Spring Release Cuvée HHS Chardonnay
2023

Winemaker’s Notes

The two most famous and greatest Chardonnay vineyards of Napa Valley come together in this “Grand Cru” expression of the foggy climate and dense clay soils of Napa’s Carneros district. If you want to experience this delicious and substantial wine, you have three options: on the wine pairing menu at The French Laundry, the next time (!) you fly Emirates First Class, or probably the most accessible—order your allocation from this offering. The wine combines the power and density of Hudson with the authority and intensity of Hyde; it’s a compelling mix. Is the sum greater than its parts? You can decide. What’s fully evident is that the wine possesses the deep richness with piercing intensity that’s made these vineyards so renowned throughout the wine world. The breadth, texture, and complexity displayed here is truly singular, and I expect the wine will grow in stature in bottle over the next decade.

The wine’s aromas are explosive, beautifully fragrant, and expressive, with lemon thyme, jasmine, orange zest and green herb complexity. The vivid fruit expression—lemon curd, stone fruits, and tangerine—really expands with air. Fruit richness is married to mineral tension, and vibrant acidity lends energy and lift to the wine’s long, pulsating finish. A wine of concentration and poise. Drink between 2025 and 2033.

Andy Smith