A month or so ago, I had the opportunity to visit Boordy Vineyards. I have loved Boordy for years. One of my absolute favorites. I met with Maryland Wineries Association director Kevin Atticks and Phineas DeFord, the do everything man at Boordy.
Kevin Atticks
Phineas Deford
Phineas was very generous with me on this tasting, and was truly appreciative. Boordy has continued to be a leader in Maryland wine. And their recent Governor's Cup was confirmation of their continuing success! We had three whites and two reds. One of the first things I noticed were the new labels. I had been in love with the old labels, but Boordy has always been ahead of the curve when it comes to labels. This new labels are slightly simpler, and very, very elegant.
The first two wines Phineas poured were both Boordy Chardonnay Dry Bench Reserve. I got to taste the 2019 and the new 2020. What absolutely incredible whites! Made from 100% Chardonnay grown in the "dry bench" section of their South Mountain Vineyard. Fermented and aged in one and two year French oak barrels for five months, the Chardonnay Reserve has hints of pineapple, grapefruit and lime with little notes of apricot and kiwi. Terrific citric acidity and long, creamy finish. Super complex and layered. The 2019 was slightly older and was slightly more integrated, while the 2020 was a little bigger fruit and acidity. Both were spectacular! "Must have" wines for Maryland wine and Chardonnay fans.
Boordy Sauvignon Blanc 2020 Another treat. In 2011 Boordy planted an experimental 3/4-acre block of Sauvignon Blanc at the top their Long Green Vineyard hillside. This is a bright, elegant, complex white wine with fresh aromas of passion fruit and white flowers. Lot's of freshly sliced green apples and citrus notes. Super smooth and balanced finish with terrific acidity. Loved it!
Next was the Boordy Albarino Dry Bench Reserve 2019. This wine was the first to feature the new label! Their Albarino Reserve is produced from grapes grown in the “Dry Bench” area of their South Mountian Vineyard. "After pressing, the juice was fermented and aged in Burgundian oak barrels for six months." Fresh punches of cirtus and Kumquat orange, tangerine, and wet stone pop out of the glass. Lovely dry finish. This is a complex an Albarino as I have had. Amazing!!!!
Next was one of my favorite Maryland wines - Boordy Cabernet Franc Reserve 2017. The fruit was hand-picked and sorted in mid-October, cold-soaked for 5 days, then pumped over 3 times daily until fermentation was complete. The wine was left on skins for several weeks before being pressed into select French barrels. This wine was deep red wine, with cherry and black raspberry and cassis both on the nose and on the palate. Hints of vanilla and oak. Layers and layers of flavors. One of the best Cabernet Francs on the easy coast! An essential east coast Cabernet Franc.
Then there was the Boordy Landmark Reserve 2015. This wine was the winner of 2020 Maryland Governor's Cup & Double Gold Medalist, Best Red Blend. This is a tremendous Bordeaux-styled blend! This wine is a blend of the five red varieties (with Cabernet Sauvignon dominant 65%, Merlot 25%, 5% Petit Verdot, 4% Cabernet Franc, and 1% Syrah) that are grown at their South Mountain Vineyard. The wine was aged in French oak barrels for eighteen months. Big notes of dark cherry, cassis, black berry and dark raspberry. Notes of mocha, cocoa, with hints of brambleberry and graphite. A spectacular red wine. Definitely deserving of all its accolades. Landmark Reserve 2015 achieves all the things any red wine maker hopes to achieve. Depth of fruit, deepness of character, complexity, balance, and long lasting flavor. Fantastic!
New to the Boordy portfolio this year is Spritz 2020. This is an aromatic, refreshing, & slightly effervescent white wine. Spritz is made with estate grown (Long Green Vineyard) Seyval Blanc grapes that are harvested early to preserve their natural acidity and aromatic freshness, then cold fermented in stainless steel tanks and bottled in early November to retain a slight effervescence. So freakin' jealous! I wanted to make a wine like this! A Vinhno Verde styled white wine. Just absolutely light, lively, and refreshing. A tremendous wine, that many should be emulating. A terrific addition to their portfolio, and a terrific wine! Imaginative, sophisticated, and fun!!!
An absolutely mesmerizing lineup of wines! All hail, Boordy!
