Blend: Tannat 62.5%, Cabernet Franc 25%, Cabernet Sauvignon 12.5%
If you’ve been looking for a red Virginia wine “for a winter’s night,” you can hardly do better than this original, stylish yet elegant blend from the west of Rockbridge County in the shadow of Jump Mountain.
**** Jump Mountain Borderland 2021
Color: pleasingly dark and opaque. Nose: complex and intriguing, with notes of new oak, anise, herbs, and clean earth. On the palate, it has large volume, yet with an elegant texture. Flavors of ripe black cherry and cassis, licorice, vanilla hints, with a juicy, plump texture. Smooth, ripe tannins are followed by a long, fresh, clean finish.
Large, yet elegant, and excellent with winter cuisine; casseroles and cassolet, beef Bourgogne, roasted Brussels sprouts and tomato-based sauces.
In the depths of the miserable February cold of 2026, I kept opening Virginia Petit Verdot wines and being disappointed (at least 3 were all from the 2021 vintage, but also had a suspiciously low alcohol level of around 12%, leading me to suspect they’d been harvested early to avoid rain).
Finally, I found this one and was grateful I had; you’ll find it satisfying for a cold winter’s night with rich food to match.
(Rating key: * = good, ** = very good, *** = classic style and quality, **** = exceptional, outstanding, + = given rating plus, > = will increase in quality with time. Note: I won’t give wine recommendations when I consult for a winery.)