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<\/a>Which brings us to our latest discovery deep in the Shenandoah Valley \u2014 CrossKeys Vineyards, in Rockingham County, whose wines we do believe express the character of the land beneath and around them \u2014 wines with a \u201csense of place\u201d that make a good case for minerality in the Shenandoah Valley.<\/p>\nCrossKeys, named for the small rural community of Cross Keys southeast of Harrisonburg, was established in 2001 by Bob and Nikoo Bakhtiar. Bob and Nikoo planted their first vines that very year on land that had been covered in thick cedar forest. Today the 125-acre CrossKeys estate comprises 30 acres of vineyards surrounding a stunning winery and tasting room (pictured right) that includes a bistro as well as a large events room, called the \u201cKey Room,\u201d where they host a variety of special events such as wine dinners and wedding parties.<\/p>\n
CrossKeys produces 12 wines, at present, with an average annual production of 7,000 cases \u2014 in the 2015 vintage, 90% from estate-grown fruit. With winemakers Stephan Heyns and Steve Monson at the helm in the cellar, the winery has garnered a number of awards over the past several years, including, most recently, a gold medal for their 2015 Cabernet Franc in the 2017 Virginia Governor\u2019s Cup competition.<\/p>\n
During a recent visit to CrossKeys, we tasted through the winery\u2019s full portfolio and found them all to be well-crafted and appealing. One thing we immediately noticed \u2014 and appreciated \u2014 is that Stephan and Steve are careful and calculated in their use of oak in fermenting and aging CrossKeys wines. None of their wines is aged longer than 14 months in oak (most for much less time), and to a significant extent they employ neutral oak barrels to enhance a wine\u2019s texture without imparting taste or masking natural aromas and flavors. Stephan and Steve also are experimenting with Modern Cooperage (pictured above) \u2014 a stainless steel barrel with insertable oak staves \u2014 which gives them full control over oak exposure throughout the fermentation and aging process.<\/p>\n We recommend that you visit CrossKeys Vineyards and taste their wines, relax in the tasting room or on the patio, stroll around their gorgeous property, and meet the Bakhtiar family. In the mean-time, we share our tasting notes on four of our favorite CrossKeys selections, below.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Petit Verdot is a darling variety in Virginia right now. It is hardy, thick-skinned, tannic, and late-ripening, and in Virginia\u2019s warm, humid climate develops full ripeness with good acid retention. The 2015 CrossKeys Petit Verdot is emblematic of the variety\u2019s potential in the state. It is, visually, a thing of beauty, with deeply saturated purple pigmentation and pronounced viscosity. It is just as pleasurable to smell and taste, with aromas of macerated boysenberry, jasmine tea, and iron that lead to flavors of black cherry and cranberry, toasted almond, and juniper berry \u2014 all framed by notes of cured tobacco, clove, and muted oak over a tangy finish. It is dry and full-bodied, with chewy tannins and mild acidity. It aged for nine months in 11% new French oak, 7% new American oak, and 82% neutral oak barrels. It is zesty and quite muscular on the palate, and will pair well with robust cheeses, spicy dishes, and smoked meats; indeed, a great barbecue wine.<\/p>\n 13% ABV | 450 Cases Produced | $28<\/strong><\/p>\n CrossKeys 2015 Petit Verdot is enjoyable now with a half hour\u2019s decant, and should develop nicely through 2022.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The 2015 CrossKeys Meritage (rhymes with \u201cheritage\u201d) is a blend of three traditional Bordeaux varieties \u2014 Petit Verdot (38%), Merlot (37%), and Cabernet Franc (25%) \u2014 and is a classy tribute to Old World sensibilities. Aromas suggesting blackberry preserve, violet, and semi-sweet chocolate lead to flavors of macerated dark fruit, bell pepper, and cured tobacco \u2014 all layered with notions of grilled herbs, vanilla bean, and leather over a lingering finish. Deep-set impressions of stony minerality are present from beginning to end. The wine is dry, with chewy tannins, mild acidity, andspicy, herbaceous oak. It aged for 14 months in 18% new American oak, 13% new French oak, and 69% neutral oak barrels. The wine is savory and elegant on the palate, and will pair well with robust cheeses, seared filet mignon, grilled vegetables, and other such hearty fare.<\/p>\n 13.5% ABV | 350 Cases Produced | $30<\/strong><\/p>\n CrossKeys 2015 Meritage is enjoyable now with an hour\u2019s decant, and should develop nicely through 2023.