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“Vines in great Abundance”: The First Vintages of the Colony of Virginia
“Vines in great Abundance”: The First Vintages of the Colony of Virginia
Source: The Southern States of America (published in 1909)
In my previous post “Grapes Very Fair and Excellent Good”: The First Known Vintage in the Colony of Virginia I learned from the diary of Captain Robert Davies and Samuel Purchas that grapes were found by the Popham colonists at Fort St. George near the Sagadahoc River. With the grapes being found on October 6, 1607, and Captain Robert Davies departing for England aboard The Mary and John on October 8, 1607, this first wine would have completed fermentation and have been drunk in October, 1607. Two days after the arrival of The Mary and John on December 1, 1607, and Sir Ferdinando Gorges’ late night letter to the Earl of Salisbury describing the production of wine by the Popham Colony, Sir Ferdinando Gorges corresponds again. He describes how Captain Robert Davies and the physician Mr. Turner have come to solicit supplies and “inform the state of every particular.”[i] Sir Ferdinando Gorges is clearly moved by what he has learned, expressing “I make no question but that you will find it to be of greater moment than it can easily be believed to be.” He then notes he has sent along the journals from one of the ships which cover departure to return.
Determining the first vintage of Jamestown proves difficult for the earliest references occur over one year after the first arrival. While I could attempt to advance the date that wine was first produced through inference, this is, at best fruitless. For example, in Wingfield’s Discourse he notes they have drunk the common stores of Sack and aquavitae thus are down to two gallons of Sack reserved for Communion by July 7, 1607. This alone might provide enough motivation for the Jamestown colonists to start producing wine. However, Captain John Smith’s A True Relation chronicles the early life in Jamestown, through perhaps May 1608, certainly June 2, 1608. This is when the Phoenix departs Jamestown for England. In this letter Captain John Smith makes no mention of winemaking. Given the detail of his observations this could imply no wine was made. Thus in this post I examine only the earliest references to vines, grapes, and wine in Jamestown.
The Vines and Grapes of Jamestown
Captain Christopher Newport first arrives in England from Jamestown on July 29, 1607. Within one month Don Pedro de Zuniga wrote an encoded letter with what appears to be the first documentation of vines in the Jamestown colony.[ii] He writes, “they say, they think that vineyards can be planted and that these will be very good, because there are many wild grapevines.” We learn from George Percy’s Discourse published in 1609 that vines were found on May 12, 1607, as well as May 20, 1607, and June 15, 1607, with “Vines in great abundance”.[iii] Robert Johnson writes in the New life of Virginea that “to engage themselves to solicite their friends to assemble and consult advisedly how to replant this unnatural vine to make it fruitfull…”[iv] Francis Magnel states in a letter dated July 1, 1610, that “There grow in that country wild many forest grapes.” The gentleman R. Rich writes of “Great stores of Fowle, of Venison, of Grapes, and Mulberries,” in his poem about the fate of the Third Supply published in 1610.[v] Captain John Smith first writes of vines and grapes in the 1612 publication of Map of Virginia which is based on his experiences through October 1609. We also find in Purchas Pilgrimage from 1613 the mention of grapes. [vi] Grapes and vines were found and written about both before and after the site selection of Jamestown Island on May 15, 1607. These discoveries were written about in 1607 then first published by George Percy and Robert Johnson in 1609. This was followed by additional works published in 1610, 1612, and 1613.
Exploring the Earliest References to Wine Made in Jamestown
There are letters to the Earl of Salisbury describing the return of Captain Christopher Newport from Jamestown in July and August 1607.[vii] The earliest mention of wine from Jamestown, Virginia which I can find in the Calendar of State Papers Colonial and the Calendar of Cecil Papers dates to December 1610.[viii] This document references wine and contains “Instructions for such things as are to be sent from Virginia with notes for their better preservation, and the prices they sell for in England.” We know from Captain John Smith that “Of those hedge grapes we made neere twentie gallons of wine, which was like our French Brittish wine”. Captain John Smith departed Jamestown for England in October 1609. Thus the initial date range for the production of wine at Jamestown spans May 1607 through October 1609. Moving backwards in time Robert Johnson writes of samples of commodities including “sope ashes and Tar” along with “some wine of those countries grapes for a trial” arriving in England before the fleet departed in June 2, 1609.[ix] In Captain John Smith’s work we find “Captaine Newport being dispatched, with the tryals of Pitch, Tarre, Glasse, Frankincense, Sope ashes; with that Clapboord and Waynscot that could be provided.” It was in December, 1608 that Captain Christopher Newport departs Jamestown for England where he arrived in January 1609. This narrows the production of wine from May 1607 to December 1608.
Francis Magnel provides no further focus as to the vintage in his conversation with Florencio Conryo, Archbishop of Tuam where he “said in his own language, is here faithfully translated into the Spanish Language.”[x] On July 1, 1610, he related to the archbishop “There grow in that country wild many forest grapes, of which the English make a wine that resembles much the wine of Alicante, according to the opinion of the narrator who has tasted both.” Francis Magnel states “This narrator returned to England in the same vessel with the said son of the Emperor.” He also stated “that he returned from Virginia to England in 31 days.” Alexander Brown footnotes this passage that Magnel alludes to Namontack who sailed for England with Captain Christopher Newport April 10, 1608. Francis Magnel was an Irish sailor who may have been on the first voyages to Jamestown which arrived in May, 1607. His report states that he was in Virginia for eight months. This would put his initial departure from Jamestown in January, 1608. However, it was January 8, 1608 in which Captain Christopher Newport arrives in Jamestown from England with the First Supply. So clearly something is amiss with this timeline. Also, the April 10, 1608, departure from Jamestown did not arrive into England until May 21, 1608. At five weeks and six days this is greater than the 31 day duration he claimed. It is possible that he was not on the initial voyage.
If we do believe Francis Magnel visited Jamestown then it could have been aboard the First, Second, or Third Supply. In looking through the list of colonists of Jamestown for the Original group, First Supply, and Second Supply there is no “Francis Magnel” nor “Francis Maguel”.[xi] So chances are he falls under “divers others” which is understandable considering his occupation. The best fit would be his sailing out under Captain Francis Nelson during the First Supply. Captain Francis Nelson departed England on October 8, 1607, wintered in the West Indies then arrived in Jamestown April 20, 1608.[xii] While Captain Francis Nelson departed for England on June 2, 1608, Captain Newport returned sometime in December 1608 arriving in England before January 16, 1609. This later trip would place Francis Magnel in Jamestown for eight months. While we do not know the duration of this voyage it could have been 31 days.
Francis Magnel writes that the “English make a very great quantity of soap-ashes, which they send home to their country.” Soap ashes were sent back to England in December 1608 and October 1609. So he could have learned about the soap ashes first hand. If it was possible for Francis Magnel to switch captains then we can place him in Jamestown for eight months and he could return in a ship carrying both wine and soap-ashes. Unfortunately this does not reduce the range of dates when wine was first made in Jamestown.
Conclusion
I could not find a set of documents allowing the determination of the first Jamestown vintage of wine.[xiii] Grapes were discovered right away in 1607 and were mentioned in several early documents published between 1609 through 1613. Through the works of Captain John Smith and Robert Johnson we may narrow the date of the first wine produced in Jamestown from May 1607 through December 1608. Unfortunately the contributions from Francis Magnel are confusing and even my best guess at his dates in Jamestown simply suggest wine was produced by December 1608. This leaves us with 1607 as the first vintage for the Popham Colony in what is now the state of Maine and 1607 or 1608 as the first possible vintage for Jamestown in what is now the state of Virginia.
[i] ‘Cecil Papers: December 1607, 1-15’, Calendar of the Cecil Papers in Hatfield House, Volume 19: 1607 (1965), pp. 351-383. URL: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=112379&strquery=gorges salisbury journals take Date accessed: 29 April 2013.
[ii] Letter from Don Pedro de Zuniga to Philip III, August 22, 1607. As appears in Barbour, Philip L. The Jamestown Voyages Under The First Charter 1606-1609. Volume I. Cambridge University Press, American Branch, New York, 1969.
