Chef Miriam was in operation on the patio when we arrived. Chef Miriam is usually at Casanel on Saturday and Sunday, weather permitting, from noon to 5 PM, creating wonderful food to accompany Casanel's wines. She even has a wood fired oven named “Rita” for pizza and bread.
I finally was able to see the sky walk Nelson has put in. The plan is to have the new restrooms connected and add a events building on top with wine making below.
The view from the sky bridge is pretty nice too, and will be really great once construction is done.
Once Fred arrived we began our tasting. Tastings at Casanel are $5 per person. There are currently 6 wines on the tasting menu. Don Lorenzo, Casanel's estate blend of Pinot Gris and Chardonnay named for their vineyard manager, is off the menu, although some is still available for sale.
Replacing the popular Don Lorenzo is the new 2011 Norton Rose ($24). Casanel was able to obtain some Norton from Jenny at Chrysalis so winemaker Kerem Baki could make another Casanel Norton in a "white style." The Norton grapes were processed like Kerem was making a white wine, not a red. Norton is one of the few grapes that actually has red juice, so the result is a refreshing Rose-like wine, with berry flavor and a spicy finish. We found it very pleasant and took home a bottle, along with a Chardonnay ($17) to take to a dinner we were attending that evening. We also tasted the Viognier ($19), Cabernet Sauvignon ($23), Merlot ($23), and Dulce ($20). Dulce is a 2009 vintage dessert wine made from late harvest Viognier. It won a gold medal in the 2011 Virginia Wine Lover's Classic and a silver in 2012 in the same contest. (I thought the wine had improved over that time). Dulce has 6 percent residual sugar and tastes almost like butterscotch to me. Other folks said it reminded them of caramel apples. (Yes, this is what is on the tasting sheet, but it is an accurate description).
Following our special tasting (Anna poured us some Don Lorenzo too), we, Fred and Allison, Stacy and Sean, Julie, and Anthony all went down the spiral staircase to have some wine and catch up. Chef Miriam kept cooking through the storm under the covered patio so some of the group were able to have some really delicious-looking pizzas made. I had so much fun I forgot to take any pictures.
When you visit Casanel, please tell them you read about them at Wine About Virginia.
Casanel Vineyards
17956 Canby Road /17952 Canby Road
Leesburg, Virginia 20175
540-751-1776
Looks like a nice place, I'll have to check it out.
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