Chrysalis Vineyards, Middleburg, Virginia

Spent a delightful Father’s Day afternoon at Chrysalis Vineyards in Middleburg, Virginia, enjoying a nice lunch with the family and soaking in the surroundings. Although less than ten years old, Chrysalis is recognized for producing high quality Viognier and Norton wines. Norton is a native American grape that yields an extremely robust red wine, very low in tannins but big on taste. Several wineries in Virginia grow Norton grapes, with Chrysalis having the largest planting.

Another nice feature about Chrysalis is their pavilion and barbecue pit. You can actually bring your own food to barbecue while you’re enjoying a glass of wine on Sarah’s Patio, adjacent to the tasting room. Lots of trees make this a great place to bring the kids, which were in great abundance along with their dads (and moms!) My wife and I did a tasting of their estate (not reserve) wines and a couple stood out, one for the right reasons, the other for the wrong.

Viognier (2003) – The Viognier is a Northern Rhone varietal that is gaining in popularity as sort of an un-Chardonnay, more on the citrus side than buttery, still very full-bodied and dry. Fermented sur lie and aged in French oak, this wine is bright, balanced and would go well with slightly spicy food or chicken cordon bleu. Award-winning in previous vintages, the 2003 should continue the tradition of being one of Virginia’s best white wines. And it’s priced accordingly. Grade: A-

Sarah’s Patio Red (2003) – The grape that has been used for good in their Norton Locksley Reserve and Barrel Select, which are deep, bold and intense, alas has been used for ill in this offering. Chrysalis has taken their Norton grapes, pressed them whole cluster to give the wine a fruity, flowery character and pumped a little CO2 into the tank to give this concoction a little bit of a fizz. Not only that, but they recommend that this wine be served slightly chilled, certainly a sign of trouble for any self-respecting red wine. Bleh. Grade: D+