Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
The intense floral and blackberry aromas leap out of the glass at you and there's a hint of spice from the oak, too. Not only does this have great concentration of fruit and really fine tannins, but they already mesh beautifully and that gives this Bordeaux blend stunning balance and purity of flavor. Probably the finest red ever made in modern Virginia! Maybe as much as two decades of ageing potential.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2014 Octagon is 56% Merlot, with 23% Petit Verdot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 6% Cabernet Sauvignon; it is aged for 12 months in French oak (40% new, the rest second-use). Gloriously fruity on the nose, this just smelled exciting from the get-go. It wasn't, in fact, quite as exciting on the palate as it seemed on first smell, but it is still pretty good. The wave of fresh fruit dissolves into a more nuanced whole with time, the grapes tending to show more herbal notes over time. Round, complete and beautifully balanced, this should steadily evolve and become more complex in the cellar. It is curiously approachable just now, but it should still improve over the next few years, too. Bottled in early August, 2016, this will not be released until October 2017, so consider this to be a preview and a first look. Hopefully, we'll see it again. Frankly, it could've been released now. It is pretty accessible.
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Wine Spectator
This focused red offers crisp black cherry and currant flavors balanced by savory notes of tobacco, smoke and cedar. Light, firm tannins underpin the supple texture, while crisp acidity keeps this lively and fresh. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2022.
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.