Style

The 2020 Hardscrabble Red is influenced by a greater amount of Cabernet Franc (45%) than any previous vintage. This gives the wine a savory and herbal aroma and flavor profile. The wine is medium bodied, linear, and fresh. The finish is firm with griping peppercorn tannins. 

Vineyard

Hardscrabble Vineyard is on top of the Blue Ridge at 1,200 to 1,400 feet with an eastern to southern slope. Moderately shallow, well drained rocky, granite soils give depth, structure and length to the Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc while more clay-based soils are dedicated to Merlot. Most of the vines are 10 to 20 years old and planted at 1,500 to 2,500 vines per acre.

Vintage

Winter ended early as March warmed and quickly initiating a very early bud break. From early April to early May we were on frost alert with many close calls. May 9 (Mother’s Day) finally nipped Merlot vines resulting in reduced yields.

Cooler than average April and May also slowed vine development, but a warm streak in June allowed for good flowering and berry set. A hot, dry mid-July slowed vine growth at just the right time. The vines were looking balanced and ready to put their energy into ripening as veraison was soon to begin.

Late July gave us a few welcome rain showers that refreshed the vines, but those showers eventually became more steady rains and by mid-August the soils were close to saturated. This slowed the veraison process and pushed predicted harvest dates 7 to 10 days behind average. Smoke haze from the west coast fires filtered sunlight on some days.

Harvest for Hardscrabble red grapes began with Merlot on October 5. Most of the Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon were picked on October 17. Soil water holding capacity and vine age played a critical role in determining picking strategies. The wines are more feminine in style as extractions were gentle due to uneven ripening. Cabernet Franc provided the ripest blending component and took a leading role in the blend.

Winemaking

Sorted and destemmed. Fermented warm with gentle pump-overs early and then punch downs once the cap formed. Pressing took place after about 20 to 28 days. The wine was aged for 12 months in used French oak barrels for Merlot and Cabernet Franc and new oak for the Cabernet Sauvignon. 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Cabernet Franc and 10% Merlot. Bottled in March of 2022. 1,1,170 bottles produced. Alcohol 13.3%. Drink 2024 through 2030.

Linden Vineyards / Our Wines / 2020 Vintage | 2020 Hardscrabble Red