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.