A rare new release.....

Ok, so I have totally fallen off the map for blogging lately. It isn't that I’m not drinking great wine (beer too for that matter), but the actual writing of the blog has been a bit of a chore lately. I have lots of pictures, tasting notes, and even some draft blogs, but none of them seemed worthy, and so in the recycling bin they went.

Last weekend however, one of our personal favorite wineries did a pre-release. Something they don’t do often, and when they do, it is a worth while event. Chateau O’Brien was offering a pre-view of their 2010 Malbec, and released their 2010 Cab Sav. They were offering both on their cellar tasting side so after a quick trip out 66 (I know how unusual), my wife and I entered the tasting room and made the quick left into that side of their beautiful tasting room.

For those of you who have never been to Chateau O’Brien, the offer two non-reservation tastings. A classic collection ($10 per tasting) which is your standard white and red, and when available rose that displays great quality wine, and represents a good sample of their winemaker’s taste in wines.

There Cellar collection ($15 per tasting) is usually an all red collection of their higher end red wines that features their limited release and all estate wines. Today’s Cellar collection featured their limited release 2010 Malbec, 2010 Cab Sav, 2009 Petite Verdot, and their 2009 limited reserve Tannat, and a bonus they had a bottle of their 2009 late harvest Tannat for our sampling pleasure.

And finally for you who want a truly unique experience you can reserve a cellar tasting. They are conducted by the owner and mastermind behind Chateau O’Brien, Howard O’Brien. He lets you sample wines that are not available in the winery, and usually involves either library of very limited production wines. The cost is $50 a person, and I have never actually done one for myself, but for a true wine lover, I hear it is worth it.

The Cellar collection that day wanted to know which of their new release wines we liked better, the Malbec or Cab Sav. For me it was hands down the Malbec. A good fruit forward wine with a long lingering finish. It really struck my fancy. Malbec is not a grape that is grown all over Virginia, and a good one is even rarer. 

My wife however was much more into the Cab Sav. It was bright and had powerful fruity nose. It finish didn't linger like the Malbec, but it still was a great representation of what a Cab Sav should be.

After our tasting, My wife and I enjoyed their enclosed heated deck for a picnic and couple of glasses from their classic tasting before going back in to purchase two bottles of the Malbec and a bottle of the Cab Sav, and a bottle of Pinot Grigio taboot.

Unfortunately after last weekend, the Chateau O’Brien Malbec was heading back to the cellar so to get your hands on it will require you to do a cellar tasting, but all wines at Chateau O’Brien are made with care using only the highest quality practice and one of the few wineries that use native yeast. So if you traveling out west a 66 and you’re looking for an enjoyable wine experience, stop off and have glass, enjoy the views, and tell me what you think.

Crowds Flocking from near and far for Virginia wine….Literally.

Arriving at the second of three new wineries we planned to visit on recent weekend wine trip, we found we had not done enough scouting and were greeted by a closed sign at Capital Vineyards. Not wanting to lose the time slot, the wife and I headed to one of our favorite locations for a glass on an extraordinary enclosed heated deck before heading to our last stop on our Saturday wine tour.

Chateau O’Brien is known for its great wine, engaging owners, and unfortunately it can also be known for its crowds. Based on the car already parked in their lower parking lot, we were glad we weren't going to be doing a tasting. However, after reaching their primary parking lot we realized that it wasn’t that crowded.

Entering through the front door, we were greeted by Howard O'Brien the winery owner. Howard told us that the deck was closed today because it is too cold to keep the heat up warm using the the gas space heaters, but invited us to enjoy the fireplace room which was warm and cozy. The wife and I agree that we needed a glass of wine so we quickly purchased a bottle of his Padlock red and headed for fire place. Since the fire place wasn't lit, we were lucky to snag the two seats right in front of the it to enjoy our glasses of wine.

This one is one of my favorites from Chateau O’Brien. It displays a rich full mouth feel, firm by not over powering tannins. It has dark fruit flavors with a slight leathery earthy finish. It will pair well with most red meats, but is equally good by itself for an evening sipper.

The atmosphere that day at Chateau O’Brien was a mixed lot. There were several small groups enjoying wine along with both the classic and reserve tasting bars full of people sampling the full selection that Chateau O’Brien has to offer. I usually recommend Chateau O’Brien to anyone looking for all the good a Virginia winery can be. Plus if you only want to visit one, this a location you can go to enjoy two distinctly different types of tasting and have great views along with a place to have a picnic for those of you who are like us and enjoy packing a lunch with you on the Virginia wine trail.