Maryland Has Some Great Ones

This is part two of my recap of the events at the Great Grapes Wine & Food Festival. For all the fun of part one you can click on this link.

Whenever I come to a Maryland Wine event, Bordelau, is one of the first wineries I immediately look for. They have always been the most approachable, prolific, and endearing wineries at these events.

I was first introduced to them three years ago, at this exact event. When I was inquiring about something very smokey, very be full, and very dry. And I was introduced to their Chambourcin. This was the Lot 5 from 2006, which is exactly what I was looking for. Even on a hot day, it went down easy. Because of the climate, it felt fuller than it probably was. But that doesn’t diminish how amazing this bottle was.

From that point forward, I’ve been hooked. I’m disappointed that I had not heard of them or this grape before. But this is the lifelong journey of a wine lover.

I’ve had different variations. And that’s what so great about it. It can be used to make all kinds of great tasting gems. Many have been dry, but also the sweet and rose variations of it. It’s a relatively new grape at barely over 50 years. What I love the most about it, is that it’s prolific in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast parts of the United States. And I’ve had some great ones from Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.

My favorite and in my opinion, the standard-bearer still this one. So how did this years tasting turn out?

The Cabernet Sauvignon Lot 6 tasted like any good Cab should. It was medium to full and it was the bottle I almost bought. But since I had the 2007 still at home, I was looking to purchase something else this time.

The Malbec was perfect for this event. It tasted lighter than what I was expecting. But for this weather, it was perfect. The finish was so clean and if not too tannic. For an outdoor event, it wasn’t necessary. I got a whole bottle to share with friends but now wish I took one home for a future celebratory occasion.

The Petit Verdot was not as memorable. It was good but it didn’t linger with me. Now its a wine that seems that could get better with time. But that could be said for all of their selections.

Getting better with time is exactly right for the final two that we sampled.

The much-anticipated Chambourcin Lot 6 and Meritage, tasted very clean and went down as easy as anything I’ve had. But that means they both need time to marinate, flourish, and become the amazing tasting wines they’ve been known for.

I’m a massive fan of the Meritage blends as well. A future post on that grape is forthcoming. The Merlot was sold out at the time. And I really wanted to try that too. My love for them has grown exponentially.

We never got a chance to taste the whites. This just means that a visit is long overdue. And I’ve been saying this to myself for a couple of years now. A visit needs to happen. I love their wines and the folks behind it have been nothing but friendly.