Chateau Morrisette one overcast Saturday. Despite the fog and intermittent rain, the drive to Floyd was pretty and enjoyable. We got to Chateau Morrisette right around the time it opened, and it was quite beautiful. We walked around the main storefront/tasting room for a couple of minutes before our tour started.

Display through the front doors. The building uses completely recycled wood for the timber frame.

Will was our tour guide, and he was very nice and informative. We started with a little history of the winery. It was a "hobby that got out of hand" that started on Sugarloaf mountain. Eventually, it grew into the current Chateau Morissette. Interesting fact: the dog on the labels is Hans, a black lab who liked wine. He became a mainstay on the label when the wine sold much better with him there!

From there, we went around the side to the crush pad, where the grapes are de-stemmed and crushed.

Crush pad

We next moved into the storage/fermentation warehouse. It was, understandably, a bit chilly inside. It was a huge room with many stainless steel vats and oak barrels. Will told us that even the wines that are mainly in stainless steel are put in oak for a little bit to let the wine calm down and breathe. However, he said that a lot of the oak barrels used are over 10 years old, and are therefore neutral.

Just a few of the stainless steel vats in the warehouse

After the tour, we moved on to the tasting, back in the main room. We tasted 10 wines this time. Even though it was only one less wine that we tasted at Veritas, the tasting seemed much less lengthy and more pleasant overall. The wines we tasted were:

2010 Chardonay- "Green apple, citrus, and melon aromas infused with mild vanilla and fig float from this opulent wine. Tasting reveals citrus, pear, passion fruit and honey augmented by rich nuances of caramel and toast. Silky and creamy in texture, this wine features a toasty, but smooth butterscotch finish. Slow barrel fermentation and subsequent aging sur lies (on the yeast) for 8 months resulted in a well-balanced and complex wine. Our Chardonnay pairs well with crab, lobster, and other rich seafood, especially with cream sauces; roasted poultry, mushroom dishes, and sharp cheese. Alcohol 13.3%. $17.99." (Chateau Morrisette notes) It smelled like tropical fruits and melon, and tasted tart, citrus-y, and then creamy. It had a smooth mouthfeel. However, I did not notice the bread-y/cheesy taste that I was expecting from a sur lies wine (but I am ok with that!)

2011 Dry Rose- "Our newest wine, Chateau Morrisette Dry Rose, is made by separating juice from the grapes prior to fermentation, resulting in this lovely rose-colored wine. Made from 100% Chambourcin grapes, our Dry Rose is crisp and juicy, with the character of citrus and strawberries, gently augmented by subtle suggestions of peach and banana evolving from the lingering, aromatic finish. This wine is food friendly, pairing well with ham, roasted poultry, sweet Italian sausage, and most any savory, non-spicy foods. Try it with chocolate-covered strawberries! Alcohol 12.5%. $17.99." (Chateau Morrisette notes) This wine smelled fruity (red berries) and floral and tasted crisp and citrus-y with some peach.

Liberty- "This dry red wine is blended from five of Virginia's finest grape varieties, Chambourcin, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Bursting with deep flavors and aromas of blackberry, blueberry, black cherry, and plum, Liberty features a long finish with hints of toast and spice. This sumptuous wine is a worthy tribute to Liberty. $12.99." (Chateau Morrisette notes) It smelled spicy and woody with some cherry. It tasted tangy and spicy/peppery. I didn't taste as much of the fruit as I could smell.

2008 Merlot- "This medium bodies, deep red wine's fruity bouquet is infused with traces of cranberry and cherry, with suggestions of smoke. Classical Merlot bright fruit and black plum flavors are enhanced by raspberry, tobacco box and anise tones, pleasing oak tannins and a lingering finish. Complexity and structure were augmented by the addition of small amounts of Petit Verdot and Tannat in the final blend. Great with food, this Merlot pairs well with roasted meats like turkey, duck, venison, and lamb. Alcohol 12.5%. $17.99." (Chateau Morrisette notes) This wine smelled woody and plummy. It had some berry flavors, but I mostly got a smokey, ashtray taste.

