Boxwood Estate Boxwood 2014

The Boxwood is a blend of 56% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon and 11% Petit Verdot, aged for 12 months in French oak (one-third each of new, second-use and third-use). Graceful and nicely crafted–something this winery seems to do well–this is elegant in the mid-palate, reasonably crisp, fresh and supported by ripe tannins. I rather liked this a lot. It is not a "wow" wine, but it has some potential to improve a bit over the next couple of years and it drinks beautifully. It won't be the one you ogle, but it will be one of the ones you finish.

Boxwood, located in Northern Virginia in the Middleburg AVA, is the winery created by John Kent Cooke, former owner of the Washington Redskins. It produces about 2,500 cases a year total. Its consultants are Lucie Morton and Stephane Derenoncourt. Middleburg is, by the way, Virginia's newest AVA (as of 2013), with the petition prepared by Boxwood's Executive Vice President, Rachel Martin (John and Rita Cooke's daughter). Most vines were planted in 2004. They make no whites at this time. The Boxwood Estate red is their Left Bank Bordeaux nod; the Topiary is their Right Bank nod. The Trellis is meant for earlier consumption, a fruitier, easier wine.