[iii] Percy, Geroge. Discouse of the Plantation of Southerne Colonie in Virginia by the English, 1606. As appears in Brown, Alexander, The Genesis of the United States Vol 1., 1890.
[iv] Johnson, Robert. The new life of Virginea. 1609. As appears in Peter Force Tracts Relating Principally to the Origin, Settlement, and Progress of the Colonies in North America. Vol. 1. Washington, DC, 1836
[v] Rich, R. Nevves from Virginia. The lock Flocke Triumphant. Edward Allde, London, 1610.
[vi] Purchas, Samuel. Purchas his Pilgrimage. London, 1613.
[vii] ‘Cecil Papers: August 1607, 1-15’, Calendar of the Cecil Papers in Hatfield House, Volume 19: 1607 (1965), pp. 202-219. URL: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=112371&strquery= Date accessed: 29 April 2013.
[viii] ‘America and West Indies: December 1610’, Calendar of State Papers Colonial, America and West Indies, Volume 1: 1574-1660 (1860), pp. 10-11. URL: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=68932&strquery=virginia wine Date accessed: 29 April 2013.
[ix] Johnson, Robert. The New Life of Virginea, 1612 As appears in Peter Force Tracts Relating Principally to the Origin, Settlement, and Progress of the Colonies in North America. Vol. 1. Washington, DC, 1836.
[x] Magnel, Francis, Relation. As appears in Brown, Alexander. The Genesis of the United States. Vol 1. 1890.
[xi] http://www.nps.gov/jame/historyculture/the-first-residents-of-jamestown.htm and http://apva.org/rediscovery/page.php?page_id=30 Date accessed 29 April 2013.
[xii] Barbour, Philip L. The Jamestown Voyages Under The First Charter 1606-1609. Volume I. Cambridge University Press, American Branch, New York, 1969.
[xiii] I am indebted to Thomas Pinney A History of Wine in America Vol. 1 for providing many additional references to check.
“Grapes Very Fair and Excellent Good”: The First Known Vintage in the Colony of Virginia
“Grapes Very Fair and Excellent Good”: The First Known Vintage in the Colony of Virginia
The seventeenth century history of English colonial winemaking in America is traditionally begun by describing Jamestown, Virginia. Schoonmaker begins with Lord De la Warr’s 1616 letter to the London Company requesting “vinearoons.”[i] Thomas Pinney advances from Sir Walter Raleigh’s Roanoke colony of 1587 to Jamestown in 1607.[ii] Tyler Colman’s section Wine in the Colonies also begins with Jamestown in 1607 where he cites Pinney.[iii] Kliman mentions Sir Walter Raleigh in 1584 followed by the Virginia Company’s winemaking efforts.[iv] Robinson mentions the Huguenots producing wine followed by Pilgrims dismayed by the locally produced musky wines.[v] Jamestown was not the only English colony in 1607 for there was also Popham Colony in what is now Maine. In this post I shall describe how in 1607 the Popham colonists found grapes and produced wine, which appears to be the earliest documented description of winemaking in the Colony of Virginia.
The London and Plymouth Companies
Captain John Smith participated in the colonization of Virginia through the Charter of the Virginia Company of London (London Company). This company was founded in 1606 by James I of England who simultaneously founded the Virginia Company of Plymouth (Plymouth Company). The Plymouth Company was granted an area of land from the 38th parallel to the 45th parallel with the London Company granted land from the 34th parallel to the 41st parallel. As the two territories overlapped it was stipulated that their colonies had to be at least 100 miles apart. These were the only two English Companies involved in colonizing Virginia at the time.
Virginia, Captain John Smith, 1606, Image from Wikipedia.
On December 20, 1606, the London Company set sail from Blackwall, London with the three ships Susan Constant, Discovery, and Godspeed under Captain Christopher Newport containing 144 colonists. They made landfall on April 26, 1607 at Cape Henry eventually settling on the site of Jamestown Island on May 15, 1607. Over the first few months approximately half of the colonists died from sickness and attacks. They worked at building a fort as well as hunting and trading for food.
Fort St George, John Hunt, 1607, Image from Wikipedia.
The first Plymouth Company ship set sail in August 1606 but was captured by the Spanish. On May 31, 1607 the two ships Gift of God and Mary and John set sail with 120 colonists. The colony leader George Popham sailed aboard the first ship and Captain Robert Davies on the second. The Gift of God arrived at the mouth of the Sagadahoc River on August 13, 1607, in what was then called northern Virginia and is now called Maine. The Godspeed arrived three days later. On Wednesday, August 19, 1607, they chose the location for their plantation and the next day begin to fortify it. For the first few months all hands labored at building Fort Saint George and a storehouse but there were also occasional trips for trading and exploring.
The Popham Colonist Had Access to Grapes for Winemaking
On September 23, 1607, Captain Robert Davies joined Captain Gilbert and 18 others on a journey towards the head of the Sagadehock River. On September 25, 1607, they found a low and flat island around which the water ran swiftly. In the island they “found great store of grapes, exceeding good and sweet, of two sorts, both red, but the one of them is a marvelous deep red. By both the sides of this river the grapes grow in abundance…” They all went ashore. [vi]
In Purchas his Pilgrimage, published in 1613, Purchas writes of the “Plantation in the River Sagadahoc” that “They found the country stored with Grapes white and red, good Hops…”[vii]
The Popham Colonists Had Enough Time to Make Wine Before Robert Davies Return to London
Captain Robert Davies firsthand account ends on the September 27, 1607. Strachey’s addition has Robert Davies returning to the fort on September 29, 1607, and his departure for England some unspecified time after the October 6, 1607. On October 8, 1607, colonist John Hunt drew a map of the fort with its buildings. That day Robert Davies returned to England aboard The Mary and John.[viii] If Robert Davies did leave on October 8, 1607, then there were eight full days upon returning to the fort prior to his departure.
Printed in 1622 His Majesties Gracious Letter to the Earle of South-Hampton specifically describes how to setup silkworks and plant vines in Virginia.[ix] In section 8. How to make Wine, and how to know when the Grapes are fully ripe there are specific instructions on making wine. From ripe grapes it would take five or six days for fermentation to complete but longer would result in a very red wine. After drawing out this wine the greener, trodden grapes could be added to the husks and skins then fermented for seven or eight days. This would make a “meane small Wine for the household.” If one tenth of a part of water was added to the grapes which were fermented for five or six days a “prettie small Wine for the servants or household” could be made. Section 9. Observations touching the wild Vine, that growth in Virginia, and how to make Wine of the same we find specific instructions for making Virginian wine. This involves adding water to the grape or boiling hard grapes then fermenting for five or six days or so long as required to be fit to drink. The wine could then be drawn and used.
If the colonists fermented the grapes right away and this took five to six days to complete then there were at least two to three days for Robert Davies and others to taste the wine. They found red grape varieties so it would be possible to make a claret.
The Popham Colonists Made Wine
Captain Robert Davies arrived in London on December 01, 1607. Sir Ferdinando Gorges promptly wrote a letter to the Earl of Salisbury. In it he wrote, “This present day here is arrived one of our ships out of the parts of Virginia… grapes very fair and excellent good, whereof they have already made wine, much like to the claret wine that comes out of France…”[x] Of interest, but of no consequence, is the description “excellent good” which is similar to Robert Davies description “exceeding good.”
Sir Ferdinando Gorges is referring to the Popham Colony and not Jamestown
Sir Ferdinando Gorges wrote of the ship leaving Virginia. At the time Virginia consisted of the entire east coast from the 34th parallel to the 48th parallel. So identification of Virginia is not limited to what is now the present state of Virginia but includes what is now the present state of Maine, where the Popham Colony was located.
It is accepted that Sir Ferdinando Gorges was a stockholder in the Plymouth Company. His involvement is documented such as in the first attempt by the Plymouth Company. This involved sending the ship Richard under the direction of Captain Henry Challons. Instead of heading north he took a southern route towards the Canary Islands and was captured by the Spanish. In the letter from Nevill Davis to Sir John Popham, Lord Chief Justice, dated February 4, 1607, it is noted that “Sir Ferdinando Gorges and other gentleman” sent the ship. On March 20, 1607, Sir Ferdinando Gorges wrote to the Earl of Salisbury concerning their plantation and how he has “sent two ships from Tapsome for supplies…”. These are presumably the Mary and John and the Gift of God.
