Last week when we got our Linden Vineyards newsletter in our email, we read that the cellar tastings were ending this past weekend until the new year. We decided we had to attend the last one of the year. On Saturday we headed to Linden to participate in the last cellar tasting of the year.

We arrived just in time for the cellar tasting to begin. The tasting started with the 2016 and 2017 Avenius Sauvignon Blancs. While we enjoyed them both, Warren and I preferred the 2017. Warren jotted down grassy, petrol, boxwood, mineral/graphite and lemon lime notes. Perfect for the end of summer.

We then compared the 2015 Hardscrabble Chardonnay with the 2015 Boisseau Chardonnay. Both of these wines are beautiful and have their place with different types of meals. Warren and I split on our favorite here. We may have been thinking of foods when making our decisions. Warren preferred the 2015 Hardscrabble. He described it as lush with pear notes, lean mid palate, fruit and spice on the finish. I preferred the 2015 Boisseau for it’s toasted ripe pear notes with a more rounded mouth feel. I thought you could have this one with food or just as a sipper.

The final comparison was between the 2014 and 2015 Hardscrabble Reds. The blends are different with the 2014 being mostly Cab Sauv and the 2015 including a good bit of Cab Franc. Both Warren and I preferred the 2015 blend. Lots of cherry and spice with a more rounded mouth feel made Warren think of several dishes he could pair this with.

The cellar tasting ended with a taste of the 2012 Late Harvest Vidal. A delicious way to end the tasting. It’s aging well and can be enjoyed for many years into the future.

If you missed the last cellar tasting for the year, be sure to return to Linden in the new year when the cellar tastings begin again. And when you do, tell them Virginia Wine Time sent you!