Comprehensive tasting of the Rudd Estates lineup (Sauvignon Blanc, Edge Hill Chardonnay, Samatha’s, Estate Red). Coming from a hillside location on Mount Veeder this is cooler and fresher than your average Napa Sauvignon Blanc. The acidity is more pronounced with an overall character mix between Sancerre and Napa Valley. We tasted the 2014-2017 which are ok to good but without any exceptionalism. Yes, it is the intention of the estate to craft a Sauvignon Blanc with higher acidity but I found the acidity not to be that round and perfectly integrated. But they certainly have some ageing potential and might be better with 10 or 15 years of age.

TN: Lots of grassy and herbal notes, spearmint, crushed rocks, tropical fruit. Pleasant aroma profile with fairly good precision. Medium- concentration with a slightly too high and not very well integrated acidity. The texture has some sharp edges. Medium length. Maybe better in 5 years?

Comprehensive tasting of the Rudd Estates lineup (Sauvignon Blanc, Edge Hill Chardonnay, Samatha’s, Estate Red). Coming from a hillside location on Mount Veeder this is cooler and fresher than your average Napa Sauvignon Blanc. The acidity is more pronounced with an overall character mix between Sancerre and Napa Valley. We tasted the 2014-2017 which are ok to good but without any exceptionalism. Yes, it is the intention of the estate to craft a Sauvignon Blanc with higher acidity but I found the acidity not to be that round and perfectly integrated. But they certainly have some ageing potential and might be better with 10 or 15 years of age.

TN: This was the best in the lineup. The hotter and more opulent vintage works well with this acidic, fresher style of Sauvignon Blanc as the more opulent and sweet fruit aromas (mainly tropical fruit, along with grassy notes and some wet stone aromas) balances the sharp acidity and makes the wine more round and harmonious than its siblings from 2014/16/17. Not as dense and concentrated as the best SBs from Napa, medium finish. Overall, quite enjoyable.

Comprehensive tasting of the Rudd Estates lineup (Sauvignon Blanc, Edge Hill Chardonnay, Samatha’s, Estate Red). Coming from a hillside location on Mount Veeder this is cooler and fresher than your average Napa Sauvignon Blanc. The acidity is more pronounced with an overall character mix between Sancerre and Napa Valley. We tasted the 2014-2017 which are ok to good but without any exceptionalism. Yes, it is the intention of the estate to craft a Sauvignon Blanc with higher acidity but I found the acidity not to be that round and perfectly integrated. But they certainly have some ageing potential and might be better with 10 or 15 years of age.

TN: This had the best nose of the four wines, dense and round full of grass, spearmint, tropical fruit and a soft minerality. Same is true for concentration on the palate which is on a good level with a quite intense fruit core and herbal notes. Overall not quite on the same level as the 2015 (and the best Napa Sauvignon Blancs) as it is not as yet fully in balance. But it will get there with some more years of cellaring.

Comprehensive tasting of the Rudd Estates lineup (Sauvignon Blanc, Edge Hill Chardonnay, Samatha’s, Estate Red). Coming from a hillside location on Mount Veeder this is cooler and fresher than your average Napa Sauvignon Blanc. The acidity is more pronounced with an overall character mix between Sancerre and Napa Valley. We tasted the 2014-2017 which are ok to good but without any exceptionalism. Yes, it is the intention of the estate to craft a Sauvignon Blanc with higher acidity but I found the acidity not to be that round and perfectly integrated. But they certainly have some ageing potential and might be better with 10 or 15 years of age.

TN: This was clearly the weakest wine in the lineup with some funk on the nose and lots of acidity and mostly green and grassy notes on the palate. No real flaw and you could sense that there might be more in store with some age but overall this brings limited pleasure only at this point.

