Big Chill

The wines are taking advantage of the winter chill. Every winter when the temperatures are forecasted to be extra cold, we take the barrels outside for a few weeks. The cold stabilizes the wines. Small crystals called tartrates will form and either adhere to the sides of the barrels or drop out of solution. If this is done proactively at the winery, then it is less likely to happen in the bottle. Perhaps you have noticed these “wine diamonds” on a cork or in the last pour from a bottle.

Just like the wines and vines, we are hunkering down for the month of January. Reopening during a Corona virus spike just doesn’t seem like a good idea. We’ll send notice when we feel the time is right. In the meantime, some comfort wines for January are in order.

Claret

Linden’s Claret is a nod to the elegant blended wines of Bordeaux. The name itself is ancient. The English referred to clarets almost a thousand years ago. Upon a 2006 trade agreement with the European Union, the name claret can no longer be used in the United States. The sole exception was a grandfather clause for those wineries already using the name. Legally claret has no definition. It can be anything.

Linden does have parameters for our Claret. It is a blend of grapes coming from our three vineyard sites. The grapes are only red Bordeaux varieties. It should be vintage expressive, meaning reflective of the growing season rather than a specific vineyard site or grape variety.

Most of us will have a lot of home time on our hands over the next month or so. This is why we thought it would be of interest to offer four vintages of Linden’s Claret. Something to look forward to at dinnertime.

• 2014 | Red fruits and complexity that comes with age

• 2015 | Classic, firm, and resolved

• 2016 | Ripe fruit, warm vintage

• 2017 | Dark fruit and dense, but still youthful

$112 includes detailed tasting notes.

ORDERING

Our Claret four pack is offered at $112 through Linden Direct. All shipping is free for four bottles or more to one address while we are closed. Our 10% case discount applies to any purchase of twelve bottles including the four bottles in our offering. Linden ships via UPS to VA, MD, and DC.

Shipping could be delayed in the event of very cold temperatures.

Arrangements to pick up at Linden can also be made in advance.

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Linden Vineyards / Learn More / Latest at Linden | Update: January 6, 2022