Blending Trials Part II

We came to consensus on the blend for Avenius Red 2021 fairly quickly. At the first flight, the wine with the most finesse and elegance was the unanimous preference. We then worked around that blend for two days, adding and subtracting components. Invariably, the original blend was preferred in every blind tasting.

The blend will be Cabernet Sauvignon heavy (about 57%) and the rest Merlot (43%). Petit Verdot did not make it into the blend. The 2021 Avenius Red reflects a slow stylistic evolution at Linden as we better understand our terroir. We are now making the wines with more restraint and less effort in the cellar. Because of the vineyards’ elevation, both Avenius and Hardscrabble give us grapes that have lots of red fruit characteristics, freshness, and moderate alcohol and palate weight. In the past we have perhaps harvested too late, and been too aggressive with extraction techniques and the use of new oak.

This is not uncommon for newer wineries from a new region trying to prove our worth. The mantra was bigger is better. We’ll show Napa. But finesse and restraint can only come from experience, maturity, and confidence. It is more difficult. We are now reaping the benefits of all our visits to European cellars and tasting of Old World benchmark wines.

This week our focus is Hardscrabble. We have now tasted through all the barrels. Today starts the first round of blending trials. Again, Cabernet Sauvignon seems to shine, but Cabernet Franc may be a good addition. We are looking for 1+1=3.

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Linden Vineyards / Learn More / Latest at Linden | Journal: January 26, 2022