Barboursville Vineyard and Winery. July 6, 2021

 

Barboursville Vineyard and Winery.   July 6, 2021

Barboursville Vineyard and Winery is one of the oldest operating wineries in the Commonwealth, having been established in 1979 as the U.S branch of the Italian wine company Zonin.  Francesco Zonin is still the president.  Gabriele Rausse, formerly the winemaker, is also secretary.  The winery overlooks the vineyards and the ruins of Governor James Barbour’s estate, designed by Thomas Jefferson and completed in 1821.  The property includes a gourmet restaurant, Palladio, and lodging in the 1804 Inn and Cottages.  Barboursville is one of the most highly awarded wineries in the Commonwealth and a large producer as well. 

I rate the wines highly but the atmosphere of the tasting room marginal.   First, the tasting room experience.  The tasting room was small and cramped.  We visited on a weekday, and even then the space was crowded.  I can only imagine the jam over a weekend.  For a tasting, you will receive a glass and a card programmed for six tasting-size pours from machine dispensers.  You choose what you want to taste from over twenty choices.  I can understand that this controls the outflow of wine, prevents over-pours, and allows tracking.  But there is very little personal interaction with wine staff.  Their assistance is mostly in how to make the dispensing machines operate, not in the wine.  Very antiseptic.  The tasting room is not conducive to lingering over a glass.  I assume they are pushing the Palladio for that.  No outside food. 

Notwithstanding the tasting room, the wines, though, were every nice.  I had a tasting focused on red wines, of course.  Kim had a glass of Pinot Grigio.

Barbera Reserve 2019.  Given the Italian roots of the Zonin family, I was anxious to try some of the Italian offerings such as the Barbera.  This was an easy drinking wine, light character and low tannin.

Sangiovese Reserve 2018.  As might be expected, the Sangiovese is stronger than the Barbera, with more tannin.  It includes some Bordeaux varietals in the mix – sort of a “super Tuscan” approach.

Merlot Reserve 2014.  I sensed more residual sugar than I normally feel in a Merlot. It has higher tannin for structure.

Cabernet Franc Reserve 2019.  This was not overpowering in the pepper finish. A reasonable wine.

Allegrante Rosé 2020.  A very nice rose.  Not too cloying.  A blend of Petite Sirah and Nebbiolo.  A better rosé than Horton’s.  We bought a bottle.

Paxxito 2015.  This is the Virginia Governor’s Cup Winner for 2021.  Beautiful orange color.  Pungent dessert wine.  This uses the Italian Passito method of partially drying the grapes in order to concentrate flavor.  This method is often used for dessert wines.

Pinot Grigio 2019.  Kim rated the Pinot Grigio a B+.  Note that this was not a Virginia wine but we bought a bottle.