November 2020 Vintner’s Club Release
2017 CINQ 8
Our 8th version of Cinq is a five-varietal blend of 50% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Franc, 10%Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Tannat, 4% Petit Verdot. Garnet in color, it features pomegranate, clove, roses, cranberry and fennel on the nose. Soft, dark fruit on the palate with kicky-but-smooth tannins that offer a satisfying finish.
2017 BENEVINO CABERNET FRANC
This lighter-bodied, ruby-colored wine is a blend of 96% Cabernet Franc and 4% Tannat. It has notes of leather, green pepper, and chocolate and vanilla on the nose. Those flavors also come through on the palate as well, along with pomegranate, coffee and white pepper.
2017 WILLIAMS GAP
This single vineyard blend of 50% Merlot, 27% Cabernet Franc, and 23% Petit Verdot won a 2020 Virginia Governor’s Cup gold medal and landed in the governor’s case. Aged in 40% new French oak, this wine displays aromas of cedar and ripe cherries followed by pomegranate, black currant and cloves on the palate. Lingering tannins and a hint of black pepper provide a delightfully smooth finish to this bold wine.
2018 MÉLANGE BLANC
A blend of 50% Chardonnay, 25% Viognier, 13% Petit Manseng and 12% white Merlot. This crisp, clean, well-balanced wine has aromas of fresh peaches and tangerine, followed by flavors of lychee, clementine and lime on the palate. It pairs well with rich shellfish dishes such as seared scallops of lobster.
2019 BARREL-FERMENTED CHARDONNAY
This wine was fermented in mostly neutral barrels. It is pale straw in color and exhibits aromas of toast, grapefruit, banana, lemon, pear and mango. On the palate, you also may taste vanilla on the crisp finish that gives this a refined elegance in your glass.
2019 PETIT MANSENG
This grape, the smallest of the Manseng grape family, grows well in Virginia because of its thick skin, which help it stand up to our summer heat, and loose clusters, which promote air circulation and make it less prone to disease. This wine has notes of apple, pear and honey on the nose and palate. It is off dry, with a hint of mild sweetness and a crisp finish, thanks to Petit Manseng’s signature acidity.
For previous Club Release Tasting Notes, please click on the following relase to view the notes: