Following the first Grand Tasting at Boxwood, and the subsequent rush to buy bottles, we hopped in the bus back to the hotel for a quick change before we headed to Breaux Vineyards for the evening’s dinner, prepared by Chef Patrick of Tuscarora Mill.
Every time I drive out in Hillsboro and Purcellville, I’m reminded how utterly beautiful the area is. The approach to Breaux, with it’s sprawling acres of vines and rolling mountains in the distance is quite the site.
Upon our arrival we were greeted with the 2010 Sauvignon Blanc, a refreshing and clean version that I found delightful. I’m really beginning to enjoy the Sauvignon Blancs being crafted in the Commonwealth. (This view was reiterated the following day with another Sauvignon Blanc, which will be discussed later). They have good character without too much of the grassy flavors that can overpower New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs. Full disclosure, I rather enjoy a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc from time to time.
Breaux Vineyards
As we mingled on a tented patorio among past hors d’oeuvres of seared scallops, roasted pear tartlets, and compressed melon with feta, we sampled the famous 2010 Viogner, the 2010 Jen’s Jambalaya, a blend of 7 white grapes, and one of my weekend favorites, the 2002 Merlot Reserve. Not wanting to squander a trip to Breaux, I (and others) snuck away to snap a few pictures of a beautiful vistas.
The Vines
The Mountains and Vines
After enjoying the cooling weather and delicious hors d’oeuvres, we made our way to the tank room, for what only can be described as elegant: a long white linnen-lined table clad with sunflowers, banners carrying Louisiana’s trademark purple and gold draped overhead, flanked on both sides by the wine tanks. It’s almost as if Jennifer Breaux Blosser and her team have done this before.
Dinner
What followed was another amazing meal featuring one of Loudoun and the DC aren’s finest, Chef Patrick of Tuscarora Mill.
The Meal and WIne Pairings
The Menu
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The Salad, served with goat cheese and Walnuts was paired with the 2011 Breaux Rose, a beautiful compliment to the first course. It was a completely different style than the Boxwood Rose that we tasted earlier in the afternoon. It was a more full bodied wine with not as much bright crisp acidity.
The main course, comprised of spiced angus beef medallions was served with the 2007 Breaux Cabernet Franc Reserve and the 2007 Breaux Cabernet Sauvignon. If this day taught me nothing, it showed me how well 2007s are showing. I thoroughly enjoyed the Boxwood 2007 Topiary, in addition to these two. (Yes, my economist friends would be furious for making sweeping generalizations with such a small sample, but I digress). I preferred the Cabernet Franc with the beef, it paired perfectly with the beef and the gorgonzola risotto, which softened the tannins to make the wine flow like silk. Delicious.
I’m a nebbiolo neophyte -Frank Morgan, Drinkwhatyoulike.com
From left to right: '11 Breaux Rose, '07 Cabernet Franc Reserve,. '07 Cabernet Sauvignon, '01 Nebbiolo, '02 Nebbiolo, '05 Nebbiolo, '07 Nebbiolo
You and me both Frank. What came next was about to be a learning experience for me. A vertical tasting of Breaux’s most prized offerings–their Nebbiolo: 2001, 2002, 2005, and a barrel sample of the 2007, paired with an assortment of cheeses.
After first pairing the 2001 with the one of the cheeses, I turned to VA Pour House, seated to my left to insist he try the same. “That’s good sh**!” came his reply with eyes wide open in amazement like someone had just taught him the Contra code: Sheer joy. (Be sure to check out his post on the entire evening).
My favorite was the 2001, with it’s licorice and leather notes and a dark cherry core. I’d love to try the 2007 again when it comes out, as I found it off to a good start. Plus, I want to further test my 2007 theory.
The meal ended with two desert wines, the 2010 Chere Marie, a Vidal Blanc and the 2006 Soleil, a blend of late harvest Vidal, Viognier, Semillion, and Sauvignon Blanc. I typically don’t go for white desert wines, but I found them both to go nicely with the white chocolate apricot cake.
My two favorites of the evening:
2002 Merlot Reserve
2007 Cabernet Fran Reserve
As we drove off down Route 9 headed back to the National Conference Center, I began to kick myself for not picking up either of those two, however, as luck would have it, we’d left two behind at Breaux, including Tammy of Miss WIneOH, who just so happened to leave her 2002 Merlot Reserve on the bus in the seat in front of me…….boy was it tempting.
