White Hall Vineyards Viognier

Name: White Hall Vineyards
Color: White
Varietal: Viognier
Vintage: 2008
Country/State: Virginia
Region: Monticello
Price: $17
Stars: 4 (out of 5)

This was the last of the wines we picked up when we were in Virginia earlier this summer. According to the White Hall Vineyards website, this wine is actually 80% Viognier, blended with some Petit Manseng, Muscat, and Gewurtztraminer. Whatever's in it, it was very good. (the picture to the left is from the 2006 vintage, but we had the 2008)

The color was very pale, nearly clear, which is to be expected from such a young wine. The nose and taste were similar -- apple, peaches, honey, and grapefruit. The body of the wine had a nice medium-full weight to it and was very well balanced. It paired nicely with honey-lime scallops and crab meat we had for dinner last night. We finished the bottle later that night after the kids were in bed.

Viognier is Virginia's signature white grape and this wine by White Hall was highly recommended by a Virginia wine store owner. Krista and I both really enjoyed it and would like to try some other Viogniers in the future.

White Hall Vineyards Chardonnay

Name: White Hall Vineyards
Color: White
Varietal: Chardonnay
Vintage: 2007
Country/State: Virginia
Region: Various
Price: $15
Stars: 4 (out of 5)

This is another Virginia wine that we picked up during our trip to Virginia and Kentucky several weeks ago. We drank it Sunday night with chicken and stuffing and finished the bottle tonight without food. It was very good on both nights.

According to their website, White Hall Vineyards is located just outside of Charlottesville, with amazing views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The grounds look spectacular, and Krista and I would definitely love to visit it the next time we're up that way....I bought this wine, along with their Viognier, based on the recommendation of a local wine shop owner in Richmond. It's 100% Chardonnay, aged in French and American oak barrels and then held in stainless steel tanks for 10 months.

The aroma was pear, apple, and citrus. The taste was similar, with the apples coming through more for me. Krista also picked up on the apples. The wine was very crisp and refreshing, with just enough acidity to pair well with a variety of foods.

I can't wait to try the White Hall Viognier.

Jefferson Vineyards Cabernet Franc

Name: Jefferson Vineyards
Color: Red
Varietal: Cabernet Franc
Vintage: 2007
Country/State: Virginia
Region: Monticello
Price: $20
Stars: 4 (out of 5)

We drank this wine last night with stuffed shells and finished the bottle later that same night after the kids were in bed. It was our first 100% Cab Franc, and we really enjoyed it. It wasn't nearly as fruit forward as most of the reds we end up drinking, but I still picked up on some raspberries with a peppery, spicy undertone. It had a nice, medium body with soft tannins.

We bought this wine based on the recommendation of the owner of a local wine store in Richmond during our recent trip to Virginia, where we visited my brother and his family. I'll probably write a separate post about our trip to Virginia and Kentucky as soon as I get settled back into a routine here at home. We had a great time and picked up a handful of wines from both states.