2009 Cabernet Sauvignon- "Rich cherry and blackberry aromas arise from this deeply hued wine. Tasting yields plum and cherry flavors predominantly, with some spice and cedar for good measure. Aging over fifteen months in oak barrels helped mature the tannins in this wine to a smooth, silky texture in the finish. The aftertaste resonates with spice and vanilla. Tannat, Merlot, and a small portion of Cabernet Franc wines were married into the Cab Sauv for depth and complexity. Pair this wine with dishes containing dark roux and mushrooms; should be a good complement to beef or game dishes. Alcohol 12.5%. $17.99." (Chateau Morrisette notes) Smelled like wood and blackberries and tasted like Cedar. Smooth mouthfeel.

The Black Dog- "A unique blend of Chambourcin, Cabernet, Merlot and Petit Verdot produces this exceptionally smooth semi-dry red wine. Its appealing spicy character and medium body enhance many dishes as well as light hors d'oeuvres. It's obviously well bred! $10.99." (Chateau Morrisette notes) It had a smokey, spicy scent and tasted semi-sweet and spicy with some berries.

2010 Vidal Blanc; "Refreshing flavors of citrus and apples are augmented by grapefruit, melon and floral aromas. Medium-bodied and smooth, this vintage features a lengthy, aromatic finish. Very food-friendly; pairs well with a wide variety of grilled or roasted poultry and seafood. Alcohol 12%. $10.99." (Chateau Morrisette notes) Smelled like apple, melon, and flowers. Tasted light and crisp with citrus and apple.

Our Dog Blue- "This popular white wine is a semi-sweet Riesling-Traminette blend, using Vidal Blanc and Petit Manseng for added depth. Aromas of melons, citrus fruits, apricots, and delicate flowers highlight the soft finish of this soothing wine. Serve chilled with fruits and cheeses, fish, or spicy foods. $10.99." (Chateau Morrisette notes) It smelled of jasmine, honey, pear, and melon. It tasted floral, crisp, and acidic yet smooth. It was a little sweet.

Red Mountain Laurel- "This is a distinctive dessert wine made from a blend of Native American grape varieties. It exhibits flavors of fresh grapes and cherries that are complemented by a sweet, smooth finish. A nice accompaniment for chocolate desserts, delicious poured over pound cake, or served as an apertif. $10.99." (Chateau Morrisette notes) I had never had a wine made from this kind of grape, so I was interested to see what was in store. This wine was described by Will as Welch's Grape Juice on steroids, and boy was he right! It smelled exactly like Welch's, and tasted like Welch's with maybe a hint of black cherry. It was very sweet, maybe a little more so than I like. Then again, I was the weird kid who didn't like Kool-aid because it was too sweet. I think maybe the suggestion of using it as a dessert sauce, such as pouring some over pound cake, could be nice.  I'll have to see.

Blackberry Wine- "Sweet and smooth, our Blackberry Wine is packed with the vibrant fruitiness of succulent, sun drenched berries. Try it lightly chilled with most any grilled or spicy food. Alcohol 12%. $10.99." (Chateau Morrisette notes) This was my first non-grape wine (a day of firsts!) and I was very excited to taste it. It smelled like blackberry jam, and tasted like blackberries while still having some crisp acidity. All in all, I didn't mind it!

The wines were not bad, but the atmosphere was great! I really enjoyed my trip to Chateau Morissette, and would definitely recommend it. Maybe I might even go back there and try out the restaurant!

My friend Beth and I out front.

Week 11 Wine Tasting

Here we go!



