Blending Part III: Respect the Vintage

We spent last week focused on blending trials for Hardscrabble Red 2021. In our initial tastings the Cabernet Sauvignon was most impressive, but we felt that the riper, more full-bodied Cabernet Franc would play an important role in building the mid-palate of the final blend. We were mistaken.

It came down to respecting the personality of the vintage. With each attempt at introducing Cabernet Franc to the Sauvignon the wine lost its élan, its drive, its specialness. The samples with Cabernet Franc added were complete and balanced, but wan and simply serviceable. Even the smallest amounts seemed to quash the verve and energy of the Cabernet Sauvignon. It also made the wine samples more rustic. We tried Merlot, even Petit Verdot. No improvement.

We realized that we had a ballet dancer that we were trying to bulk up. Not a good image.

When one has been doing something the same way for many years, it becomes increasingly difficult to change. Hardscrabble Red has been of a certain style, an emulation of Bordeaux, for decades. A combination of climate change and our own maturity, self-discovery, and confidence has changed the equation.

But still, we felt we needed more guidance and direction. So we methodically tasted a broad swath of other wines. Ultimately it was a flight of 2008 Barolos that showed us that power didn’t have to come from ultra-ripe fruit, alcohol, and oak. The 2008 vintage in northern Italy was cool and late. Winegrowers there had to handle the Nebbiolo grapes and wines with restraint. Specifically, one of the 2008 Barolos reminded us of the stylistic direction of Linden’s Hardscrabble Red 2021: the Silvia Grasso Bricco Luciani. Most definitely a mentor wine.

We’ll give the Hardscrabble Red another month in barrel before we re-taste and hopefully confirm our decision. Then we will physically blend the various lots. No going back after that.

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Linden Vineyards / Learn More / Latest at Linden | Journal: February 2, 2022