Style

This is a ripe and structured Hardscrabble Red reflecting decades of vineyard replanting and harvest timing experience. The nose is classic Hardscrabble with crunchy red fruit, forest floor, dusty clay and espresso bean. The palate is dense, concentrated and sinewy with a long, powdery tannin grip.

Food pairings

Ribeye, lamb chops, duck breast, grilled mushrooms, and anything with a slight char.

Vineyard

Hardscrabble Vineyard (100%), Fauquier Co. on top of the Blue Ridge at 1,200 to 1,400 feet with an eastern to southern slope. moderately shallow, well drained rocky, mineral soils give depth, structure and length. Vines planted from 1997 to 2011. Older vines planted at a density of 600 to 800 vines per acre. Younger vineyards at 1,500 to 2,500 vines per acre.

Vintage

A somewhat uneventful winter gave way to a warm, dry March that stimulated an early bud swell. Late April through most of May was very wet and cloudy. The vines did not look healthy with pale green leaves, slow shoot development and a fair amount of phomopsis scars.

The wet weather pattern broke in late May and flowering was very successful under ideal conditions. The rest of June and early July was typical with occasional thunderstorms. By late July we saw browning grass and cessation of new growth, always a welcome sign. Heavy thundershowers in early August stimulated some vines in more clay-based soils, but vineyard blocks in low water holding capacity soils remained in balance.

The rest of August through most of September was very dry. September was uncommonly warm, including nighttime temperatures. These were some exceptionally ripe grapes, both in terms of chemistry and tannin maturity. Harvest was September 22 through October 3, 2016.

Winemaking

This is a selection of the best vineyard blocks at Hardscrabble. Extractions were moderately aggressive with more focus on early timing of pump overs and later punch downs. Fermentation temperatures were kept warmer than normal, peaking around 30°C (86°F). Post fermentation maceration temperatures and lengths were average in length.

The wine was aged in new (60%) and slightly used French oak barrels for 21 months. Bottled August of 2018. 56% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc. 13.8% alc. Drink 2020 through 2028. 4,713 bottles produced.

Linden Vineyards / Our Wines / 2016 Vintage | 2016 Hardscrabble Red