Hudson Estate Chardonnay 'Hudson Vineyard' Carneros 2021
(Napa Valley, California) - [WS 94] [TWI 94] [WA 94]

About the Winery:
Founded in 1981, Hudson Vineyards is situated deep in the heart of the gently rolling hills of Napa Valley’s Carneros District. Owned and operated by Lee and Cristina Hudson, many esteemed producers don the name of Hudson vineyard designate on their labels (including Arietta, Bedrock Wine Co., Cakebread Cellars, Darioush, Duckhorn, Kistler, Kongsgaard and Ramey Wine Cellars). The winery produces three estate white varieties and seven red, all vinified with holistically farmed fruit.

Notes From The Winemaker:
The 2021 Chardonnay showcases a combination of 4 distinct blocks from the Hudson Estate planted to Heritage Shot Wente clone. We hand select barrels from each site to create a Chardonnay that fully expresses the elegant and balanced style of Hudson Vineyards. The wine is rich with bright acidity and mouthwatering notes of citrus, stone fruit, and brioche.

Vineyards: Good Hand, Lady Bug, Seashell, Corner & Little Bit

Clone: Heritage Shot Wente

Oak Aging: 14 months in 60% New Francois Freres, Damy & Orion Oak Barrels

Production: 1,638 cases

Alcohol: 14.7%

Ratings and Reviews

94 Points - Wine Spectator:
Impressive for the generous, plump flavors and the restraint and elegance of the candied ginger peel, briny preserved lemon, peppery white flower and buttery peach pastry flavors on a plush frame. Reveals a juicy thread of acidity. Drink now. 1,638 cases made.

94 Points - The Wine Independent:
The 2021 Estate Chardonnay prances out with out-going notes of grapefruit, green guava, and fresh pineapple with hints of coriander seed and brioche. The medium to full-bodied palate delivers a refreshing backbone to counter the intense citrus and tropical fruit layers, finishing long.


92-94 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:
Tasted as a tank sample prior to bottling, the barrel-fermented 2021 Chardonnay Hudson Vineyard displays a full-bodied, rich, custardy mouthfeel that easily carries the bold flavors of pineapple, white peach and citrus. It's a blend of several blocks and sees approximately 60% new French oak.

Texas-born Lee Hudson purchased most of his Carneros property in the early 1980s, paying only about $600 per acre. He now has approximately 2000 acres in total, with only about 200 planted to vines (60% of that is Chardonnay). He's still largely in the grape-farming business, although an on-site winery was completed in 2018. In addition to the small quantities of Hudson's own wine, it now has a number of notable custom-crush clients, including MacDonald, Arietta, Kiara Mondavi and DVO (the Dalle Valle-Ornellaia joint venture). The highlights under the Hudson label are the single-block Chardonnays. These are produced in quantities of approximately 200 cases each and allocated exclusively to the mailing list. All are barrel-fermented in approximately 80% new French oak using indigenous yeasts, undergo malolactic fermentation and are bottled unfixed and unfiltered. Despite the resulting richness, they show remarkable balance and finesse.