Every once in a while, a wine from a tasting surprises you and is far better than you expected. That was the case with Shelton Vineyards Two-Five-Nine Petit Verdot. We have visited Shelton Vineyards several times, but lately only during spring and fall special events. The tastings offered during those events were noisy, hurried and at least once done with plastic cups. Those tastings did not include their reserve wines, labeled under the Two-Five-Nine branding and we came away underwhelmed.
This time, we visited at an uncrowded morning hour and our server included a few reserve wines in the tasting. Not only were the estate wines more enjoyable, but the reserve wines were outstanding.
Many wineries in the Yadkin Valley grow Petit Verdot to blend with their Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. The climate in eastern U.S. growing regions, is just not the same as California and other regions famous for Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The wines are still good, but lighter and not the same as most Americans are used to drinking. Blending Petit Verdot with those grapes adds dark fruit flavors and depth. Today, many eastern wineries are realizing that Petit Verdot can stand on its own as a great wine. Shelton Two-Five-Nine Petit Verdot is actually 77% Petit Verdot and 23% Cabernet Sauvignon.
This wine pours a dark ruby red color and has flavors of dark cherry, raspberry, chocolate and a little spice at the end. This is a wonerfully complex wine with a very long lasting finish. The wine far exceeded my expectations. The wine retails for $25 at the winery. Shelton wines are available at stores throughout the Carolinas but you may have to purchase the reserve wines from the winery. We purchased the wine as part of a mixed case, which gave us a 15% discount.
SC Wine Joe rating = 91 points
This time, we visited at an uncrowded morning hour and our server included a few reserve wines in the tasting. Not only were the estate wines more enjoyable, but the reserve wines were outstanding.
Many wineries in the Yadkin Valley grow Petit Verdot to blend with their Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. The climate in eastern U.S. growing regions, is just not the same as California and other regions famous for Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The wines are still good, but lighter and not the same as most Americans are used to drinking. Blending Petit Verdot with those grapes adds dark fruit flavors and depth. Today, many eastern wineries are realizing that Petit Verdot can stand on its own as a great wine. Shelton Two-Five-Nine Petit Verdot is actually 77% Petit Verdot and 23% Cabernet Sauvignon.
This wine pours a dark ruby red color and has flavors of dark cherry, raspberry, chocolate and a little spice at the end. This is a wonerfully complex wine with a very long lasting finish. The wine far exceeded my expectations. The wine retails for $25 at the winery. Shelton wines are available at stores throughout the Carolinas but you may have to purchase the reserve wines from the winery. We purchased the wine as part of a mixed case, which gave us a 15% discount.
SC Wine Joe rating = 91 points
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