PLATINUM MEDAL / 94 POINTS - WINEMAKER CHALLENGE
91 POINTS - JAMES SUCKLING
Winemaker Notes:
A full-bodied wine with multiple fruit families represented,
starting with the tropical fruits of starfruit, kiwi, and papaya. Then the
stone fruits of apricots and nectarines followed by the berry family with a
hint of strawberry. Mixed in with these
fresh fruits is a layer of vanilla and currants along with some honey. After all that comes a layer of spice with
clove and cinnamon and a touch of honeysuckle and wildflowers. The finish is fruit forward with a smooth
creaminess and a minerality layer that accentuates all the other elements.
Vintage:
Starting with a mild winter we rolled into an early spring. In late March we started seeing temps in the
70’s with just a few cooler days to follow.
The spring conditions led to excellent fruit set and ultimately a
bountiful crop. The summer, for
Virginia, was very mild with only a few days of hot humid conditions. The Autumn was particularly dry with warm
days and cool nights. From mid-September to early October we experienced very
little rain which is invaluable for maturing grapes. I believe the 2019 vintage to be the best I
have experienced in Virginia for my tenure here.
Blend
100% Petit Manseng
Harvest
The Crown Orchard and Vineyard Petit Manseng was harvested
on 6 September 2019 at 25.6 brix, 3.49 pH and .600g/L TA. The Lazy Days Petit Manseng was harvested on
17 September 2019 at 25.6 brix, 3.68 pH and 6.36g/L TA.
Vineyard Source:
Crown Orchard and Vineyards, Covesville, VA – 73%
Lazy Days Vineyard, Amherst, VA – 27%
Fermentation
The Crown Orchard grapes fermented in stainless steel for 30
days with Cross Evolution Yeast. The
Lazy Days grapes fermented in stainless steel for 17 days with Rhone 4600
Yeast.
Aging
The wine was aged in stainless steel tanks for 9 months.
Bottling Date
16 July 2020 – 1,330 cases
Release Date
4 June 2021
Technical
Information
14.9% Alc
3.76 pH
503g/L TA
0.35% RS (dry)
