2008 Avenius Red

Palate

Warm, dark, lush, fleshy, and hedonistic with a refreshing acidity and ripe tannins.

Aromas

Brooding black, red and dried fruit with a slight sur maturité. Violets and rose petals. Dark chocolate and herbs.

Food Pairings

Spicy barbecued ribs or leg of lamb.

Vineyard

Avenius Vineyard (100%), Warren Co. is just 1 mile north of Linden Vineyards at 1,300 feet elevation with an eastern slope. Soils are primarily greenstone. Petit Verdot is on Geneva Double Curtain training and Cabernet Sauvignon is trained to Lyre. Vines planted in 1998.

Vintage

The 2008 growing season at Linden Vineyards was one of great challenges and windows of opportunities. As winegrowers, we had to often reflect on past experiences to pull off what has turned out to be a good year in terms of overall quality.

Winemaking

We hand sort before destemming and then again afterwards to remove pink berries and stem pieces. Fermentation began naturally (no added yeasts) in small one ton fermentors. We punch down by hand once or twice per day. Pressing took place after about 7 to 10 days, usually at dryness. The wine was aged in new and old (neutral) oak barrels and puncheons (French and Hungarian) for 18 months. Unfined. 79% Petit Verdot, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon. 164 cases produced. Drink now through 2018.

2008 Vintage, Red WinesJim Law