Latest at Linden

by Jim Law

Journal | December 12, 2022

Cabernet Sauvignon

I’ve too often heard comments that “Cabernet Sauvignon can’t ripen in Virginia”.

Cabernet Sauvignon is the majority grape in most of Linden’s red wines. Our high elevation (1,200 to 1,400 feet) makes us one of the coolest areas in Virginia. Cabernet Sauvignon is a late ripening variety. Most of Virginia has enough heat to ripen it. Heat is not the obstacle. Soils are. Cabernet is very soil sensitive. Plant it in the wrong soil and it will not ripen. Plant it in the right soil and it produces magical wines.

Hardscrabble JournalJim LawDecember 11, 20222022

Linden Update | December 6, 2022

Last Call

Linden is soon going into hibernation. We’ll be closing the tasting room for the holidays and the month of January. However, we’ve reached back into our library and are offering several DIY tasting options to help you celebrate the holidays, ring in the New Year, or perhaps hunker down for a blizzard.

Vertical of Village Chardonnay

Evolution of Claret and Petit Verdot

Special Occasion: Avenius and Hardscrabble Reds

Linden UpdatesJim LawDecember 6, 20222022

Journal | December 3, 2022

The First Day of Pruning

There are many compelling reasons to delay the start of pruning vines. Academicians, consultants, and plant pathologists all caution against pruning early. But after a month of cellar and office work, my separation anxiety from the vineyard was too much to bear. I needed to get outside and I needed to reconnect with the vines.

Hardscrabble JournalJim LawDecember 3, 20222022

Journal | November 30, 2022

Shared Knowledge

Winegrowers are in a constant state of discovery as each slope, each site, each microclimate, and each vintage is different.

Hardscrabble JournalJim LawNovember 30, 20222022

Journal | November 14, 2022

Rest

We are now at rest.

Hardscrabble JournalJim LawNovember 14, 20222022

Library Wines | November 5–6, 2022 only

2013 Avenius Red: The year of hungry bear

The weather 2013 provided us with ripe grapes, but bear ate most of it.

Jim LawNovember 5, 20222022, Library Wines

Library Wines | October 28-30 only

2013 Claret

Nine years past vintage this wine demonstrates the reward of aging. It remains fresh and lively with a red cherry brightness. It also has a darker side of fig or plum compote, fall leaves and lingering tannins.

Jim LawOctober 28, 20222022, Library Wines

Journal | October 23, 2022

Two Day Tastings

Most of Linden’s Red wines have finished fermenting. In a few short weeks a slurry of juice and skins has become wine. Now we have to decide when to drain these fermentation vats into barrels.

Hardscrabble JournalJim LawOctober 24, 20222022

Library Wines | October 21–23 only

2009 Avenius Red

Cedar box. What an odd descriptor.

Jim LawOctober 21, 20222022, Library Wines

Library Wines | October 14-16 only

2014 Hardscrabble Red

No two vintages are alike, but as each harvest unfolds we can’t help thinking back and making comparisons.

Jim LawOctober 14, 20222022, Library Wines

Journal | October 12, 2022

Last Week of Harvest

Today we pick the last Hardscrabble Cabernet Sauvignon. The skin tannins have relaxed and it should serve as a nice foundation for Linden’s red blends. That is it for the red grapes. Petit Manseng will be picked on Friday. That will be it for Vintage 2022.

Hardscrabble JournalJim LawOctober 13, 20222022, Follow the 2022 Harvest

Library Wines | October 7–9 only

Homage 2015

Lingering. Homage is a one-time bottling of Merlot (68%) and Cabernet Franc (32%). With seven years of age, it is harmonious, contemplative, and resolved.

Jim LawOctober 7, 20222022, Library Wines

Journal | October 6, 2022

Survived Ian with minimal casualties

The rain remnants of Ian were not welcome. The grapes are swollen and the clusters are fragile. But they survived. We’ll now take advantage of a string of beautiful, sunny crisp days.

Hardscrabble JournalJim LawOctober 6, 20222022, Follow the 2022 Harvest

Library Wines | September 30–October 2 only

2009 Hardscrabble Red

This is one of Linden’s benchmark wines. It is now “in the window” of great drinking pleasure. Aging rewards.

Jim LawSeptember 30, 20222022, Library Wines

Journal | September 30, 2022

We Picked

We picked for three days straight. We picked at all three vineyards. We picked four different varieties. We picked 18 blocks. Today we ran out of lugs (picking baskets), cooler space, and time. We’re trying not to be too exhausted as we now have two days of crush ahead of us.

Hardscrabble JournalJim LawSeptember 30, 20222022, Follow the 2022 Harvest

Linden Update | September 26, 2022

In the Barn

All of Linden’s Chardonnay is now “in the barn”. The grapes took full advantage of dry, sunny weather.

Tough Decisions

Our eyes are now on red grapes and the track of Hurricane Ian. We’ll start red harvest on Wednesday. Ian will decide for us how much to pick.

Linden UpdatesJim LawSeptember 26, 20222022, Follow the 2022 Harvest

Journal | September 24, 2022

Picking Chardonnay. Merlot soon

All Linden’s Chardonnay will be “in the barn” by Monday. We allowed it to take full advantage of dry, sunny weather.

Hardscrabble JournalJim LawSeptember 24, 20222022, Follow the 2022 Harvest

Library Wines | September 23–25 only

2013 Hardscrabble Red

Autumnal. Aged red wines often evoke a feel of fall. The 2013 Hardscrabble Red has an earthy, dried leaf character that dovetails well with its black raspberries on the nose and dark fruits on the palate.

Jim LawSeptember 23, 20222022, Library Wines

Journal | September 17, 2022

Farewell Sauvignon Blanc, Hello Chardonnay

Today we crush both Hardscrabble and Avenius Sauvignon Blanc. They were picked meticulously over the last two cool mornings.

Hardscrabble JournalJim LawSeptember 17, 20222022, Follow the 2022 Harvest

Library Wines | September 16–18 only

2014 Petit Verdot

Sinewy: lean and muscular. This is a wine that won’t relax any time soon. It’s all muscle, no fat, with a bright acidity that gives the wine length and freshness. We’ve held back an ample stock of bottles knowing that its best years are yet to come.

Jim LawSeptember 15, 20222022, Library Wines