2007 Rudd Chardonnay Bacigalupi Vineyard

More impressive than the 2006 is the brilliant 2007 Chardonnay Bacigalupi Vineyard, which exhibits notes of lemon oil, honeyed citrus, orange blossoms, and poached pears in a delightful, medium to full-bodied style. The oak is kept well in the background, and this wine reveals a decided minerality as well as underlying crisp acidity. Sadly, only 600 cases of this beauty were produced. Readers will notice new, elegant labels reflecting proprietor Leslie Rudd's holy grail quest to make wines that compete with the finest in the tenderloin of Napa's Cabernet country, the Oakville Corridor. As I stated last year, Rudd has the superstars of viticulture and winemaking consulting, David Abreu and Michel Rolland respectively, working with the talented Bill Vyenielo, the viticultural manager who was formerly at Peter Michael, and new winemakers, Rebekah Wineburg and Pat Sullivan, the brother of Mike Sullivan who did such great things at Hartford Court. Their influence is especially noticeable with the final blends of the 2006 reds and the making of the 2007s. One of Napa Valley's most distinctive, singular offerings is The Edge Hill Mixed Blacks. Made from a 5-acre parcel of extremely old vines in St. Helena, next to the Hayne Vineyard, this field blend was probably planted by Italian immigrants in the late 1800s, with the core component representing nearly 50% Zinfandel, and the rest an assemblage of Grenache, Petite Sirah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Mourvedre, and Carignane. Tel. (707) 944-8577; Fax (707) 944-2823