Comprehensive tasting of the Rudd Estates lineup (Sauvignon Blanc, Edge Hill Chardonnay, Samatha’s, Estate Red). This Chardonnay comes from the same plot, from the same wines that provided big parts of the white wine winner of the Judgment of Paris in 1976 (Chateau Montelena 1973). Planted in 1964, the vineyard is nearing the end of its life with less and less bottles produced every year (around 200 cases only). The 2017 is supposed to be their last vintage. This was one of the highlight of the whole Rudd tasting with the 2013 fetching the highest score of all wines that evening. These Chardonnays are deep, terroir-driven without denying their Napa origin and with a rather Burgundian texture and body. A perfect hybrid. Too bad that these wines will no longer be produced. They need one or the other year to show best: While the 2013 and 2014 were spectacular, the 2015/2016 were both not fully ready and showing.

TN: A perfect or almost perfect nose (99 or 100 points) with lots of intensity, incredible precision and layers and layers of aromas with toasted oak, honey balanced with lots of herbs, crushed rock and earth, yellow fruit, baking spices. This just has everything. Amazing. A bit less intriguing and perfect on the palate (96 points) with the same aromatic complexity but just a tad less sharp embedded in a superb texture and structure with very good freshness and a weightless quality to it you wouldn’t believe with such an intense nose. Very round and with a very good length. This gives the high-end burgundies a run for their money.

Comprehensive tasting of the Rudd Estates lineup (Sauvignon Blanc, Edge Hill Chardonnay, Samatha’s, Estate Red). This Chardonnay comes from the same plot, from the same wines that provided big parts of the white wine winner of the Judgment of Paris in 1976 (Chateau Montelena 1973). Planted in 1964, the vineyard is nearing the end of its life with less and less bottles produced every year (around 200 cases only). The 2017 is supposed to be their last vintage. This was one of the highlight of the whole Rudd tasting with the 2013 fetching the highest score of all wines that evening. These Chardonnays are deep, terroir-driven without denying their Napa origin and with a rather Burgundian texture and body. A perfect hybrid. Too bad that these wines will no longer be produced. They need one or the other year to show best: While the 2013 and 2014 were spectacular, the 2015/2016 were both not fully ready and showing.

TN: Another stunner with lots of minerality dominating the nose along some roasted oak aromas, and yellow fruit. A tad more creamy but still with great freshness and no sense of weight on the palate with a full aroma spectrum of yellow fruit, herbs, minerality, luxurious toast. Very round and balanced and with good length. I guess this will only get better over the next few years.

Comprehensive tasting of the Rudd Estates lineup (Sauvignon Blanc, Edge Hill Chardonnay, Samatha’s, Estate Red). This Chardonnay comes from the same plot, from the same wines that provided big parts of the white wine winner of the Judgment of Paris in 1976 (Chateau Montelena 1973). Planted in 1964, the vineyard is nearing the end of its life with less and less bottles produced every year (around 200 cases only). The 2017 is supposed to be their last vintage. This was one of the highlight of the whole Rudd tasting with the 2013 fetching the highest score of all wines that evening. These Chardonnays are deep, terroir-driven without denying their Napa origin and with a rather Burgundian texture and body. A perfect hybrid. Too bad that these wines will no longer be produced. They need one or the other year to show best: While the 2013 and 2014 were spectacular, the 2015/2016 were both not fully ready and showing.

TN: I only quickly had a look at this and the 2016 as my focus was solely on the 2013 and 2014 which were just on another level. The 2015/2016 show more muted, less focused and less interesting. Both on a solid 92+ level. But given the experience with the 2013 and 2014 I would just wait 5 more years as I believe they have more in store than what they are able to show today.

Comprehensive tasting of the Rudd Estates lineup (Sauvignon Blanc, Edge Hill Chardonnay, Samatha’s, Estate Red). This Chardonnay comes from the same plot, from the same wines that provided big parts of the white wine winner of the Judgment of Paris in 1976 (Chateau Montelena 1973). Planted in 1964, the vineyard is nearing the end of its life with less and less bottles produced every year (around 200 cases only). The 2017 is supposed to be their last vintage. This was one of the highlight of the whole Rudd tasting with the 2013 fetching the highest score of all wines that evening. These Chardonnays are deep, terroir-driven without denying their Napa origin and with a rather Burgundian texture and body. A perfect hybrid. Too bad that these wines will no longer be produced. They need one or the other year to show best: While the 2013 and 2014 were spectacular, the 2015/2016 were both not fully ready and showing.

