Last month we hosted a harvest dinner and our Managing Director, Oscar Henquet, gave a toast to bring the memorable evening to a close. He said something incredibly simple and sincere, which resonated with me deeply — “Let’s raise a glass to the Rudd Family.” I knew he literally meant to my traditional family; however, I felt compelled in the moment to expand on what he said and define what the word family means to me. I had watched this stunning evening unfold seamlessly and with such care for the Estate, the wines, the setting, the food, and always with great care for our guests. All because of my family. Not my parents, not my husband, and not my children, but for the family who has organically come together with a commitment to caring for this land, some for decades.
As many of you know I am an only child; furthermore, I do not have a large extended family. I talk about how the winery has felt akin to a sibling my entire life. Last month as Oscar genuinely raised a glass, I looked around the table full of amazing Rudd customers and Rudd team members and felt that this was my family in a way, just as much as my parents.
Not only do I feel like the Rudd team is my family, I also know that everything we do here wouldn’t be what it is without them. Of course, all businesses need their teams to “get the job done,” but there is a magic to this place which so many guests mention to me personally. I truly believe it’s due to the dedicated people who spend so much of their lives caring for this Estate —the vines, the wine shipments, the holidays gifts, the way the table is set for guests, and many other details I couldn’t begin to list. Most importantly, they care about each other, like a family should.
So, as we release the 2020 Rudd Mt. Veeder Estate Leslie’s Blend named after my Dad, and the inaugural release of the 2023 Crossroads Semillon, which was planted for my Mom, I think it is even more important to appreciate the family who works side by side with me every day to ensure the legacy of my small, yet dedicated, family continues.
For those of you not yet familiar with the Rudd Mt. Veeder Estate Leslie’s Blend, this wine is made from an extremely difficult vineyard to farm due to the steep hillsides from this underrated mountain appellation; however, the extreme nature of this site highlights the true expression of mountain fruit with powerful and concentrated tannins combined with texture and balance. The 2020 vintage opens with rich and complex aromatics, punctuated by a dusty, earthy note intertwined with roasted herbs and red rhubarb. This warm and nose filling sensation is enhanced by ripe blueberries and dark chocolate, adding a touch of indulgent sweetness, with delicate violets bring forth a floral elegance to round out the nose.
The Semillon vineyards on the Mt. Veeder Estate, planted in 1999, are traditionally used in our Susan’s Blanc. While the quality of the 2023 was excellent, our Winemaker felt the final blend was not harmonious with the style of previous vintages of the Susan’s Blanc, and it gave us the opportunity to bottle the Crossroads Semillon for the very first time. This wine is inviting and bursting with aromas upon initial inspection with delicate notes of apple blossoms, fresh snap peas, and lemon verbena. A light undertone of minerality completes the multifaceted aromatic profile, leading to a zesty acidity and a refreshingly clean finish, leaving a crisp and invigorating sensation across the palate. In true Crossroads fashion, this wine will not necessarily be made every vintage, so I suggest securing your allocation early.
I’m incredibly proud of these wines, the making of which would not be possible without the support of my family, both by lineage and by commitment to this land. Their dedication is inspiring, and I look forward to continuing to see the legacies of their own making for the rest of my life.
All the best,
Samantha Rudd
2020 Rudd Mt. Veeder Estate Leslie’s Blend
The 2020 growing season on Mt. Veeder commenced with a warm, dry winter with March rains rejuvenating the soil. A mild spring shifted into a summer of cool mornings and warm days, fortuitously resulting in the earliest first pick from the Rudd Mt. Veeder Estate in our history. Starting on September 4th and ending on September 22nd, we were fortunate to complete harvest before the Glass fire began in Napa Valley. These early picks comprised of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Malbec allowed us to craft a wine which captures a level of aromatic complexity and freshness on the palate, while remaining true to our unique terroir on Mt. Veeder.
The most discussed vintage Napa Valley has seen in recent memory, the 2020 wines from our estates have been tasted and scrutinized more than any vintage in our history. It is with great pleasure and pride we introduce the 2020 Rudd Mt. Veeder Estate Leslie’s Blend. This mountain blend opens with rich and complex aromatics, punctuated by a dusty, earthy note intertwined with roasted herbs and red rhubarb. This warm and nose filling sensation is enhanced by ripe blueberries and dark chocolate, adding a touch of indulgent sweetness with delicate violets bring forth a floral elegance to round out the nose.
On the palate, one is initially met with bright black cherries, dark plums, and wild black currants creating a layered and luscious entry which continues into the midpalate. This signature fruit forward and bold entry are met by an opulent, earthy and graphite backbone with a lingering note of fresh black tea and cocoa, which fill and broaden the palate. Texturally present with robust mountain tannins, yet velvety across the finish, one is left with light notes of cedar and rich barrel spice, showing how well the tannins have integrated with its initial time aging. The 2020 Rudd Mt. Veeder Estate Leslie’s Blend is now just beginning to open and will continue to age gracefully for years to come.
2023 Crossroads Semillon
The 2023 vintage was one of the longest growing seasons in more than a decade. With steady and mild weather throughout the season, coupled with a balanced crop load, the 2023 had all the hallmarks of a memorable vintage. Winter and spring rains led to saturated soils and optimal timing for budbreak. Idyllic spring weather maintained healthy canopy growth through bloom and set, while relatively cool weather throughout the growing season allowed sugar accumulation and phenolic ripeness to occur in tandem. The growing conditions and rhythms of the vintage aligned perfectly for Semillon to thrive on our Mt. Veeder Estate. Although traditionally a blending component with other white wine varietals, the harmony of flavors present during tasting inspired us to bottle this as the starring varietal, rather than a minor contributor as part of a larger white wine blend. With only 1.5 acres of Semillon planted on Mt. Veeder, the entirety of the vineyard was harvested on September 20th at perfect ripeness.
The 2023 Crossroads Semillon is inviting and bursting with aromas upon initial inspection. Presenting delicate notes of apple blossoms, fresh snap peas, and lemon verbena, one is transported to the captivating first days of spring. A light aromatic sweetness is intertwined, suggesting hints of honey and juicy cantaloupe, balanced by the crispness of the first bite into a golden apple. The subtle undertone of minerality is reminiscent of crushed gravel and wet stone, completing the multifaceted aromatic profile.
On the palate, this wine is a sensation of flavors and textures as it opens in the glass. Bursting with zesty acidity across the tongue, it highlights notes of granny smith apples and decadent white grapefruit. The wine broadens across the palate with a filling roundness of underripe nectarine and ripe melon, elongated by the lemon pith texture which continue through the finish. This wine culminates with a refreshingly clean finish, leaving a crisp and invigorating sensation across the palate. This wine belongs on the beaches of Northern California with a plate of freshly caught oysters and a warm bouillabaisse cooking in the house to warm up with as the sun begins to set.