Winery Visit - Philip Carter Winery

Note: When visiting wineries, we judge the winery on our overall experience. That includes the friendliness and attentiveness of the staff, the quality of the wine and food, as well as the aesthetic qualities of the visit. Because so many Virginia wineries are “destination wineries,” we give less weight to the price of the wines, since we understand we are paying what is equivalent to restaurant prices for their wines.

In January we headed out on a rainy Saturday for our first ever Virginia Wine Review vineyard visit.  We headed out to Linden, near Front Royal to the Philip Carter Winery.  After a winding, and understandably muddy driveway, we came to a small, but pleasant tasting room building.  Just inside the front door was the main tasting bar where we purchased one full tasting plus one only white tasting.  The tasting started with their 2012 Chardonnay, which is 7/8^th  Chardonnay and 1/8^th Viognier with hints of green apple and pear, it was a very enjoyable selection.  We moved to the 2012 Falconwood White, a 75% to 25% Chardonnay to Viognier, which we found somewhat weak and hollow in its flavoring.  From there we then tasted the 2013 Governor Fauquier described as a off dry wine made from Vidal Blanc grapes.  This was a very pleasant white, perfect for enjoyment in the mid-afternoon.  We decided this would be the bottle we would enjoy on or visit.

Their Cabernet Franc 2012 started the red portion of the tasting.  This was a smooth, but not full-bodied.  We agree with the winery description of this being a good summertime red.  This was followed by a very nice blend of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, which they have labeled their 2011 Falconwood red.  Their 2011 Corotoman was next up, a blend of Bordeaux and Meritage, this was a decent red yet we would be hard pressed to justify the $35 a bottle price tag.  The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon was an excellent dry, yet smooth offering that was very enjoyable with a flavor that will only improve as this wine ages. 

We enjoyed our bottle of Governor Fauquier in their adjacent downstairs room, which consisted of a fireplace surround by comfortable chairs and a sofa with the remainder of the room furnished with tables with seating for four to ten people  The downstairs room also had a separate tasting bar.  We purchased a platter of sausage, cheese and crackers, which was at best average.  We would recommend bringing your own food, if allowed.  In part because the crackers included In our package was just a sleeve of Ritz crackers. 

Our Ratings”

Wines:  3.5 Good to Very Good

If you enjoy lighter whites, or a good Chardonnay, you will not be disappointed.  Highlighted by a very good Cabernet Sauvignon, their reds ranged from light and smooth to full-bodied and complex. 

Snacks 

As we mentio+ned above, we suggest bringing your own munchies.  

Staff

The staff was friendly and knowledgeable and certainly made us feel welcome to be at the winery. 

Atmosphere

We loved sitting by a real fire on a rainy January day, and had no trouble making friendly conversation with two couples also sitting near the fireplace.  Whether you decide to converse near the fire or grab a table alone, it is a truly nice friendly and inviting atmosphere to enjoy some good Virginia wine and hospitality.

We did notice picnic tables and cornhole game boards on the lawn and look forward to another visit sitting outside on a nice day. 

Rappahannock Cellars 2010 Seyval Blanc

Winemaker's description

None

Price:  $16.99 at Total Wine

We had no experience with any Seyval Blanc wine, so we had no preconceptions about what to except from this wine. 

The first impression is a crisp nose of grapefruit with a touch of menthol or eucalyptus.  To us, the flavor was that of a dry, light and crisp German style wine.  We feel this wine would go great with light appetizers, salads with any vinegar based dressing, as well as shell fish or grilled shrimp.

Our ratings:  

Flavor:  4.25 out of 5 stars –Very Good to Excellent

While we would have enjoyed a slightly bolder flavor, we enjoyed the unique, crisp quality of this offering.

Drinkability/Versatility:  3.75 out of 5 stars –Good to Very Good

We would limit this wine to salads and lighter fare, but on its own, it does just fine. 

Value:  3 out of 5 stars –Good

The only thing close to a drawback to this wine is the $17 price tag.  While not outrageous, just difficult to call it a great value at that price.

Overall:  3.75 out of 5 stars - Very Good

This unique wine definitely deserves a place in your wine rack.  A great choice to breakout of the cycle of Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio.  Impress your guests with a grilled shrimp appetizer with pico de gallo and this crisp dry and easy drinking selection.

Mountain Cove Skyline White

Winemaker's description

This wine is a semi-dry Vouvray style wine. Made from hearty Villard Blanc grapes, it goes well with light meals, poultry and fish.

Price:  $12.99 at Total Wine

A nice, pleasant earthy and floral bouquet is the first introduction to this selection.  And when the winemaker claims to be one of the last using Villard Blanc grapes, after the first sip, we hope they continue doing so.  This wine is unique and crisp and is ideal with any appetizer.  In an evening of food and wine, this would be a great fist glass.

Given its unique flavor, we believe this is a must try for all Virginia wine lovers.

Nose is grassy and earthy.

Our ratings:  

Flavor:  4.25 out of 5 stars –Very Good to Excellent

It’s unique floral flavors are light and satisfying.  Oh, and did we mention it is unique.

Drinkability/Versatility:  3.5 out of 5 stars –Good to Very Good

Wonderful by itself or with appetizers, but not something we would recommend with entrees.

Value:  4.25 out of 5 stars –Very Good to Excellent

Finding a wine of an unique grape, such as this, well worth the $12.99 we spent.

Overall:  4 out of 5 stars – Very Good \

Simply put, this is an unique easy drinking white that can be enjoyed on a summer’s day, by a fire in the winter or any time.  We recommend this wine without hesitation.

Pearmund Cellars 2011 Old Vine Chardonnay

Winemaker's description

Warm, butter flavor with hints of pear and ripe apple. 100% malolactic fermentation..

