50 West Vineyards 2019 Ashby Gap ($40)
At 75% cab franc and 25% cab sauv, this Governor’s Cup Case Winner is well balanced and medium-bodied with soft tannins, red plum notes, and aromas of bramble fruit, tobacco and untoasted oak.
RdV 2019 Lost Mountain ($230)
This highly coveted bottle is made with 60% cab sauv, 38% cab franc, 2% merlot, the ultimate expression of the winery’s rocky granite Shenandoah Valley terroir, and 2019 is considered their most successful vintage yet.
Shenandoah Vineyards 2017 Reserve Red ($40)
This 2020 Governor’s Cup Case winner is 40% tannat, 26% cab franc,
25% petit verdot, 5% merlot, and 4% cab sauv and features the best fruit that celebrated winemaker Michael Shaps could find throughout Virginia, resulting in a firmly structured, full-bodied and age-worthy wine.
Ankida Ridge 2021 Pinot Noir ($58)
Due to their elevation, Ankida Ridge is able to grow some of the country’s best pinot noirs in a state where it’s otherwise proved near impossible. The newly released 2021 vintage will age well for at least 10 years. But if you see a rare bottle of their 2017 or 2019 vintage,
be sure to snag it!
Rockbridge Vineyard 2018 V d’Or ($35)
This beautiful ice wine is a blend of vidal blanc, vignoles and traminette, features intense flavors and aromas of honey and orange, and was a Case Winner in last year’s Governor’s Cup.
Hannah Serrano
Hannah Serrano is director of sales & marketing at the TASTE Family of Businesses and former marketing director at O'Connor Brewing Co. Hannah is a passionate foodie and beer nerd. Her advocacy for local culture developed as an arts editor at Port Folio Weekly, culture contributor at WVEC-13, owner of AltDaily.com, and co-organizer of Norfolk's NEON District.