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.
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