Valhalla Vineyard

Valhalla Vineyard Wine Tasting

6500 Mt. Chestnut Road
Roanoke, VA 24018

540-725-WINE (9463)

Description:
This is my favorite vineyard. Granted I have only been to 3 so far (Shelton Vineyard, Chateau Morrisette, and Valhalla Vineyards.) Valhalla is located just outside of Roanoke on a steep mountain top. About a mile from the top, you begin a steep assent to the vineyard. When you arrive, you're immediately in awe of the exposed Roanoke Valley. You get a fantastic panoramic view and can see all the way across to Sharp Top Mountain. That in itself is a reason to visit. But if you still need to be persuaded, check out the wines below.

I’m just going to rate these wines out of 5 ( 5 being the best, 1 the worst)because if I could afford it, I would have taken all of them home!

(1)
Name: 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Color: rich red
Smell: rich red fruity smell
Taste: deep, rich fruit – long finish
Price: $22

Rating: 5++ This was amazing! Great big Cab! I would have said this was the best wine I’ve ever had except, I got to try the 2001. Although I can’t describe it to you, the 2001 was the icing on the cake.

Comments:

Here is what Valhalla has to say… "Our Cabs set new marks in Virginia for ripeness and tannin maturity. Harvested in late October or early November, they spend 40 months in barrel before bottling. These dark luscious wines show dark cherry fruit, cedar, spice in layers with a 60 finish. Really special Cabernets! Set these wines down for 10 years if you want to see how a great wine improves with age. “

(2)
Name: 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Smell: rich red fruity smell
Taste: deep, rich fruit – long finish, full body
Price: $27

Rating: 6+ As you can see from my blog, I’ve tasted about 35 wines since the beginning of the semester. This was THE BEST wine I’ve had so far. I regret not buying it, but it is a little out of my price range for now.

The 2005 vintage is listed above. It is interesting to note that the younger wine gives you a fruitier taste on the front of your palate and the 2001 reserves the taste for the finish, on the back of your tongue. This is one of the distinct differences.

Comments:
This tasting was part of Valhalla’s 13th Anniversary celebration. Their first wine was made in 1998. When they first began, Deb and Jim decided to hold on to a portion of their wines, in their Library, to see how they would age. Once the wines reach 10 years, they offer them as part of their “reserve wine tasting.”

(3)
Name: 2006 Yummy Blend
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz
Smell: tobacco
Taste: peppery, dry
Price: $18

Rating: 5 – I really enjoy that smoky, tobacco taste in a big red.

(4)
Name: 2005 Syrah
Grape: Syrah
Smell: rich red fruit, cranberry, boysenberry
Taste: peppery, cranberry,
Price: $20

Rating: 5+

(5)
Name: 2005 Gotterdammerung
Smell: blackberries
Taste: bold midpalate
Price: $18

Rating: 5

Comments: This is Valhalla’s most award winning wine variety.

(6)
Name: 2001 Gotterdammerung
Grape: Cabernet Franc/Merlot blend
Smell: blackberry, dark cherry
Taste: raisin finish, full body
Price: $18

Rating: 5

Comments: “Compare this wine to your favorite French Bordeaux”

(7)
Name: 2004 Norton Tarnhelm
Smell: rose pedals and lavender/lilac
Taste: delish! Roses
Price: $16

Rating: 4

Comments: “All organically grown fruit.”

(8)
Name: 2001 Norton Tarnhelm
Smell: most distintly rose pedal
Taste: potent in a balanced, full way
Price: $19

Rating: 5 – I want to try both of these again. The rose pedal was elegant.

(9)
Name: 2005 Alicante Bouschet
Smell: intense black fruit, cigar
Taste: rich, full, dry strong finish
Price: $17

Rating: 5+ I should have gotten this one too.

Comments:
Here’s what Valhalla had to say about this one… “We are the only producer of this Italian varietal outside of California. Amazing dark in color, with tons of dark black fruit aroma and taste. Great gift for that wine snob friend ‘cause they will not have tried this one. Great with cigars or as an after dinner drink. Try with venison or lamb.

Tasting #35 Red

Another Spring break wine...

Name: 2008 Concannon Petite Sirah
Grape: Petite Sirah
Color: red
Smell: blackberries, oak
Taste: rich, smooth, medium body, mild spice
Dryness/Sweetness: mildy dry
Food: just tasting
Country/Region: California

Alcohol Content: 13.5%
How much? $10 (closeout at The Vintage Cellar - normally $20)
Would you drink it again? I bought 2 bottles to enjoy later.

Extra thoughts? Somehow, the first bottle was better than the last.

Other reviews:
From the bottle:
“Roots, Rocks, Intrigue. Since 1883, Concannon Vineyards has been handcrafting fine varietal wines from grapes grown along the Central Coast of California, a diverse region that stretches north from Santa Barbara to the San Francisco Bay. We carefully select the most ideal vineyards for growing each varietal and craft this expressive fruit into superb wine.

