Just some notes from "The Fair Commonwealth" and its growing reputation for making wicked-good vino.

If, as a fan of Virginia wines, you've yet to pay a visit to Richard Leahy's "Wine Report"- you should:

http://www.richardleahy.com/blog/

In his latest entry, Riley discusses a visit from Michael Broadbent to Charlottesville, and his opinions of several of the wines he tried from Barboursville Vineyards, including several vintages of the "Octagon".

http://www.richardleahy.com/blog/2009/07/16/states-evidence-virginia-1-california-0-says-decanters-broadbent/

If you scroll down just a bit from that piece you can also find a GREAT little read about Michael Shaps's (http://www.snooth.com/winery/michael-shaps/) open tasting that took place in late June:

http://www.richardleahy.com/blog/2009/07/13/virginia-wineworks-host-1st-annual-festival-for-their-and-clients-wines/

...I am SUCH a maroon for not forcing my way to that thing, as it sounds like it was a blast. The mention of the hybrid grape "Chardonel" has me most intrigued. I've always liked the examples of the Seyval Blanc that I've tried- and crossing that grape with Chardonnay sounds like a recipe for greatness.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chardonel

Lastly; if anyone gets a crack at tasting that Shaps' “raisin d’Etre”- PLEASE drop us some tasting notes. A Ripasso style wine made from Virginia Petit Verdot. Think about the possibilities.