2020 Linden Claret

Some time ago, when neither one of us wanted to cook, we pulled out this Annabel Langbein's Leek and Chicken Gratin from our freezer and had it with the 2020 Linden Claret. The only thing that someone had to make was a side of buttered string beans. The pairing of the 2020 Linden Claret and the leek and chicken gratin was perfect! The first time my husband made this leek and chicken gratin, my mouth was happy with all the different flavors in the gratin. Since then we have made this recipe a number of times and it still sings with a lot of amazing flavors. Here is a link to: Annabel Langbein's Chicken and Leek Gratin.

The Linden Claret, as indicated on the back label is a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot. It was produced and bottled by Linden Vineyards in Virginia.
Many years ago, when we went to Virginia on our educational trip to learn what kinds of grapes can grow on the East Coast, we stopped at a restaurant, whose name I have now forgotten and looked at their wine list where there was a local wine made by Linden Vineyards. We tried the wine and was amazed at the quality of the wine and looked up Linden Vineyards. Here is a winery you will want to go to if you find yourself in Virginia. The winery is owned by Jim Law who began farming and making wine in the 1980s in Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains, located 60 miles west of Washington DC.
When I looked up the tasting notes for this wine where there was extensive information about the vintage. For the winemaking, the grapes were triple sorted, destemmed and lightly crushed. Fermented warm with gentle pump-overs early and then punch downs once the cap formed. Pressing took place after about 18 to 20 days. The wine was aged for 12 months in older French oak barrels. Unfined. 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Petit Verdot. 7,580 bottles produced. Alcohol 12.9%. Drink now through 2028.