{"id":2462,"date":"2018-02-01T13:19:03","date_gmt":"2018-02-01T17:19:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ncwineguys.com\/?p=2462"},"modified":"2024-08-25T20:34:49","modified_gmt":"2024-08-26T00:34:49","slug":"mcritchie-winery-ring-fire-vertical-tasting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/ncwineguys.com\/index.php\/mcritchie-winery-ring-fire-vertical-tasting\/","title":{"rendered":"McRitchie Winery – Ring of Fire Vertical Tasting"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Ah! \u00a0McRitchie Winery<\/a>‘s Ring of Fire, a highly regarded red blend in the North Carolina wine<\/a> world. \u00a0Some have called it North Carolina’s Octogon. \u00a0Octogon<\/a> is the highly acclaimed red blend from Virgina’s Barboursville Vineyards<\/a>. \u00a0We’re certainly not going to disagree with that assessment.<\/p>\n

Ring of Fire is consistently a great wine. \u00a0And, that name, an homage to the classic song by Johnny Cash, makes for a memorable wine too. \u00a0Although, the wine itself doesn’t burn, burn, burn. \u00a0Well, perhaps, it does burn a memory. \u00a0A memory of the first North Carolina wine that captured my attention near the time of the first vintage which was in 2006. \u00a0It’s since become a favorite of Matt’s too. \u00a0So, when we heard that Sean and Patricia McRitchie were planning a vertical tasting\u00a0as part of their winery’s 10th Anniversary, we just couldn’t miss it!<\/p>\n

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Table Setting at Ring of Fire Vertical Tasting<\/p><\/div>\n

The tasting was limited to about 25 or so people. \u00a0We were seated at tables throughout the tasting room. \u00a0The tables were beautifully set. \u00a0The first wines poured were the 2013, 2012, and 2011. \u00a0Before we began tasting, Sean and Patricia welcomed us.<\/p>\n

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Sean and Patricia McRitchie Welcoming Guests<\/p><\/div>\n

Sean and Patricia thanked us for attending. \u00a0Patricia apologized for not having their first two vintages, the 2006 and 2007, of Ring of Fire. \u00a0They never imagined the success of it and didn’t consider keeping a few cases for an event such as this until a few years into making it. \u00a0Patricia mentioned how proud she was of Sean and his winemaking. \u00a0Sean talked about the “unique opportunity to taste from one label, from one winery, and from one winemaker.” \u00a0He told us to expect subtle differences in each vintage. \u00a0Patricia mentioned that Ring of Fire was the first North Carolina Wine offered by the glass at the storied Grove Park Inn in Asheville and the Umstead Resort in Cary. \u00a0Sean said he keeps varietals separate until just before bottling. \u00a0Then he blends them with the goal of making “consistent serious red table wine in a Bordeaux style.”<\/p>\n

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Tasting Note Sheet at Ring of Fire Vertical<\/p><\/div>\n

Now, it was time to taste! \u00a0We began with the 2013 and worked our way backwards. \u00a0The first round allowed us to taste the 2013, 2012, and 2011. \u00a0Each was served in a different glass. \u00a0Later, we were served the 2010, 2009, and 2008.<\/p>\n

To continue the similarities with Octogon from Barboursville, Ring of Fire is also predominately Merlot and Cabernet Franc with a bit of Petit Verdot. \u00a0Only two vintages differ. The 2012 is Merlot, Sangiovese, and Petit Verdot. \u00a0The 2011 is Merlot, Syrah, and Petit Verdot.<\/p>\n\n\t\t