2023 Avenius Sauvignon Blanc
STYLE
The cool, but very dry 2023 vintage contributed to an Avenius Sauvignon Blanc with weight and power. The deep rooted 28-year-old vines flourished through the drought. Aromas are typical of the terroir with nuanced wet rocks and oyster shells. The palate is very rich and full, but the still finish retains the classic Avenius fresh acidity.
FOOD PAIRINGS
The power of this vintage pairs best with richer seafoods such as lobster or crab cakes. Veal or chicken piccatta provide weight and acidity that can balance this Avenius Sauvignon Blanc.
VINEYARD
Avenius Vineyard is owned and operated by Shari Avenius. It is located on the Blue Ridge one half mile north of the winery at an elevation of 1,300 feet on a steep northeast facing slope. Soils are well-drained rocky greenstone and shale. The vines were planted in 1996 and are trained on the French lyre trellising system. Clone is unknown.
VINTAGE
The dry, cool 2023 growing season produced powerful, concentrated wines. It was an easy vintage in terms of managing the vines and making harvest decisions.
Bud break was a week early (April 12 for Chardonnay). May brought the usual hot/cold temperature fluctuations, but the rain deficit had started. Flowering was average in timing, but very cool conditions contributed to some "hens and chicks" (incomplete fertilization of flowers resulting in many small berries).
It was the summer of smoke haze coming from Canadian fires. The smoke was too early in the season to affect the crop, but there were several days when working outside was too hazardous (smoke inhalation). The drought continued into July. The vines stopped their vegetative cycle. Berries were noticeably smaller than normal and young vines were showing hydric stress. Veraison was early and quick. Cane lignification was the earliest ever observed.
Avenius Sauvignon Blanc was picked September 5, 2023. Clusters were perfect with no rot or damaged berries, making harvest and sorting easy. Sugars were alarmingly high, but acids remained fresh.
WINEMAKING
The focus of making Avenius Sauvignon Blanc is to showcase textural density and complexity that comes from the Avenius site. Retaining varietal character is not a goal. Terroir trumps variety. The chilled grapes are sorted, destemmed, lightly crushed and pressed and then the juice is allowed to settle overnight. VL3 yeast starts fermentation immediately. The wine fermented for about 30 days at 68F (20C) in old 500-liter puncheons. The wine was aged on lees for 10 months. Bottled in August 2024. Alcohol is 14.7%. 1695 bottles produced. This wine will drink well from 2025 to 2028.
Linden Vineyards / Our Wines / 2023 Vintage | 2023 Avenius Sauvignon Blanc