Not Quite a Love Story

Rich lewis
Jan 14
2 min read

Trying Chateau Morrisette Barrel Aged Cider

By: Nomads Gambit

Score: 5.4

Location: Floyd, VA

I’ve made it no secret that I’m a beer guy. Give me a crisp pilsner or a roasty stout any day of the week. But after my disastrous run in with that Missile IPA, I decided to branch out into the world of cider.

Enter Chateau Morrisette Barrel Aged Cider.

Now, I know Chateau Morrisette. They’re the oldest winery in Virginia, famous for those "Black Dog" labels you see in every grocery store in the South. I figured if anyone could make a cider that appeals to a non cider drinker, it would be a bunch of winemakers with a "castle in the mountains."

So, did it convert me? Let’s just say I’m not trading in my bottle opener for an apple peeler just yet.

The Stats

Cider: Barrel Aged Cider (Chateau Morrisette Ciderworks)
Origin: Floyd, Virginia (Apples from Nelson County)
ABV: ~6.9%
Price: ~$12.00 - $14.00 for a 4-pack of cans

The Pour: Wine Vibes in a Can

Right away, you can tell this isn't your average "six pack from the gas station" cider. It’s fermented and aged in French and American oak barrels, which sounds incredibly fancy for something I’m drinking while wearing a t-shirt with a BBQ stain.

The Look: It pours a light gold hue with very light carbonation. If you put this in a glass next to a Chardonnay, you’d have a hard time telling them apart.

The Nose: It smells like a cellar. You get a beautiful apple aroma mixed with a distinct "woody" smell. It’s actually quite pleasant, reminding me more of a dry white wine than a sugary juice box.

The Taste: The "Okay" Factor

Here’s where things get complicated for a guy like me.

The Good: It’s dry. I hate those ciders that taste like liquid Jolly Ranchers. This is sophisticated. You can actually taste the oak characteristics on the palate it’s earthy and smooth.

The "Why I'm Still a Beer Drinker": It’s just missing something. As a non cider fan, I find that "barrel aged" often translates to "flat and a little tart." While the apple character is there, it feels thin compared to the bready body of a good lager or the creaminess of a Maguire's Stout. It’s "not bad," but it didn't give me that "wow" moment I was hoping for.

The Verdict: The Guest Room Drink

If you have a friend over who says, "I don’t like beer, but I want something dry," give them this. They will probably think it's the best thing they've ever tasted.

For me? It’s a one and done. I can appreciate the winemaking skill that went into it, and I’d definitely drink it if someone handed me one at a Black Dog Music Festival. But I’m not going to "go out of my way to get it again," as another reviewer put it.