Wine #1: gPG Garganega

gPG Garganega, Pinot Grigio, Italy, 2010, $8.95

Smell: Grassy, citrus-y, and a little bit of wet rock

Taste: Very tart, grapefruit, a little apple, and a somewhat mossy aftertaste

Established Review: "A clean and crisp palate with plenty of texture and weight follows aromas of apples and zesty lemons. It's perfect with grilled white fish or

light risotto." Vintage Cellar

Wine #2: Oveja Negra

Oveja Negra, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon, Chile, 2010, $6.95

Smell: Fruity, like strawberries, and a little bit like dirt

Taste: Very dry, mineral, tart, a little lemon

Established Review: "Oveja Negra Reserva Rosé is bright cherry-red in color and has an attractive nose with aromas of raspberries and strawberries as well as plum and a bit of green apple. Crisp and juicy on the palate with a slight sweetness that accompanies the red fruit flavors. Pleasing natural acidity with medium high intensity, nice persistence, and a fresh finish." Vintage Cellar

Wine #3: Varas

Varas, blended wine, Portugal, no vintage, $21.95 per box

Smell: Fruit, raspberry, spice, wood

Taste: Woody, a little tannic, tart, and a little smokey hint at the end

Established Review: "This smooth Portuguese red is a blend of Castelão (45%), Tinta Roriz (25%), Tinta Barroca (20%) and Pinot Noir (10%). The vineyards are located near Lisbon, planted in sunny gentle slopes of clay and

limestone soils. The wine was aged in oak barrels." Vintage Cellar

Wine #4: Montebuena

Montebuena, Tempranillo, Rioja, Spain, 2007, $6.95

Smell: Plummy, jam, and a little bit meaty, like steak

Taste: Dry, spicy, tart, and a little fruity, kind of like blackberry or cherry

Established Review: "100% Tempranillo. Dark red. Spicy red berries and cherry on the nose, with hints of cracked pepper and dried rose. Crisp and dry on the palate, with spicy redcurrant and cherry flavors, light tannins and a fresh, energetic finish. An excellent value, and surprisingly elegant for this price point." Vintage Cellar

Wine #5: Cantina di Casteggio

Cantina di Casteggio, Moscato, Italy, no vintage, $7.95

Smell: Peach, melon, floral, and sweet

Taste: Fizzy, peach, apple, sweet

Established Review: "Bright, light golden color. Very aromatic nose of ripe apricots, sage, honey, and a slight minerality. Medium bodied, sweet and fruity with flavors of apricots and tangerine. Well balanced acidity and medium finish with layers of sweet and citrus fruit." Vintage Cellar

Winery Visit #2

Veritas
Saturday, February 25, 2012




Veritas was the second winery we visited. It's in Afton, VA. We went after lunch, and missed the last tour, but still got to walk around a bit and do some tasting!

Veritas Winery sign

It was very beautiful driving up, despite being cold and a little overcast. The tasting room/storefront was bigger than the King Family one we had visited earlier in the day, but it was also more crowded. It may have been a result of how busy it was, but the people working didn't seem as friendly or eager to help as the people at King Family Vineyards had been.

Ready to start tasting and taking notes!

We found a corner to sit in and start tasting wines. A lot of wines! At 11 wines, this tasting was around twice as big as any I had been to previously. The woman serving us seemed a bit distracted, which probably added to how long the tasting felt. Anyhow, the wines were:

Scintilla- "Scintilla is a Brut sparkling wine made from 80% Chardonnay and 20% Cabernet Franc. Scintilla shows a pale straw color and has a brilliant reflection with small elegant bubbles. The aroma and flavors are fresh and crisp, reminiscent of pear and green apple accented by a touch of yeast and toasted brioche. The finish is clean, long and showing beautiful acidity heightened by creamy overtones. $30." (Veritas notes) To me, this wine smelled like lemon, grapefruit, and grass. It was bubbly, and tasted tangy, citrus-y, and dry.

