Winemaker Notes
Mmmmm, pepper and bacon fat deliciousness from Lee Hudson’s Carneros jewel. One of the most consistent vineyards and wines, this Hudson fruit comes predominately from the oldest block of Syrah on the ranch that was planted in 1993. In 2014, the winemakers included 50% whole-cluster to amp up the already rather explosive aromatics.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
You would think that Morgan Peterson would be content with his whites and Heritage wines, but this young professional has an extraordinary touch with Syrah, and it’s there that perhaps some of his greatest winemaking done today is centered. The 2014 Syrah Hudson T ‘n’ S comes from the famous vineyard in Carneros. It was John Kongsgaard who first put me on to some of the great Syrah that Lee Hudson had planted. Fifty percent whole clusters were used in this wine, which was aged in a combination of smaller barriques and larger puncheons. This is Côte Rôtie on steroids, with notes of bacon fat, black olive tapenade, violets, marmalade, lychee and loads of black raspberry and black cherry fruit. It is a heady, fleshy, super-complex wine that is so good now, I can’t believe it is actually going to improve much more.
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Wine Spectator
Begins with brooding blueberry and bacon fat aromas and quickly builds momentum, offering a structured core of lively tannins and loamy acidity, with complex flavors of black cherry, olive and licorice. Drink now through 2029.
The winery’s objectives are:
To channel the fruit of ancient vines into powerful, elegant, and distinctly Californian wines.
To spread the gospel of Syrah in California by sourcing fruit from great terroirs throughout the North Coast.
To proclaim the greatness of Sonoma Valley Cabernet Sauvignon by sparing no expense on wines of uniqueness and personality.
To reclaim rose’ from the excesses of saignee and focus on precision, delicacy, aromatics, and food friendliness.
To make fascinating and quixotic white wines from unique sites and interesting varietals.
To dream big but keep production low!
Marked by an unmistakable deep purple hue and savory aromatics, Syrah makes an intense, powerful and often age-worthy red. Native to the Northern Rhône, Syrah achieves its maximum potential in the steep village of Hermitage and plays an important component in the Red Rhône Blends of the south, adding color and structure to Grenache and Mourvèdre. Syrah is the most widely planted grape of Australia and is important in California and Washington. Sommelier Secret—Such a synergy these three create together, the Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre trio often takes on the shorthand term, “GSM.”
Known for elegant wines that combine power and finesse, Carneros is set in the rolling hills that straddle the southernmost parts of both Sonoma and Napa counties. The cooling winds from the abutting San Pablo Bay, combined with lots of midday California sunshine, create an ideal environment for producing wines with a perfect balance of crisp acidity and well-ripened fruit.
This cooler pocket of California lends itself to growing Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah. Carneros is an important source of sparkling wines made in the style of Champagne as well.