Gray Ghost is a family owned winery in Amissville, VA. The winery is owned by Al and Cheryl Kellert. According to the winery, "A chemistry major in college, Al was first introduced to winemaking by a college professor who assisted him in his first fermentation experiment in 1969. Not long after, he met and married Cheryl, and a career transfer landed them in Virginia amidst the beginning of the burgeoning wine industry in the state."
The Kellerts moved in 1986 along with each of the meticulously transplanted 160 vines from their Northern Virginia neighborhood. The plantings continued for a number of years. Gray Ghost currently cultivates more than 8,000 vines on 13 acres with such varieties as Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Riesling, Vidal Blanc and Seyval Blanc.
Carrie Dykes wrote in Wine Enthusiast of the 2015 vintage, "This wine has upfront aromas of black cherries, dried herbs and baking spices. On the palate the spices take over, showing charred oak, bramble and vanilla. A full body and drying tannins crave an acidic lift. The finish is long and spicy."
The wine has garnered more medals than any of their other offerings. The last three vinatages have garnered approximately three dozen medals, including seven gold medals, one platinum, and other accolades.
Gray Ghost Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2014 is an unfiltered Bordeaux-styled Cabernet Sauvignon blended with touches of Merlot and Cabernet Franc. The wine was aged for twenty months in French and American oak before being bottled. The featured a big, cherry, currant and blackberry attack, with a lovely does of vanilla and dark black pepper at the finish. Velvet, smooth, and impressive.
Enjoyed this older vintage very much!