I was taken with the 2018 Hudson Grenache “Pick Up Sticks” at first smell. Grenache’s dark strawberry compote, licorice, cinnamon and lavender are sweet and sexy. In the mouth it’s medium bodied, both fruity & savory and spicy with firm tannins at first – resuscitation in the glass or a decanter soften those tannins in about 15 minutes. This tasty little number reminds me of a cooler-microclimate Châteauneuf-du-Pape, or high end Côtes du Rhône (Château Fonsalette, anyone?). 10% Syrah in the blend. Aged in really big (500 Liter) practically neutral French oak barrels.
Lee & Cristina Hudson and the entire Hudson Ranch team close the circle of environment, land, farming and taste. The goodness that comes off of Hudson Ranch goes way beyond wine. Organic gardens feed the Hudson Ranch Grocer in Napa’s Oxbow Public Market. Olive oil, heritage breed pigs, lamb and chickens are raised and enjoyed with the same care and respect as the wine. Which is a lot. Try them.
