Gold was handed out last night in Virginia by new Governor Terry McAuliffe. And the winner of the 2014 Virginia Wineries Association’s (VWA) Governor’s Gold Cup…The Williamsburg Winery’s 2010 Adagio!
The Williamsburg Winery’s Adagio, from the Italian ad agio, or ‘at ease,’ is a blend of 42% Cabernet Franc, 30% Merlot and 28% Petit Verdot. It’s aged in French, American and Hungarian Oak.
The 2010 Adagio is a very bold upfront wine with loads of jammy fruit. The blackberries and blueberry notes are accentuated with some elegant mature darker fruit such as figs, dates and prunes. There is a hint of spice (warm cinnamon) with molasses and soy. The earthy notes come across with a touch of nuttiness. The oak is very integrated into the weight of the wine and the tannins are smooth and graceful. The wine has a wonderful finish that lasts for quite awhile. I look forward to trying it!
The other 11 winning wines in the Governor’s Cup Case are…
- Barboursville Vineyard – 2008 Malvaxia Passito
- Barboursville Vineyard – 2010 Nebbiolo Reserve
- Barboursville Vineyard – 2010 Octagon
- Barren Ridge Vineyard – 2009 Meritage
- Fabbioli Cellars – 2011 Tannat
- Horton Vineyards – 2010 Tannat
- King Family Vineyards – 2011 Meritage
- North Gate Vineyard – 2011 Meritage
- Rockbridge Vineyard – 2008 Meritage, DeChiel Reserve, unfiltered
- Sunset Hills Vineyard – 2010 Mosaic
- Two Twisted Post Winery – 2012 Chardonnay
At last night’s awards, Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Todd Haymore was named Wine Person of the Year. It’s great to see Secretary Haymore win the award has he has worked tirelessly for years to promote Virginia’s wine industry and it’s benefits to the state. Kudos to Governor McAuliffe for recognizing this and keeping Todd on his team!
Virginia wine continues to soar…sales reached a record high in fiscal year 2013 with more than 511,000 cases, or more than 6.1 million bottles, sold. Virginia currently ranks fifth in the number of wineries in the nation with 250 wineries.
Cheers to Virginia Wine!