Linden Update | May 31, 2023

The vines are in bloom.

The Scent of a Vineyard

The vines are in bloom. The beauty of grapevine flowers is best appreciated by the nose rather than the eyes. To see a vine in bloom can be disappointingly non-descript. But perhaps fittingly, the aromas can be intoxicating.

Hot and dry are the best conditions for successful pollination and fertilization. Right now the forecast looks promising. Chardonnay is now in bloom, but Cabernet Sauvignon is still more than a week away. By mid to late June small bb to pea sized berries will begin to form. We will then have a first gauge of how large the clusters and therefore the potential crop will be.

Packaging News

The decorative foil capsules on top of wine bottles serve no useful purpose. True, they do dress up the bottle presentation. However they also contribute to landfills (which were often previously productive farmland), add to the cost (which is passed on to you), and can be annoying to cut or remove (and occasionally will slice a finger). 

There is no compelling reason to continue applying capsules to Linden’s bottles. So we stopped, as is evident in the photo below.

Summer Sampler

Our cuisine changes when the heat of the summer arrives. Salads, fish, and garden veggies replace winter’s roasted root vegetables and stews. Our wine selections also change. Summer wines are by definition refreshing and vibrant. Here are Linden’s picks for this summer.

2021 Rosé

Aromas of pretty red fruit (think cranberries and sour cherries), but also an infusion of fennel, mint and tarragon and even a bit of cold ocean spray.

On the palate, the entry is fruity, lush, and spritzy. But don’t be deceived. Instead of fading away into the sunset, this wine is just getting started. It is all about the finish. A tightly wound acidity meets pithy tannins that play the long game. Picnic ready.

2021 Hardscrabble Sauvignon Blanc

The aroma is classic Old-World Sauvignon Blanc with wet stone, pith and citrus zest. On the palate Semillon (16%) tames the wildness of Sauvignon Blanc by contributing a bit more layered and harmonious texture. Fish on the grill!

2021 Avenius Sauvignon Blanc

This vintage has classic Avenius Vineyard aromas of stone dust and oyster shell along with kiwi and grapefruit zest. Medium bodied, but concentrated and wound up. Very dry, long and precise at the finish. Crab cakes for lunch overlooking the marina.

2021 Riesling

Vintage 2021 gave us a quaffable, light bodied Riesling that is low in alcohol (10.2%) and restrained in sweetness (a barely detectable 7 grams per liter). Aromas and flavors of tree fruits, stone dust, and fennel, this is the wine for the pool, beach, or an afternoon read for a warm summer day.

 $127 for all four wines, free shipping. 

We may choose to delay shipping if temperatures are excessive.

Detailed winemaking, tasting notes, and food pairing suggestions included.

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Linden UpdatesJim Law2023