Hudson Winery
Ladybug Chardonnay
Carneros, North Coast, California, USA
I think I have two more bottles and I’m desperately hoping that’s the case. Bought during a fabulous visit in ‘24 and a worthy replacement to Aubert (I love Aubert, but pricing is getting tough).
This was one of the wines I served for my annual WWC hosting. All wines served blind.
One of Hudson’s single block offerings from their famous vineyard. Everything you love about Hudson Chardonnays is here (rich, opulent, herb crusted yellow fruits) is here but the complexity is dialed up a touch. Yellow-gold in the glass. Initially a reductive funk aromatic but it dissipated and reversed a toasted marshmallow note I commonly get with Marcassin. Yellow fruits galore on the palate with wave after wave of flavor. Lemon cream, baking spices, salted croissant, all dance with good acidity and a lengthy finish. I’m always of the belief that Hudson fruit is at its prime when fresh, so don’t miss this window over the next few years. So good.
I think I have two more bottles and I’m desperately hoping that’s the case. Bought during a fabulous visit in ‘24 and a worthy replacement to Aubert (I love Aubert, but pricing is getting tough).
This was one of the wines I served for my annual WWC hosting. All wines served blind.
One of Hudson’s single block offerings from their famous vineyard. Everything you love about Hudson Chardonnays is here (rich, opulent, herb crusted yellow fruits) is here but the complexity is dialed up a touch. Yellow-gold in the glass. Initially a reductive funk aromatic but it dissipated and reversed a toasted marshmallow note I commonly get with Marcassin. Yellow fruits galore on the palate with wave after wave of flavor. Lemon cream, baking spices, salted croissant, all dance with good acidity and a lengthy finish. I’m always of the belief that Hudson fruit is at its prime when fresh, so don’t miss this window over the next few years. So good.
So impressed with this vintage. Deep and concentrated nose and palate. Displays quince and white fleshed fruits, coupled with a dense, oily mouthfeel. Superb length with very little acidity to talk about. Finishes sweet and voluptuous. Overall, the integration is textbook.
So impressed with this vintage. Deep and concentrated nose and palate. Displays quince and white fleshed fruits, coupled with a dense, oily mouthfeel. Superb length with very little acidity to talk about. Finishes sweet and voluptuous. Overall, the integration is textbook.
Aug 19th, 2025Ditto from my last tasting… hasn’t moved since last tasted 1 year ago.
Ditto from my last tasting… hasn’t moved since last tasted 1 year ago.
Jun 15th, 2025Outrageously strong presentation. See my prior notes.
Outrageously strong presentation. See my prior notes.
Jun 24th, 2024Stunning due to the aromatics, fruit profile and texture/density. Goes toe-to-toe with Aubert. Roasted pineapple and peach on the nose. Displays roasted almonds, nutmeg and stone fruits on the mid palate. Exceptional from Hudson.
Stunning due to the aromatics, fruit profile and texture/density. Goes toe-to-toe with Aubert. Roasted pineapple and peach on the nose. Displays roasted almonds, nutmeg and stone fruits on the mid palate. Exceptional from Hudson.
May 27th, 2024See my prior notes for the 2020 vintage. These chards are our new find and we can’t get enough of them. It’s a beauty which is displaying a heady, oily viscosity. Let this congeal for a few more years and your patience will be rewarded.
See my prior notes for the 2020 vintage. These chards are our new find and we can’t get enough of them. It’s a beauty which is displaying a heady, oily viscosity. Let this congeal for a few more years and your patience will be rewarded.
Mar 11th, 2024Brioche, almonds, and subtle oak treatment combines with a perfectly weighted mid palate. Relaxed acidity and a somewhat lithe mouthfeel exemplifies the end of dry Jan. What a punishment that was…
Brioche, almonds, and subtle oak treatment combines with a perfectly weighted mid palate. Relaxed acidity and a somewhat lithe mouthfeel exemplifies the end of dry Jan. What a punishment that was…
Feb 4th, 2024Family loved the density, texture and opulence displayed with this example. Happy Christmas, peeps 🎅🏾
Family loved the density, texture and opulence displayed with this example. Happy Christmas, peeps 🎅🏾
Dec 26th, 2023
Great fruit profile and acidity considering 100% malo and 80% new oak!
Great fruit profile and acidity considering 100% malo and 80% new oak!
Jan 22nd, 2023
Just had a 1-on-1 with Lee Hudson. What an amazing man and asset to the California wine industry..... a transcendent evening! @Antonio Galloni @Paul T- Huntington Beach @Shay A @Warren Sapp @Mike R
Just had a 1-on-1 with Lee Hudson. What an amazing man and asset to the California wine industry..... a transcendent evening! @Antonio Galloni @Paul T- Huntington Beach @Shay A @Warren Sapp @Mike R
Jan 28th, 2021