2023 Vintage Summary
2023, Power Vintage
The dry, cool 2023 growing season produced powerful, concentrated wines. It was an easy vintage in terms of managing the vines and making harvest decisions.
Bud break was a week early (April 12 for Chardonnay). May brought the usual hot/cold temperature fluctuations, but the rain deficit had started. Flowering was average in timing, but very cool conditions contributed to some "hens and chicks" (incomplete fertilization of flowers resulting in many small berries).
It was the summer of smoke haze coming from Canadian fires. The smoke was too early in the season to affect the crop, but there were several days when working outside was too hazardous (smoke inhalation). The drought continued into July. The vines stopped their vegetative cycle. Berries were noticeably smaller than normal and young vines were showing hydric stress. Veraison was early and quick. Cane lignification was the earliest ever observed.
An unusually chilly August 31 morning started harvest with Boisseau Chardonnay and Viognier. All white varieties, except Petit Manseng, were picked over the next two weeks under cool, dry conditions. Clusters were perfect with no rot or damaged berries, making harvest and sorting easy. Sugars were alarmingly high, but acids remained fresh.
Red harvest started early with Merlot on September 18. Chemistry and flavors were good, but tannin development lagged. A late September rain paused Cabernet Sauvignon harvest, but by then it was quite cool, so the clusters remained healthy with no rot. Petit Verdot was the last red to be picked on October 9.
On November 3 we picked our first Late Harvest Petit Manseng since 2017.
Linden Vineyards / Our Wines / 2023 Vintage | 2023 Vintage Summary