September 3, 2023 - Linden's climate change (?) vintage 2023 (Linden, VA): 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc, 11% Petit Verdot. Pretty, integrated, and harmonious. The components have merged into a single identity in comparison with the 2020 Claret. There is a seamlessness in this blend, and a fruit de bois harmony of aroma, mouthfeel and taste. It is more refined and elegant than the 2020 Claret it was paired with. Drinks perfectly now.
January 7, 2023 - I'm hoping this is a single anomaly and not trend on bottles overall. Nose is still solid: red berries, black currants and dark tea. Color is a beautiful purple- ruby red. The flavor is off, might be past prime or thous bottle might have been start of spoiled. Feels flat from start. Not going to rate it at this point. Tried it in two very different shaped glasses to test if first glass impacted flavor. Its consumable, but definitely lacking the rich flavors I expected after last bottle.
August 19, 2022 - Big fruit up front on nose with some heat; overly ripe mix of blueberry, currants, raspberry, strawberry and subtle dark chocolate. Really beautiful dark ruby red color. Medium to lighter bodied overall. Front flavors of bright raspberry, strawberry, and red currants; added oak, vanilla, and black licorice as it flows over mouth. Hangs on back of palate with added acidic blueberries and light tannins with white pepper on finish.
Fun Virginia red wine from a good growing season. Definitely has some time in cellar to build and lose some tannins
May 26, 2022 - A very proper claret. Dusty tannins, deep flavors of plum and dark berries and aromas of eucalyptus and cigar box. Seemed more Bordeaux than Cali, which is a good thing for me.
November 25, 2021 - I’d recently had the 2014 too, and this isn’t up to that level. Still, a nice little wine— went well with Thanksgiving dinner.
August 16, 2021 - Medium garnet. Ripe black and red fruit with some earthy/dusty notes. Medium- acidity, medium+ body, and mostly integrated very fine tannin. I think it could have used a bit more acidity as the overall effect was flat. A little savory, and good, but not as good as the still-fresh 2014.
August 9, 2020 - At the open:
Smells of sweet red and purple fruit (plums) and a touch of stagnate water
Tastes of warm blackberries and branches; a lingering bitterness of chocolate earth
Moderate fine grained tannin on the gums
After 1 hour:
Smells of alluring cassis
Tastes of confident, straightforward, dark red fruits and stewed blueberries.
This is a lovely claret with convincing, but not overpowering fruit; a perfect Virginia weekday wine.
July 4, 2020 - Had at the lake with family.
N red raspberry, lots of violets, ink
P black and red raspberry, tea, violets, ink
F above average in length, high acid, good tannin
Oyerall a really nice wine from Jim.
April 25, 2020 - At the open:
Smells of roses, violets, and sweet fruit
Tastes of light tart raspberries and slightly sour cherries
After 30 mins:
Smells of chocolate covered tart cherries, granite, & sweet blue fruit
Tastes of reserved, but confident slightly sour fruit and earth
Medium bodied. Delightful claret; very well balanced and reliable.