First, we went to Breaux, a longtime favorite of mine. Breaux's wines are versatile, and the vineyard's reputation as a heavyweight in the Virginia wine scene is well-deserved. When Governor McDonnell went to France, one of the wines he brought was a Breaux wine. Driving up to the Mediterranean style villa, one can't be impressed with the stunning view of the Blue Ridge mountains and gentle slopes of green vines contrasting with the white stone of the gate. Breaux's Cajun charm- stemming from it's owner's Louisiana roots- makes the scene warm, not austere, and very hospitable to fans like myself and the novices.
We tasted 11 wines, Mike tasting for free on Father's Day. The 2008 Barrel Select Chardonnay's ($22.00) slightly oaky, vanilla and white pepper tastes seduced both Nick and I (note: we aren't white drinkers). The long finish and full-body coated my tongue, but the wine was not overoaked at all- something often done with Chardonnays and ruins the subtle tones of the wine. The 2006 Meritage's ($28.00) chocolate nose and strong but short finish has nice tannins- we took a bottle home. I almost splurged my entire budget on the 2006 Nebbiolo ($38.00), which is ungodly good- a tobacco and violet wine, big red- all I could want. I also loved the 2010 Cabernet Rose ($19.00) as an easy drinking and sweeter rose, and brought the sweet white Chere Marie ($15.00) home with me because of the rose water, strawberry and pineapple tastes. Drinking it made me want spicy fish and clams, and it was one of those wines that flourishes in stainless steel without getting the metallic tang many wines pick up. Mike, looking to bring wines home to a white-only drinker and bring her to the red side, picked up the Cabernet Rose- excellent for red drinkers looking for a summer wine, or for converting white drinkers.
One wine Breaux did not taste unless you requested- but I have in my basement- is the 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon ($24.00!!! a steal!) that won many awards. Tasting it in January with my friend Christina blew me away, and I told my pourer that this Cab Sav beat some of the Napa ones I'd tasted while out there. It's an excellent wine, and if they have some tastes left- have some. Buy the bottle. Then mess with your friends as they think they're drinking a Napa Cab Sav and watch their minds explode when you say, "Nope, Virginia."
Breaux Vineyards, 36888 Breaux Vineyards Lane, Purcellville
Tasting- $10.00
Good for white and red fans, big groups, views
Next, we idled down the road to another stellar Loudoun vineyard, Hillsborough Vineyards. This is Nick's favorite vineyard, a great vineyard for reds (not much for white drinkers, sorry). The log cabin overlooking the hills and dairy farms in Hillsboro, a tiny village outside Purcellville offers bucolic scenery and allows one to pretend that Western Loudoun hasn't seen a flood of developers and McMansions in the last ten years. Hillsborough now tastes in the lodge area of the cabin, which feels like a restored barn and gives a country chic to the tasting. However, there's a bit of noise from voices echoing off the wood, so be prepared. Especially if you encounter a family with younger children. Like we did. This was when I told Mike that he wasn't getting grandkids from Nick and I. Luckily, our pourer was really nice and made sure to speak up.
Nick loved the 2008 Carnelian ($22.00) white wine, which tasted like vanilla bean ice cream to him. I got keffir lime, which goes to show how the same wine can taste totally different to two people. We both loved the 2007 Bloodstone ($28.00), which hit the back of my tongue with smoky clove and vanilla, reminding me a bit of the Djarum Blacks I smoked in college. We ended up drinking a bottle on the patio with a baguette and salami, soaking in the views and Mike ridiculing my Baltimore shanking knife. The 2007 Onyx ($32.00) came home with both Mike and I, a big red with a "great nose!!!" (according to my notes). I loved the taste of anise and black fig that I got from it, which made me want lamb chops. Mmm, lamb chops. Finally, the 2009 Serefina is the perfect summer rose at $21- an apple-y, dry rose that made me dream of Provence. Perfect for patio sipping.
Hillsborough Vineyards, 36716 Charles Town Pike, Purcellville
Tasting- $8.00
Good for red fans, views, smaller groups
Finally, heading towards Dad's and our stomachs starting to call for steak, we drove down Route 9 to Route 287 to visit Sunset Hills Vineyard- a bit of a newcomer to the area. For a long time, I didn't know much about this vineyard, housed in a converted barn and using Amish-made oak barrels for their wine. After finally trying it with Christina in January- and loving their now-discontinued Albemarle Rose- I knew Nick needed to try it. Since Nick's dad was still willing to be "dragged" to one more vineyard, we slipped in right before closing. Our pourer didn't mind, even though he was alone and there were two other families appearing at the same time (wine tasting brings families together, people. Remember that. Also, cheaper than therapy, and teenagers = DD!). They have these neat little glass hand-blown decanter thingys on their bottles which I really want, alas, handmade means expensive.
Anyways, the wines. Would Sunset Hills disappoint my two red tasters? Not at all. Sunset Hills has the smallest selection with 6 wines, but it appears the winemaker concentrates on wines that he's tweaked to perfection. All of the wines were great, none of them earning a bad comment in my notes- I just couldn't pick a favorite! The clean, light and crisp 2009 Sunset White ($22) is exactly the wine I usually hate for tasting too metallic, too sharp- but this nursed my tiring palate back to health and surprised me. The 2010 Sunset Rose (also $22) reminded me of prosecco without the bubbles mixed with strawberries. I actually loved the 2009 Merlot ($22), which I usually find too jammy or acidic. Sunset Hills' Merlot instead has warm raspberry and vanilla tones on the finish, a lovely surprise.
As bits of rain began to splatter outside, we stayed safe and warm in the barn and its large selection of food and dining areas. A perfect end to our tasting trail, and the ideal place for a couple to hole up on and munch while drinking. Our pourer never shooed us out or hurried us along, kindly taking the time to talk to our trio- especially me, the wannabe wine snob. His good cheer and laid back manner really helped make our time especially nice, and had no problem explaining things about different wines to Mike, Nick, and I. He also took the time to explain how Sunset Hills concentrates on sustainable farming, something which I fully support. A perfect end to our tasting trail.
Sunset Hills Vineyard, 38295 Fremont Overlook Lane, Purcellville
Tasting- $7.00
Good for couples, small groups, cold and rainy days, organic
We finally emerged from the barn once the splats of raindrops stopped, and made our way to Dad's with wine and beer. While I can't offer you my father and brother's grillmaster skills- or the ending of playing with Loki, our family dog- I can tell you that Sunset Hills, Breaux, and Hillsborough are three vineyards showing the world that Virginia can and does make damn good wines of all kinds.
4 comments:
I have been to Breaux and Hillsborough and am a huge fan! I haven't been to a winery since last summer but I must correct that soon!
I'm glad I'm not alone in my Breaux/Hillsborough love. They're just good people with good wine. Definitely check out Sunset Hills, and I loved Hiddencroft in Loudoun, also!
Two things: One, I grew up near Chincoteague, in Assawoman, VA. you were practically in my back yard.
Two, I totally read the title of this as "Vagina Wine" at first.
Vagina wine. I shudder to think what that would taste like.
I bow to you, as I envy you from being from the ESVA, and also because I always thought Assawoman was the most badass name for a town EVER.
Yes, I'm still 12.
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