Linden Update | October 8, 2025
Vintage Matters
The 2025 harvest is coming to a close. We patiently waited for the Cabernet Sauvignon to take advantage of the last kiss of sun over the weekend. Only Petit Verdot and Petit Manseng remain on the vine. This has been a "come from behind" growing season. We cursed the heat, humidity, and rain of early summer and then rejoiced at a near perfect cool, dry streak since early August. Both white wines and red wines show great promise. I can't help from making comparisons to two of my favorite vintages: 2009 and 2017. These will be concentrated, long-lived wines, not just because of the growing conditions, but also due to the small yields. Each vine packed a lot of flavor into fewer clusters.
Vintage is weather, not just a year stamped on a label. The growing season defines the character and style of each wine. To be more precise, the weather of the months leading up to harvest, August, September and October, make all the difference. Heat makes more fleshy wines, while cool makes wines of verve and brightness. Sunny days produce fruit-driven wines, while clouds provide minerality. The West Coast has weather consistency, but Virginia has variation. This gives each vintage a unique personality. We designed our newest tasting around the theme of vintage variation.
If you've ever wondered about how the weather affects flavor, character, and style, this fall's tasting is for you.
Village Chardonnay
The core of this wine is made from young vines that are very influenced by weather conditions. 2020 was a classic vintage with lots mineral and verve. 2019 was hot and dry, making for a riper, more fruit-driven expression of Chardonnay.
Claret
This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. Because each variety ripens at different times, the blend will change according to ripening conditions. 2021 is an unusual blend with a high portion (35%) of early ripening Merlot. Powerful Petit Verdot adds a lot of spice. 2022 is more typical, with a majority (51%) of late ripening Cabernet Sauvignon.
Avenius Red
This cool, high elevation vineyard site was planted by Shari Avenius in the 1990s. The grapes for the 2020 vintage were picked in October and reflect crisp days and cool nights with purity and finesse. 57% Cabernet Sauvignon and 43% Merlot. The warm 2019 vintage resulted in a more powerful structured wine. 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, and 8% Petit Verdot.
Reservations are recommended in busy October. Walk-ins are welcome when space is available.
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Linden Vineyards / Learn More / Latest at Linden | Update: October 8, 2025