“While its popularity has declined in France, Petit Verdot from Virginia has proved to be an impressive variety. It is able to reach full phenolic ripeness in warm climates, which results in a deep, brooding wine…In Virginia, Petit Verdot occupies the place Cabernet Sauvignon does in many other regions.”
– Carrie Dykes, Wine Enthusiast Magazine
Wessex Hundred
These estate-grown wines are made from grapes sourced exclusively from our estate vineyards at Wessex Hundred in Williamsburg.
2021 Wessex Hundred Petit Verdot
100% Petit Verdot
The Wessex Petit Verdot continues to express wonderful bold wines of blueberry, blackberry, figs and cassis with a touch of bright red fruit to enhance the aged fruit. The fruit is matched well with the floral violet notes and herbal nuances. Additionally, there is a touch of earthy and spicy characters that is well balanced within the wines structure. The oak is well integrated with the fruits and offers some lovely graphite and vanilla layers. The mouthfeel and finish are rich and creamy with the fruit and tannins playing well with each other.
Virginia Appellation
Made from a combination of grapes sourced from Wessex Hundred and from our partner growers from around the commonwealth.
2019 Virginia Norton
100% Norton
An intensely aromatic wine with big jammy upfront characters with blackberry, cherry and dried figs dominating the show. These fruits are followed with some nice earthy characters and touches of coffee, molasses, and tobacco. Behind the earthy notes is a rich cocoa element that encases the other layers. On the palate the wine is bright and clean with a long finish with a hint of jolly rancher. The tannins are soft and balance well with the mouthfeel. Overall a big wine with a big personality.
2019 Virginia Chambourcin
100% Chambourcin
This wine shows intense ripe cherry, raspberry, cranberry, and strawberry with a touch of rhubarb. Next to the fruit is a dark chocolate element which complements the herbal tones. Additionally, there is a spicy character offering some cinnamon and clove along with some strong earthy characters and licorice. The mouth feel is very smooth showing the red fruits and forest floor tones. The tannins are very soft and offer a nice finish. A wine with many layers and nuances.
2020 Virginia Barrel Aged Claret
36% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Cabernet Franc, 9% Petit Verdot, 6% Malbec, 2% Tannat
An imminently approachable wine with a beautiful ruby hue and an abundance of Berries. In addition to the many different berries there are some bright cherry and black cherry notes, along with vanilla cola and cocoa, that is a nice compliment to the fresh herbal, lemon and black pepper characters. The Tannins have a chalky feel with a touch of limestone. The oak is very well integrated with the fruit and tannins, ultimately providing a wonderful, clean, fruit forward mouthfeel and finish. A great wine for pairing with many foods.
2020 Virginia Cabernet Sauvignon
100% Cabernet Sauvignon
A pleasantly fruit forward wine with elements of cherry, raspberry, and strawberry. Additionally, there are some plum and green apple notes. The fruit nuances are well balanced with the herbal, nutty characters along with a touch of earthy forest
floor, black olives, and vanilla. All these aspects are enveloped in a chalky limestone character that adds to the overall balance and structure. The mouthfeel is bright and creamy with the red fruits showing well. The tannins are soft and approachable and well balanced with the oak. A food friendly Cabernet Sauvignon that is ready to drink.
2020 Virginia Merlot
100% Merlot
Initially the wine shows an upfront fresh berry note with strawberry and black cherry leading the way. This then shows some subtle cassis, plum and lemon touches. All these fruits are enhanced by the Sweet Tart/Jolly Rancher candy quality. This candied fruit quality is balanced with a touch of cocoa and vanilla with a hint of perfume. The tannins are very soft and pair well with the like oak nuance. The finish is clean and fruit forward.
2020 Virginia Petit Verdot
87% Petit Verdot, 13% Cabernet Franc
Visually the wine shows a beautiful dark garnet. Aromatically it is explosive with ripe berries, black cherry, red apples, and plums. Along with the riper fruits there is a touch of dark fruits wrapped in cocoa and a hint of cola. This is all combined with some fresh leather, limestone, and herbs. The oak is elegantly woven into the fruit nuances creating a lovely complexity and some soft graphite. The finish is very clean with soft rounded tannins and the bright fresh fruits coming forward. This wine should age well over the next few years.
2021 Virginia Cabernet Franc
75% Cabernet Franc, 25% Petit Verdot
This wine showcases a wonderful array of different cherries along with blueberry, strawberry, apple and currants. These fruits are enveloped in a soft cocoa and vanilla aspect that enhances the fruit notes. Additionally, there are some earthy forest floor, suede/leather and soft truffle layers. A nice fruit forward wine with a full mouthfeel that provides a lemony brightness along with the fruit and a touch of black pepper on the end. Overall, a well balanced wine with a long clean finish and approachable tannins.
American Wine Series
These wines pay respect to the rich wine history of Wessex Hundred and are made in a fun, easy-drinking style.
2021 Two Shilling Red
80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Zinfandel, 5% Petit Verdot
This wine shows loads of upfront jammy fruit. The strawberry, raspberry and cherry notes blend smoothly into a smoky earthiness which creates a nice complexity. The wine is clean and well balanced for a jammy style. The fruit lingers a long time on the palate and finishes with loads of fresh fruit. A great wine for the picnic basket or barbeque.