Taste Camp 2012
As I sit to gather my thoughts and impressions about a truly first class weekend organized by Lenn Thompson of NewYorkCorkReport.com and Frank Morgan of DrinkWhatYouLike.com, I can’t help but be incredibly proud of Virginia Wine.  A gathering of 40+ wine writers from across North America descending upon Loudoun County is quite a daunting challenge, and I believe that Virginia wine stood up to the challenge and showed remarkably well.  In addition to Lenn and Frank,  I offer sincere thanks to Boxwood Winery, Breaux Winery, Tarara Winery, and VisitLoudoun.org for graciously sponsoring key parts of the weekend, demonstrating the uniqueness and excellence of Virginia wine, and showing what Virginia hospitality is all about.  In addition, Taste Camp could not have happened without the Virginia Wineries that poured their finest: Ankida Ridge, Annefield, Barboursville, Boxwood Winery, Blenheim, Breaux Vineyards, 8 Chains North, Corcoran, Delaplane Cellars, Fabbioli Cellars, Gadino Cellars,General’s Ridge, Glass House,, Horton,Hume, Linden, Loudoun Valley, Narmada, North Gate, Otium Cellars, Philip Carter,Pearmund, Rappahannock Cellars,   Stinson,  White Hall , Zephaniah.
As I pulled up the National Conference Center, I didn’t know what to expect.  This was my first Taste Camp, and the first time that I’d met many of my fellow Virginia wine bloggers.  I was quickly greeted by Kurt and Carol of Wine About Virginia, followed by Paul and Warren of Virginia Wine Time, and Frank of the aforementioned Drink What You Like.  As the out of town bloggers emerged from the NCC labyrinth, I got to chatting with Joe of the Georgia wine blog Suburban Wino, who as it turns out went to high school with me.  Small World.
At 11:15 sharp(ish), we departed in a bus to Middleburg, VA for a kickoff lunch at Boxwood Winery.
Boxwood Winery
Greeted by representatives from VisitLoudoun.org and Cat Coughlin, Marketing Manager at Boxwood, we were handed an aperitif of 2011 Boxwood Rose, a Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Malbec blend that was crisp, delicious and a perfect way to start the weekend.
Merlot: 46% Cabernet Franc: 35% Malbec: 19%
Lunch in the Quai
After the group sipped the wine, snapped some photos, and stared and the beauty that is Boxwood, Rachel Martin and Cat opened up the doors to the quai, where we all gathered for a meal prepared by Ayrshire Farm.  Team Boxwood poured us a taste of the 2007 Topiary, Bordeaux-style blend, as they shared the news that the’ll be opening the winery to public tours and tastings, starting June 8th.  The Tasting Room in downtown Middleburg will soon close.  As we enjoyed the 2007 Topiary, which has evolved tremendously since I had it last, we learned that the Treasury Department has approved a new American Viticulture Area which will include Boxwood and allow them to finally put Estate on their labels, once all the final paperwork is processed.  Pretty exciting stuff for both Boxwood and Virginia!
As we ate roast beef and turkey sandwiches, we were served the 2007 Boxwood, another beautiful wine that received accolades throughout the entire weekend and only received one complaint–it wasn’t available for purchase,Rachel gave us the history of the winery and answered questions.
After making new friends and chatting with the likes of Tammy of Miss WineOH.com and Amanda Leonard of amandaroseleonard.com at lunch, along with meeting Richard Leahy, author of Beyond Jefferson’s Vines: The Evolution of Quality Wine in Virginia, we then proceeded to the cave to hear Adam McTaggart discuss his background, winemaking style, the challenges of Virginia.
Boxwood Winemaker Adam McTaggart in the Cave
This kick-off event was truly exceptional, with Rachel, Cat, Adam and all of Team Boxwood pulling out all the stops to make the kick-off a remarkable success. Â Who knew that only 15 minutes prior to our arrival, lunch had been set up outside when the sky opened up.
With the the first part of the first day wrapped up, we were ready to taste some more wine–the subject of another post.
Some notes about the wines poured:
2011 Rose:  This crisp dry rose was a beautiful compliment to a hot muggy day.  I highly recommend this wine, and I made sure to buy some as I left.
2007 Topiary:  I first had this wine a few years ago,  I liked it, but much preferred the 2007 Boxwood.  Fast forward 2 years and this wine is evolving magically.  I now prefer it to the 2007 Boxwood.  I’d have bought a case if I could.
2007 Boxwood:  Another gorgeous wine, which received continued praise throughout the weekend.  Although I preferred the Topiary, the Boxwood will still evolve nicely, and I’d love to see how it tastes in a few years.
Boxwood is doing it all right, and it shows in the wine.
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