While I was at the Eastern Winery Exposition 2026 in Richmond, Virginia this past month, I had the opportunity to taste a wine from Trueman Vineyards. Trueman Vineyards and Winery is a family-owned winery in Aquasco, Maryland. They create of estate-grown wines like Cabernet Franc, Gruner Veltliner, Traminette, and Merlot. The winery, run by Joel and Amanda Trueman, and opened to the public in late 2024.
One of the absolute winners of the evening of the Grand Tasting was the non-vintage Trueman Vineyards Tannat made with Maryland grown fruit. I am a big fan of Tannat, and it was certainly nice to see another eastern edition of this fine grape. The nose and palate started off this powerful, dark colored wine with stewed black fruits - black plum, black berry, black currant, dark raspberry, black cherry, lekvar, and dried fruit. There were of course some lovely savory notes as well, an earthiness, hints of tobacco and smoke, cocoa, mocha, and espresso. Terrific grippy tannins and wonderful biting acidity made this a wine to be reckoned with - and appreciated. A wonderful step in a great direction. An impressive wine.
Trueman Vineyards Tannat - a big red wine, for big red wine drinkers.