"Carneros sits on San Pablo Bay north of San Francisco, which gives it a maritime climate and adds a distinct acidity and citrus quality to its Chardonnays. Napa Valley (which overlaps Carneros in part) is known for a warm climate that suits it well to Cabernet Sauvignon, but there are mountains and cooler sites where Chardonnay excels. You could expect more pear, fig and apple notes in Napa Chardonnays, with some of them made in a more opulent style.

At the top of this week’s list is David Ramey’s eponymous label. Ramey has made terrific wines at Matanzas Creek and Chalk Hill before starting his own label. Ramey’s signature balance of intensity and elegance is evident in both of his wines listed here, tapping grapes from some of the best-known vineyards in the area, Hudson and Hyde..."

RAMEY Chardonnay Napa Valley Carneros Hudson Vineyard 2007 Score: 92 | $60
Intense and vibrant, this shows full-bodied citrus, melon, pear and hazelnut flavors that turn subtle and offer hints of fig and tangerine, while maintaining its velocity. Drink now through 2014. 975 cases made. —J.L.

FERRARI-CARANO Chardonnay Napa Valley Carneros Reserve 2007 Score: 90 | $32
An elegant, delicate style, firm yet supple and focused, with a complex mix of ripe pear, spice, honeysuckle and melon, ending with a long, cleansing finish. Drink now through 2014. 5,800 cases made. —J.L.

HDV Chardonnay Napa Valley Carneros Hyde Vineyard 2007 Score: 90 | $60
Chablis-like for Carneros Chardonnay, this is firm and flinty, with citrus, lime, green apple and mineral notes that have a touch of petrol, ending with a juicy apricot edge. Drink now through 2014. 924 cases made. —J.L.

RAMEY Chardonnay Napa Valley Carneros Hyde Vineyard 2007 Score: 90 | $60
Clean and refreshing, with ripe, fresh, snappy citrus, green apple and pear flavors that are pure, focused, moderately rich and pleasantly cleansing, with a snappy minerality. Drink now through 2015. 1,795 cases made. —J.L.

CUVAISON Chardonnay Napa Valley Carneros S Block 2008 Score: 88 | $36
Rich and creamy, with orange peel, citrus, toasty oak, fig and apricot flavors that are full-bodied, if raw and pithy on the finish. Drink now through 2014. 884 cases made. —J.L.

Click here for full article (Wine Spectator subscription required)

Sunday March 7th, 2010

Carneros Pinot Noir

By Lynne Char Bennett
Sunday, March 7, 2010

2007 The Donum Estate Carneros Pinot Noir ($65): This soon-to-be-released vintage from winemaker Kenneth Juhasz and grower Anne Moller-Racke, who planted the estate's vineyards in 1989, has intense but elegant fruit. Ripe black cherry, licorice, fresh bay leaf and spice are balanced with food-friendly acidity and structure. A nuanced bottling.

2007 Kazmer & Blaise Primo's Hill Carneros Pinot Noir ($50): It has been a dozen years since Kazmer & Blaise produced its first wine, Primo's Hill Pinot Noir. Though this bottling was somewhat controversial, proponents found savory bergamot, uplifted dark cherry and hint of smoke with silky mouthfeel. A distinctive, more earthy style. Limited production.

2007 Patz & Hall Hyde Vineyard Carneros Pinot Noir ($60): Larry Hyde's iconic vineyard, planted in 1979, is one of the best-known in the Carneros appellation, and Patz & Hall has produced a Pinot from it for almost 15 years. Rich but not over-the-top oak entry is ballast for the generous berry fruit that expands on the back palate. Mint and moist soil add complexity; the long finish features a burst of acidity.

Click here for complete article

Monday March 1st, 2010

15 California Pinot Noirs

PATZ & HALL Pinot Noir Carneros Hyde Vineyard 2007

92 Points

"Tight, compact and concentrated, this is full-bodied and built around firm blackberry and wild berry fruit that's framed by taut tannins. Needs time to unwind, but ends with a huckleberry note on the long, persistent finish. Drink now through 2016. 767 cases made." —J.L.

Click here for full article (Wine Spectator subscription required)

Wednesday February 24th, 2010

Lee Hudson - A highly regarded grower makes the case for Carneros as a site for Syrah

Issue: March 31, 201

When Lee Hudson purchased his 2,000-acre property in Carneros in 1981, the varieties thought promising for the region were Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Syrah wasn't a consideration. But now Hudson Vineyards is putting Carneros Syrah on the map.

Hudson is a perfectionist. Friendly but intense, he looks you firmly in the eye-especially when talking about his commitment to grapegrowing. Of the 180 acres he has under cultivation, about half are planted to Chardonnay, with Syrah the second largest planting at 40 acres. His vineyards are divided into 54 blocks, and he sells grapes to 34 different vintners. It's not unusual to have three wineries source from the same block.

The 58-year-old Hudson, born in Houston, worked summers on his family's Brahman cattle ranch and calls himself a "Texan Francophile" because of his mother's influence. She served wine at the table and taught him French as his first language. During high school, Hudson spent a year in the south of France, where he recalls the smell of lavender and the coveted truffles of the region. Not surprisingly, he likes aromatic wines such as Syrah.

Click here for complete article

Friday January 29th, 2010

2010: Year of the Woman in Wine - Amelia Ceja

Issue: January-February 2010
By: The Tasting Panel Editorial Team

" ... Amelia Ceja
President, Ceja Vineyards
Napa Valley

As one of the few Latina women in wine in California, Amelia Ceja is determined to help shape the future of the consumer’s comprehension of—and abilities in—pairing food and wine.

“I want to be thought of as being instrumental in breaking down the barriers of the mystification of wine,” says Amelia, who was appointed President of the Carneros-based winery when it was founded in 1999.

“Before we even press our fruit, we know the elements that we want to show up in the wine,” she insists. It is Amelia’s culinary expertise that gifts her with an insight to work with winemaker (and brother-in-law) Armando Ceja to help discover similar flavors in the wines that also exist in food.

“It was that knowledge that gave me the confidence to run the business,” she points out. “There are not a lot of women in power in our industry, so I am proud to be one of the female leaders to promote the wines, through my on-line cooking show and our wine-related blogs, showcasing global cuisine and wine exploration.”

The first vintage of Ceja, released in 2001, consisted of three varietals—Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Merlot—totaling 750 cases. Today, the winery produces over a dozen varietals and a growing production of 10,000 cases.

Flagship wine: “Armando tells me the Ceja Pinot Noir reminds him of me,” Amelia laughs. When asked to describe it, she says, “Well, it definitely has some tannins present—but that doesn’t mean it’s not feminine in style. I would describe it as silky and velvet-textured, but with a firm grip.” We would describe it as a Pinot with personality. —M.M. ..."

Click here for complete article

Page 1 of 6

View Past Press