Linden Update | September 19, 2024

Red Grape Harvest Update

Merlot and Cabernet Franc are now fermenting in the cellar. These will be some of the most powerful red wines produced at Linden. Dry, cool harvest conditions were ideal. Up to now the vintage has been easy and relaxed. But the landscape has changed. The rainy, damp weather of the last few days has pushed harvest into high gear.

At this writing we are ardently picking Cabernet Sauvignon. Cabernet’s skin tannins contribute the structure needed in our red blends. But now the clock is ticking. Warm humid conditions will soon degrade these now fragile skins.

 This has been a vintage like no other. Dizzying swings of drought, rain, heat, and cold have kept us constantly on a reactionary mode. The wines will be good. Pretty good or really good? That remains an unknown for now. 

Subscription | The Winegrower’s Selection 

Initial Offering is here!

FROM OUR CELLAR TO YOUR DOOR

We've heard from many of you that busy lives have made frequent visits to Linden more difficult. If you've missed special releases and small-lot bottlings, Linden’s inaugural subscription offering may be of interest. Our initial offering will kick off in November with special bottles, including Linden’s first Cabernet Franc since 2010. This will be a limited pilot offering. Over the winter (our slow time), we’ll expand the pilot for an April 2025 shipment.

In the first year, the cost ranges from $260-$325 per shipment (6 bottles, two times per year) depending on selection, plus any applicable taxes and shipping fees. The November 2024 installment is $260.

We've heard from many of you that busy lives have made frequent visits to Linden more difficult. If you've missed special releases and small lot bottlings, Linden's inaugural subscription offering may be of interest. Our initial offering will kick off in November with special bottles including Linden’s first Cabernet Franc since 2010. This will be a limited pilot offering. Over the winter (our slow time), we'll expand the pilot for an April 2025 shipment.

The Winegrower’s Selection will include six bottle shipments twice a year of small lot bottlings, unusual wines, and vintages of which we are particularly proud. The initial offering selected by winegrower Jim Law will be:

Cabernet Franc 2022 (pre-release)

Linden’s last bottling of a varietal Cabernet Franc was 2010. Since then we have replanted our Cabernet Franc on more appropriate soils after years of experimentation and exploratory trips to Bordeaux. This wine is the result of learning our terroir.

  • Claret 2021

Linden’s Claret is a nod to the elegant blended wines of Bordeaux. The 2021 Claret shows pungent aromas of red currants and red raspberries, along with fresh thyme, mint, and tarragon. There is a perky and lively finish with a refreshing acidity.

  • Avenius Red 2019

2019 was a strong vintage for red wines. This wine shows the purity and expression of terroir. This cool site retains red fruit character and a strong acidity that rewards aging.

  • Boisseau Viognier 2021 (pre-release)

2021 gave us pristine grape clusters with no rot or bird damage. Crush was also a breeze, with nothing to sort out. This is a very concentrated “Mediterranean” style wine. Less than 500 bottles were produced.

  • Wabi Sabi 2021 (pre-release)

“Wabi sabi” means the acceptance of impermanence and imperfection. Our Wabi Sabi wine has been produced in most years, but the blend and style can be quite different. Each vintage is unique. Once a given vintage is gone, there will be no other like it.

  • Hardscrabble Chardonnay 2020

Always a critic’s darling, this vintage is classic Hardscrabble Chardonnay with apple peel and a hint of vanilla aromas. Medium bodied with generous fruit in the mid-palate and a pithy, structured finish. This wine will improve in the bottle for many years.

2024 Harvest and Crush | Tour and Tasting 

If you want to witness the action, we are offering our special harvest and crush tours and tastings through October 6. This is your opportunity to see up close how wine is made. Crush is the winemaking term for all the activity after picking the grapes—extracting the juice and starting fermentation. Our educational tour begins in the vineyard, continues on the crush pad, and then into the cellar. You’ll be able to taste (grapes, juice, fermenting wine), see (harvest or crush, depending on the day), and smell (fermentation aromas are intoxicating). We’ll finish the tour with our comparative wine tasting.

Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays at 10:30 am
$50 per person. By reservation only. Group size is limited to four.

Linden Vineyards / Learn More / Latest at Linden | Update: August 28, 2024

Linden UpdatesJim Law2024