Hiddencroft Vineyards was probably the biggest surprise gold medal winner in the 2011 Governor’s Cup. Only the well informed Virginia wine connoisseurs were even aware of this Loudoun County gem. It is well known that Loudoun County is clearly making great wines and it’s expanding the number of wineries (and vineyards) in production.
The aptly named Hiddencroft Vineyards is situated on twenty six secluded acres in Lovettsville. Founded in 2001, Hiddencroft opened the tasting room portion of their building in 2010. As the northernmost winery in Virginia, Hiddencroft has significant followings in Maryland, West Virginia as well as the Old Dominion. The tasting room/production facility building is much like Hiddencroft’s wines, graceful and understated.
To describe owner Clyde Housel as passionate is an understatement. Often found behind the tasting room bar, he is eager to share his viticultural vision, winemaking philosophy, and, most importantly, his wine. Wine Details
2008 Cabernet Franc
Wine is a living thing. When I tasted this wine in February, in the gold medal media tasting, my notes indicated the wine had great promise but needed more time to develop. Either my tasting bottle was off or boy has the wine matured in these last four months. This most recent tasting was vastly different than in February!
Well integrated does not begin to describe the flavor profile of this classically styled Cabernet Franc. In the glass, the wine presents a deep purple hue filling the glass with color. The slightly closed nose hints of green pepper, licorice and plum.
A most subtly, almost fuzzy, attack is filled with red cherries. The twenty two months of oak aging results in generous but gentle round tannins and a mid palate highlighted by strawberry and a touch of rhubarb. The full bodied white pepper finish has silky tannins that embrace the rear of the palate and refuse to let go.
Pairing this wine with braised beef would be easy but I would also serve with lamb or hearty vegetable kabobs. While this wine has aging potential, I tend to believe it is near its apex in the complexity incline.
DRINK NOW - Winter 2013
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