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.