You know the one - that attractive other who always draws
your eye no matter what. You’re at a wedding, a funeral, a 4th of
July picnic, a New Year’s Eve party, or some other event, and there they are –
the distraction. Well dressed and dazzling. You can’t stop looking at them.
Stop staring. Stop staring. First you sneak a peek, then the next thing you
know, someone else asks you if you know them.
“Is it obvious?” you ask.
“Hello!” they laugh.
We’ve all been there. No word has ever been passed. But you
can’t help but feel that somehow, some way, they know you’re watching… and they
like the attention. That’s kind of the way it is with Bordeleau and me. Each
time it has been a wonderful, wonderful event, one that draws a good group, a
nice clientele. Bordealeau keeps good company. And each time I am impressed.
Bordeleau Winery is located just south of Salisbury,
Maryland, nestled between the gentle slopes of the Wicomico Creek on the Eastern
Shore which is also home to such magnificent birds like the Bald Eagle, the Great
Blue Heron, and the Snowy Egret. Bordeleau means "The Water's Edge". From start to finish, owner and winemaker Tom
Shelton is involved in creating and perfecting all that it takes to make
award-winning wines. He is particular about everything, from pruning vines to
the operation of the bottling line. With an early interest in agriculture and
using management skills developed in the poultry industry, Tom followed an
interest spawned when he started making fruit wines while still in his
teens. After purchasing a farm in Allen,
Maryland in 1998, he planted his first grape vines in 1999. Early plantings were Chardonnay, Vidal Blanc
and Chambourcin, and he continued planting additional grape vines each year
through 2003, including Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and
Sauvignon Blanc. He decided to seek his commercial license in the summer of
2006. With the renewed commitment, eight
and one half acres of plantings were added from 2007 to 2011, including new
varieties such as Malbec, Petite Verdot, Pinot Grigio, Viognier, and Muscat.
The first time I came across Bordeleau was at the Grand
Tasting at Eastern Wineries Exposition. I was searching for something new to
try. The room was dark, people were well dressed. And there on the table, the
Bordeleau Merlot caught my eye. I ran into this same wine several month later
at the luncheon served on the second day at Drink Local Wine 2013.
This wine has had some early success. It won Gold at 2013
Tasters Guild's and 2013 World Wine Championships and Silver at the 2013
Florida State Fair International Wine Competition and 2013 Finger Lakes International
Wine Competition. I have to admit, the buzz at EWE 2013 was interesting, with
people nodding in agreement that the wine was impressive.
This is a medium to full bodied wine exploding with stewed
plums, and bright raspberries and cherries.. Lots of spices on the nose. red
fruits and spices. Nice whiff of vanilla and cobbler. This has low acidity, and
low-to-medium tannins, which make this an easy drinking Merlot. Nice long finish. Very nice.
A little more than a month later, I had another rendezvous
with Bordeleau. The next time was at the Drink Local Wine 2013 Reception dinner
down at The Waterfront Kitchen out on Fells Point. Bordeleau Vineyards Blanc de
Blanc was my seductress that evening.
This 100% Chardonnay based sparkler was a very nice
surprise. The nose was yeasty, with accompanying notes of green apple and
citrus. It had a lovely, long finish. A great accompaniment with food!
The last time we met, was in the revived warehouse buildings
behind the right field bleachers of Camden Yards at the Grand
Tasting/Tweet-off. Bordeleau 2012 Pinot Grigio my last fond remembrance. Lovely
tropical fruits on the nose and hints of honeysuckle, melon, peach and green
apples. On the palate the green apple came across with hints of lemon and
grapefruit. A lovely, lovely white wine, with great acidity and very, very
refreshing. Fantastic!
It almost feels illicit, like I have been having an affair.
It’s exciting. And different. And fun. Have a little affair – with Bordeleau.
You won’t be sorry. And the truth is, you’re significant other will get a
thrill out of it too!