Below are notes on a dozen Virginia wines chosen as finalists in this year's Governor's Cup, together with reviews of the latest releases from RdV, probably the most exciting winery in the state. I tasted this last pair just before learning of the death of Jacques Boissenot, the Médoc oenologist who quietly guided so many of Bordeaux's most famous wines – see Boissenots – Bordeaux's secret ingredient. His son Eric consults at RdV, a real exception to his principal diet of red bordeaux. Compare and contrast with the collection anointed with this honour in 2013 and 2012.
WHITES
Very sweet and toasty on the nose – very retro! Butterscotch and...
In a smart Italian bottle. Grapes dried for 120 days before...
REDS
Bright, translucent red with just a hint of orange. Not the most...
Light crimson. Clean if relatively simple nose. Fruity start and...
Dark crimson. Nose is rather dank – were all the bottle spotless...
This is Barboursville's Meritage blend. Healthy crimson...
42% Cabernet Franc, 30% Merlot, 28% Petit Verdot aged in French...
Dark crimson. Light leathery nose. Good ripe fruit but was all...
Pretty heavy bottle! 45% Petit Verdot, 35% Merlot, 15% Cabernet...
35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Cabrnet Franc, 25% Merlot, 8% Petit...
The back label acknowledges that it is 'a nod to the visionaries...
Unusually deep crimson for a Virginia wine. Pretty luscious nose...
59% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Franc, 18% Petit Verdot. Mid to dark...
49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Cabernet Franc, 19% Merlot, 2% Petit...
