Linden Update | January 6, 2021
Wines and Aging
This past year we had the opportunity to share many older vintages from Linden’s wine library. This elicited questions about aging. There is no magic moment when a wine is at its peak of drinkability. Wine is wonderfully subjective, which delights some of us and frustrates others. Over the years we’ve learned that some vintages age better than others. We noticed that the less work we did in the cellar, the longer lived the wines. And eventually we found that wines from older vines aged more gracefully than those from more recent plantings.
We’ve also discovered that there is a reliable aging progression. I enjoy analogies, especially with wine. So here goes:
Four Stages of Wine Development
Salad Days
When a wine is bottled, it closes down. The industry term is “bottle shock.” Three to twelve months post bottling the wine gathers itself up and begins showing its fruit and frame. Once this occurs it is a candidate for release. The wine is primary and assertive, just like a teenager with an adult physique, but still developing coordination and intellectual capacity.
Confident
Four to six years after vintage the wine remains full of fresh fruit and structure, but also gains a textural integration and the beginnings of complexity. This can only come from age, just as an adult in their young prime who remains physically strong and now also has life experiences and paths.
Intellectual
After about six to ten years, there is a shift in both fruit and structure. Terroir complexity adds dimension. Primary fruit begins to evolve to more baked or preserved versions. The firmness of tannins or acidity relaxes and becomes suppler. This is analogous to an adult’s late middle age shift.
Wisdom
Once a wine reaches the ten-year mark, vintage matters a lot. Wines from hot, dry years may start to fade. Those from cool, wet ones may dry out. However, those from the classic vintages can be like Energizer bunnies and go for decades. The wines may have weary bones and dried fruit, but a unique, alluring complexity evolves. Just as when we age, wisdom replaces physical strength.
Shipping News
Due to COVID concerns, Linden will remain closed this winter until we feel it safe and comfortable enough to accommodate guests again. During our closure we will waive shipping fees on orders of four bottles or more.
Compare and Contrast | Claret and Petit Verdot
While we won’t be able to see you for a while, every fortnight we will have a special offer we’ll call "Compare and Contrast," which will comprise of four bottles that will include older vintages along with notes to guide you through your tasting in isolation. Here's our first offering:
Claret 2016 and 2014
Petit Verdot 2016 and 2014
We have here two vintages that now show very differently. The warm vintage 2016 displays confidence, primary fruit, and assertive tannins. The cooler 2014 has relaxed and matured. Aromatic complexity is at the “come hither” stage.
$128.00 for the four bottles, which can be combined with eight other bottles to receive a 10% case discount.
The combination of cold weather and COVID has reduced Linden’s ability to safely receive visitors. However, we are shipping by UPS to Virginia, DC, and (finally!) Maryland. Linden Direct
We will take a pause and close during the holidays and the month of January. We will then re-evaluate our options.
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Linden Vineyards / Learn More / Latest at Linden | Update: January 6, 2021