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.

Lake Anna Totally Red

Winemaker's description

No red cherries. No spicy berries. No toasty nuances. No suggestive notes. JUST Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Chambourcin.

Price:  $9.99 at Total Wine

A nice full nose with a mellow hint of tar.  Served at room temperature it did have a bit of harshness. We would recommend serving this a little chilled. 

It had a bit too much tannins for us to enjoy on its own, but with a little cheese bread and marinara sauce this wine was a nice compliment.  We also believe this wine would be nice with semi-sweet foods.

Those who enjoy a drier red wine with a dish like spaghetti and meatballs, will find  this to be an ideal selection.  One taster felt this wine compared favorably to a dry Italian Chianti. 

Our ratings:  

Flavor:   3 out of 5 stars –Good

It does have a good classic red wine flavor.

Drinkability/Versatility:   2.5 out of 5 stars – Fair to Good

This wine would not be one you would serve to guests on its own, but only as a compliment to certain foods.

Value:  4 out of 5 stars –Very Good

For $10, this wine should definitely be on your short list for classic Italian dishes and with some semi-sweet foods.

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

A nice classic red that could possibly use a bit more aging to smooth out, but for fans of drier reds, this is a nice Virginia selection.

Barboursville 2012 Pinot Grigio

Winemaker's description

A dry white wine with delicate citrus and pear aromas.  Light crisp acidity with apple, pear and fig flavors.  A simple yet elegant wine for light hors d’oeuvres, simply prepared seafood an poultry.

Price:  $11.99 at Total Wine

“This has more flavor than most Pinot Grigios,” was one comment after tasting this nice full-bodied selection.  Barboursville’s Pinot Grigio was not as light as many of the Italian offerings, which was a pleasant surprise.  With just the right level of dryness, we found this to be another Virginia white we don’t hesitate recommending. 

This wine has a nice full bouquet, which is pleasant yet difficult to describe other than to say it smells like a real nice Pinot Grigio.  The finish is dry with a touch of bite. 

Our ratings:  

Flavor:    4.25 out of 5 stars – Very Good

Not shy, this is a full flavored wine.  It does posses nice fruit flavors, but is not a fruity wine.

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

Unlike other Pinot Grigios, this will easily stand up to light and even some more hearty entrees.  Yet alone, is as enjoyable, if not more so, than many lighter whites.

Value:  4 out of 5 stars – Very Good

Simply put, this wine was well worth the money spent..

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

Serve this at your next dinner party and watch your guest’s expressions when you tell them that this is indeed a Virginia wine.

Rockbridge 2008 Pinot Noir

Winemaker's description

Really hitting its stride at age four, this Virginia Pinot Noir is very Burgundian with moderate tannins and nice fruit aromas and flavors.  Serve slightly  chilled as a delightful summer white wine alternative.

Price:  $12.49 at Total Wine

After reviewing their Chardonnay last weekend, and now their Pinot Noir, Rockbridge Vineyard is becoming one of our favorite Virginia wineries

The nose could be described as peppery black currant, and very nice. The first sip is pleasant with just enough tannin to give this wine just enough red wine bite.

We give Rockbridge a lot credit for holding this wine until the tannins have smoothed out to an ideal level. The days of recommending customers to cellar wine for a couple years is gone.

The taste is of rich blackberry and currant, with just a touch of spiciness.

We have found another Virginia wine that can be served to out of town guests, or anyone that would shun Virginia Wine. And again we’ve found a wine with a great drinkability, that can be enjoyed alone, or with a wide variety of foods.

We’re looking forward to a nice rack of lamb and this wonderful Pinot Noir.

Our ratings:  

Flavor:    4 out of 5 stars – Very Good

The right touch of tannin with rich black currant

Drinkability/Versatility:   5 out of 5 stars –Excellent

The tannins have smoothed enough so there is no bitter aftertaste. Yet enough there to hold up to meats like lamb and pork. I would disagree with the winemaker’s description of this being a “summer” wine, this would be great at any time of the year.

Value:  4 out of 5 stars – Very Good

$12,49 for a really nice Virginia Red. .

