Saturday, 22 December, 2007 by Jason Burrus in
Vintner's Blog with No Comments
This year saw several changes in the cellar at Rappahannock Cellars. This was my first full year here, and I tended to my first Rappahannock Cellars wines, the 2006 vintage. As you may recall, verasion (the ripening season) in 2006 was plagued by cool, wet weather. However, with careful attention in vineyard and cellar we managed some exceptional wines whose awards include a double gold, 4 gold, and two best-of-category medals.
2006’s bumper crop brought about the need to upgrade the cellar. So, this year we bought two new Ganimede red-fermentation tanks. These are Italian designed stainless steel tanks that utilize the fermentation’s CO2 production to mix the skins and juice. A PLC allows us to program the tank to mix the skins every few hours on a continuing basis. Traditional techniques involve “punching down” the cap by hand or pumping juice over the skins, both very labor-intensive procedures. These new tanks provide more mixing and theoretically more extraction from the skins. We are very happy with the results we’ve seen from 2007. Wines made this year in these tanks include the Glenway vineyard Cabernet Franc.
Continue reading Looking Back at 2007
Saturday, 15 December, 2007 by Admin in
Selections with No Comments
Solera (2007 bottling)
- Our most recent bottling of the Solera contains 50% 2006 vintage wine. This wine is made from Vidal Blanc and subject to our version of the Spanish Solera system. This is a blending process by which there is always a portion of the original vintage wine, in this case, vintage 2000. Robust, sweet, with an aroma of roasted nuts, amber in color. Enjoy this wine as an aperitif or after a meal with a cup of black coffee. 15% alcohol.
2006 Cabernet Franc – 2nd bottling
- The second bottling and second blend of our 2006 Cabernet Franc. A year in barrel has let the wine develop its full potential, showing mineral, spice, jam, and toasty characters. Medium bodied in nature, this is a versatile wine that will pair with green salads to grilled red meat. Will cellar well till 2010. 77% Cabernet Franc, 22% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Petit Verdot.
Continue reading Winter 2007 Club Shipment
Tuesday, 4 December, 2007 by Admin in
Selections with No Comments
2006 25% Viognier – 75% Chardonnay
- The bumper crop of 2006 Chardonnay allowed us to make 4 blends of Chardonnay and to try something different with each one of them. The Viognier component is the same as the double-gold winning Viognier that we quickly sold out of this summer. It contributes a pleasant floral/citrus nose. The Chardonnay component comes from our Glenway and Sunday Rock vineyards. It was aged in new Hungarian oak puncheons that give it an exotic spice. The combination is a harmonious blend of bold fruit with a hint of spicy oak. Pair with grilled poultry.
2006 Rosé
- The last of the 2006 Rosé. This traditionally-made rosé is still brimming with fresh characters of strawberry and watermelon. The palate is uniquely rosé, crisp and balanced but not acidic or tannic. Made in the tradition of the Loire rosés of France, this wine is made from red grapes, primarily Cabernet Franc, before the juice has extracted the all the color and tannins from the skins. Just off dry at 3 g/L (0.3%) residual sugar. Pair with pastas and pork dishes.
Continue reading December 2007 Club Shipment