The Mary and John departed Popham Colony on October 8, 1607, arriving in London on 01 December 1607.[xi] This clearly matches the arrival date in Sir Ferdinando Gorges letter. The Gift of God departed Popham Colony with half of the colonists on December 16, 1607, so it did not arrive until 1608. In terms of the London Company, Captain Christopher Newport departed Jamestown in the Susan Constant along with the Godspeed June 22, 1607 and arrived in London July 29, 1607. He subsequently departed London October 8, 1607 returning to Jamestown on January 8, 1608 with the First Supply missions consisting of the ships John and Francis and the Phoenix. Thus the Jamestown ship schedules do not match the arrival described in Sir Ferdinando Gorges letter.
When Wine Was Made in Jamestown
Pinney writes of an Irish sailor, Francis Magnel, who made the first voyage to Jamestown having sampled wine made there and of a Robert Johnson who wrote of the Jamestown settlers sending wine to London before 1609. But it is Captain John Smith who is his authority for the colonists having made wine during these first years at Jamestown. These men describe the vines, grapes, and wine during the early years of Jamestown.
In George Percy’s Discourse he describes on May 12, 1607, finding a point of land named Archers Hope where “There are also great store of Vines in bignesse of mans thigh, running up to the tops of the Trees in great abundance.”[xii] He noted more vines on May 20, 1607 as well as June 15, 1607, when the triangular fort was completed. Phinney writes that an Irish sailor “sampled one or two of the wines produced and found them very similar to the Spanish Alicante, but this is probably an Irish fantasy rather than a sober report.” He then cites Francis Magnel’s Relation of the First Voyage and Beginnings of the Jamestown Colony published July 1610 as found in Philip L. Barbour’s The Jamestown Voyages under the First Charter, 1606-1609 on page 153. Now I do not yet have a copy of this book.
In Wingfield’s Discourse he notes around July 7, 1607, “the common store of oyle, vinegar, sack, & aquavite all spent, saving twoe gallons of each: the sack reserve for the Communion Table…”[xvi] Though he mentions the wine they drank, Sack, there is no other mention of wine.
Robert Johnson published Nova Britannia in London in 1609. In it he writes “We doubt not but to make there in a few yeares store of good wines, as any from the Canaries, by replanting and making tame the Vines that naturally grow there in great abundance, onely send men of skill to doe it, and Coopers to make caskes, and hoopes for that and all other uses, for which there is woode enough at hand.”[xvii] Despite the potential of making wine in the future, there is no mention of having yet made wine. In London in 1612 the second part was published The New Life of Virginea. In here he describes how “some few hundres of our men were left there by Captaine Newport” and they “built a Church and many houses together, which they named James Towne” and “they planted orange trees, corne, and sundrie kindes of seeds, they made Sope ashes and Tar, with some Sturgeon and Caveare, and of each of these they sent us small quantities, with store of Sassafrasse, and some wine of those countrie grapes for a trial.”[xviii] Purchas in Pilgrimage writes “they had built a Church and many houses” and “some quantitie of many commodities, as Furres, Dies, Mineralls, Sassafrasse, Sturgeon, and other things sent hither, in testimonie of their industry and successe.” Purchas does not mention wine nor grapes. These samples arrived in England before the fleet departed in June 1609.
Captain John Smith was located in Jamestown from 1607 through October 1609 when he returned to England. Over the years he published several books about Jamestown and Virginia. The first publication of his work, unbeknownst to him, occurred while he was still in Jamestown. This was his letter to the Virginia Company which was published in London in August 1608 under the title A True Relation.[xix] He describes Captain Christopher Newport’s departure for England on June 22, 1607, having left provisions for 13 or 14 weeks. He notes their “hard dealings of our President” and though they had a great store of Sturgeon the President kept “the Sack, Aquatie, and other preservatives for our health” for the consumption of himself and his associates. By September 10, 1607, 46 men had died and their “tents were rotten and our Cabins worse than naught.” He continues to chronicle their sickness, troubles, explorations, and in great detail, their food. He notes how many bushels of corn he returns with as well as describing the birds, fowl, and deer they eat. Captain Newport eventually returns to their great joy then departs April 10, 1608. His letter chronicles several more weeks before it ends, concluding that everyone was in good health, content, and in peace with the Indians. The letter returned to England aboard the Phoenix which departed Jamestown June 2, 1608. There is no mention of making wine in the letter.
Upon his return to England Captain John Smith subsequently published accounts of his voyage to Virginia. In 1612 he published Map of Virginia, in 1624 The Generall Historie of Virginia, New England, and the Summer Isles, and in 1630 The True Travels. In it he describes vines, grapes, and wine in the section titled Of such things which are natural in Virginia and how they use them. It is in these publications where we find his famous description, “Of vines great abundance in many parts that climbe the toppes of the highest trees in some places, but these bear but few grapes. Except by the Rivers & savage habitations, where they are not overshadowed from the sunne, they are covered with fruit, though never pruined nor manured. Of those hedge grapes we made neere twentie gallons of wine, which was like our French Brittish wine, but certainly they would prove good were they well manured. There is another sort of grape neere as great as a Cherry, this they call Messamins, they be fatte, and the juyce thicke. Neither doth the the taste so well please when they are made in wine.”[xx] The 17th century printings of his book begin with the date 1606 due to the legal year in England beginning on March 25 or Lady Day. This continued up until 1752. Thus contemporary printings reflect the earliest year as 1607 with the general range of years as 1607-1609. This reflects not only the years in which John Smith lived in Jamestown but also the fact that his descriptions are not chronological and at times seasonal in nature.
In Purchas Pilgrimage he writes of Master Thomas Hariot who “described the commodities which Water and Earth yield” such as the “Turpentine, Sassafras, Cedar, Grapes, Oyle,…” Though he mentions grapes I find no mention of wine nor wine-making.
Conclusion
The Popham colonist found an abundant source of red grapes on September 25, 1607. Sir Ferdinando Gorges wrote a letter to the Earl of Salisbury on December 01, 1607, stating the colonists had made wine. The first published accounts of the Jamestown colonists making wine occurred by Francis Magnell’s Relation of the First Voyage and Beginnings of the Jamestown Colony published 1610, followed by Robert Johnson in The New Life of Virginea and Captain John Smith in Map of Virginia both of which were published in 1612. This appears to make the vinuous efforts of the Popham Colony the first documented vintage in the Colony of Virginia.
[i] Schoonmaker, Frank and Marvel, Tom. American Wines. Quinn & Boden Co, New Jersey, 1941.
[ii] Pinney, Thomas. A History of Wine in American, Vol. 1. University of California Press, Berkeley, 1987.
[iii] Colman, Tyler. Wine Politics. University of California Press, Berkeley, 2008.
[iv] Kliman, Todd. The Wild Vine. Kindle Edition, Clarkson Potter, 2010.
[v] Robinson, Jancis. American Wine. University of California Press, 2013. I have not finished reading this book so it is possible the Popham Colony is addressed later in the book.
[vi] Decoasta, Rev B. F. A Relation of A Voyage to Sagadahoc. John Wilson and Son, Cambridge, 1880. And Thayer, Rev. Henry O. The Sagadahoc Colony. Stephen Berry, Portland, 1892.
[vii] Purchas. Purchas His Pilgrimage. London, 1613.
[viii] Hume, Ivor Noel. Something from the Cellar. The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, Williamsburg, 2005.
[ix] Bonoeil, John. His Majesties Letter to the Earle of South-Hampton. Felix Kyngston, London, 1622.
[x] ‘Cecil Papers: December 1607, 1-15’, Calendar of the Cecil Papers in Hatfield House, Volume 19: 1607 (1965), pp. 351-383. URL: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=112379&strquery=virginia wine gorges 1607 Date accessed: 24 April 2013
[xi] Rice, Douglas Walthew. The Life and Achievements of Sir John Popham, 1531-1607. Associated University Presses, 2005.