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n This is another CrossKeys red that tips its hat, stylistically, to its vinicultural brethren across the Atlantic (you would be hard-pressed to mistake it for a California Merlot). On the nose are notions of mixed berry compote, damson plum, and toasted nuts; and on the palate, suggestions of blueberry preserve, toffee, and allspice \u2014 all interwoven with impressions of graphite, cured tobacco, and subtle, cedar-tinged oak over a savory finish. The wine is dry and full-bodied, with chewy tannins and mild acidity, and offers terrific concentration and balance for this variety in Virginia. It aged for nine months in 30% new French oak and 70% neutral oak barrels. It is food versatile, and will pair well with medium-sharp cheeses, grilled meats, roasted eggplant, braised pork chops, and other such savory fare.<\/p>\n 13% ABV | 350 Cases Produced | $22<\/strong><\/p>\n CrossKeys 2015 Merlot is enjoyable now with a half hour\u2019s decant, and should develop nicely through 2022.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Virginia Chardonnay tends to be fresh and elegant when not over-oaked, and this is a fitting example. It opens with aromas of baked peach, toasted almond, and coriander; transitions to flavors of ripe apricot, Rainier (yellow) cherry, and white chocolate; and finishes on mellow tones of biscuit, honey, and banana peel. There are impressions of wet stone \u2014 perhaps flint \u2014 as well, reminiscent of a good Chablis. It is dry and medium-bodied, with moderate acidity and discreetly integrated oak. 40% of the wine was fermented in stainless steel then racked to neutral oak barrels; and 60% was fermented in French oak barrels, 20% new, over nine months. It is lean and silky on the palate, and will pair well with assorted cheeses, creamy pasta dishes, savory poultry dishes, seafood, and other light fare.<\/p>\n 12.5% ABV | 500 Cases Produced | $20<\/strong><\/p>\n CrossKeys 2015 Chardonnay is fresh and ready to drink now and will continue to please over the next 3-4 years.<\/p>\n Editor\u2019s note:<\/em> In addition to the wines above, we recently featured The 2015 CrossKeys Touriga as a \u201cDaily Wine Recommendation\u201d with 87 points | \u201cRecommended.\u201d See our review at this link.<\/p>\n CrossKeys wines are available directly from the winery, either at the tasting room or online. Visit them virtually at www.crosskeysvineyards.com<\/a>, e-mail them at info@crosskeysvineyards.com<\/a>, ring them at 540.234.0505, or visit them personally at their tasting room at 6011 E. Timber Ridge Road, Mt. Crawford, VA 22841.<\/p>\n CrossKeys wines may be found, as well, at select wine retailers and restaurants throughout Virginia. They are available at all Total Wine locations in the state. If you are in Virginia, or nearby, and would like information on availability in your area, contact CrossKeys\u2019 wholesale representative at bubbles@crosskeysvineyards.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n If you are in, near, or passing through Shenandoah County, All Things Virginia @ The Farmhouse in Woodstock carries a good selection of CrossKeys wines along with assorted other Virginia-made products. For information on their selections, visit them virtually at www.allthingsva.com<\/a>, e-mail them at vicki@allthingsva.com<\/a>, ring them at 540.459.9006, or visit them personally at 125 N. Main St., Woodstock, VA 22664. Heritage Mill Wines 1848 in Edinburg, just five miles down historic Route 11 from Woodstock, also carries CrossKeys wines. They are located at 214 S. Main St., Edinburg, VA, and can be reached at 540.984.4077.<\/p>\n For more information or questions about the wines and wineries of the Shenandoah Valley \u2014 including a list of Shenandoah Valley wineries \u2014 visit the Shenandoah Wine Trail, an association of Shenandoah Valley wineries, at:<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/h1>\nCrossKeys Vineyards Petit Verdot\u00a0 2015<\/h1>\n
Shenandoah Valley<\/h2>\n
91 Points\u00a0 |\u00a0 \u201cHighly Recommended\u201d<\/h3>\n
Drink Now or Hold<\/h3>\n
<\/a>CrossKeys Vineyards | Meritage | 2015<\/h1>\nShenandoah Valley<\/h2>\n
90 Points | \u201cHighly Recommended\u201d<\/h3>\n
Drink Now or Hold<\/h3>\n
<\/a>CrossKeys Vineyards | Merlot | 2015<\/h1>\nShenandoah Valley<\/h2>\n
90 Points | \u201cHighly Recommended\u201d<\/h3>\n
Drink Now or Hold<\/h3>\n
<\/a>CrossKeys Vineyards | Chardonnay | 2015<\/h1>\nShenandoah Valley<\/h2>\n
88 Points | \u201cRecommended\u201d<\/h3>\n
Drink or Hold<\/h3>\n
<\/a>Availability<\/h3>\n