Included in: Sampler Club & White Club – September 2020
https://www.bacchusandvenus.com/product/hudson-estaste-carneros-aleatico-2019/881
Regularly $39. Club member re-order price only $35.
Holistic farming and a focused effort on the ecology of the complete farm encompass Hudson Ranch and Hudson Vineyards. First planted in 1981, Hudson’s endeavor has been to grow for taste and diversity. They encourage a polyculture using ethical, responsible farming practices and are mindful that every decision they make impacts crops, environment, staff, and community. Hudson Ranch rambles across 2,000 acres of the Carneros region of the Napa Valley. Of the 2,000 acres a mere 200 are under vines representing twenty different varieties. Another three acres make up the heirloom vegetable garden but the rest is wild.
The peaceful, bucolic setting of Hudson Ranch embodies the energy, intensity, and passion of proprietor Lee Hudson. Originally from Huston, Texas, Lee received his B.S. in Horticulture at the University of Arizona. Lee worked with esteemed Jacques Seysses of Domaine Dujac in Morey St. Denis, Burgundy where he learned that great grapes from hallowed vineyard sites produce truly world class, fine wines. When returning to the States he graduated from University California Davis with a degree in Viticulture and Enology. Lee began to search for the perfect piece of property from Santa Barbara to Mendocino before deciding on the Carneros property in the Napa Valley.
Hudson’s winemaker Clayton Kirchhoff came to the ranch 6 years ago as a young winemaker with 12 years of winery experience and an innate skill at crafting wines of presence. He originally gained his experience while growing up and working in the vineyards of the small AVA of Clarksburg, CA. During his time at UC Santa Barbara studying Economics he had the opportunity to spend a semester abroad in Italy. This is where he discovered that wine would be his life’s endeavor. He is largely self-taught in winemaking and has utilized the guidance and mentorship of many renowned Napa Valley winemakers.
The 2019 Estate Carneros Aleatico hailing from the California Hopland Field Selection vines has a new twist on the original Aleatico stemming from Tuscany, Italy. Aleatico is a Corsican black Muscat variety, once the favorite wine of Napoleon Bonaparte! Unlike the standard use of the grape for dry red and rosé wines, this Hudson Estate wine is honey in color with a full range of aromatics including nutmeg, crisp green apple, and honeysuckle. Typically Aleatico is used to produce a sweet dessert wine similar to the Muscat varietal grape, Hudson has twisted it to create a very dry aromatic white wine instead. It is pleasantly dry, crisp, and approachable.
These types of aromatic white wines are wonderful to use as a flavor multiplier. My favorite is to pair with a lighter seafood such as a Shrimp Scampi or Halibut Beurre Blanc to heighten the flavors! If you are looking for something a little sweeter this wine pairs well with Vanilla and Coconut flavors as well.
Jennie Kaplan Woodson – September 2020
Bacchus & Venus Wines 