During the month of December, Linden Vineyards veered away from their normal tasting routine to do Free Form Tasting. For the Free Form Tasting, Jim Law selects wines from the wine cellar as well as current and new releases to taste during this time. This year Free Form Tasting took place on the two weekends before the holidays. We attended both weekends.

Yesterday we went to the Free Form Tasting at Linden. Of course we started with white wines. Jim introduced us to a new release. It’s called Wabi Sabi. It’s a blend of Vidal, Semillion, and the 2017 Boisseau Viognier. Warren wrote down dry, exotic, generous weight on the palate due in large part to the Viognier. We think this one would pair well with spicy dishes. We went on to taste the 2017 Boisseau Viognier on it’s own (which we had last weekend as well) and the 2018 Riesling. Both are wonderful wines anyone would enjoy.

We changed tasting bars to taste the red selections. We tasted the 2014 and 2016 Clarets. Last weekend when we tasted these we preferred the 2014 which has a bit more acidity but this weekend we both enjoyed the 2016. Before leaving this tasting bar we were treated to a tasting of the 1994 Cabernet Sauvignon. What a treat! We noted leather, cedar, sage and dark currants. Amazing how well it is holding up!

We then went into the side room for more reds. We tasted the 2016 Avenius Red along side the 2007 Avenius Red (which is not for sale). The 2016 is merlot based whereas the 2007 is petite verdot dominant. The 2016 presents plum, currants, dark cherry, tannic. We noted wet stone, ripe berry and tannins with the 2007. We enjoyed them both!

The Free Form Tasting at Linden is done for this year. And they are now closed until the new year. But be sure to visit Linden in the new year because they have some changes coming to the Cellar Tasting and we’re sure the Free Form Tasting will return next December. And when you visit, tell them Virginia Wine Time sent you!