Mousseux- "Mousseux is an extra dry (12-25 gms./L) sparkling wine made in the traditional method that is used in Champagne, where the second fermentation within the bottle creates bubbles that make Bubbly Bubbly. [sic] Mousseux shows a deep pink color with salmon highlights and has small elegant bubbles. The aroma and flavors are rich and fresh, reminiscent of cherry, raspberry and strawberry. The finish is clean, long and showing beautiful acidity and intensity of fruit. $30." (Veritas notes) This wine smelled very light, with hints of apple and pear. It was light and bubbly with tart apple and lemon flavors. At the very beginning, there was a hint of sweet strawberries, but that went away quickly and it became very dry.

Sauvignon Blanc 2011- "Harvested just six months ago, our Sauvignon Blanc is a true expression of youth and vibrancy. The bouquet is clean and fresh leading with ripe grapefruit, lime rind, lemon grass, and wet-stone minerality. The flavors on the palate mirror the nose bringing a mouthful of crisp ripe fruits that are balanced by Sauvignon Blanc's naturally high acidity. $18." (Veritas notes) It smelled like grapefruit on grass with a hint of peach and tasted very acidic and like lemongrass, with a little peach at the beginning.

White Star- "White Star is a complex, palate-friendly blend of Viognier, Traminette, Chardonnay, and Vidal Blanc that creates a tropical array of honey-rose intermingling with sweet, peach, apricot, mango and pineapple that are balanced with vibrant acidity. White Star is a fun, youthful wine that blossoms with fruity flavors for fun with family and friends. $18." (Veritas notes) It smelled grapey and floral, like honeysuckle or jasmine. It tasted sweet at the beginning, kind of pear-y, then got a slightly sweaty sock taste, then became very tart. Try as I might, I couldn't taste any of the tropical fruits mentioned in the tasting notes.

Petit Manseng 2010- "Petit Manseng is not your everyday wine. It's a wine that bursts with the vibrancy of tropical fruit aromas like toasted coconut, fresh almonds, pineapple, mango, and candied citrus fruit. This is all backed with subtle nuances of spice and white flowers -aromas that assail the nostrils and deliver in the mouth a soft very slightly sweet succulent medley of fresh fruits. Petit Manseng goes with dessert yet is not a dessert wine - it delights fresh fruit salad while Creme Brulee with Petit Manseng has to be tasted to be believed. $19." (Veritas notes) This wine had a really light, sweet smell of pear with a hint of smoke. For me, it was sickeningly sweet and tasted like honeysuckle and marshmallow. It had the toasty vanilla/caramel/creme brulee, creamy, smokey finish. I didn't like the syrupy sweetness at the beginning, but the aftertaste was quite delicious.

Kenmar 2009- "Kenmar our truly distinctive dessert wine created from Traminette grapes that we freeze and then crush in the same way as the classic Ice Wines of Germany. Kenmar is an aroma wine; of all aroma wines- just inhale the aromatic fragrance of the honeyed luxury of rose petals, lychee, apricot and spice. The harmonious balance of tropical fruit, candied citrus and honey fills the mouth and settles triumphantly on the palate, finishing in mellifluous harmony. If you like sweet and flowers- Kenmar is Honey-suckle [sic] Rose. $35." (Veritas notes) Smelled very sweet, like pineapple and honeysuckle. It tasted like honey, apple, peach, and mango. It was very sweet, as well.

Rose 2010- "The beautiful rose color of our Rose wine is achieved by taking the juice of Cabernet Franc and Merlot after 24 hours of skin contact. The nose is rich with red berries, spice and soft floral aromas. In the mouth fresh strawberries and cherries accented by a dry finish are reminiscent of the dry Rose's of southern France. This wine is best enjoyed in its youth and is extremely versatile when paired with Mediterranean seafood or chicken dishes- or just old barbecue! $14." (Veritas notes) It smelled like rose and strawberry. It tasted very dry, and the alcohol was immediately apparent, but then it turned kind of creamy, like cheese. It was interesting, but not my cup of tea.