[xii] http://www.americanjourneys.org/pdf/AJ-073.pdf , accessed 25 April 2013.
[xiii] Purchas, Samuel. Hakluytus Posthumus or Purchas His Pilgrimes, Vol XVIII. James MacLehose and Sons, Glasgow, 1906.
[xiv] http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/h?intldl/rbdkbib:@field(NUMBER+@band(rbdk+d0401))%5D accessed 25 April 2013.
[xv] http://archive.org/details/purchashispilgri00purc Accessed 24 April 2013.
[xvi] Hart, Albert Bushnell. The Founding of Jamestown. 1907.
[xvii] Johnson, Robert. Nova Britannia , 1609 in Peter Force Tracts Relating Principally to the Origin, Settlement, and Progress of the Colonies in North America. Vol. 1. Washington, DC, 1836.
[xviii] Johnson, Robert. The New Life of Virginea, 1612 in Peter Force Tracts Relating Principally to the Origin, Settlement, and Progress of the Colonies in North America. Vol. 1. Washington, DC, 1836.
[xix] http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/etcbin/jamestown-browsemod?id=J1007 and http://www.americanjourneys.org/pdf/AJ-074.pdf, Accessed 25 April 2013.
[xx] Smith, Captain John. The Generall Historie of Virginia, New-England, and the Summer Isles. Edward Blackmore, 1632.
The Savory 1990 Chateau Phélan Ségur
Chateau Phélan Ségur was founded in the 19th century by Monsieur Bernard Phélan incorporating some land owned by Marquis Ségur. Bernard Phélan begin assembling property in the early 19th century and by the middle of the century he had the largest wine estate in St-Estèphe. William Franck lists production in 1845 as 200-250 tonneaux compared to Chateau Meyney at 150-200 tonneaux. In 1850 Charles Cocks tabulates Ségur et Garamey (Phélan) as the largest producing estate in St Estèphe with 220 tonneaux. This is followed by Meyney (Luetkins) at 160 tonneaux, Calon (Lestapis) at 140 tonneaux, Le Bosq (De Camiran) 130 tonneaux, and Cos-Destournel (Destournel) at 120 tonneaux. Bernard’s son Frank built the chateau which is located in the northern portion of St Estèphe just south of the town of St Estèphe near the Gironde River. Having no heirs the estate was sold to the Delon family in 1883. In the October 13, 1884 issue of the Ridley & Co.’s Monthly Wine & Spirit Trade Circular the 1883 vintage of Phélan Ségur was sold at £8 10s compared to Chateau Lynch-Bages at £9, and Chateau Palmer at £13 in the United Kingdom. In Bordeaux the 1882 vintage sold for 950 Fr per tonneau, the 1893 at 575 Fr per tonneau, and the 1899 at 600 Fr per tonneau. This may be compared to Chateau Kirwan at 1,800 Fr, 1,800 Fr, and 1,025 Fr per tonneau.
In the 20th century the estate was run by Roger Delon and his son Guy. Roger was the uncle of Michel Delon at Leoville-Lascases. After the death of Roger Delon in 1984 the estate was put up for sale by Guy in 1986. Xavier Gardinier, who was then head of Champagne Lanson, put in an offer within three days. The first years of ownership were wrought with problems. Customers complained about the 1983 vintage which turned out to be tainted by an insecticide. This vintage was recalled in 1987 but the 1984 and 1985 vintages were tainted as well thus never released. The Gardinier’s set about improving the estate. They introduced the second wine Frank Ségur in 1986. Yields were lowered by green-harvesting and a sorting table was introduced in 1987. Though a new cuvier had been installed in 1977 the winery was rebuilt in 1988. For the 1990 vintage the fruit was sourced from three parcels: eight hectares located near the chateau, a majority from some 40 hectares near Chateau Montrose, and 25 hectares near Chateau Calon-Ségur. This puts the parcels on small gravelly hills with subsoils of clay. The average age of the vines was just over 20 years with the maximum age just over 60. In my mind this was a lovely example of a maturing Bordeaux which I wish my basement was full of. The efforts of the Gardinier family clearly paid off with this vintage. It actually took over three hours to open up, at which point it smelled and drank beautifully. I suspect this will reach peak drinking over the next several years. There were no signs of bad storage nor defects. This wine was purchased at MacArthur Beverages.
1990 Chateau Phélan Ségur, Saint-Estèphe –
Imported by Luke’s Distributing Co. This wine is a blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, and 15% Cabernet Franc. It was aged 13-15 months in 50% new French oak. Alcohol 13%. The color was a light to medium garnet with bricking towards the edge. The light to medium strength nose was of red fruit and a little bit of dark, coffee roast. In the mouth there was minerally red fruit supported by acidity at first. The flavors then became blacker and dry with determined fruit. It was a touch salty, not quite hard in aspect, maturing with riper, black acidity and spice. There were sweet spices in the aftertaste and some earth and wood smoke as well. With air this wine became savory, put on a little weight, and had drier flavors. The structure is still there with cinnamon spiced tannins coming out. ***(*) Now-2023+.
Kicking Off Old Wine Week with Jenn, Lou, and Frank
It all started one fall morning when Lou texted me a picture of a pristine bottle of 1966 Parducci, Zinfandel. I love to drink old wines and apparently to look at them as well. There is that sense of curiosity and potential surprise from a good glass of old wine. It certainly is a gamble but at an attractive price it is worth it. Since I received Lou’s text we picked up a few various bottles but these were mostly Bordeaux and nothing prior to 1970. Joe at MacArthur Beverages had recently bought a few wine cellars. A number of these bottles ended up in the dump bin. Through fortuitous timing I happened to be at the store when both the California and French bins were filled. I knew a tasting was coming together when Andy pointed out the two bottles of 1960s Beaulieu Vineyards with their bottom neck fills. To this I added other mature wines from California, Bordeaux, vintage Port, and Bordeaux. The wines from California and the red Bordeaux did not come from the best storage conditions but they were priced right. The Sauternes came from a different cellar with good storage condition. With enough wines in hand for a tasting Jenn and I were recently joined by Lou and Frank (DrinkWhatYouLike) for a tasting of some of these old bottles.
Traffic was horrendous that evening so we got off to a bit of a late start. The weather was turning a bit sketchy but we managed to have a glass of Ca’del Bosco on the deck along with some cheese. Frank has a particular affinity for this estate since he has actually visited it and disgorged some wine. I was not taking notes at this point for I was, quite frankly, thirsty. I found the wine refreshing and with my glass finished I was ready to taste the old red wines.
NV Ca’del Bosco, Cuvee Prestige, Franciacorta –
Imported by Banville & Jones Wine Merchants. This wine is a blend of 75% Chardonnay, 15% Pinot Nero, and 10% Pinot Bianco blended with at least 20% reserve wine then aged for 28 months. Disgorged Summer 2012. Alcohol 12.5%. From memory, fresh, approachable yellow fruit with citrus and some yeast. Fine bubbles. Very easy to drink.
I had stored both of the bottles laying down in the Euro Cave. The sediment in both bottles had settled down but knowing these weren’t the strongest vintages I was worried about decanting them. I briefly conferred with Lou and having decided to ignore the sediment, I stood the bottles on end and begin to cut the tops of the capsules. The top of both corks were in great shape. The 1962 cork looked a bit more like old wood with just a little cellar mold. The top of the 1967 cork looked pristine. I extracted both corks with an Ah-So. The 1962 cork smelled like very old wood with hints of tobacco. It was marked “Portugal 196[2?]”. The 1967 cork was marked “Beaulieu Rutherford, Calif” and its business end was much darker, almost black. It smelled of old cork and vintage perfume. A sniff of each bottle revealed them sound. I had expected the 1962 to have already cracked up but instead it had promise! It managed to drink well for some 10-15 minutes before it cracked up for the worst. The 1967 had more fruit and was more robust, lasting almost one hour. The nose remained interesting for quite some time longer.
