Virginia - Barhamsville - Gauthier Vineyard

Gauthier Vineyard - (December 2015) As we entered the vineyard, we traveled a long and winding drive, which has parts under construction to allow for vehicles to pass without pulling into the grass. We entered the tasting room and were greeted by the bar host; another two couples would join us as our tasting started.

As with other Virginia wineries, the wines were already chosen for us. We started off with the chardonnay with its slight buttery taste and also had the 2014 Riesling, with a citrus taste, and 2014 traminette, which was on the sweet yet dry side. My wife liked the Riesling the best of all three, while I enjoyed the chardonnay.

We then sampled the reds. The 2012 cabernet franc was better than the 2012 chambourcin; the bar host said the cabernet franc wines in the mountains are better for body. The 2013 petit verdot, although young, was enjoyable, while the brick house red, a blend of 60% cabernet franc, 20% petit verdot and 20% Chambourcin did not excite me. I was not impressed with any of reds. The last wine we tasted was the gazebo rouge, a sweet chambourcin wine, surprisingly appealing.

We decided to purchase a riesling and a gazebo rouge. I'm happy to say, when we got home, I noticed that these wines were produced and bottled for Gauthier; I will give them another chance when back in the area.