Roughly each different 12 months we take a look at the wines of Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, which continues to rise in prominence in no small half on account of its Governor’s Cup awards, that are awarded yearly to wines from the area from wine execs (not the governor of Virginia, it seems).
We acquired samples of six of the winners from 2025’s competitors, and our evaluations comply with.
2021 King Household Vineyards “Mountain Plains Crimson” – A mix of 45% cabernet franc, 37% merlot, and 18% petit verdot. This wine fires up instantly with a basic presentation of inky cab franc and floral merlot, with that hefty petit verdot component including ample gravitas. Wealthy notes of plums and currants drive parts of anise, grilled fruit, and late-game pink apple skins. Dense however not over-extracted, the fruit bomb continues because the end builds to crescendo — which by no means appears to take its foot off the fuel. Put together for a protracted, massive evening. A- / $85
2017 Barboursville Vineyards “Octagon” – A well-aged mix of merlot, cabernet franc, and petit verdot, named for a mansion (not Monticello) designed by Thomas Jefferson — although it’s now in ruins — whose ground plan is pictured on the label. I gravitate to this wine as a result of my home has an octagonal central room as effectively, so that is significantly enjoyable. Fairly dry however nonetheless exhibiting loads of fruit, the wine leans into notes of dried cherries and plums, with lingering notes of tobacco and cedar closet, and a piney high quality clinging to the end. It’s a hearty wine that evolves over time in glass to indicate some more energizing fruit notes and even a little bit of floral character, nevertheless it’s clearly constructed to be a part of a extra critical night. A- / $95
2023 Paradise Springs Vineyard Cabernet Franc Brown Bear Winery – Daring and full of black fruit, this wine can match the density of any California cabernet or Bordeaux you’re more likely to encounter. There’s a tart edge to the expertise, which tempers the sturdy through-line of tarry currants, black cherries, and cloves, at the very least to a level. It is a large wine that may stand as much as something you might throw at it. Consider me, I attempted. Licorice and a few turned earth linger on a brooding, wintry end. It may stand a couple of years in cellar, however it doesn’t matter what I’d put it aside for winter. B+ / $42
2021 50 West Vineyards Aldie Heights Cuvée – 47% tannat, 44% petit verdot, 7% merlot, 2% cabernet sauvignon. This well-aged (26 months) mix leans arduous into tannat, creating an expertise that’s thick with notes of prune, rosemary, cedar needles, and extracted blackberry notes, then laced within the late-game with a meandering balsamic high quality. Tart and in-your-face, this wine by no means releases its grip on the palate — at the very least for now. Maintain this in cellar for 5 years and let’s discuss once more. B+ / $70
2018 Trump Vineyard Glowing Rose – 93% chardonnay, 7% pinot noir. I debated arduous whether or not to put in writing about this wine in any respect for apparent causes, however on condition that (Eric) Trump Vineyard is the most important winery in Virginia and this wine was on the listing of this 12 months’s winners, effectively, I made a decision to let the bottle converse for itself. It’s effective, truthfully, a Provence-style rose that leans into floral parts of hibiscus and cherry blossoms, earlier than settling right into a extra simple strawberry word. Surprisingly tart and mineral-heavy, the wine has a perky briskness that retains issues refreshing all through. Strong sufficient, however I might by no means, ever purchase it. B+ / $55
2023 DuCard Vineyards Cabernet Franc Vintners Reserve – Cabernet franc is the most-planted grape in Virginia now, however this wine created from feels underdeveloped and off-course for the model. Balsamic notes dominate a palate that weaves between bitter vinegar and overripe fruit, heavy on plums and cherries, each candylike. The end veers wildly into an unctuous sweetness with overtones of bubble gum. Quite astray. C- / $60
2021 King Household Vineyards “Mountain Plains Crimson”
USD85
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