Gray Ghost Winery: 2012 Gewurztraminer

Today, we tasted at Gray Ghost Winery.  Gray Ghost is named after John S. Mosby.  It is located along the Southern end of the area in Virginia that John S. Mosby was known to operate during the Civil War.  Gray Ghost Winery has been making wine for 19 years and has about 13 acres under vine (if I can remember the host's information correctly about the acreage).  Gray Ghost produces the well known and hard to get, Ranger Reserve.  Reserve is a blend all five red Bordeaux grape varietals (Blend: 29% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 20% Petit Verdot, 15% Cabernet Franc and 12% Malbec) and is aged for 15 months in French oak barrels. 

Overall, there are many great things that you can say about Gray Ghost.  This winery is an important stop on the Virginia wine tour and its one that I have done multiple times. Gray Ghost now offers library tastings on schedule dates.  Library tastings are a unique and important opportunity to get a richer taste of a particular grape.  Depending on which date you catch you have the opportunity to conduct a vertical tasting of their Cabernet Sauvignon or compare and contrast differing years of wine; such as the Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon or the Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.  Years that are being offered from their library range from 1993 to 2008.  These events are also extremely valuable because they often offer opportunity to capture the vision of the vine maker through the years.  Don't forget to call ahead if you would like to participate. 

There are 9 award winning wines on their wine list to taste for only $3.00.  However, I wanted to take a moment to capture thoughts on one of my favorite grapes, which is found at Gray Ghost.  That grape is the Gewurztraminer.  I like the Gewurztraminer for the fruity flavors of star fruit and pineapple.  I find the wine to be positioned well on the tasting list at Gray Ghost, as you cross between the Reserve Chardonnay (aged in French Oak) and their Victorian White (Chardonnay with no Oak).  The 2012 Gewurztraminer is the winner of 6 awards: 

1. Gold-2013 Pacific Rim International Wine Competition, California 
2. Silver-2013 Riverside International Wine Competition, California 
3. Silver-2013 Finger Lakes International Wine Competition 
4. Bronze-2013 US National Wine Competition, CA 
5. Bronze-2013 Tasters Guild International  
6. Bronze-2013 Lone Star International Wine Competition

Bottle of 2012 Gewurztraminer

Gewurztraminer with its awards

 
Other photos taken at the winery today.

Cab Sauv Vines

Cab Sauv Vines

Cab Sauv grapes on the vine

Looking down the vines

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