KinKead Ridge 2008 Viognier - An Excellent Break in a Stressed Life

Well, it's been an exhausting week or so around here, and it's nice to relax a bit and just write about something that really put a smile on my face tonight - a 2008 Kinkead Ridge Viognier/Roussanne blend. Before I get into the wine, I'll just make a note to thank all those who have wished my father well over the last week. He has been in the hospital since last Wednesday, and we're still not totally in the clear, but hopefully things are looking upward. There's an interesting story between he and my love of wine that I'll have to blog about sometime soon.

Anyway, on to the wine...this is a white from one of my favorite Ohio River Valley wineries that we picked up last weekend, and wow do I love it! I know Ron and Nancy out at Kinkead Ridge are very excited about this wine and after tasting it I understand why. This wine is SO refreshing and flavorful all at the same time - it made a wonderful pairing with our cajun shrimp and pasta alfredo tonight! It's a 57% Viognier, 43% Roussanne blend and I detect a bit of honeysuckle on the nose in addition to the fruit forward aromas. In your mouth the wine has just a tinge of tingliness and I actually noticed a bit of spice, almost like ginger or something, again, in addition to the very flavorful fruit notes like orange and pear.

I've always been a big fan or Ron's red wines such as his 2006 Revelation Red and before that the 2005 Syrah, but this white may actually be my favorite wine he has produced. The wine runs $15.95 a bottle and is well worth that. For a list of where to find Kinkead Ridge wines, click here. If you're in the Southern Ohio area, I would really encourage you to visit Kinkead Ridge on a Saturday afternoon and check out all they have to offer. For me, tonight's glass offered a nice relaxing break from some of the stress I've had the past week or so. Tentative plans are to head to Napa next week, so I should have plenty to blog about soon. Happy tasting all, hope you enjoy the first miracle!

Bordeaux in Ohio - Kinkead Ridge Cab Franc

It's been a long day and nothing sounds better right now than a nice glass of red wine to finally slow down with. Playing single parent tonight as the wife's out of town, so decided to open one of my favorite local wines - a 2006 River Village Cellars Cabernet Franc from Kinkead Ridge. Kinkead Ridge is a winery located in Ripley, Ohio and ran by a great couple named Ron and Nancy. Ron is dedicated to growing and producing French varietal grapes/wine that mirror European styles. I've been to his vineyard and I have to say it's amazing. I would call Ron very Type A when it comes to managing his vines, they are impeccable. So on to this Cab Franc...

Kinkead Ridge released this wine under their 2nd lable of River Village Cellars, and this tells you a little something about how particular Ron is about his wines. The Cab Franc has won several medals in both domestic and international competitions and has been compared to wines at 3 or 4 times it's price range. They offer the Franc at $12.95 a bottle and it's well worth it. As to my personal thoughts on the wine - the nose is interesting, a combination of earthy and smokey aromas hits me. It's a very approachable wine, with a good balance of acidity and tannins allowing it to sit easily in your mouth. It's flavors include a bit of spice as well as typical Cabernet Franc tastes. Overall, I highly enjoy this wine. I would strongly encourage you to check out Kinkead Ridge's website and give them a visit when they open back up in the summer. Just tell them you enjoy the first miracle and heard they have some good wine!