Adding to the latest string of high-quality achievements for Barboursville Vineyards’ Octagon wine, Decanter honored the flagship red blend by including it among their 20 Top-Rated Merlot Wines in the world in January of 2026. For longtime admirers of Barboursville Vineyards, the honor reinforces a legacy decades in the making; for those newly discovering Virginia wine, it offers a compelling reason to get to know Virginia Wine Country better.
Decanter’s 20 Top-Rated Merlot Wines
Decanter‘s criteria for their selected wines was red wines from around the world comprised of at least 50% Merlot. The Merlot grape varietal is considered the backbone for some of the most prestigious and valued wines in the world. It’s also the most widely planted grape in the world-renowned Bordeaux region in France. Winemakers there rely on Merlot for its approachable blackberry and plum flavors as well as the balance and body it contributes to the famous noble red blends of the region.
The Merlot grape thrives in clay soils and was among the first varieties to be planted at Barboursville Vineyards when it was established in central Virginia in 1976. Working with this grape for over 30 years in Virginia’s clay soils has allowed head winemaker, Luca Paschina, to better understand its needs and how to bring out its best character in formulating his flagship Octagon wine. Paschina only makes Octagon, a red blend in the Bordeaux style, in vintages where the Merlot is of the highest quality. Beginning with over 60% Merlot and blending in Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot, Paschina and his team work tirelessly with each Octagon vintage to bring out the best that Virginia wine growing has to offer.
“To be compared to some of the best wine estates in the world is equivalent to touching the sky with a finger.”
“This recognition is the highest we have ever received,” said Paschina. “To be compared to some of the best wine estates in the world is equivalent to touching the sky with a finger. In my past 35 years in Barboursville, and with the collaboration of our viticulturist Fernando Franco and Daniele Tessaro as winemaker, we have patiently experimented, observed the dialogue between our vines and the soil and then gradually perfected our grape growing and winemaking techniques. This is how Octagon 2017 came to life.”
There is a clear connection to the Merlot-driven wines of Pomerol, where clay-rich soils and measured ripeness create similarly elegant blends. Even so, Octagon is unmistakably shaped by its Virginia estate. Expanded Merlot plantings in the early 1990s—especially evident in the highly regarded 1997 vintage—helped pinpoint the vineyard’s strongest sites and further elevate fruit quality. Today, with multiple blocks in production, selection for Octagon is rigorous, and earning a place in the blend is highly competitive.
Other Notable Inclusions in Decanter’s 20 Top-Rated Merlot Wines
- Château Lafleur | 2015 Pomerol | Bordeaux, France
- Château Pavie | 2016 St-Émilion, 1er Grand Cru Classé A | Bordeaux, France
- Petrus | 2022 Pomerol | Bordeaux, France
- Château Canon | 2016 St-Émilion, 1er Grand Cru Classé | Bordeaux, France
- Château Cheval Blanc | 2005 St-Émilion, 1er Grand Cru Classé A | Bordeaux, France
- Château L’Eglise-Clinet | 2024 Pomerol | Bordeaux, France
- Clos Fourtet | 2009 St-Émilion, 1er Grand Cru Classé | Bordeaux, France
- Château Haut-Brion | 2015 Pessac-Léognan, 1er Cru Classé | Bordeaux, France
- Château Laroque | 2022 St-Émilion, Grand Cru Classé | Bordeaux, France
- Petrolo | 2018 Galatrona | Tuscany, Italy
- Tua Rita | 2022 Redigaffi | Tuscany, Italy
- Castello di Fonterutoli | 2023 Siepi | Tuscany, Italy
- Masseto | 2022 Toscana | Tuscany, Italy
- La Jota, W.S. Keyes Vineyard | 2022 Merlot | California, USA
- Prophet & Poet | 2021 Mourning Cloak Proprietary Red Blend | California, USA
- Robert Foley Vineyards | 2018 Merlot | California, USA
- Cathiard Vineyard | 2022 Thallo | California, USA
- Vérité | 2022 La Muse | California, USA
- Barboursville Vineyards | 2017 Octagon | Virginia, USA
- Jett | 2022 Skysill Merlot | Washington, USA
- Matthews | 2022 Reserve Merlot | Washington, USA
- Otronia | 2022 45 Rugientes Merlot | Patagonia, Argentina
The Story Behind Barboursville Vineyards’ Octagon
Paschina conceived the idea of Octagon as Barboursville Vineyards’ most ambitious expression. They first produced the wine in 1991, a year after he came to the winery. Crafted only in exceptional vintages, the Bordeaux-style blend typically centers primarily on Merlot, with varying proportions of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. The wine takes its name from the estate’s ties to Thomas Jefferson, referencing the octagonal drawing room at the center of his design for Governor James Barbour’s mansion, the ruins of which remain on the Barboursville Vineyards property.
Known for its structure, balance and aging potential, Octagon has long been regarded as a benchmark for Virginia red wine. Its inclusion in Decanter’s Top 50 American Wines of 2025 places it in rare company and reinforces the wine’s ability to compete well beyond regional boundaries. Over time, Octagon has become not only a flagship bottling, but also a symbol of what is possible in Virginia when patience, terroir and experience align. The result is a wine that reflects both its European roots and its Virginia setting, with the structure and balance to age beautifully over time.
How Octagon is Made
While blends vary from vintage to vintage, the 2021 vintage of Octagon is made of 64% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Franc and 15% Petit Verdot with a cellar life of 30 years. The winemaking approach is careful and methodical. The wine spends a year aging in barrel before the final blend is chosen through detailed tastings. It then rests together in stainless steel for an additional six months prior to bottling. Only the finest barrels are selected for Octagon, while others may become part of the estate’s Reserve wines. In this way, Octagon defines the standard for excellence across the lineup.
Paschina describes the 2021 vintage’s flavor profile as “attractive, [with a] deep garnet color, elegant aromas of blueberry, black currant, fresh flowers and dry herbs. The structure expresses medium body, silky tannins and a cool, refined finish. Drinkable now, yet with a long future and evolution in the mouthfeel and aromatic profile. It is very reminiscent of the stellar Octagon 2009, from a vintage considered by many Virginia winemakers as ‘the perfect one’”.
Since its first vintage release in 2001, Octagon has attracted global attention. A 2003 review in Decanter by Michael Broadbent highlighted its depth of color and ripe, full-bodied character—an early signal that Virginia could produce wines of international caliber.
The History of Barboursville Vineyards
Barboursville Vineyards is rooted in both history and place. The estate sits on land once owned by James Barbour, a former Virginia governor and U.S. secretary of war. The property also hosts the ruins of a mansion designed by Thomas Jefferson that was destroyed by fire on Christmas Day in 1884. The modern vineyard took shape in 1976, when the Zonin family—one of Italy’s prominent wine families—recognized the potential of Virginia’s Piedmont terroir. Over the decades, Barboursville has grown into one of the state’s most influential wineries, blending European tradition with a deep respect for local conditions. Today, Barboursville Vineyards is widely regarded as the cornerstone in Virginia’s modern winemaking history. Known for its consistency, thoughtful innovation and commitment to long-term excellence the winery has worked tirelessly to help build a now flourishing wine industry in Virginia.
An integral part of the Barboursville experience is Palladio Restaurant, opened in 1999 and now recognized as one of Virginia’s premier wine-country dining destinations. Named for Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio, the restaurant blends seasonal, Italian-inspired cuisine with estate wines, creating a seamless connection between food, wine, and history. Over the years, Palladio has earned national acclaim: the restaurant has prepared meals at the James Beard House in New York on several occasions—a rare honor for a winery-based restaurant. USA Today has named it among the top 10 winery restaurants in the United States, further cementing Barboursville Vineyards’ reputation as a destination where exceptional wine and elevated dining converge.
Meet Winemaker Luca Paschina
At the heart of Barboursville’s success is Luca Paschina, who has served as winemaker and general manager for more than three decades. Seen here at top right with Barboursville Vineyards’ President Francesco Zonin, whose father established the winery and vineyard in 1976, Paschina grew up in a winemaking family in Italy.
Paschina, whose childhood was shaped by European winemaking philosophy, has been instrumental in defining the vineyard’s identity. His approach emphasizes balance, restraint and terroir-driven expression—principles that have guided the evolution of Octagon since its earliest vintages. Under his leadership, the wine has earned national and international acclaim, culminating in its 2025 recognition by Decanter.
Paschina’s influence extends far beyond Barboursville, however. Through mentorship, advocacy and example, he has played a key role in elevating the profile of Virginia wine as a whole. Barboursville Vineyards credits Octagon for Vineyard & Winery Management magazine recognizing Paschina as one of North America’s 20 Most Admired Winemakers in 2014, for his inclusion by the James Beard Foundation that same year among the nation’s 20 leading food and wine professionals, and for his honor from the Italian Republic as a Commendatore in the Order of Merit for his contributions to industry and culture.
A Brief History of Decanter
Founded in London in 1975, Decanter has grown into one of the most influential voices in global wine journalism. Known for its authoritative reviews, international wine awards and educational leadership, the magazine has helped shape how wines are evaluated and appreciated worldwide. For American producers, recognition from Decanter carries particular weight. Its global readership and exacting standards offer validation not only for individual wines, but also for regions working to establish international credibility—Virginia among them.
Octagon Named among Decanter’s Top 50 American Wines of 2025
A few months before the Top 20 Merlot List came out, Decanter released their Top 50 American Wines of 2025. Octagon also made that list, earning a place among the nation’s most celebrated bottles. The recognition placed the estate’s flagship red alongside benchmark wines from across the country and marked a meaningful moment for Virginia wine country, which continues to gain international attention for its quality.
What Is the Decanter Top 50 American Wines List?
The Decanter Top 50 American Wines list is an annual selection curated by the publication’s editors and tasting panels, drawing on blind tastings, in-depth reviews and rigorous scoring standards. The list highlights wines that demonstrate exceptional quality, character and consistency.
Placement on the list signals more than high scores. It reflects a wine’s ability to stand out in an increasingly competitive American market, while also expressing a clear sense of origin. For Barboursville Vineyards’ Octagon, the 2025 ranking underscores its reputation as one of the most distinguished red wines produced on the East Coast.
With its inclusion in Decanter’s 20 Top-Rated Merlot Wines and Top 50 American Wines of 2025, Barboursville Vineyards’ Octagon reaffirms its place among the most compelling red wines in the United States. Rooted in history, guided by experience and shaped by decades of careful winemaking, the wine stands as a testament to Virginia’s evolving role in the national wine conversation. This is more than a single accolade—it reflects the growing maturity of Virginia wine and the region’s ability to compete on a global stage.
As attention increasingly turns toward diverse American wine regions, recognitions like this help reshape perceptions and encourage deeper exploration. For wine lovers, it is a reminder that exceptional bottles are not limited to traditional powerhouses. For travelers, it offers yet another reason to explore Virginia wine country with fresh perspective. For those who value tradition, craftsmanship and a strong sense of place, this is a moment worth raising a glass to. ~
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