1962 Beaulieu Vineyard, Georges de Latour, Private Reserve, Napa Valley –
This wine is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon which was aged for 2 years in American oak. Bottom neck fill. Alcohol 12.5%. The color was a light to medium amber tawny. The light nose immediately revealed cedar, roast earth, and dried leather. Then a few minutes later it was scented with coffee and caramel. In the mouth there was firm red fruit, acidity, and a fresh aftertaste. It faded fast and after 10 minutes it begin to crack up and fall apart. Past.
1967 Beaulieu Vineyard, Georges de Latour, Private Reserve, Napa Valley –
This wine is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon which was aged for 2 years in American oak. Bottom neck fill. Alcohol 12%. The color was closer to medium tawny with a bit more red. The nose did open up to reveal deeper aromas as if there were more fruit. In the mouth this rustic, old-school wine had more fruit but it faded and softened with air. There was an interesting note. It was more robust than the 1962 but its slow decline begin by hours end. * Past.
Lou managed to remove the Parducci cork with a cork-screw. The top of the cork was black and white with mold having protruded half a centimeter down the sides. The cork itself was red and wrinkly looking. It was faintly branded “Parducci” and was about the same length as the Beaulieu Vineyard corks. It smelled of leather and the sea but fortunately the wine did not. The 1966 vintage was stronger than 1962 and 1967 as evidenced by this bottle. This wine was in great shape and even drank well the following night. After getting over my initial surprise I knocked back a glass or two of this old quaffer.
1966 Parducci Wine Cellars, Zinfandel, Mendocino County –
Fill half-centimeter above vintage label. Alcohol 12.5%. The color was a light to medium tawny, the darkest yet. The nose revealed deep, red fruit with some scent and old perfume. In the mouth the fruit was firm with acidity. It was spiced and again a note about the acidity. It was not overly complex nor too engaging but it was completely drinkable. There were still a bit of ripe tannins. With air it took on dried leather in the mouth and firmed up. ** Now.
With the 1962 Beaulieu having expired we needed something else to drink. Lou thought the 1983 Chateau Gruaud Larose to be a good choice. I extracted the cork with an Ah-So without any issues. It was a good centimeter longer than the previous three corks. The cork and bottle smelled proper so I carefully double-decanted the wine to remove the sediment. As I did so it gave off dark, earthy aromas. The nose remained interesting but in the mouth the impression was of robustness and solidity. I think it safe to write that this bottle suffered from its storage conditions but it must have been made of such stuffing to evolve to this point and probably could have continued as well.
1983 Chateau Gruaud Larose, Saint-Julien –
Imported by Chateau & Estate Wine Company. This wine is a blend of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Petit Verdot sourced from vines averaging 35 years of age. It was fermented in cement tanks then aged 16-18 months in new and used oak. Top should fill. Alcohol 12%. The color was a medium garnet ruby. The light to medium nose was robust and good with dark fruit and a little fresh menthol. The mouth followed the nose but was not as expressive. There was black and red fruit with tartness and acidity which was integrated throughout. The flavors faded and thinned with air. It had some textured ripe tannins. A solid experience which left the impression that it was not the best bottle. ** Now-2018.
Lastly it came time to open the Sauternes. Lou brought the 1988 Raymond-Lafon from a parcel of 1988 Sauternes half-bottle he picked up for both of us. He thought it a bit clunky upon first taste so I opened the 1990 Chateau Haut-Bergeron. These were very different types of wine. The Raymond-Lafon was young with less residual sugar to the flavors of apples and berries. The Haut-Bergeron was rich in flavor and feel with caramel and tobacco flavors. I drank the remnants over a few nights. The Raymond-Lafon remained a decent, enjoyable wine but never showed good depth. At one point I forgot to recork the Haut-Bergeron. I discovered the bottle with its remains several days later. It still smelled fine so I tried it and it was fine! It had taken on a little roughness from oxidation but otherwise it was still enjoyable. I imagine well-corked examples will live for several decades.
1988 Chateau Raymond-Lafon, Sauternes – (375 mL)
Imported by Calvert Woodley. This wine is a blend of 80% Semillon and 20% Sauvignon Blanc sourced from vines averaging 40 years of age. The fruit was pressed in a hydraulic press then barrel fermented for 3-5 weeks. No sulphur was added to stop fermentation thus relying on antibiotic botryticine. It was racked every three months and aged three years in 60% new oak. Top shoulder fill. Alcohol 13.5%. The color was a vibrant, medium amber. The nose was fine but not too complex. In the mouth there were drier, firmer flavors of apple and then mixed apple and berries. It was very much alive and tasting young. It was not too sweet from residual sugar and still had plenty of acidity. While not that complex it had an expansive finish. ** Now-2033.
1990 Chateau Haut-Bergeron, Sauternes – (375 mL)
Bottom neck fill. Alcohol 14.5%. The color was a medium tawny. The nose revealed more botrytis and cider aromas. In the mouth the flavors were tawny with botrytis, good feel and texture, along with caramel and tobacco notes. I think this richer wine has the residual sugar, acidity, and alcohol to last for many decades to come. ** Now-2043.
I opened the leftover 1966 Parducci and 1983 Chateau Gruaud Larose three nights later for our schedule had conspired against me revisiting them earlier. We sat on the couch watching the television where Jenn was enjoying the 2010 Kermit Lynch, Cotes du Rhone. I drank the 1966 and 1983 that night tickled that they were my table wine for one evening.
Revisiting the 2010 Black Ankle, Leaf-Stone Syrah
As I wrote in The Drink Local Wine Tour of Maryland Wineries post I picked up two bottles of the 2010 Black Ankle Vineyards, Leaf-Stone Syrah. I could not wait to taste it from a full bottle so I pulled a cork this week. I poured it straight from the bottle. For the first hour it oscillated between showing attractive strawberry flavors and closing up. I knew it had finally opened up when Jenn remarked that she was enjoying it very much. This smelled and tasted like proper Syrah. This is a great wine to try if you are inspired by the Drink Local Wine conference in Maryland. It is true that it is not cheap but it is a serious example of Maryland wine. This wine was purchased at Black Ankle Vineyards.
2010 Black Ankle Vineyards, Leaf-Stone Syrah, Frederick County – $48
This wine is 100% Syrah which was aged for 18 months in 65% new French oak. Alcohol 14.6%. The light nose was grapey with tart purple berries and perhaps some lees. It opened up after an hour with purple, grapey fruit which was concentrated with texture. It had somewhat savory, cherry and strawberry flavors. There was good structure with some ripe tannins which pleasantly coated the inside of the lips. I thought the oak complementary. *** 2014-2020.
Drink Local Wine: Assorted Images
Grillo, Moschofilero, Mature Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Tibouren
Here is a group of five eclectic white and rose wines. The 2010 Antonopoulos, Moschofilero has benefitted from a little bit of age. It is rather attractive as a crisp wine and certainly strongly priced. The 2011 Bulgariana, Sauvignon Blanc follows up the 2009 Bulgariana, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah I recently tried. It is a bit weightier than the Antonopoulos and while it is more international in taste, it is tasty and even less expensive. Many thanks to Ruben for providing the sample. At the 2013 Bacchus Portfolio Tasting, De Maison Selections table I commented how MacArthur Beverages still had the 2009 Clos Cibonne, Tibouren Rose on the shelves. It is drinking great, came the reply. It sure did, have it with a meal or by itself. The 2006 Sans Permis, La Chanson is another close-out vintage following the 2005 Sans Permis, La Chanson. It has lost the Santa Barbara County appellation for generic California and perhaps in doing so, some focus. There was a strange disconnect between the nose and mouth so I suspect this is completely mature. I had issues with the nose so I downgraded the wine, perhaps the second bottle will show better. Lastly, the 2011 Tami, Grillo has strong personality. It may be a bit polarizing but if you are a fan of Arianna Occhipinti or Sicily in general then give it a try! These wines are available at MacArthur Beverages.
2010 Antonopoulos, Moschofilero, PGI Arkadia – $10
Imported by Verity Wine Partners. This wine is 100% Moschofilero sourced from vineyards at 650m. Alcohol 12%. The color was a very light straw. The light nose was expressive and crisp with white, floral fruit. In the mouth the white fruit had some weight. While the acidity is there it come out more as salivation starts in the aftertaste. This lively wine had chalky notes and leave a dry texture on the gums and palate. The aftertaste had good length. ** Now-2014.
