This is a wonderful Tannat Port that has aged 3 years in French Oak Barrels
2024 ASWA BEST OF CATEGORY/Gold Medal Winner: 2021 Stuurboord by Briedé Family Vineyards, VA. Stuurboord is a 100% tannat port-style wine with a clever name! With grapes sourced from the Sherman Ridge Vineyard in the Shenandoah Valley, the wine aged 3 years on French oak and is rich and ripe with hints of leather. Appropriately sweet, balanced with spice and tannin.
Reviewed by Julia Harding/Jancis Robinson
A port-style made from Tannat grapes purchased from a grower in Shenandoah AVA, from Sherman Ridge Vineyard. pH 3.94, RS 52 g/l. Aged three years in French oak. Very dark garnet with smudgy rim. Rich, ripe black fruit but no raisining. Sweet, spicy, the sweetness well balanced by the firm but smooth tannins. Warm from the alcohol and tastes better slightly chilled. There's an attractive savoury side to this port-style wine, slightly leathery, which is a good foil to the sweetness. The tannins build in the mouth. A very good port style, harmonious and sustained. (JH)
