2003 Vintage

A very difficult growing season. We suffered through cold, rain, lightning strikes, light hail, poor fruit set, windstorms, and a hurricane. Production was 40% of normal. However, these are wines that we are very proud of and are a reflection of over 20 years experience in wine growing in Virginia.

The whites are very pretty with great minerality and focus. They are not heavyweights, but wines that give great pleasure, especially with a meal. I decided not to make any Seyval in 2003 due to the poor quality of the grapes. This vintage is for early drinking. The reds are medium bodied with high acidity and chewy tannins. The best wines are a few lots of Amarone style Petit Verdots (Bittersweet). Drink the Claret now to 2010. The Bittersweet will age well for another decade.

Jim Law