2018 Linden Sauvignon Blanc
Style
Linden’s 2018 Sauvignon Blanc shows that charm and balance are best achieved in cloudy, wet vintages. There is a distinct calcareous/oyster shell aroma along with a subtle white flower perfume. There is a saline and gunflint flavor profile in the entry, then some mid-palate flesh that balances the lemon rind acidity on the finish.
Food Pairings
Fresh, delicate fish, smoked trout, or richer shellfish very simply prepared, goat cheese, or dishes seasoned with lots of fresh herbs. Oysters on the half shell.
Vines
Avenius Vineyard (65%), Warren County, just 1 mile north of Linden Vineyards at 1,300 feet, contributes good acidity and verve. Vines planted in 1996 on Lyre training system. Unknown clones.
Hardscrabble Vineyard (35%), Fauquier Co. on top of the Blue Ridge at 1,300 to 1,400 feet with a mid southern slope. Rocky, low nutritional, but very well-drained mineral soils give mid palate weight and structure. Vines planted in 2012. VSP training. Planting density is 1,675 vines per acre. French clones.
Vintage
2018 was the wettest year ever recorded in this area. Much of that rain fell during the growing season. To say the vintage was challenging would be an understatement. Facing reality by strategically “punting” was the best way to approach growing and winemaking decisions. The result: light, pretty, quaffable white wines with charm.
Bud break was about a week late, but then May turned warm stimulating vigorous shoot growth and long internode length. Continued wet conditions reduced berry set in June, leading to small clusters. Two gloriously sunny, dry weeks in early July gave hope of a turnaround, but it was not to be. The vines did not stop their vegetative growth by veraison (the color change of red grapes and start of ripening).
The leading harvest parameter was to pick before the grapes started any degradation (rot being the main concern). White grapes came in with good flavors and aromatics. Acidities were high, but within the bounds of making a balanced wine. The problem was a lack of concentration. The winemaking goal was to make “pretty” white wines that would be fresh and quaffable. Any notions of making single vineyard wines were quickly dismissed. It was decided to blend the Avenius and Hardscrabble for this bottling. Harvest was September 6th and 10th.
Winemaking
The grapes were meticulously sorted before whole cluster pressing. The Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon juices were blended, fermented, and aged in tank on lees. 88% Sauvignon Blanc and 12% Semillon. Bottled July 2019. 2,540 bottles produced. Drink upon release through 2021. Alcohol is 11.9%
Linden Vineyards / Our Wines / 2018 Vintage | 2018 Linden Sauvignon Blanc