2011 Bulgariana, Sauvignon Blanc, Thracian Valley – $9
Imported by G&B Imports. This wine is 100% Sauvignon Blanc. Alcohol 13.5%. The color was a light straw yellow. The light nose was heavy with clean Sauvignon Blanc aromas. The wine was vibrant on the tongue tip with noticeable acidity at first then the flavors fill and puff out. There is a nutty weight with acidity on the back of the throat. The flavors were a touch tart with a drying tannic touch and good aftertaste. ** Now.
2009 Clos Cibonne, Tibouren, Cotes du Provence – $20
Imported by De Maison Selections. This wine is a blend of 90% Tibouren and 10% Grenache sourced from 30+ year old vines. It was fermented in stainless steel then aged 12 months on the lees under fleurette in 100-year-old foudres. Alcohol 13%. The color was a light, dried orange rose. The nose was subtle with dried floral aromas and Pilsner. In the mouth there was savory, dry red fruit, dried roses, and a bit of pleasing glycerine like weight. It had a yeast note and some ripeness in the finish. This balanced wine was fresh in the middle with a little tangy, and some dried, ripe spices. *** Now-2015.
2006 San Permis, La Chanson, Chardonnay – $12
This wine is 100% Chardonnay. Alcohol 14.5% The color was a light yellow with hints of gold. The light nose bore heavy aromas with barrel toast, maturity, and something odd. There was weighty, rich yellow fruit in the mouth with a creamy feel. It was balanced with acidity. It was surprisingly youthful in the mouth, perhaps disconnected with the nose, and does not show much complexity. There were some ripe spices in the finish. * Now.
2011 Tami, Grillo, Sicily – $16
Imported by Louis/Dressner Selections. This wine is 100% Grillo sourced from 10-year-old vines which was fermented with indigenous yeasts. Alcohol 12.5%. The color is a light golden-yellow. The light+ nose is of waxy floral aromas reminiscent of extended skin contact. In the mouth there was acidity on the tongue tip followed by white fruit. There was very fine texture to this wine which has some weight in the mouth. The flavors turn whiter and stonier was the acidity builds in the back of the mouth. It leaves a hint of the lees. ** Now-2014.
Four French Wines From the 2010 Vintage
Despite the portfolio tastings and various events I am still tasting wines at home. Of the four wines featured below I would recommend the first three. The 2010 J.L. Chave, Silene is enjoyable and approachable now but I have a sneaking s suspicion it might become even better in one or two years. The 2010 Rouge-Bleu, Dentelle is fun to drink immediately after opening but its structure does come out leading me to believe it will be best early next year. It is amusing to recently purchase both the 2006 and 2010 vintages of the Santa Duc, Les Vieilles Vignes. Drink the 2006 while the 2010 opens up over the short-term. Lastly, the 2010 Marjolet, Cuvee Tradition had some good fruit but could never shake the very firm structure nor the bits of heat, both of which I found distracting. These wines were purchased at MacArthur Beverages.
2010 J.L. Chave Selections, Silene, Crozes-Hermitage – $20
Imported by Erin Cannon Imports. This wine is 100% Syrah from hillside parcels on granite with 50% sourced from a young parcel planted in 2003. It wasf fermented with indigenous yeasts then aged for 18 months in oak casks. Alcohol 13%. The scented nose is of good, clean Northern Rhone fruit. In the mouth there were orange and red fruit, graphite, and tangy red fruit. There were some very fine, strong tannins in this younger but still approachable wine. With air the midpalate becomes lush and citric mineral flavors come out. *** Now-2017.
2010 Domaine Rouge-Bleu, Dentelle, VdP de Mediterranee – $16
Imported by Williams Corner Wines. This wine is a blend of 65% Carignan sourced from 57-year-old vines and 45% Grenache sourced from 35-year-old vines. It was whole-cluster fermented in small concrete tanks. Alcohol 13%. The color was a light to medium grapey ruby. The youthful nose is of young berries and purple fruit. The wine was fruitier on the first night with violets mixing with black and purple fruit. There was a firm, grapey blackness, grapey tannins, and good acidity. Dried herbs came out in the finish where there was firm structure followed by some perfume in the aftertaste. It throws a lot of sediment. *** 2014-2019.
2010 Domaine Santa Duc, Les Vieilles Vignes, Cotes du Rhone – $13
Imported by Robert Kacher Selections. This wine is a blend of 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre, and 10% Cinsault, Counoise, and Carignan from vines averaging 50 years of age. The fruit was destemmed then aged on the lees in vats. Alcohol 14%. The nose was light with pungent berries underlaid by ripe, grainy blue fruit aromas. The mouth follows the nose with dense fruit, ripe tannins and an almost chewy nature. The flavors are expansive in the mouth with ripe tannins and spices coating the lips and tongue. With air red fruit and a darker core come out. **(*) 2014-2018.
2010 Chateau de Marjolet, Cuvee Tradition, Cotes du Rhone Villages Laudun – $13
Imported by Bacchus Importers. This wine is a blend of 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah which was aged for 12 months in thermo-regulated tanks. Alcohol 14.5%. Tasted over several nights this wine offers firm, black, minerally fruit followed by focused ripeness. It remained coiled tight and young with some heat and firm tannins coming out with air. There are very fine, spicy, drying tannins in the aftertaste. ** 2016-2021.
The Drink Local Wine Tour of Maryland Wineries
The fifth annual Drink Local Wine Conference featured the wines of Maryland. It was composed of a media tour of Maryland wineries on Friday followed by a conference and Twitter Taste Off in Baltimore on Saturday. I was only able to attend one day so I chose the winery tour. I woke up that morning to thunder, lightning, and torrential downpours. The storm faded away during my drive up to Baltimore and renewed my hope for some vineyard tours. I did not know who was attending Friday’s tour so it was great to see a number of familiar faces Frank Morgan (DrinkWhatYouLike), David White (Terroirist), Todd Godbout (WineCompass), Michel Birchenall (Food Service Monthly), and of Drink Local Wine co-founder Dave McIntyre (dmwineline). I met many new faces such as Michael Wangbickler President of Drink Local Wine (Through the Bunghole), Kevin Atticks Executive Director of the Maryland Wineries Association along with Marketing Director Briana Berg and Events Director Jade Ostner. Several dozen people stepped onto the coach which would first take us to Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard where we would also taste the wines of Elk Run Vineyards. Our second stop would be at Black Ankle Vineyards where we would also have a lunch catered by Woodberry Kitchen. Our final stop would be at Boordy Vineyards where we would additionally taste the wines of Cygnus Wine Cellars and Fiore Winery. We would finally be dropped off for dinner at the Waterfront Kitchen in Fells Point, Baltimore.
First Stop – Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard with Elk Run Vineyards
We began our tour by visiting Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyards which also hosted Elk Run Vineyards for the sake of Drink Local Wine. As our coach pulled into the parking lot Christian Schiller (schiller-wine) came out to join us. I also had the chance to briefly meet Lenn Thompson of the New York Cork Report. Inside the tasting room, each winery poured four bottled wines along with four mystery samples from Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyards. These samples included a pure Cabernet Franc, a pure Merlot, a blend of 75% Cabernet Franc and 25% Merlot, and a blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc. They are interested in releasing a new wine so these unidentified samples help reveal consumer preferences. Sample C was preferred choice.
I quickly tasted through the eight bottled wines then joined a small group for a vineyard tour. I have visited Sugarloaf Mountain Winery several times over the years with my family. My daughter’s friend from her first daycare is an O’Donoghue so we have attended both the Spring Bud and Grape Stomp Festivals. On these visits we hung out at our picnic blanket and the tasting tent so we never managed a tour. A handful of us walked up behind the barn with Mike to visit the Cabernet Sauvignon vineyard. This seven acre vineyard was planted with 3,000 local cuttings of Slate Quarry Riparia in 2004. Mike is a retired lawyer and now spends five days per week in the vineyard.
