South Carolina Wine Joe

Shadow Springs Vineyard has a sister named Windsor Run Cellars located a couple of miles away.  All of the wine making takes place at Windsor Run, which is both a winery and a distillery.  One of the Windsor Run products is a distilled spirit named Shadow Hawk, made from Seyval Blanc grapes grown onsite. In recent years, a number of wineries have introduced wines aged in bourbon or whiskey barrels.  Sometimes, the barrel flavors mask mediocre wine.  Shadow Springs Brandy Barrel Select Red wine is a blend of Chambourcin and Cabernet Franc from more than one vintage year.  The wine was aged one year in oak barrels and 8 months in used Shadow Hawk brandy barrels.  The result is quite different. On the nose, you detect black cherry and chocolate but the brandy aroma dominates.  This is a delicious rich blend of black cherry, blackberry, chocolate, cola and brandy flavors.  It is a bold mouthful of flavor with a very long finish.  This wine is evidence that great wine is being made in N

Pere Ami is a label produced by Willamette Valley Vineyards in honor of founder Jim Bernau's father, Fred Bernau.  Pere Ami translates as "Father, Friend".  Fred Bernau was a lawyer in the Umpqua Valley of southern Oregon in the 1960's who helped a vineyard pioneer secure one of the first winery licenses in the state after prohibition.  The sketch of Fred Bernau on the label was drawn by his granddaughter. Pere Ami 2017 is a blend of 45% Tempranillo, 36% Syrah and 19% Grenache with a stated alcohol content of 13.9%.  I detected aromas of cherry and raspberry and the color is red/purple.  This is a smooth medium to full body wine that begins with flavors of cherry and black cherry followed by blackberry.  There is nice acidity and a long spicy finish.  This is a well made wine with complex flavors. This wine will need to be purchased directly from Willamette Valley Vineyards and it is priced at $35.  If you are supporting the winery by purchasing directly, this is

In a very short time, Jolo Vineyards has become one of the most successful wineries in the Yadkin Valley.  Jolo, located in Pilot Mountain, N.C., features one of the most beautiful tasting rooms in the region with a fine restaurant and breathtaking views of Pilot Mountain.  The wines are made from French-American Hybrid grapes but vinifera vines have been planted for future harvests. We are continuing our support of independent wineries during the pandemic period.  We took advantage of a Jolo offer of 4 selected wines for a reduced price with free shipping.  The package included Crimson Creek Chambourcin, which we have enjoyed in past visits to the tasting room. The wine pours a deep dark red color with raspberry and spice aromas.  The wine was released only a few months after harvest.  The wine is more vibrant and light fruit forward than most Chambourcin I have tasted.  I note cherry, raspberry and blueberry flavors with a lingering spicy finish.  This wine reminds me of a lighte

As part of my effort to support my favorite independent wineries during the "shelter in place" period, I ordered a delivery from Shadow Springs Vineyard.  Shadow Springs and it's sister winery Windsor Run Cellars are located in the southwest corner of the Yadkin Valley, within the Swan Creek sub-AVA.  There are 7 wineries located within this small area with more to come.  The other wineries/vineyards in Swan Creek are Dobbins Creek, Laurel Gray, Midnight Magdalena, Piccione and Raffaldini.  Shadow Springs Vineyards Meritage is a 2014 vintage wine made from Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot, aged for almost 24 months in oak.  The wine is labeled as "Yadkin Valley" so not all of the grapes are from Swan Creek AVA. There is a inviting aroma of blueberry and blackberry in the glass.  The flavors are a complex combination of dark cherry, blackberry, cola, spice and tannins.   This is one of the best red blends I have encountered from a N

We continue enjoying wines ordered directly from wineries.  In a previous post, I noted that Shelton Vineyards in North Carolina was offering a 20% discount on six bottles with free shipping.  That offer is still available and it is one of the best sales around. The Two-Five-Nine wines are Shelton's premium reserve offerings.  We have found that there is a sharp increase in quality in the Two-Five-Nine wines over the lesser priced Estate wines and we especially recommend the Petit Verdot and Tannat wines. The Tannat wine grape originated in southwest France.  Today, it is the national grape of Uruguay and it is grown in small amounts in Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina.  It was often grown in those eastern states to blend with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot to give the wine darker color and more body but in recent years, a few wineries are experimenting with producing Tannat wine.  I recently tasted a Tannat from Uruguay and it was delicious and moderately priced. Tw

It is spring in South Carolina and time to enjoy some lighter wine.  Fortunately , I included a couple of bottles of 2018 Estate Rose' of Pinot Noir in my shipment from Willamette Valley Vineyards.  2018 is expected to be one of the best vintages ever for Willamette Valley Pinot Noir and Rose' is the first release from that vintage.  This Rose' is sourced from two of the oldest and best known vineyards in the Willamette Valley- Elton Vineyard and Tualatin Estate Vineyard. The wine is a beautiful salmon color.  The aromas are a mild citrus and flower garden.  The flavors are strawberry, tangerine and a little grapefruit.  I sense a little sweetness on the finish.  This is a bright and refreshing wine and it is a predictor of great pinot noir to come from the 2018 vintage. Note: A few weeks ago, I reviewed the Willamette Valley Vineyards Whole Cluster Pinot Noir from the 2018 vintage and it was also terrific.  Today, April 2, 2020,  Willamette Valley Vineyards released