TN: I only quickly had a look at this and the 2015 as my focus was solely on the 2013 and 2014 which were just on another level. The 2015/2016 show more muted, less focused and less interesting. Both on a solid 92+ level. But given the experience with the 2013 and 2014 I would just wait 5 more years as I believe they have more in store than what they are able to show today.

Comprehensive tasting of the Rudd Estates lineup (Sauvignon Blanc, Edge Hill Chardonnay, Samatha’s, Estate Red). The Samantha’s and the Rudd Estate are both marked by their cool profile, the dark and blue fruit. These wines are to Napa Valley what St. Julien is to the left bank: hardly ever early charmers but with a great purity, intense terroir expression and a sense of classicism. I find that style difference quite appealing, not only intellectually. Young, these Rudds probably don’t reach the heights of other superstar Napa wines but a comparative tasting at 20 years of age might have a different outcome. Anyway, it’s great to have some variety in the cellar that’s why I buy St. Julien and that’s why I should probably start buying some Rudd Estates Red (which clearly outshines Samantha’s in terms of depth and precision). What is missing to the most prestigious Napa Cabs? The weightlessness the very best wines (think Harlan) show.

TN: This was the best of the Samantha’s despite being form a not overly successful vintage which proves that these Rudd wines need to be cellared for a long time to reach their best (or even drinking window). Highlight here is the nose with very pure, pitch-black cassis, some smoke, first tertiary aromatics, cool and fresh. On the palate you find the same very, very pure fruit at the core. Overall slightly disjointed with the acidity being a bit too pronounced which makes the wine not perfectly harmonious. Medium+ length and with good precision. Overall solid 93 point (with the nose reaching 95/96 points).

Comprehensive tasting of the Rudd Estates lineup (Sauvignon Blanc, Edge Hill Chardonnay, Samatha’s, Estate Red). The Samantha’s and the Rudd Estate are both marked by their cool profile, the dark and blue fruit. These wines are to Napa Valley what St. Julien is to the left bank: hardly ever early charmers but with a great purity, intense terroir expression and a sense of classicism. I find that style difference quite appealing, not only intellectually. Young, these Rudds probably don’t reach the heights of other superstar Napa wines but a comparative tasting at 20 years of age might have a different outcome. Anyway, it’s great to have some variety in the cellar that’s why I buy St. Julien and that’s why I should probably start buying some Rudd Estates Red (which clearly outshines Samantha’s in terms of depth and precision). What is missing to the most prestigious Napa Cabs? The weightlessness the very best wines (think Harlan) show.

TN: This wine showed a little bit its nasty 2011 vintage with some greenish notes, same is true for the 2011 Estate Redd. In both wines, however, these slightly green notes act more like an additional dimension of aroma and freshness than like a fault. For me and my taste, this was more of a feature than a bug. Otherwise this Samatha’s showed dark, dense, cool and fresh, not overly complex or long but still quite enjoyable and good, despite being slightly rough around the edges. Some more time in the cellar will help to soften things out. Better wait here for a few years.

Comprehensive tasting of the Rudd Estates lineup (Sauvignon Blanc, Edge Hill Chardonnay, Samatha’s, Estate Red). The Samantha’s and the Rudd Estate are both marked by their cool profile, the dark and blue fruit. These wines are to Napa Valley what St. Julien is to the left bank: hardly ever early charmers but with a great purity, intense terroir expression and a sense of classicism. I find that style difference quite appealing, not only intellectually. Young, these Rudds probably don’t reach the heights of other superstar Napa wines but a comparative tasting at 20 years of age might have a different outcome. Anyway, it’s great to have some variety in the cellar that’s why I buy St. Julien and that’s why I should probably start buying some Rudd Estates Red (which clearly outshines Samantha’s in terms of depth and precision). What is missing to the most prestigious Napa Cabs? The weightlessness the very best wines (think Harlan) show.