The land between the rows contain grass though weeds sometimes crop up. Though they rely on mechanical cultivation the weeds may become a problem so Round-Up is occasionally used. The wind comes from the west, which is evidenced by the first several rows being bent towards the east, so Mike works the east side of the vines. The vines are cane pruned with five buds per side. He wants spacing between the vines so the last bud with apical dominance is pruned. If this was not done neighboring vines would cross thus blocking sun and wind which would increase the chance of botrytis.
The ends of the vines were turning dark which signifies the flowing of sap. Mike estimates bud break would occur this week. The vines have all been pruned for they are very delicate for several days after bud break. If a worker accidentally brushed up against a vine it could knock off several buds. After a few days they become hardy and green.
We tasted wines from the 2010 and 2011 vintages. 2010 was a hot, early vintage. 2011 was a soggy vintage with rain on 28 out of 30 days at Sugarloaf Mountain. As of January Manolo Gomez has become the official winemaker with Benoit Pineau the consultant winemaker. Many thanks to Susan Reed for once again providing answers to my questions. And thanks to both wineries for providing us with tote bags and glasses.
Elk Run Vineyards
My favorite of these four wines was the Merlot but the Pinot Noir had good strengths as well. I believe this is the first pure Maryland Pinot Noir wine which I have tasted.
2011 Elk Run Vineyards, Gewurztraminer, Cold Friday Vineyard – $20
This had a musky, floral nose. In the mouth this off-dry wine was soft with sweet white and yellow fruit.
2011 Elk Run Vineyards, Gypsy Rose – $18
This wine is a blend of Merlot and Pinot Noir. The color was of pale dried roses. There was soft, vaguely red fruit with drier flavors and some chewy, moderate acidity.
2010 Elk Run Vineyards, Merlot, Cold Friday Vineyard – $35
This There was a subtle but decent nose. In the mouth there were flavors of black cherry, smoke, somewhat ripe tannins, and a taut aspect. It was decent overall with an agreeable amount of toast notes.
2010 Elk Run Vineyards, Pinot Noir, Cold Friday Vineyard – $35
The color was a light garnet, dried rose. The light nose was more expressive than the Merlot. There were cherry flavors along with tart red fruit, perhaps some licorice, and a tart middle. There was a very gentle structure.
Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard
Though I enjoyed the 2011 Pinot Grigio my favorite of the quartet was the 2010 Evoe! I last tasted this wine almost one year ago and thought it needed some time to settle down. That year has greatly benefitted the wine and should provide for some fun drinking this year.
2011 Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard, Pinot Grigio – $19
This wine is 100% Pinot Grigio which was aged for 6 months in stainless steel. Alcohol 13.0%. There was a very subtle nose. In the mouth the flavors showed restraint but also had some ripe white and yellow fruit. There was good acidity, a softer finish, and perhaps a note of lees.
2011 Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard, Circe – $24
This wine is a blend of 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 10% Petit Verdot, and 7% Merlot which was aged 5 months in 20% new French oak. Alcohol 12.5%. The nose bore very young fruit. In the mouth there were grapey red fruit flavors which tickled the tip of the tongue. It became very tart with red berries and grape tannins.
2011 Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard, Comus – $26
This wine is a blend of 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot, 8% Petit Verdot, 8% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Malbec which was aged 12 months in 25% French oak. Alcohol 13.0% There were flavors of bright red fruit, structure, acidity, and a little bit of black fruit in the finish. A little young and should benefit from short-term aging.
2010 Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard, Evoe! – $39
This wine is a blend of 51% Cabernet Franc, 22% Petit Verdot, 16% Merlot, and 11% Cabernet Sauvignon which was aged 24 months in 25% new French oak. Alcohol 14.5%. The nose was nice with black berries. In the mouth there was focused, moderately ripe fruit with some grip. There was enjoyable texture on the tongue. My favorite.
Second Stop – Black Ankle Vineyards
Our coach was sponsored by Nomacorc which Frank Morgan had recently visited and described the night before to Lou and I. It took some time to reach Black Ankle Vineyards so I had time to meet Whitney Rigsbee who is a Media Relations Specialist at Nomacorc. We were visiting Black Ankle Vineyards to both taste wine and to eat lunch catered by the Woodberry Kitchen. I have tasted several Black Ankle wines over the winter so I certainly anticipated this visit. Black Ankle Vineyards had posted the menu along with some pictures on their Facebook page which made us even hungrier. I begin to anticipate lunch as well. Glasses of their 2012 Gruner Veltliner were already poured so we were handed a glass as soon as we entered the tasting room. The five wines we were to taste had been paired with a lunch course. Shortly after the Gruner was handed out trays of Seasonal Tartines were passed around.
The lunch was sponsored by the Maryland Office of Tourism and was meant to showcase locally sourced food and wine. Table were set throughout the tasting room. Seats and power outlets were quickly claimed. Present at my table was Frank Morgan, Whitney Rigsbee, along with Paul and Warren (Virginia Wine Time), and Virginia Wine Diva (SwirlSipSnark)
The lunch was superb. Whereas the 2012 Gruner stood out by itself, the 2011 Bedlam was brighter and more delicate in flavor, which let oysters shine. I believe these oysters were briefly on the grill. However they were prepared, this pair of savory oysters are amongst the best I have eaten.
I could smell the lamb on the grill. Spike Gerdje had brought a small team from his restaurant and they had set up just behind the tasting room. The wines were poured before each course. With aromas filling the entire tasting room I simply could not resist tucking into the 2010 Leaf Stone Syrah which was my favorite wine of the day. Just as exciting was the main course prepared from two Suffolk lamb butchered by Woodberry Kitchen. They were presented as sausages, confit belly, and chops along with potatoes and scallions. Fortunately a partial bottle of the Syrah had been left on our table so we were able to recharge our glasses. By the end of the lunch we were running out of time. With the dessert course being served there was a bit of a rush. Ed had confirmed there were still several cases of the 2010 Leaf Stone Syrah left so a number of us left our tables to purchase our bottles. By the end there was quite a buzz in the tasting room which was of enjoyment and content. This could have been the one event of the day and I would have been deeply satisfied.
Maryland Wine Association
Luncheon at
Black Ankle Vineyards
Seasonal Tartines
Grilled Chesapeake Oysters
Next Step Organic Wheat Berry Salad
Whole Maryland Suffolk Lamb
Beiler’s Heritage Acres Cornflour Cake
2012 Black Ankle Vineyards, Gruner Veltliner – (Barrel Sample)
The nose revealed white fruit then some weight yellow fruit aromas. In the mouth the floral fruit had both good acidity and mouthfeel. There were flavors of honeysuckle in this wine with good length and round aftertaste. Nice.
2011 Black Ankle Vineyards, Bedlam –
This wine is a blend of Albarino, Viognier, Chardonnay, Gruner Veltliner, and Muscat. There was a fresh, bright nose with herbs and the slight texture of white fruit. In the mouth the flavors were of drier white fruit which was tart and mixed with acidity that made my tongue salivate on the sides. There was a yeasty note in the middle.
2010 Black Ankle Vineyards, Rollings Hills, Frederick County –
This wine is a blend of 47% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Cabernet Franc, 21% Merlot, 8% Malbec, and 3% Petit Verdot which was aged for 18 months in French oak barrels. Alcohol 13.6%. The nose was of light red berries. In the mouth there were berry flavors and a hint of something bright. The flavors had density with acidity at the back of the mouth. There were some grapey tannins along with fine-grained tannins in the structure. There was a cool finish.
2010 Black Ankle Vineyards, Leaf Stone Syrah, Frederick County –
This wine is 100% Syrah which was aged for 18 months in 65% new French oak. Alcohol 14.6%. The beautiful nose had depth with floral fruit that smelled proper and was evocative of the Northern Rhone. The flavors were young and tight but still enjoyable. There was some grainy texture to the fruit and a creamy feel to the blue, grapey, and red flavors. There was a touch of lipstick in the finish. The acidity was well-integrated along with a deft touch of ripe oak tannins. Nice.
NV Black Ankle Vineyards, Terra Dulce II, Frederick County –
The color was a tawny garnet. There was tangy red fruit in this fortified wine. Herbs and acidity came out at first with the red fruit. Then tea, tobacco, and more tobacco. It was a little spirity at this point and could use some age for integration.
