61 VINEYARD - A NEW GEM IN MARYLAND SHINES

Last fall I had the opportunity to a new winery - to me. What an incredibly pleasant surprise!!!! 61 Vineyard is a hidden gem in Damascus MD.  All the wines are estate wines. The extensive vineyards are incredibly well kept, and the wines follow suit. This winery is a family affair, and the passion project of Mark and Pam Giganti. An idyllic setting, beautifully maintained, and an absolute joy to experience. Definitely a place to watch! Get there now!

Amazing Sangiovese (club only for now), highly awarded (and rightfully so) Merlot, terrific Cab Franc, and wonderful sparkling. 

61 Vineyard Chardonnay 2023 is a very drinkable white wine, with lots of fruit and complexity. Notes of green and ripe red apple, notes of pear, and touches of tropical fruit make this a lovely wine. The 2024 is just being released as of this writing.

61 Vineyard Cabernet Fran 2022 is a tremendous wine. Lots of cherry and red raspberry up front, with notes of cassis and plum. This is a dark rich wine, with tons of flavor, and well balanced with nice notes of spice. A terrific food wine.

61 Vineyard Merlot 2023 is a big, rich Merlot. While Merlot can be a medium bodied wine, this Merlot is full of dark cherry, dark raspberry, and cassis. Nicely balanced with a hint of black tea at the finish, this wine is a very, very drinkable red wine. 

Without question, the star of the 61 Vineyard universe is the 61 Giganti Sangiovese 2023. An amazing wine. Big, and full of flavor, this wine is everything you hope it will be. Cherry, plum, and red currants with a hint of tobacco and spice, this wine was a revelation! Well balanced. Complex. Well wrought. Spectacular! 

 

Another of my favorites were the 61 Vineyard Drytown Sparkling White and the Drytown Sparkling Rose'. Both were effervescent, bright, fruity, but dry sparklers that were well made, and very solid. Great fruit. Lovely acidity. Great for sipping or celebrating. LOVED these two wines!!!!