2003 Late Harvest
Palate
Medium bodied with pear, nutmeg, and cider apple flavors, finishing spicy and crisp (12% residual sugar).
Aromas
Pungent apricot, candied orange, sweet cinnamon & honey roasted almonds.
Food Pairings
Rich, decadent main courses such as foie gras or desserts that feature fruits — especially apricots, peaches, pears or dried fruits. Very ripe triple cream cheeses.
Vineyard
Hardscrabble Vineyard (100%) in Fauquier County, on top of the Blue Ridge at an elevation of 1300 feet on a northeastern slope. Deep, well-drained granitic soils . Own-rooted Vidal vines are 19 years old (planted in 1985). Yields of grapes were 2 tons/acre, ultimate juice yields were 8 hectolitres per hectare.
Vintage
2003 was a cool, wet growing season. The Vidal grapes handled the rain well and produced grapes with good aromatics and bright acidity. Harvest date was November 17, 2003.
Winemaking
100% Vidal. The grapes are frozen and pressed while frozen. Only the first thawed juice is used (AKA icewine). The blend ferments slowly in French oak barrels and is stopped by chilling to retain fruit and sweetness. This wine becomes more honeyed and spicier with age. Bottled in August 2004. 196 cases (375 ml) produced.
Linden Vineyards / Our Wines / 2003 Vintage | 2003 Late Harvest