Winemaker Notes
The 2022 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.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The largest volume wine produced by Hudson,all Old Wente from four blocks, barrel fermented and aged 18 months in 65% new French oak (François Frères and Damy). Subtle toast and struck flint notes mark the nose, adding intrigue to the pineapple-like fruit. It's medium to full-bodied, ripe, opulent and creamy in feel, with a long, harmonious and even velvety-textured finish.
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Wine Spectator
Butterscotch, vanilla cream and lemon curd flavors are at the core of this plump and juicy version, with details of jasmine, candied orange peel, marmalade and salted, buttery shortbread. Despite the generous and intense flavors, fresh acidity keeps the notes fresh and light on their feet.
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James Suckling
The nose is vibrant and giving, with aromas of lemon curd, orange blossoms and oyster shells. The palate is fresh, with a full body and focused acidity, offering notes of red apple skin, lime zest and popcorn. Powerful and fresh.
One of the most popular and versatile white wine grapes, Chardonnay offers a wide range of flavors and styles depending on where it is grown and how it is made. While it tends to flourish in most environments, Chardonnay from its Burgundian homeland produces some of the most remarkable and longest lived examples. California produces both oaky, buttery styles and leaner, European-inspired wines. Somm Secret—The Burgundian subregion of Chablis, while typically using older oak barrels, produces a bright style similar to the unoaked style. Anyone who doesn't like oaky Chardonnay would likely enjoy Chablis.
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.