2019 Village Chardonnay
Style
The ripe, hedonistic 2019 Village Chardonnay is reflective of the warm, dry harvest. Golden Delicious apple, fresh cut straw and dried apricots define the nose. The palate is upfront and forward with an unctuous entry. Mouth filling sweet fruit is framed by moderate acidity, but finishes long with phenolic length.
Food Pairings
This vintage pairs best with rich seafood, mushrooms, or white meats.
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. Vines planted in 1985, 1988, 1994 and 2010, 2014 and 2016. VSP and French Lyre training systems.
Vintage
2019 was a very strong vintage characterized by late season heat and drought. Yields were down as some varieties recovered from rainy 2018.
Bud break in late April was normal and consistent. A warm, wet May stimulated rapid shoot growth.
An early bloom (late May through early June) was successful under ideal conditions (warm and sunny). Very good set (pollination) was noticeable with Chardonnay having larger than normal bunches.
Late June was marked by a moderate hailstorm that bruised and damaged berries on the top/west side of the canopy. Most, but not all of these berries shriveled and fell off. However there were still a significant number of compromised berries that would have the potential to present rot and uneven ripening issues later in the season.
July started a long hot dry period, which would last until harvest was over. There remained ample moisture in the ground, so vines did not slow their vegetative cycle until early August (right on time for véraison). A hot, dry August accelerated ripening.
An early harvest for Hardscrabble Chardonnay began on September 10 2019. The crop was in excellent shape with good flavors. The only concern was with low acids caused by hot days and warm nights. In some cases Chardonnay was picked on the early side to retain freshness. Harvest for Chardonnay finished September 17.
Winemaking
Chilled grapes were sorted, pressed, juice settled and then barrel fermented warm (70's F) in old, neutral French oak. No malolactic fermentation. Aged sur lie in barrel for 10 months. The 2019 Village Chardonnay is a blend of declassified Hardscrabble barrels mostly from younger vines. 4,710 bottles produced. This wine will improve in the bottle for several years past vintage. Alcohol 13.1%.
Linden Vineyards / Our Wines / 2019 Vintage | 2019 Village Chardonnay