Concannon is America’s first winery to bottle Petite Sirah. This medium-bodied wine is both approachable and versatile. Bright fruit aromas and flavors mingle with a hint of spice and toasty oak. Complements any meat but try it with your favorite lamb dish.”

Tasting #34 Red

Continuing with our Spring break plans, Camp and I decided to scout out a steep ride we wanted to attempt later this week... We ended our assessment at the top of a mountain, where we sat outside the Peaks of Otter Lodge enjoying a bottle of wine on a perfect, clear, 60 degree afternoon. We're still going to try that ride, but it will definitely be a challenge.

Name: Red Mountain Laurel
Grape: grape, it's hard to tell
Color: light red
Smell: grape, honey
Taste: sweet, just like grape juice, one dimensional, light body
Dryness/Sweetness: definitely sweet
Food: just tasting
Country/Region: Virginia - Chateau Morrisette grows many of their grapes in their vineyard in Floyd County. However, they also diversify and get their grapes from all across Virginia.

Alcohol Content: must be low, but it’s not specified
How much? $8.99-$10.99
Would you drink it again? Going to get another bottle soon

Extra thoughts? Chateau Morrisette was the second winery I ever visited. (My first was Shelton Vineyards in NC. I'll tell you about it sometime.) I'll definitely be going back because it's an entire experience. They have a tour of the winery, tasting, gift shop, and a restaurant. I encourage you to check out the website to learn more. The other cool thing about this winery/vineyard is that you can buy just about all of the varieties they offer in most (if not all) Virginia Krogers or Food Lions. I'm from Richmond and have seen them at our Kroger.

Back to the wine itself. Red Mountain Laurel is smooth and sweet. If you want know what spiked grape juice tastes like, try this. I love it, but don't expect anything complex. I also like it slightly chilled.

Other reviews:
From the website:
"This is a distinctive dessert wine made from a blend of native American grape varieties. It exhibits flavors of fresh grapes and cherries that are complemented by a sweet, smooth finish. A nice accompaniment for chocolate desserts, delicious poured over pound cake, or served as an aperitif."

Tastings #31, 32, and 33 at the Crawfords

Yay! It's Spring Break!!

...And to get away from it all, Camp and I traveled North to Bedford City. On our way, we stopped in Roanoke to hangout with friends and visited Valhalla Vineyards. (I'll share that with you later.) And due to the great hospitality of the Crawfords, I was able to enjoy 3 different varietals of wine over one heck of a dinner!

FIRST COURSE - The appetizer

Name: 2011 Cupcake Wine
Grape: Sauvignon Blanc
Color: pale, clear
Smell: lime, lemon
Taste: tart, zesty – light lemon, crisp
Dryness/Sweetness: sweet
Food: Roasted Red Pepper Humus with garlic crackers
Country/Region: New Zealand

Alcohol Content: 13%
How much? ~ $8
Would you drink it again? I’d keep it in mind - I imagine this would go really well with some rich desserts like Key Lime pie.

Extra thoughts? If you're looking for a sweet, white wine that will catch you on the finish, this is it. The zesty lime and lemon combination is unmistakable.

Other reviews:
This is straight off the website.
“It’s the long cool seasons in the South Island that allows our sauvignon blanc grapes to mature slowly, giving the wine levels of complexity and a vibrant zing. This Sauvignon Blanc is reminiscent of a lemon chiffon cupcake. It’s made up of integrated flavors of Meyer lemons, Key limes and a finish that awakens the appetite There are hints of grapefruit, gooseberry and citrus, and comes together with a long, creamy finish.”

SECOND COURSE - The Dinner

Name: 2010 Simple Naked Unoaked
Grape: Pinot Grigio
Color: pale yellow tint
Smell: melon, citrus
Taste: crisp, slighty zesty (not as much as the Cupcake wine), light and enjoyable
Dryness/Sweetness: sweet
Food: Chesapeake Bay Chicken, broccoli, mashed potatoes with hollandaise sauce, whole grain French bread

Country/Region: California

Alcohol Content: 12.5%
How much? ~$7-$8
Would you drink it again? At least one more time - it was good!

Extra thoughts? This wine will have no oaky flavors. A lot of times manufacturers will tell you on the bottle that it is "unoaked" or "naked". This simply means it was aged in steal rather than wooden barrels.

Other reviews:
"Crisp and refreshing with layers of lime and melon. It is light bodied with aromas of peach, passion fruit, and hints of spice." ~ Winery notes

THIRD COURSE - A Drink to Top It Off

Name: 2010 Cigar Box Reserve
Grape: Malbec
Color: red jewel
Smell: cigar, plum, dark cherry
Taste: smooth
Dryness/Sweetness: mildy dry
Food: after dinner drink
Country/Region: Argentina

Alcohol Content: 14%
How much? ~$10
Would you drink it again? Going to get another bottle right now – great value!

Other reviews:
“When the first vintage of this wine was made our winemaker noticed subtle hints of cigar box on the nose that suck. Sourced from a single vineyard the grapes for this wine are bunch selected and hand harvested ripe plum and violets hints of vanilla soft silky finish weighty mouth feel.