John Kongsgaard selected "Hudson Syrah", the epitome of cool Syrah. Parker says, "This is California's best Syrah, reminiscent of Northern Rhone, Cote Rotie and Hermitage." Secondary aromas include cigar, bitter chocolate, leather, pepper, clove, charcoal and moist black earth. The tannins are soft, and the aftertaste is long and gentle. It has a tight and tight tension and a rich, full-bodied fruitiness.
John Kongsgaard refines Hudson Vineyards Syrah, the epitome of cool climate Syrah
This is a special plot (0.8ha) of Hudson Ranch (Vineyards) in Carneros, with very cool and complex volcanic soils. We have custom-made special cultivation for Kongsgaard. Napa Valley's best cool Syrah is unique and complex, with various spice aromas. Production volume is about 300-400 cases.
Hudson Vineyards' owners Lee Hudson and John Kongsgaard have known each other since they were students at UC Davis. When John was Newton's winemaker, he was the first to pay for low-yield grapes by contract and area, rather than buying grapes by weight, as is now commonly said. In fact, during the Newton era, he reduced the yield from 5 tons/acre to 2.5 tons. Even now, he purchases grapes on a custom-made basis, after detailed discussions for each vintage. This method has had a major influence on Hudson Vineyards' contracts with many other winemakers, and is also linked to Hudson Vineyards' current reputation.
Lewis, Arietta, Torr (Rock Syrah), and Bedrock's Morgan Peterson all produce top-rated Syrah, and Hudson Vineyards has released a Syrah of its own.
Napa Valley is cooler in the south, which is more affected by the mist and cold air from the cold San Pablo Bay, and warmer as you go deeper and further north into the valley. The Syrah grown in Carneros, known for its cool climate, has a different character from the Syrah grown in North Napa and Paso Robles, which are like fruit bombs, and also from the Syrah grown in Santa Barbara. The yield from the south-facing slopes of Hudson Vineyard is 2.5 tons/acre (40hl/ha), the right amount for a premium wine. The tightly concentrated fruit is not sweet, but rather has dense tannins, which create nuances of spiciness, herbs and pepper. Another major feature is the excellent acidity that tightens the whole.
John Kongsgaard's comments on the 2021 vintage
Comment from John Kongsgaard in 2021: Since Kongsgaard was founded in 1996, we have been making Syrah from a 0.8 ha plot in Carneros. Just as The Judge is in a class of its own compared to other California Chardonnays, Syrah is also in a class of its own. Full of animal nuances, rich in flavor, and with its own unique and rare personality, it is best paired with duck or wilder game.
Vintage: 2021
Capacity: 750ml
Type: Red wine
Taste: Medium bodied
Main variety: 100% Syrah
Country of Origin: America
Region Name: California
AVA: Napa Valley
Nested AVAs, etc.: Los Carneros
Vineyard: Hudson Vineyards
Note: Limited edition, limited quantity
Winemaker: John Kongsgaard
Cap: Cork
Alcohol content: 14.1%