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

Give me some smoked cheese, some smoked salmon (not lox) and some rack of lamb, and some good friends, this wine would be the only one needed. When you want to relax with a nice medium bodied, smooth red, here it is.

White Hall 2011 Chardonnay

Wine maker's description

No description available from Winemaker.

Price:  $13.99 at Total Wine

This is a dry crisp Chardonnay that more resembles a Sauvignon Blanc than a oak barreled Chardonnay.  It starts with a very refreshing full nose with strong hints of orange zest.   The taste is light, dry and very pleasant to the palette. 

We enjoyed this wine with pizza, and it held up just fine.  The wine is smooth and when enjoyed alone finishes dry.  With food, it had a smooth, easy after taste. 

This wine would be a great choice on a warm day with appetizers or light entrees that are complimented by a crisp dry white. 

Our ratings:  

Flavor:   3 out of 5 stars – Good

Smooth with hints of citrus. 

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

We actually enjoyed this selection more on its own than with the pizza.  But with lighter or spicy foods, this wine is ideal.

Value:  3 out of 5 stars – Good

At $13.99 it is worth the money, yet we can’t say we would want to pay more for this wine.  We enjoyed it, but can’t say it stands out when compared with other $14 - $15 bottles of Virginia Chardonnays.

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

Sitting outside on a nice day this clean, crisp, dry Chardonnay would be a real treat.  Keeping in mind that it has qualities similar to Sauvignon Blanc.  This wine definitely has a place on our short list of appetizer and light dinner Virginia wine whites.

2012 Rockbridge Chardonnay

Winemaker's Description

No description available yet from Winemaker.

Price:  $12.49 at Total Wine

This wine starts with a mild nose of wheat grass with a touch of citrus.  The first sip is pleasant, on the drier side of medium body and slightly acidic.  Alone it has a dry after taste, yet with food it has as nice an after taste that could be expected from any Chardonnay.  Similar to its 2011 offering this Chardonnay also has flavors of lemon and is clearly not aged in oak.

We enjoyed this wine with a French roll, Swiss cheese, pepperoni and Dijon mustard and have no complaints with how it paired with each.  We think this wine would be most enjoyed by those who enjoy a crisp citrus accented Chardonnay as opposed to heavier or “buttery” oaked Chardonnays.

Our ratings:  

Flavor:   4 out of 5 stars – Very Good

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

Very enjoyable on its own. yet even better when complimenting food.  This would stand up to even heavier entrees such as pork.

Value:  3.75 out of 5 stars –Very Good

Maybe not an excellent value at $12.49, but definitely worth the price.  If you can find this wine for $10 or less, stock up!

Overall:  4 out of 5 stars – Very Good

When an event or meal calls for a good unoaked Chardonnay, Rockbridge Vineyards 2012 offering will not disappoint.  Add this to the list of wines that can change the minds of those who turn their noses up at Virginia wines. 

Rapidan River Dry Riesling

 

Winemaker's Description

Made in the traditional Alsatian style, our Dry Riesling boasts aromas of fresh cut flowers and mangos with full fruit flavors of apples and apricot balanced by delightful crispness.

Price:  $9.49 at Total Wine

Very fresh smell that is refreshing and resembles mangos and fresh cut flowers as the winemaker describes.  The first sensation, when tasting, is light and crisp yet the wine then takes on a heavier feel at its finish and after-taste.  While not a sweet wine, we would not consider it dry.  For us it is much closer to a semi-dry. 

This wine is best served colder than most and compliments light cheese very well.  We enjoyed it with a soft Swiss cheese and crackers.  We do not believe this Riesling would be suitable to be served with an entrée.

Our ratings:  

Flavor:   3 out of 5 stars –Good

Not weak, the winemaker’s assessment of apricot flavors is accurate.

Drinkability/Versatility:  2 out of 5 stars –Fair

A nice compliment to soft cheeses, however, limited in the types of food we would pair this wine with.

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

If you enjoy semi-dry wines that are a bit heavy, this wine is actually a pretty good value.