TN: Many 2013 Napas are not yet open for business. As mentioned above, these Rudds are not early charmers, hence this 2013 is really closed and muted. It’s dark, dense and you could sense a lot of power. Overall hard to judge the wine today. I guess this could become a great wine but today max 92/93 points.

Comprehensive tasting of the Rudd Estates lineup (Sauvignon Blanc, Edge Hill Chardonnay, Samatha’s, Estate Red). The Samantha’s and the Rudd Estate are both marked by their cool profile, the dark and blue fruit. These wines are to Napa Valley what St. Julien is to the left bank: hardly ever early charmers but with a great purity, intense terroir expression and a sense of classicism. I find that style difference quite appealing, not only intellectually. Young, these Rudds probably don’t reach the heights of other superstar Napa wines but a comparative tasting at 20 years of age might have a different outcome. Anyway, it’s great to have some variety in the cellar that’s why I buy St. Julien and that’s why I should probably start buying some Rudd Estates Red (which clearly outshines Samantha’s in terms of depth and precision). What is missing to the most prestigious Napa Cabs? The weightlessness the very best wines (think Harlan) show.

TN: Pure, fresh and cool cassis and blue fruit on the medium+ expressive nose and the palate which shows a good weight. Not overly complex and not as balanced and soft as the 2008. This definitely needs some more time to soften and develop more complexity. Still, there is enough substance to become a nice wine.

Comprehensive tasting of the Rudd Estates lineup (Sauvignon Blanc, Edge Hill Chardonnay, Samatha’s, Estate Red). The Samantha’s and the Rudd Estate are both marked by their cool profile, the dark and blue fruit. These wines are to Napa Valley what St. Julien is to the left bank: hardly ever early charmers but with a great purity, intense terroir expression and a sense of classicism. I find that style difference quite appealing, not only intellectually. Young, these Rudds probably don’t reach the heights of other superstar Napa wines but a comparative tasting at 20 years of age might have a different outcome. Anyway, it’s great to have some variety in the cellar that’s why I buy St. Julien and that’s why I should probably start buying some Rudd Estates Red (which clearly outshines Samantha’s in terms of depth and precision). What is missing to the most prestigious Napa Cabs? The weightlessness the very best wines (think Harlan) show.

TN: Together with the 2008 and the 2016, this showed most complex with lots of dark fruit, blue forrest berries, some earthy tones and lots of Christmas spices. Fine tannins, good freshness, good length. This is rounder and more ready than the 2011/2013/2014 but the hot 2015 vintage is shining through with some heat. 1 or 2 points above the 2011/2014 in terms of aroma profile and roundness but 2 or 3 points deducted for not being able to mask the alcohol.

Comprehensive tasting of the Rudd Estates lineup (Sauvignon Blanc, Edge Hill Chardonnay, Samatha’s, Estate Red). The Samantha’s and the Rudd Estate are both marked by their cool profile, the dark and blue fruit. These wines are to Napa Valley what St. Julien is to the left bank: hardly ever early charmers but with a great purity, intense terroir expression and a sense of classicism. I find that style difference quite appealing, not only intellectually. Young, these Rudds probably don’t reach the heights of other superstar Napa wines but a comparative tasting at 20 years of age might have a different outcome. Anyway, it’s great to have some variety in the cellar that’s why I buy St. Julien and that’s why I should probably start buying some Rudd Estates Red (which clearly outshines Samantha’s in terms of depth and precision). What is missing to the most prestigious Napa Cabs? The weightlessness the very best wines (think Harlan) show.

TN: This is the most seductive vintage in this lineup (08/11/13/14/15) as it combines the roundness and openness of the hotter 2015 vintage with the purity of fruit of the other vintages. This young it shows more red fruit intermingled with the usual blue and black fruit, some earthy tones and a balancing minerality. Medium expressive on the nose but with good weight on the palate. Velvety tannins, good freshness and better handling of the alcohol than the 2015. Solid effort with one or the other point upside once mature.

