2002 Claret

Palate

Notes of sour cherry, sweet blackberry finish with a bright acidity and sweet tannins with good grip.

Aromas

Dried herbs, fall leaves, cranberry & eucalyptus.

Palate

Notes of sour cherry, sweet blackberry finishing with a bright acidity and sweet tannins with good grip.

Food Pairings

Delicate meat dishes, stews or potatoes roasted with rosemary

Vineyard

Hardscrabble Vineyard (56%), 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 cherry character and good structure. Vine ages from 11 to 18 years.

Glen Manor Vineyard (23%), 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 (21%), Warren Co. is just 1 mile north of Linden Vineyards at 1,300 feet contributes good acidity and verve. Vine age is 6 years.

Vintage

A hot, dry summer and early fall gave way to cool, rainy conditions in October. The red wine grapes had good ripeness, but lacked concentration because of the rain. Harvest was from October 14 to November 1, 2002.

Winemaking

Native yeast, warm fermentation and early pressing give the wine its pretty aromatics and supple texture. Aged in 60% American oak, 40% French oak for 10 months. 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Petit Verdot. 1,007 cases produced.

2002 Vintage, Red WinesJim Law