2007 Chardonnay
Palate
Medium to full bodied with a creamy pastry roundness.
Aromas
Classic Linden apple/pear with some toasty, caramel oak influences, and a bit of hazelnut and cinnamon/nutmeg spice.
Food Pairings
Grilled salmon, pasta with white sauce and mushrooms, and roasted chicken.
Vineyard
Hardscrabble Vineyard (100%), Fauquier Co. on top of the Blue Ridge at 1,300 to 1,400 feet with an eastern to southern slope. Deep, well-drained mineral soils give acidity and good structure. Vine ages from 14 to 23 years. VSP and French Lyre training systems.
Vintage
The entire growing season, was very dry, with slightly above average temperatures. A two inch rain on the third week of August was beneficially refreshing. Harvest began about 10 days earlier than normal. Fruit maturity was very good, except for concerns about lower than normal acids. The resulting wines have good concentration and are more fruit driven than the mineral based 2004 and 2006 vintage. Harvest was September 10, 2007.
Winemaking
Chilled grapes were sorted, pressed, juice settled and then barrel fermented in both new and older French oak. Partial malolactic fermentation. Aged sur lie in barrel for 10 months. This 2007 Linden Chardonnay is comprised of declassified Hardscrabble Chardonnay barrels. 89 cases produced. This wine will improve in the bottle for several years.
Linden Vineyards / Our Wines / 2007 Vintage | 2007 Chardonnay