2023 Hardscrabble Sauvignon Blanc
STYLE
The style of the 2023 Hardscrabble Sauvignon Blanc is reflective of an unusual growing season. Dry cool conditions resulted in grapes with very high sugar and acidity. The generous addition of Semillon helped balance the extreme ripeness of the Sauvignon Blanc. This wine is more tropical and lush than is typical of Hardscrabble Sauvignon Blanc.
FOOD PAIRINGS
The 2023 Hardscrabble Sauvignon Blanc pairs well with rich shellfish such as scallops, lobster, and crab cakes. Grain salads with cold chicken or salmon and a bit of fruit would work well in the summer.
VINEYARD
Hardscrabble Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon were planted in 2012 on two distinct soils. The granite-based soils produce small vines giving ripe, rich, high alcohol wines. The more clay-based Greenstone soils grow large, vigorous vines that produce zippy, herbal wines.
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.
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. Sauvignon Blanc clusters were perfect with no rot or damaged berries, making harvest and sorting easy. Sugars were alarmingly high, but acids remained fresh. Hardscrabble Sauvignon Blanc was picked September 1.
WINEMAKING
Winemaking for this wine is intentionally simple and conservative as we want to let the terroir expressed in the wine rather than winemaking techniques. The chilled grapes are sorted, destemmed, lightly crushed and pressed and then the juice is allowed to settle overnight. VL3 yeast starts fermentation immediately. Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon juices were blended before fermentation to give the wine more balance (Semillon had lower sugar and acidity). Fermentation lasted for about 30 days at 72°F (22°C) in old puncheons and barrels. The wine was aged on lees for 10 months. 76% Sauvignon Blanc and 24% Semillon. Bottled in August 2024. Alcohol is 14.3%. 1562 bottles produced. Drink 2025 through 2028.
Linden Vineyards / Our Wines / 2023 Vintage | 2023 Hardscrabble Sauvignon Blanc