2009 Rosé

Palate

Dry, fresh and fruit driven. Pomegranate, mulberry and savory flavors.

Aromas

Pungent sassafras, mint and rhubarb. Subtle licorice, cola bean and fresh herbs.

Food Pairings

Barbecue, grilled vegetables, cold meats, and mild cheeses.

Vineyard

Hardscrabble (50%): the estate vineyard on the Blue Ridge at 1,300 to 1,400 feet with an eastern to southern slope. Deep, well drained granite soils give cherry character and good structure. Vine ages from 3 to 23 years.Boisseau (40%): Western facing with loamy soils, it is in the Shenandoah Valley in the town of Front Royal, about 6 miles from Linden.

Avenius Vineyard (10%) is located on the Blue Ridge one-half mile north of Linden Vineyards at an elevation of 1,300 feet on a steep east facing slope. Soils are well drained, rocky, greenstone and granite.

Vintage

Early 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. In the vineyard, because of the wetter than normal conditions, canopy and cover crop management required much precision and labor. Leaf pulling severity was much more extreme than 2007. Harvest was September 24 through October 24, 2009.

Winemaking

The blend is 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc. This vintage’s Rosé came from red grapes where a fraction of the juice was drained (bled) off. Aged sur lie in 500 liter Hungarian oak barrels. 382 cases were bottled on February 23, 2010.

2009 Vintage, Red WinesJim Law