Overall:  3 out of 5 stars - Good

We personally prefer a somewhat drier Riesling, but for those who enjoy Rieslings a bit sweeter will surely enjoy this offering.  Our recommendations are based on our personal tastes., so wine-lovers who enjoy this style of Riesling will find this a very good value and great offering.

Horton 2009 Cabernet Franc

Winemaker's Description

This wine was 100% steel fermented and then barrel aged (new and once used American & French oak) for 18 months. Aromas of violets and tar combine with spicy oak flavors in this robust wine.  Horton Cabernet Franc was the first in the United States using the traditional blending variety, Tannat (16%).  The result is a wine with a firm structure, ripe fruit and a spicy finish.

Price $12.99 at Safeway

We were first taken aback by the winemaker’s description of having tar in the nose.  However, we found its aroma more in line with the spicy oak of which they described the wine’s flavor. 

The flavor of this wine is medium to full bodied, and for us was quite delicious.  It does posses the spicy oak flavor as described, and finishes smooth but not weak.  We enjoyed this with a variety of cheeses and this wine served as a very nice compliment.

 Our ratings:

 
Flavor:   4.25 out of 5 stars - Very Good

Extremely satisfying and balanced. 

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

Smooth enough to be enjoyed on its own and would also serve as a great wine with red meats and tomato based pasta dishes.  

Value:  4 out of 5 stars - Very Good

Not easy to find a Virginia red as good as this for less.

Overall:  4 out of 5 stars - Very Good

Once again we have a wine capable of changing people's minds about the quality of Virginia wines.  We recommend this red without reservation.

Veritas 2012 Saddleback Chardonnay

Winemaker's Description

The 2012 Saddleback Chardonnay is modeled after the “old world” style from Chablis, France. The wine is fermented in stainless steel tanks and matured in primarily neutral French oak barrels for 4 months. The nose is clean and showing aromas of apple, pear, honeydew melon and kiwi. The Saddleback Chardonnay is medium bodied and layered with ripe tree fruits continuing with soft impressions of toast and spice from oak aging. Saddleback Chardonnay is a perfect wine to compliment light fish and shellfish dishes, or even poultry with citrus sauces.

Price:  $22 at Winery

Veritas Winery is, and will remain, one our favorite wineries in the Commonwealth of Virginia, yet at $22 a bottle we cannot recommend their 2012 Saddleback Chardonnay.

This Chardonnay is crisp and fruity as described, but not full bodied, and somewhat unfulfilling.  On the bottle, they call the wine a virtual fresh fruit salad, which is not off base, but a very light fruit salad.  In some ways, this wine could be called a Chardonnay “Lite.”

This is an easy drinking white, but we would be very hesitant to serve it with an entrée.  While nice as a wine to be enjoyed on its own, there are far better options in Virginia at less than half the price. 

Its aftertaste is almost non-distinguishable, which left us wanting. 

So when in the mood for a great Virginia wine, look to this Winery’s excellent Viognier, but skip their Saddleback Chardonnay.

Our ratings:  

Flavor:   2.5 out of 5 stars – Fair to Good

At best, we would say the flavor is middle of the road, just far too light to satisfy.

Drinkability/Versatility:  3 out of 5 stars – Good

Easy to drink on its own or with very light food.  This wine, however, is very limited in what it can be served with.

Value:  0 out of 5 stars

Simply put, we can recommend other Virginia Chardonnays at less than half the price of this offering.  .

Overall:  2 out of 5 stars - Fair

After enjoying Virginia wines priced under $10, we expected more from a $22 bottle.

Veritas 2012 Viognier

Winemakers Description:

Our 2012 Viognier has a heady aroma of lush peach and orange blossom. The first taste is of a fruit-filled rush of mouth filling ripe peaches, honey and orange zest flavors that simply won’t quit. Drink with equally delicate yet intense foods like Thai and Yum-Yum soup.

Price:  $22 at the Winery

For years Veritas’ Viognier has consistently been one our favorite wines.  While we normally prefer wines with a in the less than $15 range, the extra money spent on this Viognier is well worth it.

