News from Linden | April

April is a transitional month in the vineyard. Pruning has been completed. Vine canes are tied down to the trellis wires. Grass and cover crops are greening up, but not yet ready for the mower. Spring is early, as it often is now. Perhaps it is time to recalculate what “average” means.

Raid the Cellar

This week we begin our “Raid the Cellar” series with four vintages of Claret. Every week we will send a different introductory offering of four bottles that will include either older vintages, pre-releases, or both. A substitute cellar tasting if you will.

These offerings will center around older vintages and the yet-to-be-released 2017 wines. We always reserve a certain quantity of our wines for later release. Now seems like a good time to make some of them available.

Each offering will include at least one 2017 wine that has not yet been released. 2017 was a very special vintage and well positioned for long-term aging. Our intention was to hold on to this vintage for some time before release. Current events have made us rethink that scenario. Prices for this vintage will increase upon its official release, but for now we will keep the prices at past vintage levels.

At this time, purchases will be limited to only one sampler per customer. We’ll include our own tasting notes and information on the vintages with each shipment.

However at the end of Linden’s sampler campaign, for a short period of time, all of the 2017 wines will be available for purchase in unrestricted quantities.

Claret | Vintage Sampler

Linden’s Claret is a red blend from all three of our vineyard sites. While not a single vineyard wine, nor a varietal wine, it does give a very accurate expression of the character of each vintage.

Our four-vintage sampler will be available for $112.
Other wines can be included to qualify for a 12-bottle discount of 10%.

2014 Claret: Perfume

2014 has gained a saline, herbal complexity from bottle aging. Crunchy red forest berries (as opposed to farm-raised berries).

2015 Claret: Classic

This is a food wine with bright acidity. Perhaps the most harmonious of the lot.

2016 Claret: Primary

A great contrast to the 2014. Sweet mid-palate and hedonistic. Strong tannins.

2017 Claret: Velvet

A very complete wine even in its youth with an elegant, ethereal lift. Rose petals and sweet ripe tannins.

We cannot accommodate pickups at this time as we feel an obligation to comply with CDC social distancing guidelines. Believe me we will be very glad to see you at the proper time.

Linden Direct

Linden now ships wine via UPS to the District of Columbia in addition to Virginia. We are offering free shipping and handling during our closure.

We shamelessly remain stubborn Luddites, so you’ll have to call in your order the old-fashioned way 540-364-1997. Shari is pruning her vines in the morning, but in the office by the phone on weekday afternoons. Otherwise leave a message.

• Subscribe to monthly Linden Updates for the latest vineyard and cellar information

Linden Vineyards / Learn More / Latest at Linden | Update: Week of April 12, 2020