We had made reservations for the outside patio, however a dark large cloud had rolled in bringing rain just as we arrived so the staff quickly adjusted us to a table indoors but right next to the window. We felt safe as the tables are still fairly spread out.
Being our first time here, I pretty much wanted to try everything. We started with a Taste of the Early Mountain offerings - today featuring:
- Pur 2020 - Crisp, fresh, and friendly. This unoaked "pure" white was right up my alley, so we purchased a bottle to take home.
- Chardonnay 2019 - Classic Chardonnay with finesse and freshness, a bit of buttery brioche notes.
- Soif 2020 - Fresh, chillable red blend, juicy and fun
- Foothills 2019 - Delicious red blend; fruit-driven and layered.
We also tried the Virginia flight featuring other local vineyards:
- Chatham Vineyards, Church Creek Chardonnay 2019 - 100% unoaked, steel fermented with notes of honeysuckle, pineapple, and mineral elements on the nose, the palette is pristine, with ripe, sweet stone fruit tangerine acidity, and just a hint of grapefruit.
- Jefferson Vineyards, Viognier 2019 - 93 pts, a bouquet of peach, apricot, and lychee gives way to vibrant acidity, peach, and pineapple flavors on the palate, before a round and lengthy floral finish.
- Walsh Family Wine, Russ Mountain Vineyard, Merlot 2019 - ripe, spicy, red-fruit focused
- Michael Shaps, Meritage 2016 - a blend of 45% Merlot, 28% Petit Verdot, 9% Cabernet Franc, 9% Malbec, and 9% Cabernet Sauvignon. The grapes are fermented with natural yeast in stainless steel tanks and then barrel aged in 54% new French oak individually and blended for a total of 21 months.
With our flights we nibbled on the Artisanal Charcuterie & Cheese Board and a half loaf of Albemarle Baking Company Baguette. We also shared the Asparagus Panna Cotta with Cara Cara Orange, Shaved Asparagus & Fennel, Pickled Shallot, Gremolata, and Lemon Vinaigrette. This dish was bright and refreshing and paired well with a glass of the 2017 Intention. This ageworthy white blend of 55% Petit Manseng and 45% Sauvignon Blanc is fermented in French oak barrels and extended 20 months aging on fine lees. Keith prefers red, so he got a glass of the 2017 Rise - their flagship red blend of 62% Merlot, 19% Petit Verdot, 12% Tannat, 6% Cabernet Franc, 1% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged 18 months in French barrique (50% new) and 18 months in bottle prior to release. On the nose, the fruits are deep and dark with Damson plum and wild blackberries accented by mint, cedar and wood spice. On the palate the flavors echo the aromas; structured and layered with ample and persistent tannin. This was the most expensive Early Mountain wine at $95, but we loved it so much that we bought a bottle to commemorate our anniversary and will cellar it to save and open in another 10 years.
For my main course, I ordered the Halibut served with Mushrooms en Brodo, Spring Peas, Chanterelles, and Lemon. The fish was cooked perfectly and I paired this with a glass of fresh and energetic 2020 Dry Rosé. This 90 pt wine is a pale salmon color with bright notes of strawberries, white peaches, red grapefruit and herbal aromas. We also purchased a bottle of this to take home.
Keith enjoyed the Roasted Veal Loin
with Confit Young Potatoes, Carrots, Asparagus, Morel Mushrooms in a Morel Cream Sauce. With this dish, Keith paired a glass of 2019 Quaker Run Cabernet Franc. It was silky with loads of mountain fruit that married well with the veal.
Lastly, we shared a dessert of Chocolate Blackout Nightingale Ice Cream Sandwich. This was perfect for chocolate lovers!
Total Rating: 4.38
Food: 4.5, Price: 3.5, Service: 5, Ambience: 5, Accessibility: 4