Beginning with its pleasant nose of citrus and apricot, to its smooth after taste of orange, this wine satisfies throughout.  Slightly more dry than to be considered “semi-dry,” yet not so dry to be enjoyed on a summer day. 

While we wouldn’t describe the flavor as bold, this Viognier contains a nice consistent body.

As wines go, and not merely Virginia wines, the Vertias Viognier possess the “wow factor” that reminds the every day wine lover that the pleasures of a good wine are truly special.

Our ratings:  

Flavor:   5 out of 5 stars – Excellent

We rate the flavor of this Viognier as excellent for the simple reason is that our level of enjoyment of its flavor is always consistently excellent.

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

Without food or with a light entrée and appetizers this wine is perfect.  Yet, it is not fully suited for an entrée of stronger flavors.

Value:  3.5 out of 5 stars - Good to Very Good

Although worth every penny, the $22 price tag makes this wine a good value. Yet we can not consider it a bargin.

Overall:  4.5 out of 5 stars - Very Good to Excellent

If you want to impress your guests, serve them a glass of Veritas Viognier and watch their eyebrows raise and hear them say “I didn’t know Virginia made wine this good.”

Prince Michel Merlot

 

 

Wine maker's description:

Thirteen months of aging in both French and American oak gives this wine a soft, silky texture. Rich berry flavors blend beautifully with undertones of vanilla bean and spice.

Price: $13.99 at Safeway

This wine was enjoyed with grilled flank steak and tater tots.

Prince Michel's Merlot first greets you with a smooth pleasant nose. And the first sip is exactly as the winemaker describes, soft, with a silky texture.

This Merlot features very little bitterness and tannin, but easily stood up to the grilled steak. Perhaps the nicest feature of this selection is the easy, mellow aftertaste. So in addition to a very good compliment to food, this Merlot is great to drink on its own with food.

I doubt you could find a California Merlot at this price that could top what the vintners at Prince Michel have accomplished. The smooth flavors of blackberry, and raspberry hold strong, without any bitter or tannin aftertaste.


When enjoying a glass of red before, and another glass with dinner, this Merlot will fit the bill for both.

Our ratings:

 
Flavor:   4 out of 5 stars - Very Good

Smooth, consistent flavor that provides great blackberry flavor, yes does not overpower the palette. Nor is it all sweet or overly fruity.

Drinkability/Versatility:  5 out of 5 star – Excellent

I'm not sure you could find an easier to drink Merlot then this. Great with food, just as excellent alone.

Value:  4 out of 5 stars - Very Good

If you can find this wine for $10, the value is easily 5 stars.
But at $14 a bottle, it is certainly worth every penny.

Overall:  4.5 out of 5 stars - Very Good/Excellent

Next time someone tries to tell you that Virginia wine can't compare to California's or France's wines, pour them a glass of this Merlot. Smooth, flavorful, easy to drink. Fully satisfying.

Williamsburg Winery – 2012 Governor’s White - American Riesling

Williamsburg Winery – 2012 Governor’s White - American Riesling

Winemaker's Description:    

 A semi-dry, light and fruity blend.  Serve as an aperitif or with spice food.
 

Price: $6.49 at Wegman's

After frying up a batch of homemade chicken fingers, we prepared ourselves for a mediocre bottle of wine based on the $6.49 price tag.  The first whiff of this wine began to alleviate any fears of mediocrity.  The nose fit perfectly with the winemaker’s description, as it was light and fruity with a hint of melon.

Too often semi-dry is used to describe a sweet wine, but to everyone with the exception of wine snobs that have a stick up their ass, this wine is not sweet.  This wine fits the winemaker’s description perfectly.  We would proudly serve this to guests at twice the price.

Based on the winemaker’s description and at under $7 a bottle, this American Riesling hits it out of the park.

Our ratings:  

Flavor:   4 out of 5 stars - Very Good

A light flavor that serves as the perfect first glass of the evening.

