Tasting - Williamsburg Winery Barrel Aged Virginia Claret

Name: Williamsburg Winery - Williamsburg Vinyards - Pinot Noir
Variety: 37% Petit Verdot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Cabernet Franc
Region: 53% Crozet, 30% Williamsburg, 17% Bent Mountain, VA
Country: USA
Year: 2016
Price: $20

Wine Critic Notes: Notes of violet, tart pomegranate, red plum and black raspberry skew a bit high-toned on the nose. The palate mirrors the nose, adding baking spice and charred oak. Sturdy tannins provide ample structure for the long run, and the acidity is generous through the finish, which lingers on black cherry and allspice. - Fiona Adams; Wine Enthusiast; 89pts

Wine Folly: pg 86 Cabernet Franc - low to medium body, low to medium alcohol, minimal sweetness, medium to high acidity, and low to medium tannins accompanied by notes of strawberry, raspberry, bell pepper, crushed gravel, and chili pepper. With such a high level of acidity, this style pairs well with tomato-based dishes, vinegar-based sauces, or even rich black beluga lentils.
pg 88 Cabernet Sauvignon - Full bodied, medium to high alcohol, high tannin, and mild acidity with notes of black cherry, black currant, cedar, baking spices, and graphite. Typically the rich flavors and high tannin content in Cabernet Sauvignon make it a perfect partner to rich grilled meats, peppery sauces, and dishes with high flavor.
pg 146 Petit Verdot - Full bodied, medium to high alcohol, high tannin, mild acidity, and minimum sweetness with notes of black cherry, plum, violet, lilac, and sage. This style does exceptionally well with roasted meats that have pungent notes, such as Cuban-style pork, or even burgers with blue cheese.

My review: The nose is ripe with dried fruits, massive amounts of oak, lots of baking spice and pepper. The mouthfeel is bold, tannin rich, with a lot more acidity than I was expecting - though Fiona Adams of Wine Enthusiast had pointed it out. I get notes of figs, baking spice, oak, vanilla, red currants, dried raisins, black raspberries, and even black cherry - the finish is spicy, mildly alcoholic, but mostly smooth. A pleasant sipper, though I question if it was worth the price of admission.

No food was had, while tasting this wine - just a glass, and some good music.