Wine: 2000 Horton Stonecastle



Review: Why is it that, despite the fact that Horton is a large operation with many great wines, their website is so ugly?

Fortunately, their wines are not. This is a very soft wine, it is a blend of 32% Mourvedre, 27% Carignan, 25% Syrah, 5% Tinta Cao, 5% Touriga Nacional, 3% Tannat, 1% Cabernet Franc, 1% Malbec, and 1% Nebbiolo. It has aged very well, producing a very complex wine with hints of cherry and plum. A very drinkable wine, which surprised me given the apparent kitchen sink method of adding varietals to this wine. I guess I should know by now not to underestimate Dennis Horton :).

Price: $12

Grade: 85

Wow, I blew that attempt at mass posting, huh?

The next day, we hit 4 wineries. The first winery was Afton Mountain Vineyards.





The winery was nice with a good-sized tasting room. Some of the highlights were the Sangiovese, the Old Vine Cabernet Sauvignon and the Cabernet Franc, which was not bad for an '05.

The next winery was Veritas. More than any other winery I have visited in Virginia this one reminded me of wineries in Sonoma. It is beautiful with a wrap-around deck and great open space for picnicing. The tasting room is huge with lots of great places to sit and enjoy a glass/bottle of wine after your tasting.





Highlights from Veritas were their Sauvignon Blanc and their Petit Verdot.

The third winery was Cardinal Point. The tasting room was smaller than the other two wineries, but but the staff was very knowledgable.





Highlights: Their Quattro, Cab Franc Reserve and the Rockfish Red.

Our last stop, before the wine dinner, was at Horton (have I mentioned how much I hate the design of their website). The grounds around Horton were not much. The tasting room is large, although, clearly set up to move people in and out, with very few places to sit.





Horton had 40+ wines to choose from, I liked their Viognier, many of their fruit wines, their Cabernet Franc, Stonecastle Red, Nebbiolo.

Overall, a fantastic day and a lot of fun.

I am going to Indiana to visit my friend Becky next weekend. While I am out there we are going to visit a couple of Indiana wineries. i thought as an exchange I would bring her a couple of Virginia wines. The first choice that springs to mind is a Cabernet Franc, but which one?

You all know I have been disappointed in the 2005 crop of Cabernet Francs. Fortunately for me, Horton's current release, which is amazing, is their 2000 vintage making it an easy choice.

In addition to a representative varietal I also want a bottle that shows off the talent of Virginia winemakers. For the second bottle I was thinking of Pearmund's Meritage or Tarara's Wild River Red.

Any other suggestions?