Behind the Cork™ - Virginia Wine Governor's Cup Winner: Paradise Springs Cabernet Franc

2023 Paradise Springs Cabernet Franc ($42)

Located in the town of Clifton, VA and bordering the Bull Run River, Paradise Springs is the closest winery to Washington DC and the first in Fairfax County. The property was originally part of a land grant from Lord Fairfax in 1716.

The Paradise Springs Brown Bear Cabernet Franc comes from the Brown Bear Vineyard, located in the Shenandoah Valley AVA on the eastern side of the Blue Ridge Mountains. This site sits at an elevation of 1,100 to 1,500 feet.

Produced from 100% Cabernet Franc, the grapes were de-stemmed and placed into fermentation bins, where they were heated in a warm room and inoculated with yeast. Fermentation lasted 14 days before the wine was pressed. It was then transferred into barrels, where it aged for 8 months in a mix of new and neutral French oak barrels.

This Paradise Springs Cabernet Franc is medium ruby in color with delicate aromas of black cherry and plum. On the palate, this medium-bodied wine has flavors of cherry, raspberry and blueberries, with medium tannin, medium acidity and an easy finish.

Paradise Springs Cabernet Franc is another winner of the Virginia Wine Governor’s Cup and included in the winner’s case. It’s a very nice wine at an affordable price making it a great fit as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!

Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this sample at no cost for review.

Media Sample Provided by Paradise Springs Winery, Virginia Wine and Donna White Communications

Behind the Cork™ - Virginia Wine Governor's Cup Winner: Michael Shaps Chardonnay

2022 Michael Shaps Wild Meadow Chardonnay ($28)

Nestled in the woods just south of Charlottesville, Michael Shaps Winery blends Old World tradition with Virginia terroir. Founded in 2007 by acclaimed winemaker Michael Shaps, the winery is known for producing small-batch, age-worthy wines.

Produced in the Burgundian style, this 100% Chardonnay is whole-cluster pressed and fermented in oak barrels (50% new) with ambient (wild) yeast. This resulted in a prolonged fermentation and full malolactic conversion. It was then followed by 15 months of aging on primary lees.

This Michael Shaps Wild Meadow Chardonnay is medium gold in color with a very delicate aroma of pear. On the palate, this Chardonnay is fresh and bright. Its rather high acidity of 6.15 g/L is somewhat offset by the oak aging, having undergone full Malolactic conversion and the reported 0% residual sugar. These factors yield a Burgundy-like Chardonnay, that is fresh and bright. [ABV: 13%, TA: 6.15 g/L, pH: 3.2, RS: 0%]

This is yet another winner and, at this price, a perfect fit as the Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!

Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this sample at no cost for review.

Media Sample Provided by Michael Shaps Winery, Virginia Wine and Donna White Communications

Behind the Cork™ - Virginia Wine Governor's Cup Winner: Barboursville Vineyards Octagon

2017 Barboursville Vineyards Octagon ($95)

This Barboursville Vineyards wine was named to celebrate the estate’s diverse connections with the legacy of Thomas Jefferson, symbolized in the central octagon drawing room in his design for Governor Barbour’s mansion.

Octagon is produced from 100% estate-grown grapes including 62% Merlot, 31% Cabernet Franc and 7% Petit Verdot. The gapes were grown under the expertise of viticulturist Fernando Franco, and were sourced from two Merlot parcels, one Cabernet Franc, and two Petit Verdot plots.

A traditional approach to fermentation was followed, with blending occurring after 12 months of aging.

This Octagon is medium purple in color with aromas of red fruit, sweet tobacco and notes from the oak aging. On the palate, this medium-full bodied wine has rich black fruit flavors along with notes from the 12 months of oak aging. It has medium-high tannin and finishes soft and balanced. [ABV: 13.5%, TA: 5.4 g/L, pH: 3.68, Residual Sugar: <0.1%]

This is indeed a winner and a perfect fit as the Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!

Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this sample at no cost for review.

Media Sample Provided by Barboursville Vineyards, Virginia Wine and Donna White Communications

Behind the Cork™ - Virginia Wine Governor's Cup Winner: 50 West Vineyards

50 West Aldie Heights Cuvée ($70)

50 West is a farm vineyard located on Route 50 just past the historic town of Aldie in Middleburg, Virginia. (39060 John Mosby Highway).

First used by Native Americans as a route to move their migrating herds, Route 50 was later used by the colonists and a portion was even surveyed by George Washington.

As one of the larger farm vineyards in the state, they grow fruit on five properties in northern Virginia and are proud of their reputation for growing 100% Virginia grown grapes to make their wine.

Winemaker Jason Burrus got his start in California where he spent six years in Napa, Sonoma, and the Central Valley while completing his MS in Viticulture & Enology from UC Davis. He’s called Virginia home since 2006.

This Aldie Heights Cuvée was produced from 47% Tannat, 44% Petit Verdot, 7% Merlot, and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon from their Shenandoah Springs & Shenandoah Ridge Vineyards. It was aged for 26 months in French oak barrels.

It is medium purple in color with delicate black fruit aromas along with a hint of the French oak. On the palate, this full-bodied wine has rich dark fruit flavors, is very complex, has wonderful vanilla notes from the French oak aging and has a long, smooth and balanced finish. [ABV: 14.5%, TA: 4.5 g/L, pH:4.0, Residual Sugar: 0.4%]

This is a truly outstanding wine. One sip will show you why this was a winner in the Virginia Governor’s Cup. And, it’s a perfect fit as this week’s Behind the Cork™ Wine of the Week. Cheers!

Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received these samples at no cost for review.

Media Samples Provided by 50 West Vineyards, Virginia Wine and Donna White Communications