Journal | October 25, 2021

Progress Report: 2021 Red Wines

This week wines from Linden’s red fermenters were drained into barrels. This was earlier than normal, but they were in a good place in their evolution and we did not want to over extract. We are getting a better sense of the wines. But they are still finishing up their malolactic fermentations which makes them a bit funky and gassy. That will soon blow off.

This year’s red wines exhibit finesse over power. They are more like Burgundy than Bordeaux. We used very little new oak (only 3 new barrels instead of the usual 12 or more). New oak could easily over power the delicacy of the wines.

The Cabernet Sauvignons have wonderfully fine tannins. The Merlots are fresh and fruit forward. Cabernet Franc is dark, brooding, and muscular. Petit Verdot is exotic and rustic. Lots of good material to work with. We are already excited about our blending trials that start in January.

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Linden Vineyards / Learn More / Latest at Linden | Journal: October 25, 2021

Hardscrabble JournalJim Law2021, Vintage 2021