Virginia Takes On Tannat

50 West Vineyards and Winery is named for the highway you take to get there. Once you're there, you can enjoy their lively estate and seating area, with a nice glass of wine in your hand. It's the site of some historic Civil War battles, and you can take in the scenery from the bluff on which the winery sits. For some more recent historical notes, winemaker Jason Burrus put in six years learning the ropes in California, in Napa and Sonoma counties. 

The 2021 50 West Vineyards Aldie Heights Cuvée was made using grapes from the winery's Shenandoah Springs & Shenandoah Ridge vineyards. The composition is 47% Tannat, 44% Petit Verdot, 7% Merlot, and a 2% splash of Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine was aged for a little more than two years in French oak barrels. The alcohol content is 14.5% abv and the price is $70.

This wine is very dark in the glass. Its nose is fairly complex, with notes of cassis, blackberry, plum, clove, and anise. The palate delivers a rich display of the fruit, plus a savory, earthy aspect. The tannins are fine and there is a fresh acidity. This is a great wine to pair with a steak or pork loin. 

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