Comprehensive tasting of the Rudd Estates lineup (Sauvignon Blanc, Edge Hill Chardonnay, Samatha’s, Estate Red). The Samantha’s and the Rudd Estate are both marked by their cool profile, the dark and blue fruit. These wines are to Napa Valley what St. Julien is to the left bank: hardly ever early charmers but with a great purity, intense terroir expression and a sense of classicism. I find that style difference quite appealing, not only intellectually. Young, these Rudds probably don’t reach the heights of other superstar Napa wines but a comparative tasting at 20 years of age might have a different outcome. Anyway, it’s great to have some variety in the cellar that’s why I buy St. Julien and that’s why I should probably start buying some Rudd Estates Red (which clearly outshines Samantha’s in terms of depth and precision). What is missing to the most prestigious Napa Cabs? The weightlessness the very best wines (think Harlan) show.

TN: Wonderful nose with lots of cool blue and black fruit as well as first tertiary aromas. 95/96 point nose. A bit less exciting on the palate as the acidity is not perfectly integrated but otherwise fairly round and balanced with dark Cab Sauvignon fruit and Cab Franc herbal notes. As all Estate Reds this is not yet fully ready but already good to drink with good concentration and length.

Comprehensive tasting of the Rudd Estates lineup (Sauvignon Blanc, Edge Hill Chardonnay, Samatha’s, Estate Red). The Samantha’s and the Rudd Estate are both marked by their cool profile, the dark and blue fruit. These wines are to Napa Valley what St. Julien is to the left bank: hardly ever early charmers but with a great purity, intense terroir expression and a sense of classicism. I find that style difference quite appealing, not only intellectually. Young, these Rudds probably don’t reach the heights of other superstar Napa wines but a comparative tasting at 20 years of age might have a different outcome. Anyway, it’s great to have some variety in the cellar that’s why I buy St. Julien and that’s why I should probably start buying some Rudd Estates Red (which clearly outshines Samantha’s in terms of depth and precision). What is missing to the most prestigious Napa Cabs? The weightlessness the very best wines (think Harlan) show.

TN: One of the best 2011, if not the best 2011 Napa wine I’ve had to date. This is so much dominated by the Cabernet Franc with very pure and fragrant red fruit, herbs and sous bois. Clearly different from all other reds today. It actually reminded me of the Chateau Lafleur 2009: not yet fully ready but shining with its soft, fragrant, almost fragile soul.

Comprehensive tasting of the Rudd Estates lineup (Sauvignon Blanc, Edge Hill Chardonnay, Samatha’s, Estate Red). The Samantha’s and the Rudd Estate are both marked by their cool profile, the dark and blue fruit. These wines are to Napa Valley what St. Julien is to the left bank: hardly ever early charmers but with a great purity, intense terroir expression and a sense of classicism. I find that style difference quite appealing, not only intellectually. Young, these Rudds probably don’t reach the heights of other superstar Napa wines but a comparative tasting at 20 years of age might have a different outcome. Anyway, it’s great to have some variety in the cellar that’s why I buy St. Julien and that’s why I should probably start buying some Rudd Estates Red (which clearly outshines Samantha’s in terms of depth and precision). What is missing to the most prestigious Napa Cabs? The weightlessness the very best wines (think Harlan) show.

TN: The best red wine of the night. While the nose is still in total lockdown and the palate is not nearly ready, this wine shows so much substance, so much depth through this wall of silence that it is already a great experience today. The density, the freshness, the purity are off the charts. Most of the 2013 Napa reds are not ready today, the wines from Rudd need more time than the average Napa wine, hence, this wine will need at least 10 years if not longer to open up and show its best. Nevertheless, this peak into a glorious future made me score it 96+ points. This could be 98+ point wine once mature. Reminded me of the Las Cases 2016 with just a tad less precision.

