Tag: Linden

Tasting at Linden Vineyards

/ Paul / 1 Comment

On Saturday we went to Linden Vineyards. We love their wines and never give up the opportunity to enjoy a tasting. We also decided to do the cellar tasting.

On the regular tasting menu we tasted the 2009 Seyval, the 2009 Rose (new to us), the 2008 Claret (new to us), the 2007 Petit Verdot, and the 2009 Vidal Riesling. By the way, Warren has a review of the 2007 Petit Verdot in the latest issue of Virginia Wine Lover magazine. We had a hard time selecting a winner from the regular tasting menu. If forced to select one for a gold star, I’d select the 2008 Claret. I really enjoyed the ripe fruit and wonderful dark fruit nose. Warren really enjoyed the 2007 Petit Verdot.

After the regular tasting we were lucky to be part of the first cellar tasting of the day. On the cellar tasting menu we tasted the 2008 Boisseau Chardonnay, the 2008 Hardscrabble Chardonnay, the 2006 Avenius Red, the 2007 Avenius Red, the 2006 Late Harvest Vidal and the 2006 Late Harvest Petit Manseng. As usual we enjoyed all the wines on the menu. However, Warren and I were in agreement on our favorites. We both enjoyed the 2008 Hardscrabble Chardonnay with its floral notes and zesty finish. We also enjoyed the dark fruit, herbs, and chocolate of the 2007 Avenius Red. The 2006 Late Harvest Vidal stood out for the creamy mouth feel, nutty notes, and orange and apricot flavors. I didn’t care for the 2006 Late Harvest Petit Manseng. It had a gasoline quality that put me off. Others at the tasting didn’t feel the same way though.

After our tasting we enjoyed a bottle of the 2008 Hardscrabble Chardonnay with a baguette and cheese. We enjoyed the view from the deck while enjoy our lunch. Before leaving we secured a few bottles for our wine racks. If you make your way to Linden Vineyards anytime soon, tell them Virginia Wine Time sent you!

Friday Evening Sipper

/ Paul / Leave a comment

Our Friday night sipper was the 2009 Avenius Sauvignon Blanc from Linden Vineyards. We had it with goat cheese and baguette.

This is one of my favorite white wines. On the nose we noted grapefruit, melon, grass, and mineral. In the mouth we picked up lemon zest, melon, star fruit and grass, and it was crisp and clean. The Avenius Sauvignon Blanc is a perfect expression of the rocky terroir that is particular to the Avenius vineyard.

Linden Barrel Tasting

/ Warren and Paul / 1 Comment

So we’re behind in our postings, but we promise to get caught up. (Darn those 9-5 things called jobs!)  Anyway, we did attend the Linden barrel tasting held on May 2 and wanted to post about the event.  We love all things Linden, and this barrel tasting confirmed for us that Jim Law is an incredible winemaker.  Of course, he does get phenomenal support from superb fruit cultivated from the Avenius and Boisseau vineyards, and these wines all prove this theorem to be correct—great wine starts in the vineyard.

Our cellar tasting began with the cult-favorite 2009 Avenius Sauvignon Blanc paired with mussels.  Is there another word for “divine”?  Please let us know!  Classic Sauvignon Blanc characteristics prevailed here with the signature minerality associated with the Avenius Sauvignon Blanc.  In fact, we met up with Shari who presented her 2009 Chardonnay at the Concrete Egg.  Yes, a concrete egg.  This storage device could well pass for an atom bomb, but indeed it does house evolving Chardonnay wine that would otherwise ferment in a stainless steel tank.  Shari explained to us that this is not new technology and the egg does provide a more stable environment for wine to develop.  We await the final results, of course, since this sample was quite young; however, we do anticipate a more French-style offering.

And so on to the red wine barrel samples.  Which were the faves?  We reached a split decision, but it a tough decision. Paul’s nod went to the 2009 Boisseau Cabernet Franc due to its fruit-forward presentation.  I gravitated toward the more complex 2009 Hardscrabble barrel with its blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc.  Jim’s father poured from this barrel, and I appreciated the story behind the blend—a difficult spring that gave way to a remarkable summer that will produce a cellar-worthy Bordeaux-style wine.

From there we proceeded to the special release room where upcoming releases were being tasted.  Here again we reached different conclusions.  I held my ultimate gold star for the special release room, and it was presented to the 2007 Hardscrabble Red. The composite here was similar to the barrel sample but included Petit Verdot and splash of Carmenere.  Dark fruit, pencil shavings, and a spicy edge defined this one; given that it’s from the stellar 2007 vintage, count on a cellar-worthy offering to boot.  Paul preferred the more accessible 2007 Avenius Red which was dominated by Petit Verdot but supported by a generous splash of 38% Cabernet Sauvignon.  Drink now or later, this pour offered blackberries, raspberries, and a bit of nutmeg to complement grilled fare that may include a dash of barbeque sauce.

With our barrel tasting done, we enjoyed a glass of the 2009 Avenius Sauvignon Blanc with a baguette.  It was a lovely spring afternoon, and Jim Law’s tasting room offers spectacular mountain views which aw appreciated as we sipped and nibbled. Remember, the cellar tasting is offered to case club members; so, visit Linden to try their current releases and you might be tempted to purchase a case in order to enjoy the benefits.  Be sure to mention, though, that Virginia Wine Time sent you.

Cellar Tasting at Linden

/ Paul / Leave a comment

Last Sunday we went to Linden Vineyards to see what wines were new since our last visit. We also decided to do a cellar tastings as well.

During our tasting we were able to sample the 2008 Seyval, the 2008 Chardonnay, the 2007 Claret, the 2006 Petit Verdot, and the 2008 Vidal Riesling. As many of you know Jim Law is like the guru of Virginia wines. We were unable to single out any wines for our gold stars….they all deserved gold stars!

After our tasting we had some time before our cellar tasting so we decided to enjoy a glass of wine on the deck. Since Warren is a club member we were able enjoy the view. I had a glass of the 2008 Seyval and Warren took advantage of the library wine weekends (where a different library wine is opened on the weekends for sale) and had the 1998 Rush River Red, a red blend. I wrote down grapefruit and lemon and dry for my notes on the Seyval. Warren noted black pepper, dark fruit, and dried herbs from the Rush River Red. We suggest tasters take advantage of the library wines available on the weekends.

During our cellar tasting we tasted the 2008 Boisseau Chardonnay, 2007 Hardscrabble Chardonnay, 2006 Avenius Red, 2006 Hardscrabble Red, 2005 Late Harvest Vidal, and the 2006 Late Harvest Petit Manseng. Warren and I both put gold stars next to the 2008 Boisseau Chardonnay. We noted orange peel, honeysuckle, and a long finish. The rest of our stars were split. I put a star next to the 2006 Avenius Red and the 2005 Late Harvest Vidal while Warren put his gold stars next to the 2006 Hardscrabble Red and the 2006 Late Harvest Petit Manseng.

During the cellar tasting we realized one of the other participants was Curtis Vincent, the former winemaker at Chrysalis. We had a great chat about wine of course and found out he’ll be starting at Swedenburg in May. We are looking forward to the wines he’ll produce at Swedenburg. After the cellar tasting we got to meet Curtis’ new wife (congrats on your wedding!). We had a chance to say hello to Jim Law as well who was enjoying a glass with Curtis and his wife.

We always enjoy our time at Linden Vineyards. The wines are simply wonderful. Consider visiting Linden Vineyards and tasting their wines. You won’t be disappointed. And tell them Virginia Wine Time sent you!