Drinkability/Versatility:  3 out of 5 star - Good

On a drinkability scale, this wine is very enjoyable on its own.  However, it is very limited in the types of food it will compliment. 
 
Value:  5 out of 5 stars - Excellent

We would enjoy this wine with light appetizers or to serve guests before dinner happily at double the price.  So if you have the opportunity, buy a case.  

Overall:  4.5 out of 5 stars - Very Good

We doubt you can find a better Riesling than Williamsburg’s 2012 Governor’s White for under $20.  So at $6.49, it is damn near a steal.

Chateau Morrisette- 2012 Angel Chardonnay

  Chateau Morrisette- 2012 Angel Chardonnay

Wine maker's description:    

 Trumpeting a tropical halo of pineapple, papaya and citrus aromas, this light Chardonnay delights the taste buds with a soft entry and lingering acidity. A fruit forward wine bestowed with a heavenly smooth finish, Angel is a blend of barrel and tank fermented Chardonnay complemented with Riesling, Viognier and Vidal Blanc. It pairs wonderfully with a wide variety of seafoods and lighter meats. 
 

Price: $8.99 at Wegman's

Flavors do jump out at the first smell but also a touch of harshness in the nose.  However, that harshness is mild and the first sip of this wine reveals a full bodied fruitiness in a  nice dry package.  But not too dry. 

We enjoyed this wine with grilled chicken sandwiches topped with ham and provolone cheese with ranch dressing.  The wine served as a very good compliment to the sandwiches.  

The winemaker is correct that this wine does have a somewhat acidic after taste.  So this chardonnay is better enjoyed when coupled with food. 

Our ratings:  

Flavor:   4 out of 5 stars - Very Good

The flavor of abundant fruit and the right amount of dryness gives this chardonnay a nice bold taste that makes it a great companion to almost any lighter entree.

Drinkability/Versatility:  3.5 out of 5 star - Good to Very Good

While this wine compliments light dishes very well, we would not recommend it as a wine to be enjoyed on its own.  However, if the goal is to enjoy with a light dinner, this wine is a fine choice
 
Value:  4.5 out of 5 stars - Very Good to Excellent

 
When looking for a bottle of wine under $10 bottle that will not only stand up to a light entree, but also compliment that entree, this wine is a great value,.

Overall:  3.75 out of 5 stars - Very Good

A great value, this wine will not disappoint as a companion to hor d'oeuvres, or any light entree of chicken or seafood. 




 

Barboursville Vineyards - 2012 Chardonnay

Wine maker's description:    

A dry white wine, crisp and fruity with no oak aging.  

Price: $14.49 at Safeway
$11.99 from Winery shop

This chardonnay starts with a nice fruity full nose.  If we had to narrow down the smell, it would be green apple, but overall, a very refreshing bouquet. 

The wine maker's description is definitely on the mark.  It is crisp with a pleasant, clean after taste.  It is just dry enough that it can be enjoyed on its own without food.  However, it would compliment many light dishes quite well.  It would be hard to beat this wine as a compliment to a cheese and fruit tray.

We are usually split on the issue of oaked vs. unoaked chardonnay yet this selection was satisfying even to the one in our couple that prefers oaked.

When first opened, the wine was in the mid 40s in temperature, and as it warmed it only got better.  At 64 degrees, the body of this chardonnay was excellent.  Full flavor, yet it kept its nice smooth after taste.  

Our ratings:  

Flavor:   4 out of 5 stars - Very Good

Don't let the description of "fruity" fool you.  This is a nice, dry chardonnay with full fruit flavors and a nice smooth finish.

Drinkability/Versatility:  5 out of 5 star - Excellent

This wine fits the bill for everything from enjoying a glass on its own, with appetizers and  light fare, all the way through an entree of chicken or seafood.  
 
Value:  4 out of 5 stars - Very Good

Based on the $12 winery price, compared to other Virginia wines, this is money well spent. 

Overall:  4 out of 5 stars - Very Good

Whether it is a summer night on the deck or a Fall evening cocktail party, this wine fits the bill.  An enjoyable chardonnay that has left us excited to try other offerings from this winery.