Merlot 2010- "Merlot is our everyday favorite wine that takes the middle road between the Claret and the Cabernet Franc. A deliciously red-purple color precedes the soft embracing bouquet that is fragrant with cherries and raspberries. Easy to drink, the mouth feel is full on the palate, as layers of fruit unfold accentuated by the subtle earthiness of the terroir. A lasting finish with balanced oak gives rise to the sense of finesse and charm. $18." (Veritas notes) Cherry, plum, smoke/pepper, and oil on the nose. Very tart and dry, it had a gasoline flavor and not much else. Somewhat dimension-less.

Vintner's Reserve 2010- "VR is comprised of 42% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Franc, 25% Petit Verdot, and 16% Cabernet Sauvignon. It is deep ruby red in color and the bouquet is a delicate balance of cherry, chocolate, and fresh cigar box enveloped in an aroma of fresh black fruits. Luscious flavors of cherry unfold with rich yet assertive tannins on the palate leaving a structured and elegant finish accentuated with complex flavors of vanilla, caramel, and mocha from barrel aging. VR is a perfect wine to enjoy with any red meat from Filet Mignon to Rib Eye, Venison, or Lamb. $35." (Veritas notes) Smelled like a peppered raspberry and tasted tart, sour, and dry with a creamy/smokey end.

Red Star- "Red Star is one of our most palate-friendly and popular wines. It is medium bodied and aromatic, practically jumping out of the glass with ripe fruit tones. A blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Chambourcin create myriad cherry, raspberry, and red currant flavors. Red Star is truly a comfort wine smooth round and easy to drink. $18." (Veritas notes) It smelled like spiced cherries, but it had a softness to the nose. It tasted plummy, sweet, and buttery with a smokey finish and a peppery aftertaste.

Othello 2009- "Othello is no 'Port in a storm'; it is crafted with two grape varieties- 61% Touriga Nacional and 39% Tannat- fortified with brandy and then aged for two years in oak. The result is a wine with an alluring aroma of plum, black cherries, blackberries and caramel. Sweet and powerful, the smooth, textured tannins give the dark fruit flavors a glowing, ember-like finish that lingers with velvety warmth. Drink as an apertif, on ice, or take Othello to its ultimate destiny with chocolate or caramel desserts, or even English Stilton cheese and a ripe pear-pure heaven! $28." (Veritas notes) This wine smelled light and like river water, which was absolutely nothing like it tasted. It tasted VERY sweet, to the point that it was difficult to taste anything else. There was a little cherry and some pepper, though, and a buttery, oaky finish.

Photo of the grounds. Not super relevant, but after all of that writing, a picture was in order!

I don't know if it was the time of day, the sun in my eyes, our server, or my mood, but I didn't really like any of these wines. It also may have been the tasting order, because we seemed to keep jumping between sickeningly sweet and mouth puckering dry, and light and heavy. Maybe most of these just needed to be paired with food?

Anyhow, it was an experience. It would be nice to go back on another day to see if my feelings towards the wines change, or even just do a smaller, more organized tasting elsewhere, possibly while pairing the wines with food to see if that helps. Regardless, it was quite beautiful. We even saw some workers out in the vineyards on the way out!

Our group on the porch

Week 10 Wine Tasting

Wine #1: Obikwa

Obikwa, Sauvignon Blanc, South Africa, 2010, $7.95

Smell: Fruity, apple and melon

Taste: Light with some citrus and apple. Didn't taste like other Sauvignon Blancs I've had.

Established Review: "OBiKWA Sauvignon Blanc is the ideal summer wine and smacks of crisp tropical fruit with a smattering of gooseberries and fig." Vintage Cellar

Wine #2: Oak Vineyards

Oak Vineyads, Chardonnay, Napa and Sonoma, California, 2010, $5.95

Smell: Apple and melon

Taste: Tart, very light, and a little heat at the end. Not buttery or smokey like a majority of California Chardonnays I've tried.

