by Richard Leahy | May 6, 2022 | Tastings/Evaluations, Virginia Wine, Wine of the Week
This week, Ankida Ridge Vineyards, the vinuous “jewel of Amherst County”, released two new wines, jointly included here as Wines of the Week; a Vinho Verde-style Chardonnay (called “Verday”), and a five-year-old solera-aged white port...
by Richard Leahy | Apr 26, 2022 | Competitions, Regions & Terroir, Tastings/Evaluations, Virginia Wine
The top honor for the wineries of the Monticello AVA, the Monticello Cup, was revealed by competition organizer Frank Morgan at 7:20 on April 26th, to be the “Nineteen” Meritage blend by Wisdom Oak Winery, owned by Jason and Laura Lavellee. The Nineteen...
by Richard Leahy | Apr 24, 2022 | Uncategorized
In the 2022 Virginia Governor’s Cup Wine competition, Albemarle Ciderworks won Best Cider with their Virginia Hewe’s Crab. Charlotte Shelton, owner of the ciderworks, kindly sent me a bottle of the cider to review. This varietal labeling is their first...
by Richard Leahy | Apr 13, 2022 | Tastings/Evaluations, Virginia Wine
The 2010 vintage was very good overall, especially for late-ripening varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon. A rare varietal label in the Monticello AVA, Keswick Vineyards has consistently made some of the best varietal Cab. Sauvs in Virginia. When you have an estate...
by Richard Leahy | Feb 23, 2022 | Tastings/Evaluations, Virginia Wine, Wine of the Week
The small Bozzo Family Vineyards on Rt. 9 in northern Loudoun County made an impressive debut on the Virginia wine scene when their 2016 “Second Act” (Meritage-style blend) won a gold medal with their first release. Since then, I’ve kept my eye on...
by Richard Leahy | Feb 6, 2022 | Tastings/Evaluations, Virginia Wine, Winery Review
Twice in 2021 I wrote with enthusiasm about the new Virginia red wines of what has emerged to be a great 2019 vintage, for me the best since 2001. Recently I had the opportunity to view the 2019 vintage through the lens of the dry red wines of DuCard Vineyards, the...
