2021 Vintage Summary
Finesse
Spring came in gently and predictably. A cold February was followed by a dry, mild March. Bud break was in late April, right on time. May did not follow suit as hail on May 7 damaged some emerging shoots. Fortunately the damage was mostly cosmetic to only the base of the shoots as the clusters had not yet unfolded.
May was very dry as was June and July. This made for a good crop (excellent pollination conditions) with small berries (water stressed vines), but young vines were beginning to show signs of excessive water stress (stunted growth and yellowing basal leaves).
Veraison began in late July under ideal conditions: hot and dry. Color change was quick and uniform setting the stage for high quality. Mid-August presented a big shift with humid, wet nights and frequent quick, hard showers. This slowed the ripening process and elevated disease pressure. Ripening stalled and the waiting game began.
Late August and the first days of September gave us humid days and rainy nights, but eventually the skies cleared and a window of ideal weather allowed us to pick Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. Chardonnay was picked in mid to late September under varying weather conditions. Young vines were picked early as they were more susceptible to rot and dilution from rain, but older vines were resilient.
Vintage 2021 required extreme patience as we waited for a weather miracle to ripen our stubborn reds. The ten days from late September through the first week of October gave us that miracle with warm, sunny days, low humidity, and cool nights. It took four or five days for the grapes to take advantage of these conditions and turn the corner as flavors and tannins came into line.
All the red grapes ripened at once. There was no way we could pick everything in time. However, the vintage was saved by our friends and colleagues at RdV Vineyards. They had already finished harvest and graciously offered to help here at Linden. Friday, October 1 was a classic Virginia fall day: crisp and cool. A combined team of twelve seasoned veterans methodically harvested Avenius Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. We then ascended on Hardscrabble to pick all the Cabernet Sauvignon. Never in our history has so much fruit been picked in one day.
A sports analogy best sums up the 2021 vintage for our red wines. It is late in the fourth quarter and the home team is losing by a wide margin. Fans are leaving the stadium. Then a series of unimaginable Hail Mary plays puts us over the top in the final minutes.
Linden Vineyards / Our Wines / 2021 Vintage | 2021 Vintage Summary