Raison d’être

2017 was a great vintage without exception. Once all blending decisions were made, there were several lots of wine that had no home. These misfit barrels were blended and bottled without intention or name. This is what happens when production people are in charge.

Wabi Sabi refers to a Japanese aesthetic that reveres the “imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete.” This reflects our philosophy behind the wine. It is an unintentional wine that resulted in a spontaneous decision. This is unusual for traditional, conservative, methodical Linden Vineyards.

Style

This is a textured wine with a generous mouth feel, low acid and some phenolic (tannin) length.

Grapes

Vidal Blanc: One of France’s illegal grapes (now banned in France from planting). Cuttings were smuggled into the US after World War II. The vines at Linden’s Hardscrabble vineyard were planted in the 1980s and 1990s. Vidal Blanc is the foundation for the texture and structure of Wabi Sabi.

Sémillon: The forgotten stepsister of Bordeaux contributes elegance and restraint to the blend. Grapes are sourced from a tiny planting at Hardscrabble.

Viognier: The enigma grape that sommeliers take pride on being able to pronounce. However pairing with food remains elusive. The Viognier grapes come from a small planting at Boisseau Vineyard. Viognier adds aromatic complexity and power to the blend.

Linden Vineyards / Our Wines / 2017 Vintage | 2017 Wabi Sabi