Boxwood is easily one of the most impressive wineries on the east coast. It's as beautiful as a country club, right up there with Augusta National or even Woodford Reserve down in Kentucky (which looks like Augusta National). And it has a talent line-up equivilent of the New York Yankees.
Boxwood Estate Winery in the Middleburg Virginia AVA, is the fulfillment of a long-held dream by proprietor John Kent Cooke, former owner and president of the NFL Washington Redskins. An admirer and collector of French wines, particularly great Bordeaux, Cooke and his team at Boxwood are committed to making premium red & white wines in the Bordeaux tradition, but with their own, distinct Virginia expression. The Boxwood sustainable vineyards occupy 26.5 acres, and are planted with traditional Bordeaux varietals, predominately Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc & Sauvignon Blanc, all ENTAV certified.
The famed Lucie Morton has been the viticulture consultant for Boxwood Winery since its inception. Lucie is an internationally recognized viticulturist, ampelographer, and author of “Winemaking in Eastern America”. She is a graduate of Ecole Nationale Superieure Agronomique de Montpelier.
Stèphane Derenoncourt is the winery's Wine Consultant. Stèphane is a winemaker and consultant to over 90 estates worldwide, including Boxwood Winery in Middleburg, Virginia since its inception in 2006. Stèphane consults for many internationally acclaimed wineries including; Chateau Beausejour, Smith Haut Lafitte, LaGaffeliere, and produces his own wine Domaine de l’A in Cotes de Castillon in France.
Stephen Rigby is the winemaker. Stephen’s experience covers 40 years of East Coast winemaking, including vineyard management and winery design, as well as consistently creating award winning wines. His 20 years in Virginia include valuable time working at VA Tech Enology Research lab. In 2019, Stephen is pleased to return to Virginia after making wine in North Carolina and Pennsylvania since 2000.
Joyce Rigby is vineyard manager. Joyce Rigby joined the Boxwood team in 2019 with 30 years experience in East Coast viticulture. She oversees the day-to-day operations of Boxwood’s vineyard. She has managed vineyards in Virginia, North Carolina and Pennsylvania and has consulted in several Eastern States, giving her a broad perspective on growing wine grapes in the East.
Rachel Martin is Boxwood's National Representative. She was on hand to present the wines. She has represented Boxwood since its inception. she helped to establish the winery. During her tenure as Executive Vice President, Rachel spearheaded the effort to establish the Middleburg Virginia AVA. In 2016 Rachel and her husband Kurt Deutsch established Oceano Wines in San Luis Obispo in California. They reside in New York City with their son, Eli. She is a ubiquitous presence in the wine industry nationally, and is charming as she is knowledgeable. She did an exceptional job presenting the wines and the estate.
Boxwood Estate Trellis 2015 is a medium bodied red wine made from 38% Merlot/ 36% Cab Franc/ 15%Cab Sauv and 11% Petit Verdot. The wine was aged in French oak barrels for 12 months, 33% of the wine was aged in new, 33% in one year old barrels, and 33% in two year old oak barrels. Big, big notes from red raspberry and bright cherry nose. Lots of raspberry and cherry and vanilla on the pallet as well. There is also an earthiness to the wine, with an undertone of mineral. A nice, long, silky finish. This was an exceptional, exceptional wine. The Subsequent 2016 vintage of Trellis received a score of 90 points, James Suckling, 2016 vintage.
Boxwood Estate Reserve 2015 is a powerful red blend, which represents the best lots of wine from the vintage from the estate. It is a blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot. This is a big complex wine with depth, layers, balance, and finish. This is made to be as comparable to Bordeaux as one could attempt (at least in concept). And the 2015 vintage does not disappoint. It was a fantastic wine.
Great to see Rachel (who impressed the crowd), and a tremendous treat to taste Boxwood's 10th Anniversary wines with her. Boxwood Estate continues to impress after a decade. What else did I think I would be writing right now? Of course. Pshaw. Fantastic!!!