2021 Colonel Richard Tannat

MONTICELLO CUP GOLD MEDAL WINNER

We're proud to be one of the few that grow Tannat in Virginia! If you like inky and earthy, this wine is for you. Aromas of old leather and dried plum warm the nose. The palate begins with a slight acidity, and transitions to dried blueberry, graphite, and earth. Medium-to-heavy tannin, this “red meat” wine is best through 2025.

Colonel Richard Grace (1612-1691) descended from Odo, Count of Champagne and Earle of Aumale (Albemarle). He resided at Moyelly Castle, Queen's County, and served Charles I of England, until the surrender of Oxford in 1646. He then returned to his native Ireland, and was engaged in the Irish Confederate Wars. He is referred to in state papers as being at the head of 3,000 men, harassing the Parliamentary troops in Wicklow and again at Crogan, beyond the River Shannon.

In 1652, a reward of 300 British pounds was set upon his head by the English Commonwealth. Yet, at the conclusion of the war he was permitted to enter the Spanish service with 1,200 of his men. At the Battle of the Dunes (1658), he commanded Lord Ormond's regiment of Irish in the services of King Charles II. After some time, he went over to the French side without betraying any trust imposed upon him, having given due notice to his Spanish friends. After the Restoration in England, he was appointed Chamberlain to the Duke of York (the future James II), and, in consideration of his faithful and indefatigable services, received "pensions of 400 British pounds, and a portion at least of his estates were restored to him." When James II came to Ireland, Colonel Grace was appointed Governor of Athlone with a garrison of three regiments of foot and eleven troops of cavalry.

After the Battle of Boyne, Athlone was sieged by General Douglas with ten regiments of foot and five of cavalry. When called upon to surrender, Colonel Grace fired a pistol over the messenger's head and declared, "These are my terms; these only will I give or receive; and when my provisions are consumed, I will defend 'til I eat my old boots." At the end of a week, Douglas was obliged to draw off with the loss of 400 men.

The town was again sieged by Godert de Ginkell in 1691. At that time, Charles Chalmont de St. Ruth had obliged Colonel Grace to exchange three of his veteran regiments for inferior French troops, making Colonel Grace weakened in defense of the town. Nevertheless, he made a heroic last stand until June 30, 1691. De Ginkell's troops successfully made passage over the Shannon and into the town where they found Colonel Grace's body under the ruins.

His conduct towards the Protestants within his district is described as having been particularly humane and just. And although the severity of his discipline contrasted with the irregularities tolerated in other portions of the Irish army, he was greatly beloved by his men.