Price:  $23 at the winery

A nice deep If you are looking to make a good first impression with guests this holiday season, slice some French baguette, top it with shaved parmesan and smoked Gruyère cheese, and serve it with Pearmund Cellars Old Vine Chardonnay

With a nose of strong oak, this is a bold chardonnay with a buttery texture, and nice flavors of ripe pear.

This selection will also complement just about any food that can be paired with a bold white wine. This Chardonnay is as good, if not better than many California offerings at this price.

Our ratings:  

Flavor:  4.25 out of 5 stars –Very Good to Excellent

Bold pear, with just the right amount of oak.

Drinkability/Versatility:   4 out of 5 stars – Very Good

For those who enjoy a full-bodied white, this can be enjoyed alone.

Value:  3.75 out of 5 stars – Good to Very Good

Well worth the $23, but we have a hard time calling $20+ a great value.

Overall:  4.25 out of 5 stars – Very Good to Excellent

For those times you want to splurge for a bottle wine over $20, no need to look further than Pearmund Cellars.

Veramar Vineyard 2012 Cabernet Franc

Winemaker's description

The nose opens with sweet, dark fruit aromas and rounds out with a hint of vanilla and oak. The black cherry, blackberry and touch of cinnamon aromas carry through to the flavors.

Price:  $14.99 at Total Wine

Veramar’s Cab Franc starts with a delightful nose of rich blackberries and burnt oak, and presents great color. The first taste offers rich blackberries, with very pronounced, and very good vanilla overtones.

While red wine is rarely considered “creamy,” this wine could be described as such, or maybe more appropriately, “velvety.” The texture is absolutely awesome!

The flavor is bold, but not overpowering. Given the age of this wine, it understandably has well-defined tannin, but not too much. This wine should age very well, and peak in a year or two.

But make no mistake, this wine is outstanding right now.

Without a doubt this belongs on your list of holiday wines that will impress any wine loving guest. Just sit back and watch the look on their face when you tell them it is indeed a Virginia Wine!  

Our ratings:  

Flavor:  4.75 out of 5 stars –Very Good to Excellent

Complex yet smooth, the vanilla rounds out the blackberries and oak in outstanding fashion.

Drinkability/Versatility:   4.25 out of 5 stars – Very Good to Excellent

When the tannins smooth out in a year or two, this just might rank 5 stars.

Value:  4.5 out of 5 stars – Very Good

It would be hard to find a better red at this price.

Overall:  4.75 out of 5 stars – Very Good to Excellent

One of the highest ratings we’ve given to any wine. I can’t wait to enjoy this wine again. A true delight.

Tarara Winery 2010 Charval White Wine

Winemaker's description

Definitely the roundest, biggest style of Charval made to date.  The vintage really shows in this wine with intense aromatics of tropical fruit like mango and papaya blend with more classic citrus and crisp apple notes.  The palate is dry, with still some fresh acidity from the Petit Manseng holding together the fuller bodied fruit forward wine.  The crisp character of the wine leads to a long citrus driven finish.  This is best in its youth but will drink well for another couple years.

Price:  $13.99 at Total Wine

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, here is a Virginia white wine that would compliment any Thanksgiving offering. .

This is a nice bold blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, and Viognier, that can definitely be enjoyed on its own, yet with its lingering dry after taste, we enjoyed it more with food. 

The winemakers description of this wine possessing big style hits the mark.  Unlike some of its lighter Virginia counterparts, this white has bold flavors. 

We have found another Virginia wine that can be served to guests who would question the quality our Commonwealth offers. 

Our ratings:  

Flavor:  4.25 out of 5 stars –Very Good to Excellent

Complex yet smooth, with hints of bold tropical fruit.

Drinkability/Versatility:   4.5 out of 5 stars – Very Good to Excellent

On its own with appetizers or traditional white wine entrees, this wine fits the bill.

Value:  4 out of 5 stars – Very Good

Simply put, well worth the $14.

Overall:  4.25 out of 5 stars – Very Good to Excellent

Whenever the occasion calls for a good white wine, you can’t go wrong with this selection from Tarara.

Breaux Chere Marie 2012 Vidal Blanc

Winemaker's description

This light, fresh, and summery white wine is off-dry and made from the French-American hybrid grape: Vidal Blanc. It is crisp and refreshing, and pairs perfectly with anything spicy... or just a hot day. Bright acidity keeps the wine from being cloying, and drinkable by both sweet wine fans and dry wine fans alike. Chill, drink, enjoy!.

Price:  $12.99 at Safeway

A light nose with hints of lemon and wheat grass.  This wine should be enjoyed by those who prefer a sweeter, semi-dry whites.  Although a bit too sweet for our preference, the winemaker’s description is very accurate, and this wine would be a very good choice for those who enjoy Rieslings that are on the sweeter side.

The wine worked well with smoked Gruyère cheese and sourdough baguette.

We enjoyed the wine more as it warmed a bit.  At the higher temperature, it was more balanced, more flavorful, and just didn’t seem as sweet. 

We suggest letting the wine warm to over 50 degrees before serving.

Our ratings:  

Flavor:   3.5 out of 5 stars –Good to Very Good

After warming up, the flavors were more complex and quite enjoyable.

Drinkability/Versatility:   3 out of 5 stars – Good

This is not a wine we would drink on its own, and while very good with selected foods, it is very limited in the foods it will compliment.

Value:  3 out of 5 stars – Good

After enjoying Williamsburg Winery’s American White Riesling for $6.99, it is hard to call this more than a good value at twice the price.

Overall:  3.25 out of 5 stars –Good to Very Good

After letting it warm up a bit, this wine was impressive and definitely lives up to the Winemaker’s description.