Established Review: "Quite an interesting Chardonnay, in an era when so many are too sweet and extracted. There’s plenty of orange and apricot fruit flavor, but also a brilliant streak of minerality, like a lick of cold steel, and the

overall taste is dry. Really easy to like, with lots of complexity to warrant repeated sipping." Vintage Cellar

Wine #3: Tres Ojos

Tres Ojos, Garnacha (old vines), Spain, 2009, $6.95

Smell: Plum and cherry, spicy and woody, and some pepper

Taste: Very peppery! A little hint of wood, but mostly just pepper.

Established Review: "Bright ruby color. Primary dark berry aromas are simple but offer very good purity and focus. Juicy blackberry and bitter cherry flavors are youthfully tangy, with good back-end acidity adding snap. The clean, brisk finish leaves behind notes of sweet dark berry preserves and cracked pepper." Vintage Cellar

Wine #4: Faraway Farm

Faraway Farm, Shiraz, South Africa, 2008, $5.95

Smell: Heavy, warm, like plums and bonfire kindling

Taste: Sweet and spicy, like plums and pepper.

Established Review: "Fresh, modern style, with lots of plum pudding, sweet chocolate, mocha, blackberry and boysenberry flavors supported by round, sweet tannins and toast." Vintage Cellar

Wine #5: Primo Amore

Primo Amore, Moscato, Italy, no vintage, $8.95

Smell: Floral, peachy, and melon

Taste: A little bubbly, very light and sweet, refreshing, and some melon. Quite fun and delicious!

Established Review: "Straw-yellow with golden reflections and a delicate mousse. Fruity and very inviting, with fresh scents of peaches and exotic fruit. Fresh and pleasantly sweet with a taste that reveals its varietal characteristic." Vintage Cellar

Winery Visit #1

King Family Vineyards
Saturday, February 25, 2012


A group of friends and I decided to take a couple of days and visit a friend's home in Staunton, VA, and take the opportunity to visit King Family Vineyards, which is not too far from there in Crozet, VA. This was my first winery visit, and I was excited to see how everything works first hand.

View of the tasting room/store area

We walked up to a colonial style farm settled in the mountains. It was very pretty! When we walked in, we walked around the side porch and into the tasting room/storefront. They had a more rustic style of decoration on the inside, but I liked it. I even enjoyed the antler chandelier!

Chandelier made of antlers in the tasting/selling room

We started everything off with a tasting. It's good that we did, because it started to get crowded quickly after we got there! We had a very nice woman named Tara showing us the wines, and she told us a bit about the background of the winery/vineyard.

Tasting area

The owners, David and Ellen, had a polo field when they decided that they wanted a cash crop, so they tried alfalfa, which actually worked pretty well. Then one day, a group from VT knocked on their door and asked them if they wanted to grow grapes there, because the land was probably good for that. The idea was planted, and eventually they started growing grapes. They started out slowly, though, and they still don't use a big distributor. 95% of their profit comes through the winery!

We tried six different wines. They were:

Roseland 2011- "60% Chardonnay, 40% Viognier. There is peach, honeysuckle, and acacia flower on the nose with a hint of lemongrass. 40% of the volume is aged in oak. The mouthfeel is bright and fresh with good acidity reminiscent of a pear crumble. The finish is long and creamy. 770 cases produced. $19.95." (King Family write-up) To me, it smelled like honeysuckle, but slightly acidic, and with a hint of cheese. It tasted tart, soft, light, and tangy, with a bit of lemon.

Chardonnay 2010- "25% of the volume is fermented and aged in new French oak, the rest in older barrels. The nose bursts with white flowers, lemon, and pear. White peach, ripe pear, and lemon on the mouth with touches of oak and a smooth creamy finish. 100% malolactic fermentation. 575 cases produced. $21.95" (King Family write-up) Smelled cool and light, with a bit of apple. The taste started off light and fruity, then turned oaky, and then butter. The aftertaste is like toasted marshmallows and vanilla. Now I understand what a wine that has been through malolactic fermentation tastes like, and I don't mind it. It's like candy!

