42% Cab Sauv, 39% Cab Franc, 11% Merlot, 7% PV. Deep ruby with slight bricking, clear meniscus, black fruit, cassis, tamarind, and mint on the nose, dark fruit on the palate with firm fine tannins and detectable new oak influence, a few licorice and herbaceous notes on top of the black fruit.
42% Cab Sauv, 39% Cab Franc, 11% Merlot, 7% PV. Deep ruby with slight bricking, clear meniscus, black fruit, cassis, tamarind, and mint on the nose, dark fruit on the palate with firm fine tannins and detectable new oak influence, a few licorice and herbaceous notes on top of the black fruit.
Jan 19th, 2015
This is as classically Virginia as it gets: a Cab Franc-heavy Bordeaux blend that has a combination of moderate-and-definitely-not-California ripeness, a somewhat austere palate and certain lightness, but a Bordelaise nose. Made with a moderate Oak treatment and care taken not to overextract, it will never reach the level of concentration and age ability of higher end Bdx, still it has wonderful aromatics (strawberry, plum, cassis, earth, leather, stone) with ample acidity and a nice, if not long, finish.
These are never cheap, but it ain't easy to grow grapes in Virginia either. Delaplane is a surprisingly good winery, a few miles from the beautifully classic Linden, without the pretentious nature of RdV and more consistent than Glen Manor. Their dry Vidal Blanc was great and right up a wine geek's alley...
This is as classically Virginia as it gets: a Cab Franc-heavy Bordeaux blend that has a combination of moderate-and-definitely-not-California ripeness, a somewhat austere palate and certain lightness, but a Bordelaise nose. Made with a moderate Oak treatment and care taken not to overextract, it will never reach the level of concentration and age ability of higher end Bdx, still it has wonderful aromatics (strawberry, plum, cassis, earth, leather, stone) with ample acidity and a nice, if not long, finish.
These are never cheap, but it ain't easy to grow grapes in Virginia either. Delaplane is a surprisingly good winery, a few miles from the beautifully classic Linden, without the pretentious nature of RdV and more consistent than Glen Manor. Their dry Vidal Blanc was great and right up a wine geek's alley...
Jun 18th, 2017
Fauquier County, Northern Region, Virginia, USA
