2016 RUDD MT. VEEDER ESTATE LESLIE’S BLEND

From our mountain vineyard estate with steep terraced slopes that climb over 800 feet in elevation to a 1600 feet ridge top, this is the first release of a red wine dedicated to Leslie Rudd, in what may be the greatest vintage of the 2010’s. 

While spring brought warm weather, generous rain in the winter replenished the soil and allowed full canopy growth early the season, requiring diligent work in the vineyard to maintain balanced vine architecture.  A warm growing season continued through fruit set and veraison, concluding without heat spikes.  This allowed even phenolic and aromatic maturation to progress while maintaining freshness, acidity, and balance.  The fruit was harvested in 4 separate picks starting September 2nd and concluding by October 4th.

The 2016 Rudd Mt. Veeder Estate Leslie’s Blend has a deep, opaque color which suggests a rich texture and personality.  Expressive on the nose from the start, notes of earth, iron, and sap first appear.  On the palate, rich chocolate tannin and density are drawn out with sustained aromatic and textural persistence with notes of roasted meat, bramble, and black currents.   We are reminded of the wine’s origins with the mountain garrigue aromatics — sweet notes of wild fennel and resiny sap of mountain laurel. The 2016 is mouth-filling without excessive weightiness and builds in a crescendo to the finish.

A pleasure from the start, the 2016 vintage is already texturally integrated and lively without decanting. This wine will continue to gracefully develop its already complex aromatics and greater depth with cellaring over the next 20+ years.

The first release of this wine shows tremendous identity, a confident sense of direction, character and voice — not unlike the person for whom the wine is named.