Palate

Honeydew melon, green apple with a clean lively finish.

Aromas

Both tropical (pineapple and citrus) and tree fruits (pear and apple) along with lilac, toast and a flinty minerality.

Food Pairings

Roast chicken, salmon and summer vegetables.

Vineyard

Hardscrabble Vineyard (45%), Fauquier Co. on top of the Blue Ridge at 1,300 to 1,400 feet with an eastern to southern slope. Deep, well drained mineral soils give acidity and good structure. Vine ages from 11 to 19 years.

Glen Manor Vineyard (55%), Warren Co. is on the western slope of the Blue Ridge about 7 miles west of Linden Vineyards at an elevation of 1,100 feet. The deep, fertile soils give roundness. The vines are 8 years old and trained on the French lyre system.

Avenius Vineyard (5%), Warren Co. owned and operated by Shari Avenius, who is also part of the Linden Vineyards staff. It is located on the Blue Ridge one-half-mile north of Linden Vineyards at an elevation of 1,300 feet on a steep northeast facing slope. Soils are well drained rocky greenstone, granite, and shale. The first planting was in 1996. It is trained on the French lyre trellising system.

Vintage

A hot dry summer continued through September. Harvest dates between September 10 through 24.

Winemaking

Barrel fermented in mostly older french oak. Malolactic fermentation completed. Aged sur lie in barrel for 10 months. 885 cases produced.

Linden Vineyards / Our Wines / 2002 Vintage | 2002 Chardonnay