Fifty-Third Petit Verdot 2022 - Excellent!

Fifty-Third Winery and Vineyard, located in Louisa County, Virginia, is owned by David and Susan Drillock. They purchased the property, formerly known as Cooper Vineyards, in 2015 and have since rebranded and invested in the vineyard and production facilities. The winery features a LEED Platinum-certified tasting room. At the Eastern Winery Exposition 2026, I got to taste their Bordeaux-styled red blend made by winemaker Chelsey Blevins. They are located in the Monticello AVA. 

Fifty-Third Petit Verdot 2022 (made from 100% estate grown fruit) starts off with a delicate tussie-mussy of handpicked violets. This floral note is followed by a big bowl of stewed black fruits - a bubbling deep purple compote of  intense blackberry, black cherry, black currant, acai, and prune lekvar. There's also notes of vanilla, wet blue slate, tobacco, and mocha, followed by black tea tannins, and black and white pepper. Yet, it possesses a fruit forwardness that never disappears, buoyed by a lovely acidity, it seems to ride just above and below whatever other taste sensations occur. Layered, complex, and extraordinary.

An excellent Petit Verdot from one of Virginia's best wine programs.