INSIDER'S PICK: 2015 r WINES 'HEIRLOOM $29.99 Two bottle limit

The return of wine from 'The Mind Behind', a side project from one of Virginia's best winemakers where each tiny batch is his effort to push the potential of Virginia wines forward. While many would consider referring to wine as art or artistic a bit melodramatic and overly precious, in the case of the r wines it's very appropriate. These wines are not built for the hopes of mass appeal, high scores from reviewers or critical acclaim. They are built purely to express one person's interpretation of what wine can and should be, our role is simply to experience and react, positively or negatively. Many of the techniques used in past r bottlings have been moved forward into the main winery's regular production, others remain experimental. Every element of the wines is hand wrought, from the vineyards to the bottling, and this year necessity even required pressing some lots of grapes with his bare hands. There is even an air of mystery to this year's bottling as the grape variety used is being kept a secret; there are some strong suspicions, but ultimately the element of trust comes into play and we have to leave ourselves in the hands of the artist/creator. We will also have the winemaker in tomorrow afternoon to help with the tasting, as well as answer any questions you may have short of 'What's the grape?'. Instead of tasting notes, we will leave you with the words of 'The Mind Behind':
 
"This is my debut release under the "Lone Ranger "series.Meaning from here on out they (these small lots) will all bear names that will not include varietal context,they might even include some of my personal linoleum cut art on front labels. This is the "clean slate "that I was working towards from day one when r was started.The only rule that I will adhere to is ,all wines by r is made from the Monticello Appellation. The key factor as always is to initiate great conversation about wine to engage like-minded people about what I have observed about a particular grape variety and its performance under our conditions. There for I can only ask your great wine stewards to sell this as a Monticello red wine and let the wine provoke the true dialect from there. Hopefully "r "has reached that goal in trust by the people that have purchased it over the years.
 
So again, I as a broke artist thank you and the wine warehouse staff kindly, to use your studio to exhibit my work."

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