So while I was at the home of Nena and Lenn Thompson, and tasting with Michael Gorton Jr., Lenn pulled out this Rockbridge Vineyard V d'Or 2019 dessert wine.
Located in Rockbridge County, in the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia, Rockbridge Vineyard & Brewery is owned by winemaker Shep Rouse and his wife Jane Millott-Rouse. It was established in 1988. Shep has a background in geology/biology and an enology degree from UC Davis. Shep focuses on traditional, small-batch winemaking. The winery later expanded into small batch brewing as well.
Rockbridge Vineyards V d'Or 2019 is made from a blend of Vidal Blanc, Vignoles, Riesling, and Traminette. It is an intense unctuous wine with incredible intensity and complexity. Fantastically well balanced. A lovely light shade of straw/gold in the glass. "Made in the style of an icewine," this elixir opens with intense green and red apple, tropical notes, and fragrances of tangerine zest, dried apricots and other aromas. On the palate there's honey, tropical fruit, green apple, apricot, peach, and a number of other flavors in a swirl that is mesmerizing. The final sip is everything. The sweetness lingers. But so does the intense acidity as well. And the tropical notes. That swallow of flavor lingers past 60 seconds, and keeps on going.
Liquid gold in a glass - one of the best dessert wines on the east coast!
