Scott Hendley is co-founder of NationalWineReview.com (NWR), an online wine publication based in Alexandria. Photo credit: Nathaniel Hendley.
The grape harvest of 2019 is a memory. Grapevines lay dormant, and 2019 vintage wines have undergone fermentation and sit in a barrel or tank settling, aging and waiting to be bottled. Winter is upon us and we know that among the greatest pleasures of the season is relaxing at a table brimming with hearty dishes or by a cozy fireplace with rich red wine. Here are our recommendations for your winter sipping pleasure.
GLEN MANOR | 2016 Petit Verdot | Virginia | 93 Points–Outstanding
Glen Manor Vineyards, south of Front Royal just west of the Blue Ridge, is a Virginia “Century Farm” owned and farmed by the same family for over 100 years. This is a powerful red with aromas of bitter-sweet chocolate and violet, flavors of dried blackberry and clove and lingering notions of cured tobacco.
Source: Glen Manor Vineyards, 2244 Browntown Rd., Front Royal, VA 22630. $40
GAMBA | 2016 Valpolicella Ripasso | Italy | 92 Points–Outstanding
“Ripasso” refers to a production process whereby red wine is fermented a second time on the remainders (skins and lees) of its richer sibling wine, Amarone. Comprised of Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella and Oseleta, it offers aromas and flavors of cranberry, florals, blood orange zest, toasted almond and cinnamon over a quenching finish.
Source: Wine Gallery 108, 108 N Patrick St., Alexandria, VA 22314. $28
SKINNER | 2016 Mourvedre | El Dorado | California | 91 Points–Outstanding Mourvèdre is a southern Rhône variety that performs exceptionally well in high-elevation vineyards of El Dorado County in California’s Sierra Foothills. This is muscular yet mellow, with aromas and flavors of mulled mixed berries, fig and nut cake and toasted walnut, with impressions of cocoa and pine forest over an earthy finish.
Source: Planet Wine, 2000 Mt Vernon Ave., Alexandria, VA 22301. $30
FIELD RECORDINGS | 2017 Petite Sirah | Paso Robles | California | 92 Points–Outstanding
This is from Paso Robles on California’s Central Coast, a region known for burly red wines. It is inky-dark, robust and energetic, with fresh crushed and candied blueberry impressions on the nose; and on the palate, ripe dark fruit, allspice and juniper. Tannins are chewy and acids are zesty, with notions of black tea leaf and toasty oak on the finish.
Source: Wine Gallery 108, 108 N Patrick St., Alexandria, VA 22314. $25
SOBON ESTATE | 2017 Rezerve Primitivo | Amador County | California | 93 Points–Outstanding
Primitivo is an Italian variety genetically identical to California stalwart Zinfandel. This is a California Primitivo from Amador County where large numbers of Italians settled during the Gold Rush. It is a full-throttle red with aromas and flavors of ripe red cherry and raspberry, cocoa and baking spices that saturate the palate.
Source: Total Wine, 6240 Little River Turnpike, Alexandria, VA 22312. $27
HORTON | 2013 Bone Orchard Tannat Dessert Wine | Virginia | 95 Points–Classic
Bone Orchard ranks among the finest port-style wines produced in Virginia. It gushes with brandied dark fruit and chocolate ganache on the nose; and on the palate, fruit compote, blackberry liqueur and chocolate-covered cherries over a caramelized finish. Quenching acidity lifts and balances the sweetness and alcohol resulting in a dessert wine that is spirited, not syrupy. It aged in neutral French oak barrels for six years, is beautifully bottled (pictured above) and rare (96 cases produced).
Source: Horton Vineyards, 6399 Spotswood Trail, Gordonsville, VA 22942. $65
NationalWineReview.com (NWR) is an online wine publication based in Alexandria. It is dedicated to exploring, evaluating, and reviewing unique wines from around the world. Hendley founded NWR in 2012 with fellow Alexandrian Richard Stone. scott@nationalwinereview.com
