Hudson Vineyards Chardonnay Ladybug 2023

Hudson Vineyards Ladybug Chardonnay 2023 is a highly sought-after single-vineyard wine from a small, south-facing parcel at Henry Road Ranch in Carneros, Napa Valley. Produced in a tiny quantity of just 354 cases, it combines generous, finely textured fruit with vibrant acidity and a pronounced mineral character. Ladybug is named after Cristina Hudson, reflecting the warmth and elegance associated with both the wine and its namesake.

Tasting Notes
The wine displays a luminous golden hue. Its expressive bouquet opens with jasmine, ripe peach, pear and citrus, followed by crème brûlée, beeswax, toasted hazelnuts, brioche and a subtle touch of vanilla. On the palate, it is rich and silky, offering layers of lemon cream, white stone fruit, ripe pineapple and mango. Fine oak, crushed limestone and a pronounced mineral line provide structure, while lively acidity keeps the concentrated fruit fresh and focused. The finish is long, saline and persistent. The combination of depth, freshness and careful oak integration gives the 2023 Ladybug excellent aging potential. It can be enjoyed now with a short period of aeration, but should develop greater complexity and harmony over the next 8–12 years, provided it is stored in a cool, dark environment.

Production
Ladybug comes from a small south-facing parcel at Henry Road Ranch in Carneros, where a protective ridge shields the vines from the coldest winds arriving from San Pablo Bay. This slightly warmer microclimate encourages added depth and generosity while retaining Carneros’ characteristic freshness. The exceptionally long, cool 2023 growing season allowed for extended hang time and balanced ripeness. All vineyard work is carried out by hand, and the wine was fermented with native yeasts before spending 22 months on its lees in French oak barrels, 70% of which were new. The restrained yet substantial oak treatment adds complexity without obscuring the vineyard character.

Food & Serving
Serve lightly chilled at around 11–13°C. Ladybug is a natural match for roasted or grilled lobster, scallops, crab, salmon and richly sauced white fish, as well as roast chicken, pork tenderloin, creamy risotto and dishes featuring mushrooms or truffle. Its acidity and saline finish also make it well suited to mature soft cheeses. Decanting is not essential, but 20–30 minutes in a wide glass or decanter can help reveal the wine’s layered aromas and texture.

Producer
Hudson Vineyards is known for expressing the distinct personality of individual vineyard parcels in Carneros. The winemaking team represents a long-standing collaboration between Lee and Cristina Hudson, John Kongsgaard and Christopher Vandendriessche, with a shared focus on manual vineyard work and terroir-driven Chardonnay. The estate’s limited-production wines have earned a strong reputation among California Chardonnay specialists, and the 2023 Ladybug received 99 points from both Jeb Dunnuck and Lisa Perrotti-Brown—an exceptional accolade for a wine produced in such a small quantity.

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