Third Stop – Boordy Vineyards with Cygnus Wine Cellars and Fiore
The ride to Boordy Vineyards was a bit quieter. I had the chance to hear about Jade Ostner’s experience with the growth in Maryland wineries and also to meet Andrew Stover (chiefwino and Vino50). When we stepped off the bus at Boordy Vineyards the sky was gray and the temperature had noticeably dropped. We were located in the Long Green Valley which is just north of Baltimore. There was not enough time for a vineyard tour so we paused in front of the winery for a brief overview of the winery. The winery is currently housed in the ground-floor level of a 19th century barn.
Next to the barn a new similarly sized building is going up. The new building will become the home of the winery. As it is purpose-built, future wines will see more gravity and less pumps along with being raised with more accurate temperature control. The original barn will become a barrel cellar.
Boordy Vineyards produces three tiers of wines: Just for Fun, Icon Wines, and the Landmark Project. For our visit we would be tasting wines from the Landmark Project. These wines are produced from 100% Maryland fruit of which 95% is estate fruit. The Landmark Project was begun in 2006. It follows the guidance of viticulturist Lucie Morton which initiated a complete replanting of the vineyards. The vineyards were replanted with closer spacing, 1 meter by 8 feet, averaging 1500 vines per acre for all 45 acres. Four acres of Albarino will be planted this week.
I started with barrel samples of the varietals used to produce the Landmark wine. While I preferred the Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon I also liked the strength of the Petit Verdot. I would have enjoyed making my own blend from these samples!
2012 Boordy Vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon (Landmark Component Barrel Sample) –
The nose was low-lying with almost musky notes. There was ripe fruit in the mouth, vintage perfume, and an earthy/foxy note. There was good mouth weight.
2012 Boordy Vineyards, Merlot Clone 15 (Landmark Component Barrel Sample) –
The fruit was sourced from a 4.5 acre vineyard with an additional 3.5 acres coming online in 2013. This had a nose which stood out with red and black berries and a greenhouse note. The mouth followed the nose with brighter acidity which drove the flavors on the tongue. There were red grapefruit notes.
2012 Boordy Vineyards, Syrah (Landmark Component Barrel Sample) –
The fruit was sourced from a 0.7 acre vineyard planted in 2000. The nose bore red fruit, a little greenhouse note, and old perfume. There were mouthfilling flavors which had good structure and acidity. The black red fruit mixed with old perfume and drying citric tannins.
2012 Boordy Vineyards, Petit Verdot (Landmark Component Barrel Sample) –
The fruit was sourced from a 1.1 acre vineyard planted in 2000. The flavors were lively on the tongue with blackish fruit that had good concentration. The flavors were a little tart with plenty of acidity. There were fine drying tannins on the lips and cheeks.
I then tried the bottled red wines. The 2010 Cabernet Franc Reserve, the first ever, was drinking very well. It would be my choice to drink while the 2010 Landmark Reserve ages. It was a treat to taste the 2010 Merlot Reserve as it was a limited release for the Landmark Wine Club.
2010 Boordy Vineyards, Landmark, Cabernet Franc Reserve – $25
This wine is 100% Cabernet Franc which was aged for 18 months in French oak. There were concentrated aromas of black fruit and violets. The wine had a weighty mouth feel, power, and an inky finish. Nice.
2010 Boordy Vineyards, Landmark Reserve – $35
This wine is a blend of 69% Merlot, 19% Syrah, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 6% Petit Verdot which were fermented separately. It was aged for 24 months in French oak. The nose was light with racy blue and black fruit. There was good fruit in the mouth along with concentrated drying tannins. There were racy, weighty flavors in the finish. The drying tannins mixed with vintage perfume in the finish. The aftertaste brought some spicy, citric tannins. This could benefit from a few years of age.
2010 Boordy Vineyards, Landmark, Merlot Reserve –
This was a warm vintage which was produced from shriveled, young fruit. This had a nose of low-lying perfumed berries. There was more structure to this wine with expansive almost grainy, blue and black fruit. It had focused and a powerful structure at the end. This needs age.
Cygnus Wine Cellars
Up until Drink Local Wine I had never drunk a Maryland sparkling wine. A few people on the bus had recommended those of Cygnus Wine Cellars so I had been looking forward to a taste. Unfortunately there was not a single bottle of sparkling wine. I was not disappointed for I got to taste my two oldest wines from Maryland. The Julian is always a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc which is only made in specific vintages and released after many years of bottle age. I preferred the 2002 Julian for I thought it best balanced fruit, acidity, and structure. The 1997 was interesting to taste and I imagine it will last for quite some time.
1997 Cygnus Wine Cellars, Julian –
This wine is a blend of 73% Cabernet Sauvignon and 27% Cabernet Franc. The nose was aromatic, confident, and mixed some fruit with greenhouse notes. There was acidity driven dry red fruit in the mouth. Eventually a greenhouse note came out which followed the nose. There were drying tannins in this wine which is very much alive.
2002 Cygnus Wine Cellars, Julian –
This wine is a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Cabernet Franc. The nose revealed red candy aromas with a little underlying mixed berries. In the mouth there were tart, acidity driven red fruit, cool red fruit in the middle, and an old wood note. There was a drying, somewhat ripe, structure at the end.
2010 Cygnus Wine Cellars, Port of Manchester –
The nose had a different sort of red berry aromas with a subtle sweetness. There was plenty of residual sugar which makes it sweet but mixed with normal ripe berries. A dry structure came out.
Fiore Winery
These three wines are all pure varietals. I cannot recall ever tasting a wine made from Chambourcin. This is a hybrid varietal which Mike and Rose clearly know how to handle. It was my favorite of the trio and one I recommend you try.
2010 Fiore Winery, Sangiovese – $19
Alcohol 12%. This was a bit riper and almost off-dry than I expected. There were some cool flavors to the round, red notes.
2006 Fiore Winery, Chambourcin – $17
Alcohol 12%. This had a subtle nose of blue and black fruit. There were slightly earthy, ripe round fruit, grip, and good flavors in this different and interesting wine. Well done for a hybrid.
2006 Fiore Winery, Proprietor’s Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon – $18
This wine was aged for over two years in American and French oak. Alcohol 12%. There was tart red, drying fruit on the tongue followed by a bit of old-school, wood box flavors in the finish. It was tart with firm, drying, spicy low-lying tannins.
OREGOGNE GARAGE D’OR: Other People’s Pinot
I first tried a glass of the 2011 Mouton Noir, O.P.P. when Jameson Fink included it in a tasting flight at Bottlehouse. You may find my tasting note in my post Images and Wines From Seattle. I did not immediately recognize the O.P.P. label at first but upon reading Mouton Noir on the label, vague memories came back to me. Andre Hueston Mack is responsible for Mouton Noir which involves both Oregon wines and t-shirts. He has a clean, graphic nature to his t-shirts with names such as Grunerade in the style of the Gatorade logo and Mr. T. exclaiming, “I pity the Veuve! Drink Farmer Fiz Fool!!” His wines are playful in name with graphic labels as well. In a short span his production has soared from some 400 cases with the 2008 vintage to over 20,000 cases with the 2012 vintage. This young wine presents a cooler, less ripe style which is different and interesting. This bottle was noticeably more closed than the glass I had before so I would recommend you cellar it for at least half a year. Otherwise give it several hours of air in a decanter. This wine was purchased at Bottlehouse in Seattle.
2011 Mouton Noir, O.P.P., Willamette Valley – ~$20
This wine is 100% Pinot Noir sourced from several vineyards. It was fermented in stainless steel then aged in both new and used French oak. Alcohol 13.4%. There was a lower lying nose of delicate red berries and a little yeasty, Pilsner aroma. In the mouth there was dry red fruit which was a little tart. Herbs and cran-raspberry flavors eventually came out. There was plenty of acidity which made me salivate, fine, grapey texture, and some texture. This bottle remained tight and young so I would cellar it for the short-term. **(*) 2014-2016.
Hogshead - A Wine Blog 