Comprehensive tasting of the Rudd Estates lineup (Sauvignon Blanc, Edge Hill Chardonnay, Samatha’s, Estate Red). The Samantha’s and the Rudd Estate are both marked by their cool profile, the dark and blue fruit. These wines are to Napa Valley what St. Julien is to the left bank: hardly ever early charmers but with a great purity, intense terroir expression and a sense of classicism. I find that style difference quite appealing, not only intellectually. Young, these Rudds probably don’t reach the heights of other superstar Napa wines but a comparative tasting at 20 years of age might have a different outcome. Anyway, it’s great to have some variety in the cellar that’s why I buy St. Julien and that’s why I should probably start buying some Rudd Estates Red (which clearly outshines Samantha’s in terms of depth and precision). What is missing to the most prestigious Napa Cabs? The weightlessness the very best wines (think Harlan) show.

TN: Like all 2014s, this is much more open than the 2013 drank alongside. Signature blue and black fruit, freshness and purity of all Rudd Estates wines apparent on the nose and palate. It has not the substance of the 2013 but is a lot of fun to drink and 95 points easily. Elegant and round tannins, dense and with a high concentration but without being cloying or plump, not least thanks to a perfect freshness. Medium+ length. Drinks very well but for sure has an even brighter future.

Comprehensive tasting of the Rudd Estates lineup (Sauvignon Blanc, Edge Hill Chardonnay, Samatha’s, Estate Red). The Samantha’s and the Rudd Estate are both marked by their cool profile, the dark and blue fruit. These wines are to Napa Valley what St. Julien is to the left bank: hardly ever early charmers but with a great purity, intense terroir expression and a sense of classicism. I find that style difference quite appealing, not only intellectually. Young, these Rudds probably don’t reach the heights of other superstar Napa wines but a comparative tasting at 20 years of age might have a different outcome. Anyway, it’s great to have some variety in the cellar that’s why I buy St. Julien and that’s why I should probably start buying some Rudd Estates Red (which clearly outshines Samantha’s in terms of depth and precision). What is missing to the most prestigious Napa Cabs? The weightlessness the very best wines (think Harlan) show.

N: The weakest of the most recent Rudd estates but only by a tiny margin and in no way a weak wine. To the contrary, the nose which shows a bit disconnected at first gains by the minute and nicely portrays the hot, ripe vintage with some roasted aromas but without being too sweet or overripe. While the nose is a bit atypical for this wine the palate plays a bit closer to the other vintages with the cool blue and black fruit but is still distinctively riper and a tad less elegant and cool than the others. Overall stilly a sexy wine (especially on the nose), with a very good structural frame and length.

Comprehensive tasting of the Rudd Estates lineup (Sauvignon Blanc, Edge Hill Chardonnay, Samatha’s, Estate Red). The Samantha’s and the Rudd Estate are both marked by their cool profile, the dark and blue fruit. These wines are to Napa Valley what St. Julien is to the left bank: hardly ever early charmers but with a great purity, intense terroir expression and a sense of classicism. I find that style difference quite appealing, not only intellectually. Young, these Rudds probably don’t reach the heights of other superstar Napa wines but a comparative tasting at 20 years of age might have a different outcome. Anyway, it’s great to have some variety in the cellar that’s why I buy St. Julien and that’s why I should probably start buying some Rudd Estates Red (which clearly outshines Samantha’s in terms of depth and precision). What is missing to the most prestigious Napa Cabs? The weightlessness the very best wines (think Harlan) show.

TN: I’m a big fan of the 2016 vintage and this wine is no exception. On the palate this wine shows much more depth and terroir expression than the 2015 and 2014 and is more giving than the 2013. Dark and blue fruits, lots of earthy and especially herbal aromas. More sexy fruit expression than the 2013 with less exuberance and ripeness than the 2015. Best of both worlds here. Great length, superb tannin quality and signature freshness and cool style. Definitely a 96/97 point experience on the palate. The downside here was the nose which was not open for business but that seems is just a matter of time.