2008 Archive

Things are finally returning to normal in the cellar following the harvest. Our last bottling 3 weeks ago freed up many barrels that are now home to 2008 vintage wines. Wines that were inoculated with malolactic culture are finishing up malolactic fermentation (the bacterial conversion of malic acid to lactic acid) that gave me plenty of concern this time last year. That’s because coaxing the bacteria through malolactic fermentation in a high alcohol wine (characteristic of ’07) is one of the most difficult situations that a winemaker will encounter.

Continue reading Cellar Update: Making White and Rose Win...

2007 Claret

• The second release of the 2007 reds. This is a dark, robust wine showing well-integrated fruit and dusty tannins on the nose. The palate offers a classic Bordeaux profile with a hint of jam, followed by earth and a trace oak. Made primarily with Cabernet Franc, and rounded out with Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. This will cellar well; drink after one year.

Solera

• The latest blend of our Solera, made with 70% 2007 Vidal Blanc and 30% of a blend of previous years’ Solera. This is the “solera” fractional blending used in making Spanish sherries; each year’s release contains an ever-decreasing amount of each of the previous year’s blend. Ours is an oloroso-type sherry. The nose is very aromatic, characterized by butterscotch, cashews, and honey. The palate is rich, sweet, and robust with a finish that never wants to go away. 15.5% alcohol and 8% sugar. Bottle age is not required for sherries. Perfect for swirling in your glass before enjoying.

Continue reading Winter 2008/2009 Club Shipment

Another harvest has come and gone and I finally have a chance to settle down and reflect on the past season. Although we started the year with an unusually warm winter, by in large 2008 was a typical Virginia season. We had average rain fall through most of the year, characterized by a cool and overcast spring, passing afternoon thundershowers through the summer months and threats of hurricanes in the late season.

Continue reading #6- 2008 Harvest Report

2006 Chappell Charlemagne Chardonnay

• The French love discussing “terroir,” and wine critics are becoming more critical of homogeneous wines. BOTH would love our Chappell Charlemagne Chardonnay. This vineyard site has a tendency to exhibit its uniqueness in its wines. Fruit and flint dominate this wine, while a hint of butter from a complete malolactic fermentation adds to its complexity. Fermented and aged in French oak barrels, this wine will age for 1-2 years. Pair with white meats (such as turkey) and holiday vegetables. 100% Chardonnay

2006 Headwaters Norton

• Our second release of 2006 Norton. This blend is characterized by a slightly more earthy element than our house 2006 Norton. Dark and robust with intense fruit, but without the over the top floral character sometimes present in Norton. Norton’s natural intense acidity is mellowed by a complete malolactic fermentation. Aged 4 months in bottle. Medal winner at the ultra prestigious 2007 National Norton Wine Competition in St. Louis. Pair with lamb, eggplant, sourdough bread, and intensely flavored cheeses such as gorgonzola. 75% Norton, 25% Cabernet Franc.

Continue reading December 2008 Club Shipment

This past Wednesday (Nov 26) marked the end of “harvest” with the pressing of the last grapes, Norton. I say “harvest” because, even though the last grapes were harvested from the vine last month (Oct 22), from a winemaker’s perspective, harvest encompasses all the raw processing of the grapes. So now the Norton wine is pressed off its skins and now begins the next phase of processing wine in the cellar. The French call this elevage, which simply means “aging.”

Continue reading Cellar Update: End of Harvest 2008

2007 Chardonnay

• Our flagship white wine sings the praises of the 2007 vintage. Extraordinary weather during verasion coupled with low yielding vines produced grapes of unmatched ripeness. The result is a classic Chardonnay nose of nectar and hay followed by toasted spice. The palate offers exceptionally clean aromas of green apple, hay, and vanilla. The finish is remarkably long, a feat in a white wine with such robust alcohol. Pair with grilled white meats such as chicken or pork skewers along with grilled onions, green peppers, and asparagus. Fermented and aged in French and Virginia oak barrels. This wine stands with the best that California has to offer. Bottled with corks guaranteed to be free of cork taint.

2007 Rosé

• Our 2007 rosé continues the tradition of the best off-dry Loire rosé wines. Made primarily with Cabernet Franc grapes, this wine tenders aromas of raspberry and watermelon. The palate is clean and sharp with subtle berry flavors. Classic rosé wines are underappreciated and notoriously difficult to make, so enjoy with the knowledge that you are experiencing one of winemaking’s truly unique wines. Pair with green salads and tree nuts. A delicate wine, drink within a year.

Continue reading November 2008 Club Shipment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: John Delmare

PHONE: 540.635.9398

EMAIL: jdelmare@rappahannockcellars.com

URL: RappahannockCellars.com

Rappahannock Cellars to be featured in the 2008 Annual Tasting Panel Tour, Featuring the Double Gold Medal Winners.

Continue reading Rappahannock Cellars to be featured in 2...

The Tasting Panel is hitting the road again with the 2nd Annual Tasting Panel Tour featuring the Double Gold Winning Wines and Spirits from the 2008 San Francisco International Wine Competition and the 2008 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

Join us as we visit a city near you!

Continue reading Trade Tastings for Tasting Panel nationa...

2007 Chardonnel

• This wine has a strong backbone of Chardonnay character with a hint of tropical aromas, as might be expected from this cross of Chardonnay and Seyval Blanc. Fermented and aged 5 months in French oak barrels, this is a robust white in which nuances of oak spice mingle with a touch of peach. Pair with white meats, cream sauces, and grilled vegetables. Drink within a year. A Wine Club-only selection. 100% Chardonnel.

2007 Norton

• The first release of the 2007 reds. This is a robust wine. Lots of color, tannin, flavor, and alcohol – but all in balance. Especially rich in the mouth, this wine sings as it offers up flavors of raspberries, spice, and an insinuation of oak. Fermented on its skins and 100% malolactic fermentation complete, diminishing the acidity that Norton can be known for. Aged in French oak. Pair with eggplant and red meats. Will age for 5-10 years. 75% Norton, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon. Beware, if you’re “not a Norton” drinker, you will be converted.

Continue reading September 2008 Club Shipment

2006 & 2007
25% Viognier / 75% Chardonnay

• This month’s selections allow you to compare two vintages side by side. The 2007 Viognier is such a robust component that it features prominently in the 2007 blend, offering floral and tropical characters against a base of Chardonnay. The 2006 blend has an extra year’s worth of age and exhibits a nice integration of nectar, creaminess, and fruit that only time in the bottle can offer. The Chardonnay components of both blends were fermented and aged in French and Hungarian oak barrels. Both wines pair well with lighter fare such as chicken skewers with rice and grilled vegetables. Uncork the 2006 blend about 30 minutes before serving.

Continue reading August 2008 Club Shipment