2008 Claret

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.

Early June turned our spirits and hopes as beautiful warm, sunny days resulted in a very successful flowering and fruit set. Summer was wetter than normal, but each month progressively became hotter and drier. Most of August was a drought, putting a much needed halt to vine vegetative growth. Very late August through most of September alternated between 2 or 3 days of rain and 4 or 5 days of sunny, warm conditions. October was gloriously dry, sunny and warm. Harvest was September 28 through October 20.

Winemaking

Double sorting, native yeast, pigeage. Pressed at or several days after dryness. Aged in older French, American, and Hungarian oak for 9 months. 38% Merlot, 31% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Cabernet Franc, and 12% Petit Verdot. 522 cases produced. Drink now through 2012.

2008 Vintage, Red WinesJim Law