Crose 2011- "100% Merlot dry rose. Grapefruit and cranberry dominate the nose with a hint of redcurrant. The mouthfeel is crisp and refreshing with a slightly tart finish. 720 cases produced. $21.95." (King Family write-up) It smelled sweet, floral, and fruity, like grapefruit and jasmine. It tasted very different from how it smelled, which threw me off, a bit. It tasted dry, tart, and acidic, and kind of like a grassy grape. It wasn't too strong. I'm not sure if it was my favorite, but it wasn't bad.

Cabernet Franc 2010- "The nose offers fresh strawberries on the vine, anise, and a touch of oak. There are notes of vanilla, strawberry, raspberry, and spice on the mouth with soft tannins. The finish is soft with a hint of black pepper. 500 cases produced. $22.95." (King Family write-up) This wine smelled like plum, blackberry, and tart cherry. It tasted light and tart, and had a peppery finish. It was warm and a little oaky in the middle. Tara told us that they used larger barrels for this wine to decrease the amount of oakiness.

Seven 2009- "Named for the 7th chucker in polo, like the 19th hole in golf. Made in the traditional Porto style with an American twist. Dried fig, banana, and orage peel on the nose. Vanilla and nutmeg on the mouth with dark fruits, raspberry, and toffee. 3% r.s., 18% alcohol. 475 cases produced. $29.95." (King Family write-up) Tara told us they age this wine in Kentucky bourbon barrels for 2-3 years. It had a strong, smokey smell, with some cognac and candied fruit scents.  It tasted very fruity at first, maybe a little cherry, and then it got smokey and oaky, then very buttery, toasty, caramel/toffee, nutty flavors at the end.

Loreley 2010- "50% Viognier, 50% Petit Manseng. Dessert wine made in the vin de paille, or "straw wine" style. Fermented and aged in barrel, there is white flower, tangerine peel, peach cobbler, and gingerbread on the nose and mouth. The mouthfeel is full and creamy. Drink now through 2018. 375 mL. 10% r.s. 320 cases produced. $24.95." (King Family write-up) It smelled very bright, light, and like jasmine and honeysuckle. It tasted peachy and like vanilla, with a soft and creamy finish, like peaches and cream. It was quite sweet, although not syrupy sickeningly so. I really liked this, and got a bottle to give to my parents.

Though these wines were more expensive than I usually get, they were also correspondingly more delicious!

Next, after the tasting, we started the tour! We began by looking at some of the vines, but we didn't stay outside too long because it was a bit cold outside! Our tour guide told us that the harvest lasts about 6 weeks, and they are working all day, every day during that time.

 The vines had just had their winter pruning. The oldest vines there were planted in late 1997.

We quickly moved inside to the room where the fermenting is done. It kind of smelled like an oaky swimming pool. There were some large stainless steel vats, the largest of which can hold about 700 cases of wine!

Some of the stainless steel vats and oak barrels

Their winemaker is European, so they do a lot of thing old-world style, even hiring interns. Apparently, they had a Frenchman interning there, and he was the one who had to push down the caps, because he was the smallest one. It is apparently an unpleasant task, because it gets hot, and all of the CO2 being released makes it difficult to breathe. I suppose that is why the intern got to do it.

Anyhow, for our final stop, we moved into the storage room, where the wine is aged in barrels.

The smaller part of the room, which was completely filled with barrels.

The barrels are made of French oak, and the smaller ones can hold about 25 cases of wine, whereas the larger ones can hold about 50 cases. The middle of each barrel is painted red, because when the wine is tested, it can get messy. If they are just stained red ahead of time, it looks much more neat.

We all had a really nice time at King Family Vineyards. Everyone was very warm and friendly, and very knowledgeable about the wine and wine making process. I would definitely recommend stopping by!