Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
-
James Suckling
Ripe black fruits with hints of smoke and cocoa powder make the nose of this concentrated and polished Bordeaux blend very attractive. In spite of the big, powdery tannins and plenty of power this Bordeaux blend glides across the palate and off into the distance. Another great vintage of this wine. Drink now or age up to ten more years.
-
Wine Spectator
This savory red frames a core of plum notes with tobacco, cedar and black olive flavors, while generous but firm tannins provide backbone and balsamic acidity keeps the finish fresh. Not showy, but harmonious. Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc.
One of the world’s most classic and popular styles of red wine, Bordeaux-inspired blends have spread from their homeland in France to nearly every corner of the New World. Typically based on either Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot and supported by Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, the best of these are densely hued, fragrant, full of fruit and boast a structure that begs for cellar time. Somm Secret—Blends from Bordeaux are generally earthier compared to those from the New World, which tend to be fruit-dominant.
Diversity of landscape, terrain and climate make Virginia one of the most exciting American wine producing states today. Its viticultural history reaches as far back as 1607 when early settlers made the first wine from indigenous American grapes.
Thomas Jefferson imported the first French varieties to Virginia and grew the Vitis vinifera species (the European species), though not with great success.
Today, however, increased knowledge and optimal vineyard management techniques bring prosperity with a great number of diverse varieties. Virginia’s varied landscape has created seven distinct AVAs (American Viticultural Areas).
Encouraged by an enthusiastic state government, fine wine production in Virginia continues to flourish. The state achieves success with a variety of wine types and styles including sparkling wines, Bordeaux Blends, Nebbiolo, Chardonnay, Viognier and less common whites like Petit Manseng and Vermentino.