Palate

Sour cherry and tightly structured black pepper with good acidity and ripe, lengthy tannins.

Aromas

Black currant syrup, sweet cherry and freshly baked pie crust.

Food Pairings

Red meats, portebello mushrooms and rich cheeses.

Vineyard

Estate (100% Hardscrabble), on Blue Ridge at 1,300 to 1,400 feet with an eastern to southern slope. Well drained granitic soils give cherry character, deep color, and good structure. Vine ages from 10 to 16 years.

Vintage

2000 was a very challenging growing season with cool wet conditions up until mid-September. From the second week of September through November the weather was warm, dry and sunny giving us great ripening conditions for our later varieties. Harvest was October 12 to 30.

Winemaking

A blend of 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Petit Verdot, 7% Cabernet Franc, and 3% Merlot. This amount of Petit Verdot is unusual, and the grape contributes to the zesty Syrah-like finish and the berry, black pepper nose. Grapes were destemmed and lightly crushed and fermented warm in small open bins. The cap was punched down by hand two times a day. The wine was pressed off just prior to dryness and put immediately in french and american barrels. The wine was bottled after 17 months of oak ageing. 419 cases produced.

Linden Vineyards / Our Wines / 2000 Vintage | 2000 Hardscrabble Red