The 2021 Hudson Vineyards, "Carneros" Chardonnay, Napa Valley was a Merchant's Pick
California's Best Kept Secret • Calling all Kistler and Kongsgaard fans!
August 09, 2023
One of California's best-kept secrets is Hudson's Carneros Chardonnay.
You may recognize the "Hudson Vineyards" designation on labels of the finest California whites. That's because Hudson sells some of its grapes to a "who's who" roster such as Kistler, Kongsgaard, Aubert, Ramey, and Cakebread, to name a few. The winery keeps the balance for its namesake wine.
Producers purchase Hudson's coveted fruit for their hallmark mouthwatering citrus and stone fruit notes.
Year after year, Hudson reveals exotic notes of pear, ginger, roasted nut, and allspice. Young apple on the palate, the wine is marked by green guava, lime blossoms, brioche, saline, pain grille, roasted corn, macadamia nuts, and pear. Lemon zest and orange peel on the back end offer a vibrant finish.
Hudson is one of the few wineries with old-vine Wente Clones (some of the oldest and most prized fruit in all of California). Behind the helm of Hudson Vineyards is winemaker John Kongsgaard, a super-star in his own right whose California Chardonnay sells for $170 per bottle - as do Aubert and Kistler Hudson Chardonnays.
That makes the namesake Hudson quite a value.
Each year, only a handful of cases are released to the market; make sure you tell your friend about this California secret only after you've purchased yours.
Enjoy!
Without fail, each vintage of Hudson Chardonnay "reveals a Batard-Montrachet-like richness and hazelnut creaminess." Robert Parker