Continuing the series from the Route 9 Barrel Tasting, the next stop is 8 Chains North. Ben Renshaw is well-respected in the area because of all the work he has done for so many winemakers in Loudoun,and beyond. Prior to making his own wine Ben was a vineyard manager for several wineries in the area, and he still maintains a select list of clients.
If you want to see his winemaking skills in action, this weekend 8 Chains North is hosting a mini-vertical featuring their 2008 and 2009 Furnace Mountain Red. This is a Bordeaux-Style blend that really showcases Ben as a winemaker, not just a viticulturist.
Ben shared a few wines with us:
2011 Sauvignon Blanc: Aged on the lees, this wine has lots of melon notes, though I did detect some tangerine. Good weight and depth on the palate.
2011 Chardonnay: Sub tropical notes, green apple. Clean, refreshing, creaminess.
2010 Merlot: cherry and mocha notes, good fruit big wine with nice acidity. Softer tannins, with a long finish.
2010 Malbec: Bright fruit, which surprised me in a Malbec, dark cherry and spices, nice finish with strong tannins.
Ben also tasted two Petit Verdot vintages, he is among the growing group of people who think that Petit Verdot, not Cabernet Franc, should be Virginia's red grape:
2010 Petit Verdot: Good dark color, not a lot of nose, but really coated the teeth. Powerful tannins with a long finish.
2011 Petit Verdot: Still very tight, closed. But again, powerful tannins and has the potential to be powerful wine.
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