Lesley's Wine Blog: Chateau Morrisette Winery Visit 3/23

On Friday my roommates and I went to visit Chateau Morrisette. It was a really interesting experience, getting to see how the wine is made and then being able to taste the wine that we saw being made.

The Tour:

The tanks that the wine is held in. There were rows of these tanks in which the wine was fermented.

The barrels that the wine is stored in to age.

The stamp that Chateau Morrisette uses to mark all of their barrels, I thought they were so cute!

This is one look at the machine that bottles the wine. There is a pump that takes the wine and sucks it through the machine so that bottling can be much more efficient.

Another look at the machine used to bottle the wine.

There were stacks and stacks of bottled wine in the warehouse. The wine was stacked almost to the ceiling of the warehouse. The wine was in plastic containers and wrapped all around in plastic wrap. The wine is held in the warehouse until it can be shipped off to distributors.

The Tasting:
For the tasting we got to taste ten of the wines that are made on the property. We also got to keep our tasting glass, which was a nice souvenir.

2010 Chardonnay:
Chateau Morrisette Notes- Green apples, citrus, and melon aromas infused with mild vanilla and fig float from this opulent wine. Tasting reveals citrus, pear, passion fruit and honey augmented by rich nuances of caramel and toast. Silky and creamy in texture, this wine features a toasty, but smooth butterscotch finish. Slow barrel fermentation and subsequent aging sur lies (on the yeast) for 8 months resulted in a well-balanced and complex wine. Our Chardonnay pairs well with crab, lobster, and other rich seafood, especially cream sauces; roasted poultry, mushroom dishes, and sharp cheese.
My notes- The smell of this wine was very fruity. It also smelled very alcoholic, which gave it a burnt smell. I could not distinguish any particular fruit smell, but it was very fruity. The wine tasted like pears. At the end of the tasting there was a little alcoholic bite.

Independence:
Chateau Morrisette Notes- A blend of Traminette, Vidal Blanc, Riesling, and Chardonnay, this refreshing dry white wine is packed with the lively fruit characters of grapefruit and melon. The smooth texture and entrancing aromas of white flowers and roses complete this delicious tribute to Independence.
My notes- This wine had a very floral nose, which was noted in the Chateau Morrisette notes. I could also smell hints of apple. The taste of the wine was very crisp and sweet. It was not overly sweet, there was a nice balance or sweetness and acidity. There were hints of melon and flowers in the taste of the wine as well.

2010 Chambourcin:
Chateau Morrisette Notes- Aromas of plums and berries lift from this dark violet, augmented by gentle notes of black tea. Tasting quickly fills the mouth with rich fruitiness, suggesting cherries and blueberries. Silky and soft, this medium to full bodied wine features a fruity and exceptionally long finish, revealing glimmers of black pepper. Chambourin is an exceptionally smooth and food-friendly wine. Enjoy it with grilled meats, sausages, roasted poultry, and dishes with mushrooms. Try with chocolate!
My notes- This wine was a very dark red color. This wine smelled like pepper and spices. It was very inviting smell. This wine was very crisp and light. It also tasted like pepper.

2010 Cabernet Franc:
Chateau Morrisette- Dark berry and delicate cedar aromas illuminate the juicy plum and black cherry flavors in this mid-weight, mouth-watering wine. The velvet tannic structure, augmented by a small amount of Petit Verdot, slowly fades into a warm, lingering finish with cheeses. Try it with dark chocolate!
My notes- This wine smelled like dark fruits, in particular cherries. The taste of this wine was very light and smooth. I could really pick up the hints of dark fruit that was noted in the Chateau Morrisette description. This was one of my favorite wines of the tasting.

2008 Petit Verdot:
Chateau Morrisette Notes- Our 2008 Petit Verdot invites with traces of vanilla emerging from rich, dark fruit aromas. Wild berry and raisin flavors mingle with savory nuances of black pepper and taost, all wrapped in robust, velvety tannins. Mocha joins the berry character through the long finish. Try our Petit Verdot with juicy grilled steaks or sharp cheeses.
My notes- This wine had a very berry smell. Which was balanced with hints of black pepper, that gave it a well-balanced nose. This wine is very smooth with a little bit of an alcoholic bite. When tasting this wine, the pepper hints were very noticeable.

2010 Vidal Blanc:
Chateau Morrisette Notes- Refreshing flavors of citrus and apples are auugmented by grapefruit, melon and floral aromas. Medium-bodied and smooth, this vintage features a lengthy, aromatic finish. Very food-friendly; pairs well with a wide variety of grilled or roasted poultry and seafood.
My notes- This wine oddly smelled like soap. The initial fragarence was of a soapy bath. There were also citrus elements in the aroma. Contrary to the smell, this wine did not taste like soap. It was in fact very crisp with hints of apple.

Blushing Dog:
Chateau Morrisette Notes- A refreshing semi-sweet blush wine made from a distinctive blend of Vidal Blanc and Traminette, with a touch of Chambourcin for depth as well as the inviting blush color. Lush aromas of flowers and fruit are balanced by crisp acidity. Excellent on its own or with a summer picnic.
My notes- The smell of this wine smelled like sugar. It was as if a flower was covered in sugar. The taste of the wine was quite smooth. There was still hints of sugar in the taste of the wine. But overall it was a nice, sweet wine.

Sweet Mountain Laurel:
Chateau Morrisette Notes- A unique and refreshingly sweet dessert style wine made from Native American grape varieties. Firm acidity balances the sweetness, producing a crisp finish with aromas of freshly picked grapes. Pour over fresh berries and sponge cake or blend with vanilla ice cream and fruit for a creamy dessert smoothie.
My notes- This wine smelled exactly like Welch's white grape juice. There was also a noticeable burning smell. The only way to describe the taste of this wine is to say that it was Welch's white grape juice, but even more sweet. You could tell that there was some alcohol burn in the after taste, but overall it was super sweet.

2010 Frosty Dog:
Chateau Morrisette Notes- Freezing resulted in a concentrated, aromatic juice, which when fermented became this sumptuous, complex dessert wine. Aromas of apples, citrus, and orange blossoms are accentuated by lively acidity. The lingering finish drips with honey, pear, and subtle mango flavors. This delightful wine is a great dessert by itself, and can also be served as an aperitif.
My notes- You could smell the sugar coming out of the glass. It reminded me of cotton candy and candied apples. The taste of the wine was exactly what the smell indicated. There was also a hint of honey that was thick and coated the palate.

Blackberry Wine:
Chateau Morrisette Notes- Sweet and smooth, our Blackberry Wine is packed with the vibrant fruitiness of succulent, sun drenched berries. Try it lightly chilled with most any grilled or spicy food.
My notes- This wine smelled fruity, although not particularly like blackberries. The taste of the wine was light and crisp. There was a little fruit taste similar to that of a fruit roll-up. It was surprisingly tasty and I would get this wine again.

Photos from our trip: