GOLD MEDAL, 2021 Virginia Governor's Cup
2017 Petit Verdot Reserve
Winemaker Notes:
The 2017 is bursting with fresh ripe fruits of strawberry,
raspberry and cherry along with some blueberry and blackberry. There is a hint of some darker dried fruits
along with a touch of cocoa and vanilla.
Just beneath the fruits is a touch of the forest floor and spice mixed together
all melding into a pleasant floral bouquet.
The tannins are nice and firm yet approachable. The oak is well integrated with the tannins
and fruit. Overall a well-balanced wine
that lingers on the palette and offers a multitude of layers. This wine should age well and pair
wonderfully with whatever you want it to.
Vintage:
A mild winter and a warmer Spring were the perfect
conditions for an early bud break. The
Summer months were a bit warmer, approximately 5 degrees on average, and not as
much rain also helped to create a great vintage with an abundance of
grapes. The humidity seemed to be a bit
less as well helping to create very good growing conditions. In the Fall we did not see too much rain and
the weather was very mild to warm.
Overall 2017 was the best vintage I have experienced in Virginia
Blend
100% Petit Verdot
Harvest
The Mount Fair Petit Verdoy was harvested on 27 September
2019 at 25.2 brix, 3.60 pH and 6.87g/L TA.
The Wessex Hundred Petit Verdot was harvested on 5 September 2017 at
23.3 brix, 3.57 pH and 5.69 g/L TA. The Lazy Days Petit Verdot was harvested on 5 October at 25 brix, 3.62 pH and
9.46g/L TA.
Vineyard Source:
Mount Fair, Crozet, VA – 74%
Wessex Hundred, Williamsburg, VA – 20%
Lazy Days, Amherst, VA – 6%
Fermentation
The Petit Verdot from Mount Fair was fermented in ½ ton
macro bins for 6 days with D254 Yeast. The
Wessex Hundred Petit Verdot was cold soaked for 3 days then fermented in
stainless steel for 7 days with D254 Yeast.
The Lazy Days Petit Verdot was cold soaked for 7 days then fermented in ½ ton
macro bins for 5 days using Ferm A33 Yeast.
Aging
40% New French Oak, 10% 2 year French Oak, 30% 3 year French
Oak and 20% Neutral French Oak.
Bottling Date
16 July 2019 – 489 cases
Release Date
October 2019
Technical
Information
13.2% Alc.
3.85 pH
5.79g/L TA
0.40 RS (Dry)
