PATZ & HALL 2011 “Hudson Vineyard” Carneros Chardonnay
VINEYARD
This wine is 100% Chardonnay sourced from the Hudson Vineyard located in a cool section of Carneros, in a small valley that offers some shelter from the wind. Patz & Hall sources specifically from a 4-acre block of the vineyard that features well-drained Haire loam soils and is planted to the Hudson-Wente selection (which as the name implies, was isolated by Lee Hudson himself). The unique location of Hudson Vineyard allows the grapes longer hangtime to develop flavor and intensity, without sacrificing acidity and balance.
CELLAR
The grapes are whole cluster pressed. Fermentations are carried out using completely indigenous yeast. It is aged surlies in Burgundian French oak barrels (55% new) with weekly stirring and completes malo-lactic fermentation in barrel. Bottled without filtration.
ACCOLADES
92points – Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
91+points – Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar
91points – Wine Enthusiast